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No Fear or Corruption Caused by Craddick


by: Cody Yocom

Fri Dec 29, 2006 at 00:07 PM CST


So, I sent my obligatory e-mail to my local state rep. to let him know that I hoped he would support other candidates for Speaker of the House than Tom Craddick.  I mentioned that Craddick had created a fear amongst representatives and a culture of corruption around Austin.  Since I knew he wouldn't be a Senfronia fan (he's a Republican), I thought I'd throw in that Brian McCall would be better. I was as polite as possible in the e-mail.

All of the above seems fairly reasonable, I thought.  Problem was, my state rep is wingnut Leo Berman of Tyler.  Here's his response to me, in full:

  Dear Mr. Yocom:

I am a Conservative Republican.  Tom Craddick is a Conservative Republican.  I have no idea what you are talking about when you speak of fear and corruption in the Texas House. 

Rep. McCall is a Moderate to Liberal Republican who would have to make many concessions to Liberal Democrats in the House in order to get their vote for Speaker.  I plan to stay with the winning team of Tom Craddick. 

Democrats in the House have tried to disrupt the legislative process for two sessions since Republicans became the majority party.  If not for Tom Craddick, they would have ruled the roost despite the fact that they are in the minority.

Sincerely,
Leo Berman

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Perspective? (0.00 / 0)
I guess it all depends on which end of the arm-twisting you are on...

Disclosure: Former Political Director for Lee Leffingwell for Mayor of Austin ('09)

Berman is implying that McCall is breaking the law (0.00 / 0)
Chapter 302 in the Texas Government Code (the so called "Speaker's Statute") forbids Speaker candidates from making any promises in return for a vote. This is called legislative bribery.

See my post on this here:

http://muse-musings....


No Fear or Corruption Caused by Craddick (0.00 / 0)
Thank the Lord this guy is not my rep.

Man, I love this. (4.00 / 2)
I love the Republican underdog attitude even when they're on top. You could make them God, and they'd still complain about how even though they were omnipotent that pesky devil keeps taking control of things and doing all sorts of things they don't want.
Hopefully Craddick gets voted out just so we get some legislation. I know many Republicans and Democrats who no longer care who runs the legislature just as long as the do SOMETHING.

How Are We Reduced To Supporting Republicans For Speaker? (0.00 / 0)
How is it that Burnt Orange and other Democrats support a Republican for Speaker?  I suppose it not so surprising from Burnt Orange as they are really more part of the establishment than bloggers. You never fully know the motives at work when people are more concerned with how close they are to power instead of representing different voices. As for Texas rank-and-file Democrats---I'm less certain of why they feel any need to support one Republican over another. Thank you. 

There is no Democrat in the race (0.00 / 0)
Therefore, there is only one party of candidates to choose from. Rep. Thomson has endorsed McCall.

Please read the Community Guidelines and How to Rate Comments.

[ Parent ]
There Is Democrat In The Race (0.00 / 0)
In the 8 years I've lived in Texas I've often found that there is no Democrat in the race. In Houston, in Harris County and Statewide--time and time again--there is no Democrat in the race. Now we have no Democrat in the Speaker's race. You're used to it I guess. Not me. Thank you.

[ Parent ]
Oops Myself. I Left Out A No (0.00 / 0)


[ Parent ]
Re (0.00 / 0)
It's called "choosing the lesser of two evils" and if you don't think it's an important distinction then you're too stupid to vote.  How is it better for the people of Texas to sit on the sidelines and allow the greater of two evils a chance to rule?

Sheer stupidity.  That's a BIG reason why Tx Dems are the minority party.

XT

Christian Liberal is NOT an oxymoron.


[ Parent ]
Calling People Stupid Makes You Just As Bullying As Many So-Called Christians I've Met In Texas (0.00 / 0)
So I'm certain you fit in quite well in these parts.

[ Parent ]
Re (0.00 / 0)
"calling people stupid" is not bullying.  It's stupid to say so.  Especially when what I'm saying is true.

I'm also not sure what "these parts" you are talking about. 

I'll just chalk it up to offering proof of my original thesis.

XT

Christian Liberal is NOT an oxymoron.


[ Parent ]
Re (0.00 / 0)
I gotta say - that reply is funny as hell.  "I'm a conservative republican.  He's a conservative republican.  There's no problem."

Apparently he is saying that conservative republicans are either exempt from corruption or that they are simply so used to using corrupt operating practices that it is redundant to speak of both conservative republicans and corruption.

Funny stuff.

XT

Christian Liberal is NOT an oxymoron.


Couple things, Neil (0.00 / 0)
1) No, I haven't lived outside of Texas, which is why I'm not talking about anything outside of Texas.

2) Your obsession with how things are "supposed" doesn't hold water with this discussion, because we're talking about the way things work.

3) You're operating under the assumption that voting for a different Republican Speaker somehow surrenders the Democrats' ability to take back the House in two or four years. That's a terrible assumption to make.

4) This "Republican majority" you're discussing is a little flimsy considering that (a) no Democrat incumbents lost, (b) more Democrats represent Texas this year than last year, and (c) the Governor didn't even get 40% of the vote.

5) You're also working under the assumption that no policy will matter for the next two-to-four years.

You have yet to address why we shouldn't do everything to fight for better policies on any dozen of issues in the next session, or why on earth you don't think any policies matter. In fact, you're really not adding anything to the discussion beyond redundancy and self-promotion.

Now, a very great man once said that some people rob you with a fountain pen.


As I Was Trying To Say (0.00 / 0)
You click my name and it does not go back to my blog. I am not mentioning my blog at all. I respond to you, after you twist my words, and you say I'm doing bad stuff. If I'm doing bad stuff than please stop responding. I asked you to stop attacking and you still attack. I called my last comment to you "round and round" suggesting I was reaching my limit instead of wishing to go on. I'll tell you what--why don't we see how it goes and take it up at some other point if you wish. I'm sure you are an okay guy. Have a good night. Thank you

 


[ Parent ]
Food for thought... (0.00 / 0)
Some people are angry the Democratic Representatives even have a vote in the Speaker's race.  Well, the Speaker is one of the top offices in Texas, right?  It's voted on by achieving a majority of the State Reps.  State Reps are, obviously, elected by the voters in their district to represent the district's interests in Austin.  If ONLY Republicans voted on it, wouldn't that disinfranchise a LARGE part of the state so those voters had no say whatsoever in who was elected to a top state office? 

It seems obvious to me Democrats should vote their district in this race.  Craddick has been SO awful that I cannot understand how voting for him would help ANYBODY'S district.  Another Republican would be FAR better.  Thus, you vote for the better option.  When we achieve a majority status, then WE will have a Democratic Speaker.  All Democrats will vote together and that vote will allow us to get a consensus choice.  If, however, that speaker happens to be truly awful, then Democrats might defect and a concensus moderate choice might have to emerge, probably from the majority party.  That is what is happening here.  Hopefully, I pray to God, we NEVER have to face that situation.  However, if we do, then I, for one, am GLAD that we have a system in place that allows recourse over abuse of power.


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