No Fear or Corruption Caused by Craddick

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)

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by: sccs @ Fri Dec 29, 2006 at 18:17:03 PM UTC

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....

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by: muse @ Fri Dec 29, 2006 at 19:19:36 PM UTC

No Fear or Corruption Caused by Craddick (0.00 / 0)

Thank the Lord this guy is not my rep.

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by: spur em on @ Fri Dec 29, 2006 at 19:32:23 PM UTC

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.

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by: tthomas48 @ Fri Dec 29, 2006 at 19:41:57 PM UTC

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. 

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by: neilaquino @ Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 02:15:33 AM UTC

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.

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 03:53:35 AM UTC

[ 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.

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by: neilaquino @ Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 04:50:57 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

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

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by: neilaquino @ Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 04:54:26 AM UTC

[ 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.

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by: Xpatriated Texan @ Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 10:52:59 AM UTC

[ 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.

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by: neilaquino @ Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 11:48:29 AM UTC

[ 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.

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by: Xpatriated Texan @ Tue Jan 02, 2007 at 19:30:04 PM UTC

[ 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.

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by: Xpatriated Texan @ Sat Dec 30, 2006 at 10:51:16 AM UTC

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.

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by: Phillip Martin, Progress Texas @ Sun Dec 31, 2006 at 03:23:54 AM UTC

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

 

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by: N.Aquino @ Sun Dec 31, 2006 at 04:13:14 AM UTC

[ 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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by: David O. @ Sun Dec 31, 2006 at 18:51:15 PM UTC