Posted on 06/03/2006 9:48:18 PM PDT by anymouse
SAN ANTONIO - The Republican Party of Texas elected a new vice chairman Saturday, choosing Dr. Robin Armstrong, the first black to hold the position since Reconstruction.
Armstrong, an internal medicine doctor from Dickinson, said he grew up in a household of Democrats but became a Republican in 1989 at age 19. His decision was associated with his religious faith, he said, because he became a "born-again believer."
"My philosophy is more conservative," Armstrong said, explaining that his opposition to abortion was a key issue in his party choice.
He said he has been an active Republican at the local level in Galveston County for the past eight years. Armstrong said he hopes to help the Republican Party continue its outreach to minority Texans.
"I believe that minorities are conservative," he said.
Bobby Eberle of Pearland also sought the vice chairmanship. Armstrong succeeds David Barton, who has been vice chairman for nine years.
Party chairman Tina Benkiser faced no major opposition and was easily re-elected chairman.
PLATFORM APPROVED
The party approved a platform Saturday that urges no amnesty for illegal immigrants, stiffer penalties for employers who hire illegal workers and suspension of automatic U.S. citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants.
The platform, a document drafted and voted on at the state GOP convention every two years, addresses a variety of subjects.
It states that the Texas Republican Party supports "traditional" marriage, which it defines as "a God-ordained, legal and moral commitment only between a natural man and a natural woman."
The platform also opposes abortion, the sale and use of "the morning after pill" known as emergency contraception and the legalization of sodomy.
Although the platform is a broad statement of what the party supports, not all Republican candidates agree with everything in it.
HAVING A LITTLE FUN
U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison began her speech to the state GOP convention Saturday with a joke. She noted that if gunshots are heard in Washington, D.C., it can set off panic.
"In Texas, they would be asking which hunting season had started, or if Vice President Cheney was visiting," she said, referring to Cheney's accidental shooting of a hunting partner in South Texas in February.
The shooting victim, Austin attorney Harry Whittington, was hospitalized but recovered from his birdshot wounds.
Me too! But I think you're getting Gina confused with Mark Cole and the floor vote with Bill Crocker, after the convention was informed that President Reagan had died. Gina had already graciously conceded, like Bobby Eberle did this time.
I think the MSM will attempt to ignore Dr. Armstrong, like they have the three statwide elected black Republicans.
Dr. Eberle showed grace under fire. I'm glad that Dr. Armstrong won, though.
Medical doctor beats rocket scientist! (Okay, that's my take on it, as a medical doctor, anyway.)
One of the amusing stories that happened in our SD 21 caucus was Michael Esparza delivering a speech just after Congressman Bonilla. Michael gave a really good speech asking for support, However, forgot to mention his own name until asked. He was a little flustered by that until it was pointed out that the Congressman also had not mentioned his own name.
Michael is not on the ballot in Bexar County, but, I would ask that those of you in South Texas make a special effort to vote for, and support this nice young man.
Yes! I saw a website this morning "for $12.95 get all the dirt on Robin Armstrong". Sheesh, its already started.
In SD4, Robin Armstrong won by one vote (170 - 169). The delegate sitting beside me flipped her vote at the last second to vote for Armstrong. A small example of the concept that "every vote counts".
Who in the world is Robin Armstrong, and how did he defeat a proven Republican conservative activist for this important post?
Was Tina Benkiser behind this? She certainly doesn't want conservatives in responsible positions in the Texas GOP, does she?
That long, eh?
</sarcasm>
Not the government's business?
Where did you get your marriage license?
I certainly agree with you.......for many years I've watched in dismay as the higher level socialists in the Tx. Rep. party totally disregard the hard work of the grassroots activists in the state of Tx.
According to www.quorumreport.com/buzz/buzz.cfm (scroll down to the June 2nd section) a three-page proposal on immigration was voted on by the Platform Committee. Did that pass and did the general delegation vote for it to be in the platform? (I wasn't able to make it to the convention because of my wife's surgery.)
-ricer1
You don't think that our elected officials even so much as glance at the Party platform, do you?
Even though I'm on our platform committee here in SD12, I'm under no illusions as to its importance.
Hey Redbob, I notice on your freeper site that you are a motorcyclist and shooter. So am I. I rode to work this morn on my Yamaha V-Star 1100 Classic ('06). But it's been over a year since I've gone to the shooting range and thrown lead at a target.
-ricer1
Robin is awesome. RPT is awesome. Eberly is awesome.
We are a blessed group.
The Republican Party will have big things ahead for Bobby Eberly.
Just notice that the gripers aren't lamenting the loss of Bobby (they are fair weather friends indeed) rather they are continuing in their hateful spew against Tina.
Some people don't want to do anything so they would rather tear in and just hate.
They do good people like Bobby Eberle and Gina Parker a grave injustice.
Saw Gina by the way on her way into the convention Saturday morning and gave her a big hug. Told her thanks taking the high road and refusing to be used by the malcontents. I never got to thank Bobby after the convention but I did see him and his wife during the convention and told them how much I admired the clean strong race.
Watch for BIG BIG things from Robin and his service to the GOP. He is an phenominal guy. I am proud of the approx 3500 stickers I and my children handed out for Robin at the convention over the two days.
Redbob, you are exactly right. Tina and the entire RPT staff were behind this. Why would she work so hard for this guy over a proven entity? She had Bobby trailed all day Friday with one of her flunkies reporting back where Bobby was and what he was doing.
I doubt many of them actually sit down and read it, but I think most will take note that 45% of those who get out to help with their campaigns were not pleased with HB3.
The press will only report on the platform if they think they can gain an advantage for their viewpoint. If we would have adopted the amendment, you can bet it would have been headlines throughout the state, "Texas Republican Party Calls for Repeal of Perry Business Tax" with a quote from Strayhorn and others.
Thanks for serving on the Platform Committee. Y'all did a great job.
Did you see this?
http://www.jarbobayoutimes.com/RobinArmstrong.HTML
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