Former Harris County Republican Party Chairman Gary Polland cites the Texas Republican Party leadership for its failure to properly have DeLay removed from the ballot. In the latest issue of his Texas Conservative Review, Polland enumerates what went wrong with the DeLay case. In particular, Polland notes:
– [Republican Party of Texas ] Chairman [Tina] Benkiser did not adequately prepare for or document DeLay’s change of residency when she removed his name. This was a chance where a little extra effort could have paid off. Instead it hurt them later when trying to prove DeLay’s ineligibility.
– RPT did not have their case together. In trial, the RPT’s arguments and witnesses came across as under-prepared. They made crucial mistakes that also limited their ability to make a stronger case on appeal.
– Moving to Federal Court was a monster mistake. RPT assumed that the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals would rule in our favor simply because they’re perceived as a Republican court. Instead, the RPT simply invited the federal government to intervene on a matter of state law. Not only was this a foolish move - it was decidedly not conservative. Conservatives respect our system of federalism and the rights and laws of the states
Gary Polland apparently doesn't know what he's talking about. They went to the Federal courts because they were arguing a Federal issue.
Or maybe he just has an axe to grind.
The landscape had not changed. DeLay didn't want to go back to being a little fish in a big pond.