Posted on 01/20/2007 7:53:24 AM PST by Theodore R.
Craddick vows to listen, work with those who sought his ouster
AUSTIN (AP) - Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick says the unprecedented coup attempt that nearly ended his leadership showed him that he had lost touch with some legislators, and he's vowing not to retaliate against fellow Republicans who turned against him.
"We're going to try to do a better job of listening to what the members are trying to tell us and communicate both ways," Craddick told The Dallas Morning News in Friday's editions. "Obviously, we thought we were doing a good job. Some didn't, and that's what it's all about."
The remarks were his first public comments on the race since Jan. 9, the day he narrowly faced down a challenge by Republican Rep. Jim Pitts of Waxahachie. Craddick reflected on what the uprising taught him about the House and how easy it is to get disconnected from the concerns of its members.
He said he and his wife, Nadine, talk a lot with House members, "but obviously we were not connecting with some people as well as we should have."
Craddick needed 75 votes in the 149-member House, but he never faced a direct ballot on his leadership. A procedural litmus vote showed he had six more supporters than Pitts, prompting Pitts to withdraw.
Pitts, a 14-year House veteran whom Craddick named to chair the appropriations committee two years ago, said he challenged Craddick because he wanted to end the fierce partisanship, arm-twisting and micromanagement of bills under Craddick's rule.
Craddick, a legislator for 38 years, is in his third term as speaker, one of the most powerful positions in Texas politics.
He now seems a little bewildered at how he let such a close call happen, the newspaper reported.
Craddick said he heard from House members that they felt he hadn't listened, or that he'd retaliated against them by killing their bills. Or they said they had no communication with the speaker. While saying he wants to take more responsibility, he also said it's a "two-way street."
"I'm at fault and I've got my faults; so does everybody else," he said. "But I'm saying if we don't know a problem exists, it's hard to help fix it."
Soon Craddick will make the all-important announcement of who will lead House committees. That's expected to be the first indicator of just how bipartisan, open and forgiving he will be to Pitts and others who moved against him.
Some who supported Pitts expect he won't be named appropriations chair again.
Pitts said Thursday night that he has asked to be returned as appropriations chairman "because of my experience."
"I'm really worried about lack of experience on appropriations because of the big issues this session," Pitts said.
What office was his wife elected to? Is he a another Bill and Hill, if I were an elected member and you sent your wife to talk to me we would have a problem.
Pitts doesn't like "fierce partisanship" - - lemme guess: Pitts is a "moderate"?
I know, there's been a rash of "special sessions", but the politicians don't have unlimited time to do their damage.
I am bitterly disappointed that he wasn't ousted. He screwed me in a business deal about 20 years ago, and I've never forgiven him. Craddick is a snake.
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