Posted on 01/06/2009 10:02:59 AM PST by Def Conservative
AUSTIN – As Rep. Joe Straus effectively wrapped up the House speaker race Monday, he pledged to open the House to allow members – Republican or Democrat – to win the day if they had the best argument and the most votes.
To most observers, that means the House will be a very different place.
Ideas from the far reaches of the political spectrum, whether on abortion, immigration or school vouchers, probably won't make it, while others that have withered under House Speaker Tom Craddick, such as green energy programs, more education funding, and tighter ethics rules, might have a shot.
"The dynamic of the issues seems to have moved towards the middle," said Fred Hill, an 18-year GOP veteran of the House who retired this year. "There won't be the effort to force the issues that are out on the edges, like vouchers for instance."
Straus, a moderate Republican from San Antonio, swept into the speaker's race Friday night and by Sunday had enough pledges, the great bulk from Democrats, to assure his election as the next House leader. As his list of supporters continued to grow Monday, his chief Republican rivals dropped their campaigns, leaving him all but assured of election when the 150 House members vote on a speaker when they gather Jan. 13.
Conservative activists and legislators expressed anguish over losing Craddick, a partisan warrior, as speaker. Craddick, who ended his campaign for a fourth speaker's term, saw his base crumble when virtually all Democrats and a dozen key Republicans abandoned him. He was also hurt by the November elections, which left the GOP with a thin 76-74 majority.
While Craddick filled most important committee posts with Republicans and evoked his power to kill bills or send them sailing, Straus has promised to be different.
(Excerpt) Read more at kvue.com ...
Texas?!
Is there no place safe from this terminal blue cancer?
In TEXAS??? Lord, please don’t let Texas be poisoned by liberalism!
The liberals are trying to infiltrate even the deepest of red states. If Texas turns blue, we’re screwed!
Texas Republicans are often former Democrats (in the era of Reagan they were Democrats) and there are also some go-along-to-get-along(and get pork) Republicans.
The Republican Party here ignores the party planks.
There are good Republicans in the state but they meet resistance from within their own party.
And Democrat victories will FOREVER be RED in my mind. This whole “Red State/Blue State” thing didn’t come up until a couple of election cycles ago when they FLIPPED the colors. I know communist policies when I see them.
Freakin RINO...
....our welfare voter rolls have been growing here like everywhere else. One man-one vote has worked its magic.
Dallas County has turned "blue"...heck, to prove our "diversity"...we even have a little latina lesbo for Sheriff of Dallas county. She is tough, by golly.
Yes...pretty soon we will have the same utopian city as Detroit...and our economy will rival Michigan's.
anyone have this a-hole, Straus contact info?
I need to give him a piece of my mind before he runs off and ruins the state I love.
I find nothing here
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist121/bio/straus.htm
The GOP members who supported Straus said Craddick was too mean and heavy handed. Boo freakin hoo! They should grow a pair!
I don’t think they realize that the Dems are not playing to get along, they always play to destroy.
Is there no place safe from this terminal blue cancer?
Change is in the wind. Witness the new administration about to be seated in DC. Reagan won and slowly the Republicans took power with the Gringrich sweep but they have basically been on the decline ever since.
This change in the Texas House leadership will have some impacts but the Texas Senate is still strongly in the Republican column, 20-11. However the Democrats do have sway in the Senate in that they have enough votes to keep any item from reaching the floor should they choose to do so. Thus they do have bargining power.
I think the change in the House may be more evident when it comes time for the redistricting in both the state and federal legislative seats.
Capitol Address Room E2.314, Capitol Extension Austin, TX 78701 (512) 463-0686 (512) 463-1064 Fax District Address 7373 Broadway 202-A San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 828-4411 (210) 826-0567 Fax
Unfoutuantly, Texas will be a Presidential Swing State by 2016 and be Democrat by 2020.
There are several demographic trends that will turn Texas Blue.
Unfoutuantly, Texas will be a Presidential Swing State by 2016 and be Democrat by 2020.
There are several demographic trends that will turn Texas Blue.
Very true. Californiacation via immigration = permanent liberal lock on the White House.
Immigration is not the only factor that will trend Texas to a Democratic state.
Rather, the influx of U.S. Americans from California as well as the transition of Texas suburbs from Republican to Democrat.
In the 2008 election Obama won Dallas, Harris, El Paso and Bexar counties.
Look at the bright side: There will now be a “new tone” in Austin politics.
Kind of like the new tone in DC since 2000.
Which, of course, gave us the change of 2006, followed by the hope and change of 2008.
Craddick, Straus to switch offices
Source? Stats showing the numbers? What are the demographics in the areas you mention?
I see this type of accusation bantered about quite a bit, but has anyone dared to look in the mirror so to speak and think for one minute that maybe, just maybe, it's homegrown?
There are quite a few Californians that are conservative. You should hope that we move to Texas instead of swathing broad brushes.
Not trying to sound contentious, just annoyed that we get accused so much.
SZ
Well, yes a portion of the Texas Blue Trend is home grown with suburbs now voting Democrat.
As far as the California influx, much of that is directed at Austin which has always been a Democratic stronghold.
Sorry for your troubles. We’re trying to keep our “Fort Apache, The Bronx” from turning. Don’t know how long it will last though. We’re in one of the last places in close proximity to that cesspool they call LA that has “affordable” housing.
Keep up the good fight.
SZ
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