Texas Republicans Want Gramm Out, Hispanic In

Reuters ^ | 09/07/01 | By Jeff Franks

[Nightstalker]

HOUSTON (Reuters) - With a wary eye on their political future, Texas Republicans are urging retiring U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm (news - bio - voting record) to leave office before his term expires so Gov. Rick Perry can appoint a Hispanic to the job.

In an odd spectacle reportedly aided by President Bush (news - web sites), Gramm has gone quickly from heavyweight to has-been because the Texas Republican Party wants to curry favor with the fast-growing Hispanic population that threatens its hold on power.

Should a Democrat win Gramm's Senate seat next year, it would be an embarrassment for Bush, the former governor of Texas, and a setback for Republican hopes of regaining the Senate majority that was lost when Sen. Jim Jeffords (news - bio - voting record) from Vermont became an independent.

Gramm, 59, announced on Tuesday he would not seek a fourth term, but said he would stay in office until his current six-year term ends in January 2003.

On Wednesday, Perry met with Bush in Washington to discuss how they could convince Gramm to leave sooner so Perry could appoint his successor, the Houston Chronicle reported.

On Thursday, Lionel Sosa, one of a handful of prominent Hispanic Republicans, said Gramm should get out.

``I only hope that he will be announcing his resignation, effective Dec. 31 or sooner,'' he told the Houston paper.

On Friday, Perry told reporters in Austin that Gramm could still resign early and said he suspected the senator was probably getting lots of job offers.

[Nightstalker]

Does anybody see Carl Rove's hand here? Do you think this explains why Gramm changed his mind on retirement?

[jwalsh07]

Phil gramm is a great conservative but he's decided to pack it in. The sooner we get some new young conservative blood in there, the better.

[BurkeanCyclist]

With a wary eye on their political future, Texas Republicans are urging retiring U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm (news - bio - voting record) to leave office before his term expires so Gov. Rick Perry can appoint a Hispanic to the job.

Well, as long as they're concerned about legitimate qualifications.

[Dan from Michigan]

This isn't right. Let the electorate decide.

[JRandomFreeper]

He needs to complete what he said he would do. Its about values, not about winning at all cost. I voted for him because he was going to be there for 4 years. He needs to stay.

/john

[anniegetyourgun]

You mean they won't be able to vote in the regular election cycle - regardless of who the incumbent is at the time?

[Dog Gone]

It's not Rove. He favored Cornyn, the current Texas Attorney General.

This is being orchestrated by Gramm, and Bush apparently has spoken to Perry about it, too. Perry favored appointing Tony Garza, another statewide officeholder to the position, but Gramm and Bush prefer Bonilla.

The voters will ultimately decide, of course, but this strategy prevents a lot of good Republicans in statewide office from killing each other off in a primary battle for the seat.

[anniegetyourgun]

and/or being forced to leave a position in what may be a swing district.

[Dog Gone]

Well, as long as they're concerned about legitimate qualifications.

Please explain how Bonilla is less qualified than any of the others mentioned so far.

Even harder, explain how any of the others are more qualified.

[BurkeanCyclist]

Please explain how Bonilla is less qualified than any of the others mentioned so far.

Please point out where Bonilla or any other individual is mentioned in this article as the probable appointee.

[DallasMike]

I heard a clip of Bonilla on the local radio news today and he said that he was "interested" in running for Senate. Good for him!

[bayourod]

"On Wednesday, Perry met with Bush in Washington to discuss how they could convince Gramm to leave sooner so Perry could appoint his successor, the Houston Chronicle reported. "

Did the Chronicle actually say that the purpose of the meeting was to see how to get Gramm out sooner?

This article seems very slanted in several ways.

[Map Kernow]

Texas Republicans are urging retiring U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm (news - bio - voting record) to leave office before his term expires so Gov. Rick Perry can appoint a Hispanic to the job.

In an odd spectacle reportedly aided by President Bush (news - web sites), Gramm has gone quickly from heavyweight to has-been because the Texas Republican Party wants to curry favor with the fast-growing Hispanic population that threatens its hold on power.

Aw, shoot! If they're really that eager to curry favor with growing Hispanic populations, why doesn't GW step aside and appoint Vincente Fox President of the United States? That'd really be a "winner" for the Republicans.

[Cicero]

The reality of the situation is that once Phil Gramm announced he planned to retire, he made himself into a lame duck. A lame duck gets no respect because people know he won't be around very long to help or hurt them. If Gramm wanted to serve out his term without losing his clout, then he shouldn't have announced his plans to retire until the very last minute. He's surely a smart enough politician to know that. Presumably he plans to leave soon to take on the college presidency or whatever, and the party will put their best candidate in his place to give him exposure and make him more electable in 2002. It only makes sense.

[Dog Gone]

Oops, I assumed everyone knew as much about this story as I do.

Check out this other thread. Republican pressing Gramm to exit early, pave way for Bonilla

[Republican Wildcat]

Gramm should be able to finish his term if he so desires.

[glock rocks]

Gramm has gone quickly from heavyweight to has-been because the Texas Republican Party wants to curry favor with the fast-growing Hispanic population

to hell with gramm’s incredible intellect and record fiscally as
well as constitutionally, let’s get somebody in here that
appeals to mexico. republicans, aka the stupid party.

[deport]

Parties Tout Hispanics to Replace Gramm

Although the GOP field is sure to be crowded, top party officials are urging at least two Hispanics, Rep. Henry Bonilla and state Railroad Commissioner Tony Garza, to run. Had Gramm decided to resign before the end of his term, Republican sources said, Gov. Rick Perry (R) would have considered naming Garza or Bonilla to the Senate seat.

Republican pressing Gramm to exit early, pave way for Bonilla

In a meeting in Washington on Wednesday, Perry and President Bush discussed possible inducements to get Gramm to resign now so Perry could appoint U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla, R-San Antonio, to the seat.

Three additional articles here