Mrs. Raymond Proud Her Husband Has Fled with Other Democrats to Oklahoma

The Laredo (TX) Morning Times ^ | 05-14-03 | Cortez, Tricia

[Theodore R.]

Mrs. Raymond proud of husband's actions

BY TRICIA CORTEZ Times staff writer

From their home in northwest Laredo, Michelle Raymond beamed with pride Tuesday for her husband Richard and the 50 other Texas Democrats who stealthily made their way to Ardmore, Okla., busting the two-thirds quorum needed to vote on a controversial GOP redistricting bill.

"I just have enormous pride for Richard and all the House members taking this stand. It's a relief for people to see what has been going on in the Capitol," Michelle said.

"As his wife, I get to see what's going on and have had a chance to watch the committee hearings and know how Richard and the other Democrats have been treated. This has been brewing all session, and it intensified the last couple of weeks," she said.

When officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety went to their home in the La Bota Ranch subdivision Monday, the Raymond's three children introduced themselves and asked the DPS officers why they were there.

"They (the children) were very inquisitive," Michelle laughed. "The officers were very polite and said they had stopped by to say 'Hi.' They then asked me questions out of earshot of our children. They were just doing their job."

The DPS troopers, under orders by Speaker of the House Tom Craddick (R-Midland) to round up the missing "Killer Ds," wanted to know if Raymond was at home, Michelle said.

She added that everyone who has called their house has done so in support of the unprecedented move taken by Richard and the 50-plus House Democrats.

"I have not received a single call of somebody upset for what they're doing. The only thing I regret is that my kids aren't older and can't really experience this with their father. They know he's gone, but they think he's in Austin," she said.

Though Richard has been busy working with the other "Killer Ds" in Ardmore, Michelle said he has contacted her and the children.

"It's not easy. Almost all the state reps have family that they cannot be in regular contact with in Oklahoma. I was cautiously supportive when I first learned of their decision because it's a massive thing to do to get that many people out of Texas and into Oklahoma," she said.

As for the sharp criticisms made by Republicans over the actions of Raymond and other House Democrats, Michelle said she respects their opinion "because everybody is entitled to their opinion. But if you go back to the Web site and listen to those committee hearings, and look at the clock and at those maps, those maps speak for themselves."

The Web site is www.capitol.state.tx.us.

"Everybody had to feel it in their soul, in the deepest part of their heart to be willing to do this. I hope the public and other (House) members understand why they felt that they had to do this," she added.

(Staff writer Tricia Cortez can be reached at 728-2568 or tricia@lmtonline.com.)

05/14/03

[Theodore R.]

I just realized that the TX Democrats are going to succeed with this flight to Ardmore. And the barefoot TX taxpayers will probably yet pay their "flight" expenses. You have to hand it to the "democracy," it figured out how to prevail in a crunch. Of course, this flight was unnecessary, for the moribund state Senate was not going to act on redistricting anyway.

[Puppage]

All that, and not ONE mention that what the rats are doing IS ILLEGAL!!!

[CaptRon]

If I were a Texan, the fact that the state was minus a few Democrats might fill me with joy. At least the petty cash is safe for a while.

[solo gringo]

I have never seen mr raymond on tv when he was not whineing about something thie man must be very unhappy.

[Blood of Tyrants]

The Texas Constitution

Article 3 - LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

Section 10 - QUORUM; ADJOURNMENTS FROM DAY TO DAY; COMPELLING ATTENDANCE

Two-thirds of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner and under such penalties as each House may provide.

[SouthernFreebird]

These losers shouldn't be entrusted with the business of State.
I can't imagine anyone being proud that grown men and woman have acted like pouting children who didn't get their own way..... whats next, are they gonna hold their breath till they turn blue? absolutely disgusting... an embaressment to America.

[Blood of Tyrants]

My previous post indicates that the Republicans may pretty much do what they like to the 'Rats. My suggestion is to declare them in violation of the Constitution and expel them from the General Assembly and for the governor to appoint temporary replacements (all Republicans, of course).

[Blood of Tyrants]

"absolutely disgusting... an embaressment to America."

Which is why they should follow my suggestion in post #7.

[Theodore R.]

I am afraid, however, that the Republicans would "fear" to do what you propose. Why? Republicans are always trying to talk Democrats into supporting them. They are so nice. The Democrats interpret their courtesy as weakness.

[Theodore R.]

Actually, Representative Raymond is a hugely popular Democrat in Laredo: unopposed in 2002 and mentioned as a potential 2004 opponent to Rep. Henry Bonilla, the unpopular Republican congressman from San Antonio whose district embraces Laredo. HBe is from a well-heeled Laredo family: his cousin is the Webb County district attorney.

[Okies love Dubya 2]

When they leave, we here in OK are sticking TX with the cleaning bill to get rid of the stench left behind by these 'Rats--we're in a budget crisis, don't you know!

[jimt]

The 'rats aren't known here as "killer D's" - they're known as "chicken D's" - and a few other choice words.

They're costing the taxpayers millions of dollars, and the political fallout is going to be awesome.

Like all 'rats, they're cowards and cheaters.

[Banjoguy]

Once more the the steenking DemocRATS are acting out government by obstruction. If you can't get what you want by:
a) majority vote
b) the court system,

you pick up your marbles and run away, or filibuster to obstruct the legislative agenda, while whining about those bad Republicans. What a bunch of weenies.

[joesnuffy]

Well I'm sure she would be proud of General Arnold as well....and Alger Hiss....and Ethel & Julius and Jane Fondle and Michael Moore and Susan Saranwrap & Mr Saranwrap etc etc

[Blood of Tyrants]

I think that $5000 per person per day ought to be about right.

However, they can also simply issue an arrest warrant, have the Oklahoma HP pick them up and extradict them to Texas.

[Theodore R.]

"The political fallout is going to be awesome.

Maybe, maybe not. Remember these Democrats now in OK are from safe Democrat districts where they could not be beaten if they "raped a nun in the process of robbing the widow's and children's fund." That quotation came from a 1978 line in an AR newspaper in which it was said that Attorney General Bill Clinton could not lose the AR governor's race that year unless he "raped a nun in the process of robbing the widow's and children's fund." And even if Clinton did that, AR was so Democrat that the people would still vote for Clinton.

[mabelkitty]

You know, the Ba'ath party lost the war, and after they fled to Syria, they came back and are demanding to be a large part of the new Iraqi government.

Texas Democrats lost the election, and rather than accept defeat, like the Ba'ath party, they have fled to Oklahoma and are demanding to be a large part of the new Texas legislature.

I guess the moral of the story is: Winning matters.

[asformeandformyhouse]

have the Oklahoma HP pick them up and extradict them to Texas.

Or better yet, issue state warrents for their arrest. Then if they ever set foot in Texas again, they'll be arrested. Then we'll see how the little misses likes it when her hubby can't come home.

[Blood of Tyrants]

With any luck, thwy will move to Oklahoma permanently. And if they are not residents of Texas, there is no way he can be a legislator in Texas.