Texas lawmakers enjoy Ardmore hospitality

The Oklahoman Front Page ^ | 14 May 2002 | David Zizzo

[PhiKapMom]

Texas lawmakers enjoy Ardmore hospitality

2003-05-14
By David Zizzo
The Oklahoman

ARDMORE -- A large group of absent Texas Democratic lawmakers pursued across the border by Texas lawmen was cornered Tuesday in a grassy motel courtyard by another group almost as large -- reporters.

The legislators looked pretty much like Oklahomans, except for that star pinned to their lapels.

"We are standing up for the right thing," said Texas state Rep. Jim Dunnam, lining up before cameras and microphones with the other 50 Democrats who accompanied him on the run for the border that landed them at a Holiday Inn.

As chairman of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, Dunnam is a leader of the temporary defection of lawmakers, who on Sunday in the dead of night fled the Lone Star capital in Austin aboard two chartered buses. The move left the Texas Legislature without a quorum and unable to conduct business, specifically a move the Democrats say is aimed at "gerrymandering" the redistricting of congressional districts.

Flanked by U.S. and Texas flags, Dunnam and the others, wearing everything from jeans to dress jackets but scarcely any cowboy hats, gathered around a podium across from the swimming pool. They pledged to hold out in Ardmore "as long as it takes," even until Friday. After that, it would be too late for the Legislature to take up redistricting.

The Democrats accused Texas Republican Tom Delay, U.S. House majority leader, of sticking his congressional nose into the state's business by trying to get state lawmakers to take up congressional redistricting rather than more vital issues like education, the budget and health care.

"Don't mess with Texas," they said, borrowing an anti- litter slogan.

With liberal use of terms like "gerrymander," "partisan" and "Washington, D.C.," and even a quote from Abraham Lincoln, several lawmakers took turns explaining how they were "doing the right thing," were not cowards, and did not "cut and run."

"Cowards run. We are running from nothing," Rep. Joe Deshotel of Beaumont said.

Dunnam said "it is cowardly to send Texas troopers across state lines after midnight to try and coerce or threaten members of the Texas Legislature to go back." He said "our loved ones and our wives are still being followed" by troopers in Texas.

After the news conference, Deshotel said he heard other lawmakers complain that their wives reported they were being followed.

"I don't want my wife going through that," he said. "I don't want my kids thinking I'm a criminal."

Rep. Pete Gallego of Alpine told reporters the Democrats were just taking advantage of the quorum rule.

"There is absolutely no dishonor in using the rules," he said. "We are using the last tool in our tool box."

Dunnam said Democrats were showing "principles, courage and heart" by coming to Ardmore, about 30 miles outside the jurisdiction of Texas law. If they stayed in Texas, they could be forced back to Austin. He said the Democrats felt that leaving Texas was the only way left to protect the interests of their constituents.

"Being here in Oklahoma is the best way we can serve them," Dunnam said.

On Monday, Texas state troopers were sent to the motel by Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick to convince the lawmakers to return. Under House rules, the lawmakers could have been arrested for blocking a quorum, but the troopers have no jurisdiction in Oklahoma.

Several Ardmore police officers in plain clothes stood by under the shade of a walkway Tuesday. They said they were there just to make sure things stayed civil. They said Texas troopers were around earlier, but had left.

Dunnam said the Texas lawmakers each were paying their own expenses and that legislative per diem will not apply to time spent out of state. Asked how much the Texans were spending in Oklahoma, he said, "I don't know. Ardmore's happy."

Rep. Rick Noriega of Houston said Oklahoma lawmakers had invited the Texans to visit the Oklahoma Capitol. Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry said he would welcome Texas lawmakers.

Henry said, "We're glad they are spending their money in Oklahoma, and they have already provided a substantial boost to the Ardmore economy."

Oklahoma state GOP Chairman Gary Jones blasted Henry for welcoming the Texas Democrats. He said the Texans were "behaving in an obstructionist manner, and it's a publicity stunt, plain and simple.

"I'm embarrassed Governor Henry and our Democrat- controlled House of Representatives would condone such a childish act."

Watching the media event, retired auto worker Gene Lantz said he drove from Dallas to Ardmore to support the Democrats. He said the Texas Legislature "is like a horror story," and leaders are trying to cut funds for children and the elderly.

Deshotel said one man who identified himself as a Vietnam veteran "cursed me out" and said what the lawmakers were doing "was despicable and we ought to get the hell out of Oklahoma." But almost everyone else has been great, he said.

"People are very friendly," he said.

CONTRIBUTING: Carmel Perez Snyder in the Capitol Bureau

[PhiKapMom]

Ardmore is a DemocRAT stronghold in the State of Oklahoma so I am sure they feel right at home! Our idiot RAT Governor Henry the other day told a group of lawyers in a speech that ONLY lawyers should be allowed to be State Representatives. That speaks volumes since he is a lawyer that as a State Senator had the worst record of attendance in the Senate when he was there and now routinely misses meetings if they are not his cronies! If he doens't miss them, he is late.

Oklahoma with a DemocRAT Governor is what happens when 100,000 people vote for an Indy who promised to have NO Taxes and NO Tuition to go to college. It was estimated that about 80% of those votes would have gone to Largent. Hard to believe that many Oklahomans voted for Richardson when if they had bothered to think would have realized that his proposals were going nowhere fast!

That is why I personally get so disgusted when I see people advocating to vote 3rd party or not vote to send a message to Republicans. Unfortunately, Oklahomans like me are suffering because of that message which ended up electing a RAT Governor! That mentality disgusts me to no end. Why run for office when you know you have no chance of winning?

Richardson BTW was a Republican and law partner of Keating who came out and admitted that he couldn't get the nomination for Governor so he would finance his own campaign for Governor. He was a multi-millionaire who spent millions and millions of his own money to run -- raised very little and non-thinkers bought into his slick, dishonest campaign.

[camle]

I'd start a rumor that if rediscticting doesn't go thru, then they couldn't have elections at all, the people wouldn't be able to vote, and I'd blame the democrats for disenfranchising people.
Then I'd charter buses of my own and bus citizens to that hotel and get some of them rooms so that they havbe toe right to be there and have guests. then I'd have them and their guests make life miserable for the dems. Not to mention having all sorts of folks outside protesting.

[BellStar]

A House Bill that would have stopped the practice of Home Owners Associations banning Flagpoles and other displays from yards will now die if the partisan walkout (an embarrassing national news story now too!) by Texas Democrats, including Galveston counties own Rep. Craig Eiland, continues.

House Bill 1279
By Zedler, Howard
Reads in part :Some Home Owners Associations have banned flagpoles and other flag displays from the yards of homes under their jurisdiction. This bill says that homeowners associations cannot keep someone from flying the flag.

I am one who’s HOA, (Kemah Oaks HOA), come after them for my now infamous “Flagpoles”. I was seriously counting on this legislation to aid me in my difficult fight. Small children in our subdivision are now calling me the “Flag Lady” after the story of my “Flag Flap” appeared on television stations and in Texas and national news papers in April. What do I tell them? I will tell them some of us don’t run and hide when we don’t get our way unlike the cowardly Texas Legislators now hiding out in Oklahoma.


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/883898/posts

BellStar
“The Flag Lady”




Galveston Counties State Rep.Craig Eiland's wife gave birth to twin premature babies and he ran anyway?

[Nagual]

Do not let those DemocRATs back in Texas! Better yet, just give Texas back to Mexico

[PhiKapMom]

That's a great idea! I think OK GOP should organize such a group of protestors!

[PhiKapMom]

That's disgusting. If I were his wife, he wouldn't have a home to come home to for deserting me at a time like that!

I cannot believe these RATs did it on their own since DeLay seems to be their target. Perhaps they have had some help from the National RATs aka McAuliffe/clintons!

[PhiKapMom]

Our paper is covering the lowlife Texas RATs!

[asformeandformyhouse]

"I don't want my kids thinking I'm a criminal."

Then quit being one.

[longtermmemmory]

The 2004 court case has commenced. The democrat party is not fight for an election they are fighting against EXTINCTION! The democrat party must have projected their days as a political force are numbered. This is amazing. They must be terrified over the loss of power.

[RushingWater]

Where's the paddy wagon to take these crooks away?

[camle]

and while they're at it, take a few swipes at OK dems who are aiding and abetting this breach of law.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Whay hasn't the Texas legislature issued warrants for their arrest and have them extradicted? They have the power to compel attendance.

[Extremist]

...just give Texas back to Mexico.

We should draw a new district line running from just North of Laredo, down to just South of San Antonio and ending at the Gulf between Kingsville and Corpus Christi. Everything falling south of that line can go back to Mexico or become its own third-world country. The Valley sucks The State of Texas dry, not to mention providing some of the stupidest, most corrupt public officials in the World.

[deport]

Thanks for the ping.... Spread the word that the Okies need to get as much money from them in the next couple of days as possible as they'll be crossing the Red River back into Texas prolly by Friday. I think that is the time line I read somewhere that they were shooting far. I think beyond that date legislation doesn't have time to clear both houses for this session.

It may well be there will be a special session or two this summer/fall to finish the business they failed to attend to during the regular session.

The democrats are having a hard time adjusting to the minority party. They lost 16 seats in the state house this past redistricting and went from a majority of 78 to 72 to a minority of 88 to 62..... Obstructing such as they are doing is about all that is left for them at this time.

[robertpaulsen]

I think the GOP U.S. Senators ought to do the same thing in protest over judicial nominations.

[PhiKapMom]

It is hilarious to watch the implosion of the RATs at all levels when they end up in minority status. Cannot wait to see that happen here.

With our moronic RAT Governor throwing in with Texas RATs along with the RAT legislators, they have just handed OK GOP our campaign issue for 2004. Are the OK RATs going to go to Texas if they get in minority status?

Do think it is funny -- they run away rather than vote. Maybe their numbers will decrease more!

[PhiKapMom]

I agree with your theory. Their numbers for 2004 must be really bad and getting worse! The RATs are imploding at several different levels.

I am actually looking forward to the 2004 elections with the tactics the RATs have been pulling! GOP couldn't buy these kind of soundbites to use in their campaigns!

[PhiKapMom]

OK RAT Governor and our two moron RATs that head the House and Senate along with our RAT Attorney General won't honor extradition. In fact our RAT Governor said he will protect them.

Now if we could just get Henry out of the State and let our wonderful Republican Lt Governor Mary Fallin be in charge, the Texas RATs would be back in Texas in short order. She took over the gavel in the RAT controlled Senate to get Right to Work to come to a vote of the people. She is one tough lady who doesn't back down!

[longtermmemmory]

I would love to spin this to be:

"The Democrat Party: is it even relavent anymore?"

answer: no.

(no gravitas)

[CaptRon]

All this to prevent the Republicans from doing exactly what they themselves would be doing if they were in the majority. The Republicans MUST make this point.