A College Student's View From Ardmore

Denton County Republican Party Newsletter ^ | 5/15/03 | Andy Hogue

[texas_mustang_01]

Ardmore, OK -- "Texans held hostage," "Lawmakers not lawbreakers," "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," "Go home" -- About 30 enraged taxpayers of all ages from Oklahoma and Texas held signs, chanted and sang in protest of the Democrats who fled Austin Monday.

Denton County Young Republicans, University of North Texas College Republicans, the Republican parties of Cooke, Collin, Denton and Tarrant counties, as well as Republican officials and grassroots activists from Ardmore, were among groups represented.

Gary Jones, Oklahoma Republican Party chairman, joined the protest and greeted Texas allies.

Independent voters from as far west as Wichita Falls and as far south as San Antonio participated as well, echoing the collective fury of their Texas Republican allies.

About 50 Democrats left their seats in the Texas House so that quorum would not be met. According to Texas House rules, without quorum (the minimum number of representatives present and voting) business may not be conducted. House rules also state that if representatives are absent from the House floor without an approved excuse, Texas state troopers may be called to arrest and escort the truant legislators to the Capitol.

Alas, Texas law enforcement officers have no jurisdiction north of the Red River. The Democrats therefore "hid" in the Ardmore Holiday Inn, along I-35 in southern Oklahoma.

Many crucial bills and resolutions were up for debate and passage, including budgetary items and redistricting legislation. The fleeing Democrats claim newly-drafted, color-blind redistricting plans would hurt their party's chances in the next election cycle.

The conspiring Democrats finally came out of their shells at 6 p.m. to host a press conference outside the entrance to the motel. The protestors in full force chanted "Shame on you," "Texans aren't quitters" and "What about our children?" as the reporters were granted brief interviews with the defeated lawmakers.

Pat Peale, former Cooke County chairwoman and state Republican executive, clucked like a chicken and waved her arms, mocking the legislators who were "chicken" by violating the terms of their oath of office to run away during the legislative session.

Ardmore residents and other southern Oklahomans visited the protest out of curiosity, some helping to hold signs. Others drove by honking horns and waving in support. Relatively few visitors or passers-by had anything negative to say (or gesture) regarding the GOP counter event.

Erin, a prospective Oklahoma University freshman, came to the plagued motel hoping to shake the hand of a Texas legislator. A self-described undecided voter, she eagerly awaited the chance to meet one of the notorious "Texas Fifty." Finding resentment at the front desk and ambivalence from the Democrats, she greeted the protesters instead.

Protesters made a sign for Erin, reading "Republican [or] Democrat: you decide." Gaining attention from a television cameraman and reporter, she was encouraged to go inside the motel to the suite where several of the reclusive Democrats sat around squandering taxpayer dollars. They greeted her request by saying, "We don't have time to fool with people like you" -- The bitter snub was caught on camera by KDAF-TV, WB 33.

Most of the Texas protestors left the scene around 7 p.m. after Democrats announced their departure -- allegedly because of severe storms in the area. Several Ardmore Republicans, including their county chairwoman, stayed until chartered busses left for Austin at around 10 p.m.

[Texas_Jarhead]

"They greeted her request by saying, "We don't have time to fool with people like you" -- The bitter snub was caught on camera by KDAF-TV, WB 33."

Typical. I wouldn't mind seeing the video.

[MEG33]

Glad they got a bit of heat.The runaway Texas Tantrum Party ..

[Digger]

Typical. I wouldn't mind seeing the video.

Good luck.

[GOPcapitalist]

They should have waved tacos and pork rines at the 'rats in the hotel. It may have lured at least one of them out who, based on all accounts, seemed preoccupied with food for much of the week.

Fugitive Rep. Joe Moreno (D-Houston)

L: Fugitive Rep. Joe Moreno (D-Houston) on his cell phone in Ardmore (presumably ordering food),
R: Fugitive Rep. Joe Moreno (D-Houston) cheering with his colleagues in Ardmore (note food stains on shirt)

FUGITIVE REP. JOE MORENO (D-HOUSTON) INTERVIEW WITH THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/16/03:

"(Rep. Joe) Moreno  didn't get out of the house - the Holiday Inn - much this week. He "ate a lot of Denny 's" and did a lot of reading. He brought the new LBJ biography, Means of Ascent. "We did go to Wal-Mart once to pick up some essentials, like toothpaste and boxer shorts," he said. "I ate dinner one night at Budro's Rib Joint because they had a sign that said `Legislator Friendly.' We liked that."

[Theodore R.]

I am a little surprised that Ardmore has a Republican party that would support the Texas GOP, for Ardmore is an historically Democrat -- Carl Albert -- stronghold.

It's hilarious that the TV camera caught the TX Demo hurling invective at the OK college student. I bet that was not shown too much on the news. News people in TX are historically addicted to the Democrat party.

[roderick]

Who or what organization paid for the 'rat holiday? . . .

[Renatus]

. It may have lured at least one of them out who, based on all accounts, seemed preoccupied with food for much of the week.

Looks to me he was preoccupied with food for much of his life. He reminds me of Nadler.

[goody2shooz]

I notice that in the photo on the right many of the Democrats are Latino; do most Latinos in Texas vote Democrat?

Here in the state of Washington most Latinos vote for Democrats.

[Liberty Valance]

That is hilarious.

[creton4]

Thanks for the post! I had a great time at Ardmore, and hope to perhaps embarass them again in the Special Session. :)

LOVED the Morena pics!