Ratliff Sides with Democrats on Redistricting (The-Terrific-Texan-Special-Session)

Austin American Statesman ^ | July 14, 2003 | Ken Herman and Laylan Copelin

[Pubbie]

It's time for a little rule changing from Mr. Dewhurst!

[Support Free Republic]

Hi Mom!

[Pubbie]

DeLay ain't done yet *Ping*!

[Dont Mention the War]

Ratliff must not enjoy politics very much, seeing as how he just ended his career.

[pogo101]

Just my opinion, but perhaps Ratliff should consider "taking one for the team"? It's hard not to see this as his simply holding out his hand for the right amount of greasing -- by whichever side. But who knows? I don't know his district.

[deport]

FYI...... Guess Ratliff hasn't got what he likes regarding the NE Texas domination from the Dallas area.....

[DownWithGreenspan]

The dirty coward (Ratliff) will undoubtedly be switching parties next; his constituents ought to string him up ASAP. I predicted this would happen (RINO scum sabotaging his own party) a few weeks ago.

DWG

[concerned about politics]

he just ended his career.

Bump to that. Keep this issue alive come reelection time. He's playing on the wrong side of the fence.

[Dog Gone]

I can't wait for tomorrow's Houston Chronicle editorial about this.

This isn't even a setback. It exposes Ratliff as Rat operative, but we already knew that. Now we get to give Lt. Gov Dewhurst an IQ test.

[Impy]

And this guy RATliff was made LT Gov after Perry succeeded Bush. The Senate rats must have chosen him.

Will Dewhurst change the rule?

[deport]

Did the Senate ever complete a map that you are aware of? I've not seen any news on it. If Dewhurst has to take other actions then my guess is if chooses to bring it up then he'll bring up the House version and try to pass it thus eliminating the need for a conference committee........

[justlurking]

Dewhurst spent time behind closed doors on Monday with Ratliff, who said any move to slalom around the two-thirds provision would be "the most serious mistake (Dewhurst) could make."

Someone needs to explain to Ratliff that he is the one making the mistake.

If Dewhurst suspends the Senate rule, he will take a lot of heat but will ultimately prevail. It's his decision to make.

On the other hand, if Dewhurst doesn't do so and redistricting doesn't happen due to Ratliff's opposition, Ratliff's political career is over. Even if he manages to get re-elected, the Republicans won't give him the time of day, regardless of what party he chooses to run with.

Ratliff has already crossed me once this session, doing his best to kill an important CHL bill (SB 501). It's time for him to get with the program.

[deport]

fyi

[solo gringo]

Sounds like Ratliff has a bad case of old fashion rosie.

[Kuksool]

How much are the RATS paying Ratliff?

[Dan from Michigan]

Isn't Ratliff the RINO that F'ed it all up last time.

I'd primary him myself if I lived there for this one.

[deport]

Isn't Ratliff the RINO that F'ed it all up last time.

---

He surely had a hand in it but I think you are think of Congressman Martin Frost....

[CyberAnt]

It's time to call somebody in Mt. Pleasant and tell them that their republican rep is sideing with the democrats. Tell the person in Mt. Pleasant to tell the Mr. Ratliff he can either stick with his party or they'll recall him; impeach him or whatever it takes to get him out of office.

It might work!

[Dan from Michigan]

I meant in 2000.

I know there was one RINO that really was awful on that. I THINK it was the same one, but I'm not sure.

[deport]

Well after rereading what you said I then thought that 2000 was what you were talking about. He was Lt. Gov. then, 2001, after being appt by the State Senate to fill the vacancy left by Perry when he move up to the Gov. position after Bush resigned. At that time the State Senate was split 16-15 Republican and the State House was in democrat control. I don't remember the details but nothing was accomplished in that Legislative session and the Texas Legislative Redistricting Board drew up the plan. He was a member as Lt. Gov and may have been voting with the lone Democrat on it. That plan got appealed to the state courts and finally was sent to the Federal Court for resolution.

I think most of what I've said is accurate but I'm only going from memory. I'm sure someone will correct it if I'm wrong.