Many senators leaving NM

Dallas Morning News ^ | 8/28/03 | Gromer Jeffers, Jr.

[hocndoc]

Many senators leaving NM

Wary of new session, Democrats still staying away from home

08:56 PM CDT on Thursday, August 28, 2003

By GROMER JEFFERS JR. / The Dallas Morning News

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The 11 Democrats cooped up in an Albuquerque hotel boycotted themselves Thursday.

The quorum-busting senators scattered throughout the country but didn't venture home to Texas.

"It gives us an opportunity to relax and be out of the public eye," said Sen. Royce West of Dallas. "Sometimes you need a break from the rigors of all of this."

The break for the Democrats comes after their first public spat since they bolted Austin last month to squash a Republican redistricting plan designed to boost GOP clout in Congress.

Houston's John Whitmire complained that the Democrats had not developed an exit strategy. His colleagues quickly took issue.

"I want to say they spanked me, but I won't," he said. "We're all fine. I don't consider breaking ranks an option."

San Antonio's Leticia Van de Putte, chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Caucus, said the senators would be refreshed after their Labor Day break.

"We've been here 30 days and we all need a break," she said. "We will consider all of our options, and we're prepared to stay another 30 days if necessary."

The senators successfully boycotted Gov. Rick Perry's second called 30-day special session on redistricting, which ended Tuesday.

The prospect of Mr. Perry quickly calling another session and trapping them in Texas is still keeping Democrats from going home.

So, many of them headed elsewhere. Eliot Shapleigh of El Paso and Gonzalo Barrientos of Austin drove to Denver for a Democratic fund-raiser, and Houston's Rodney Ellis went to Atlanta for a family reunion. Sen. Judith Zaffirini of Laredo stayed in Albuquerque for a visit from her husband and son.

In a twist on the partisan bickering, Texas GOP chief Susan Weddington noted that the heavily favored University of Texas Longhorns play the New Mexico State Aggies on Sunday in Austin. She challenged the 11 Democrats to accept a wager: If Texas wins, they must come home, but if underdog New Mexico State wins, they can stay put.

"Regardless of the outcome, fans of both teams can rest assured that there will be far fewer delay of game and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on Sunday than the Democrats have incurred over the past few months," she said.

Democratic Party chairwoman Molly Beth Malcolm chided her GOP rival. "In the end, the only sure bet is that the Republicans will continue to ignore this state's real priorities and continue wasting millions of dollars on a redistricting plan Texans neither want or need."

E-mail gjeffers@dallasnews.com

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[hocndoc]

There is no joy in Democratsville. Or Fleaville. Or where ever a bunch of Dems have to live together (even if it is a nice hotel in NM.

[hocndoc]

I will not giggle, I will not snicker......much

[Cultural Jihad]

"In the end, the only sure bet is that the Republicans will continue to ignore this state's real priorities and continue wasting millions of dollars on a redistricting plan Texans neither want or need."

Sore losers.

[Ronin]

I dunno... something smells here...

Keep an eye on the borders. I think they are going to try to sneak back in for something.

They have something up their sleeves.

[PeaceBeWithYou]

I wonder if Rodney is flying thru Texas air space?

We only need one.

[witnesstothefall]

They need a vacation from room service and the hotel lounge. Guaranteed that one or six will be seen in Texas within 24 hrs.

[concerned about politics]

. "In the end, the only sure bet is that the Republicans will continue to ignore this state's real priorities and continue wasting millions of dollars on a redistricting plan Texans neither want or need."

Hey, the Republicans are at work and ready to roll. Where's Elmo?

"It gives us an opportunity to relax and be out of the public eye," said Sen. Royce West of Dallas. "Sometimes you need a break from the rigors of all of this."

People like to enjoy the time they have left before they go. A political death can be a real earth shaker.

[RoughDobermann]

Please tell me this is from The Onion. Please?

[concerned about politics]

"We've been here 30 days and we all need a break,"

I wouldn't be able to stand being around a bunch of smelly democrats that long, either. Open a window !!

[Tempest]

Wait so after taking a 30 day vacation. These clowns say they need another break?!

[concerned about politics]

The quorum-busting senators scattered throughout the country

ROTFL !!!

[sonsofliberty2000]

"I want to say they spanked me, but I won't," he said.

This is too much...

This has to be an Onion piece.

Patriot Paradox

[concerned about politics]

11 Democrats cooped up in an Albuquerque hotel boycotted themselves

OMG. This is a riot! LOL.

[wai-ming]

Question:

Does every Texas legislature vote require a quorum, or only the ones concerning redistricting? If not, perhaps the Republicans should pass a few items while the Dems are away. Here's one that might be fun: Texas Leg. Bill #AWOL999. "Any Texas legislator who flees to another state to avoid doing his/her duty as an elected official shall upon return be removed from office." Wouldn't that be nice to come home to?

[ambrose]

As I get it, all the Rats are trapped in New Mexico, and as a consequence, no new laws are being passed out of the legislature...

And this is bad because ??

[concerned about politics]

Hang in there Republicans. Let's see how long it takes for them to starve to death. LOL.

[xrp]

Well, look at it this way. With the exception of keeping the Texas redistricting from being put up for a vote, never having the Texas legislature able to vote prevents them from doing something else: SPENDING MONEY.

Not such a bad circumstance...

By the way, are there any polls on what Texans think of the redistricting plan?

[Gracey]

Thanks for this info. Ellis and Zafferini(sp) both live in the same condo complex as I do. I saw Safferini's SUV today for the first time, in our parking lot, since they ran off to NM. Hmmm, wonder who drove it here?

[hocndoc]

The Republicans were at work this morning. Where were the Dems?

[concerned about politics]

I saw Safferini's SUV today for the first time, in our parking lot, since they ran off to NM. Hmmm, wonder who drove it here?

Everyone knows killer SUV's drive themselves. There's never a driver involved in news reports.
Or.....maybe Safferini's inner demon drove it back.......spooky.