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Texas BlogWire

Remember the Craddick 15

by: Remember the Craddick 15

Wed Jan 10, 2007 at 06:18 PM CST


(Indeed. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)

The 15 Craddick Enablers

15 Democrats Enable Craddick to Retain the Gavel

I want every Democratic activist to remember this list during the entire 80th Legislative Session - the 15 Democrats who enabled Tom Craddick to retain his undeserved Speakership:

Kevin Bailey
Norma Chavez
Joe Deshotel
Dawnna Dukes
Kino Flores
Helen Giddings
Ryan Guillen
Harold Dutton
Tracy King
Eddie Lucio III
Ruth Jones McClendon
Aaron Pena
Robert Puente
Patrick Rose
Sylvester Turner

Before I get into the heart of my argument, I want to give credit where credit is due.  Democratic Leaders in the House, like Representatives Thompson and Dunnam and Gallego and Coleman, did yeoman work in holding 54 of 69 Democratic votes.  Two sessions ago, Democrats couldn't get 50 votes for anything (just ask the trials).  Two months ago, no one would have believed that Tom Craddick would have to endure am unprecedented 6-hour spectacle on the first day of session to retain his gavel.  Now we're within striking distance of taking down the Speaker.

We witnessed real acts of courage from good democrats; Ritter and Eiland risking their chairmanships to do what was right, Hopson taking a principled stand at a critical moment, Martinez returning to the Democratic fold, and Raymond challenging the Speaker directly. 

Despite the great work of these great Democrats, it is impossible to ignore the fact that the 15 Craddick Democrats provided Craddick with the margin he needed to get re-elected Speaker.  These 15 Craddick enablers put their own best political interest ahead of their party and their constituents.  Had just 7 of these 15 Democrats voted their conscience, voted their convictions, or voted their constituents - instead of merely voting their own selfish best interest - we would have kicked Craddick's ass off his $1000 throne.

We should thank each and every one of the 54 Democrats who had the courage to try and make Texas a better place.  But let us never forget the Craddick 15.

Every time a child gets kicked off CHIP, remember the Craddick 15.

When your public schools are once again under-funded, remember the Craddick 15.

When teachers are denied a real pay raise, and their health insurance once again fails to get restored, remember the Craddick 15.

When Jim Leininger forces the Texas House to endure a bloody floor fight on his risky private school voucher scheme, remember the Craddick 15.

When a Craddick lieutenant kills the ethics bill, remember the Craddick 15.

Every time you read an article about Craddick's corruption, self-dealing, being in business with a lobbyist, or collecting rent from a state contractor, remember the Craddick 15.

When Hartnett tries to outlaw a woman's right to choose, remember the Craddick 15.

When Chisum uses the $14 billion "surplus" to buy down the property taxes of Bob Perry, Louis Beecherl, and Exxon Mobil, instead of restoring health care benefits for kids, or teachers, or the elderly, remember the Craddick 15.

When you see Jim Leininger, Bob Perry, Louis Beecherl, Dick Weekly, and the other right-wing "owners" sitting in the owners box, remember the Craddick 15.

When the sales tax gets raised to pay for property and business tax cuts for Republican contributors, remember the Craddick 15.

When Branch changes a school finance formula to take money from poor school districts so Highland Park can build a new natatorium, remember the Craddick 15.

When Phil King tries to outlaw stem cell research, remember the Craddick 15.

When kids can't afford to go to a state college because of the skyrocketing price of tuition, remember the Craddick 15.

When homeowner insurance rates continue to skyrocket, remember the Craddick 15.

When a coal plant gets built in your back yard, remember the Craddick 15.

Every time Craddick makes a mockery of the House Rules, remember the Craddick 15.

When you see Denise Davis overrule a valid point of order, remember the Craddick 15.

When you see Nancy Fisher berate a member, remember the Craddick 15.

When machines malfunction and arms are broken in public after close votes, remember the Craddick 15.

When the open meetings law is ignored, and Craddick lieutenants cut deals in the back halls in secret, remember the Craddick 15.

When tolls roads are built through minority neighborhoods, remember the Craddick 15.

When farmers lose their land through imminent domain so those toll roads can be built, remember the Craddick 15.

When the El Paso Medical School fails to get funded, remember the Craddick 15.

When promises made to the Valley don't get funded, remember the Craddick 15.

When appraisal caps are imposed on local governments, remember the Craddick 15.

When utility rates fail to get reduced and the poor and elderly in Houston and Dallas start dying from the heat this summer because they can't afford to pay double the national average for electricity, remember the Craddick 15.

When the lobbyist that Tom Craddick is in business with lands a new lobby client, remember the Craddick 15.

When another state contractor moves into a building owned by Craddick, remember the Craddick 15.

When the Office of State Federal Relations hires another former staffer of Tom DeLay, remember the Craddick 15.

When you see any nutty bill on the floor authored by Frank Corte, Bill Zedler, or Sid Miller, remember the Craddick 15.

When Leo Berman causes racial unrest on the House floor with his "round `em up and throw `em out" solution to immigration, remember the Craddick 15. 

When you see Beverly Wooley at the front microphone (with her designer blouse and her Dooney Burke purse) bumble her way through every calendars committee announcement, remember the Craddick 15.

When you watch the comic attempts by Norma and Kino to run a committee, remember the Craddick 15.

When you watch Midland get a multi-million dollar appropriation added to the budget around the end of May, remember the Craddick 15.

When you see a high school basketball team from a minority school represented by a Democrat denied access to the House floor, remember the Craddick 15.

When you see a story about a kid dying at CPS because they are still under-funded, remember the Craddick 15.

When you see the Enterprise Fund invest in some Midland deal, remember the Craddick 15.

When you have to endure a self-serving, pseudo-intellectual history lesson from Aaron Pena, remember the Craddick 15.

Every time you see a Republican lobbyist kissing Patrick Rose's ass, and calling him "Mr. Chairman", remember the Craddick 15.

When you see Bill Ceverha, a bankrupt lobbyist who ran Tom DeLay's TRMPAC, get re-appointed to manage a state fund worth $21 billion dollars, remember the Craddick 15.

Every time you're sitting on your toilet, think about Craddick sitting on his $1000 toilet that was paid for by special interest money and remember the Craddick 15.

Votes have consequences, and none more so than the vote for Speaker.  I don't know how any real Democrat can sleep at night having supported Tom Craddick.  To the Craddick 15, I say you failed your constituents, you failed your party, you failed yourselves, and you failed the test of leadership.  Texans will suffer the consequences of your selfishness.

 

Tags: Sylvester Turner, Patrick Rose, Robert Puente, Aaron Pena, Ruth Jones McClendon, Eddie Lucio III, Tracy King, Harold Dutton, Ryan Guillen, Helen Giddings, Kino Flores, Dawnna Dukes, Joe Deshotel, Norma Chavez, Kevin Bailey, House Democrats, Tom Craddick, Speakers Race, Texas Legislature, (All Tags)
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Remember the Craddick 15 | 41 comments
We should all remember (0.00 / 0)
This is perhaps the best summary of why the House should have voted differently that I have seen.  Keep up the good work.

I'll Give Her the Evil Eye at DCDP Events (0.00 / 0)
I knew I didn't like Helen Giddings...

I am already sick of them, and the session hasn't started (3.00 / 2)
I think we need to keep this thread active all session, and point out those bills and votes of the members of this caucus.

I'm glad that... (0.00 / 0)
my East Texas guys like McReynolds, Hopson, Frost and Homer, despite having really tough districts, aren't on that list.  For all the excuses that Patrick Rose uses, these guys have districts that are just as tough. 

Juan Garcia's district is much tougher than Rose's yet Juan knows a real (2.80 / 5)
leader must vote for what is right and trust his constituents will understand.  Rose is nothing but a morally crippled quisling who managed to go to law school without learning a crum of justice.  I can't wait to be rid of him.

[ Parent ]
Im in his district... (0.00 / 0)
and I am glad he is up there representing this area.  If you actually lived here you would understand that he is the right guy for the job right now.

[ Parent ]
stop using that excuse (0.00 / 0)
as if all Democrats in Hays County are happy with Rose

[ Parent ]
Maybe that's why Rose go sucker punched... (0.00 / 0)
Pendejo!

[ Parent ]
primary them (0.00 / 0)
i'm telling you, the iscariot caucus must get their due.

Fudd's first law of opposition: Push something hard enough and it will fall over.
Why dont you take all that anger and rage... (1.00 / 2)
and stay out of my backyard, and go deal with republicans around your area?

[ Parent ]
with all due respect (0.00 / 0)
i don't appreciate your implication that i can't walk and chew gum at the same time.

Fudd's first law of opposition: Push something hard enough and it will fall over.
[ Parent ]
Well... (0.00 / 0)
It is just the fact that all these people are calling for my Rep's head on a pike and they don't live in this district, nor did they see all the help he gave to other democrats down here this year.  I live here and saw that help in action.  Without that help we wouldnt have three friends of mine in office right now, friends I worked my ass off to help get there.

[ Parent ]
he may have done that (0.00 / 0)
but he just stabbed the entire caucus in the face. you just *don't do that*.

Fudd's first law of opposition: Push something hard enough and it will fall over.
[ Parent ]
Just listen to him... (0.00 / 0)
every time he speaks he states pretty clearly that he represents his district first.  His vote shows that.  I, living in his district, do not have a problem with that.

[ Parent ]
i don't get it (0.00 / 0)
explain this to me: how does enabling craddick help his district?

Fudd's first law of opposition: Push something hard enough and it will fall over.
[ Parent ]
hmm lets see... (0.00 / 0)
well lets see what happens on friday.  I do know that if he is vice chair of higher ed that will help the university in his district immensely.

[ Parent ]
How does Craddick's pork in Odessa benefit Hays County? (3.00 / 3)
How does Craddick's ethics violations benefit Hays County?

How does Craddick's assault on the public education system benefit Hays County?

How does Craddick's pimped speaker's quarters benefit Hays County?

How does Craddick's slavish toadying for insurance companies and irresponsible corporations who want to escape legal responsibility for their carelessness benefit Hays County?

How does Craddick benefit Hays County in any manner?

[ Parent ]
Well how different would it have been under Pitts? (0.00 / 0)
Seriously alot of those things you listed are republican priorities, not Craddick priorities.

[ Parent ]
Apparently, they are Rose values. (1.00 / 1)


[ Parent ]
Rose voted against alot of those things... (0.00 / 0)
and still was able to retain his chair position.

[ Parent ]
Craddick is from Midland (0.00 / 0)


[ Parent ]
I know, but the $100 million in pork Craddick scammed for the (3.67 / 3)
University of Texas of the Permian Basin, including $45 million for a performing arts center center, was for the Odessa campus.

Mind you, Craddick scammed this pork by denying funding for nursing, medical, and pharmacy schools in South Texas.

The South Texas representatives who supported Craddick should be ashamed.

[ Parent ]
No one disputes that Rose can kiss ass like a champ. It's his values (3.00 / 2)
which are in question.

Rose sucked before his vote for Craddick.  This lastest shitty vote is just good timing because he had a clean slate and a new session and it took him less than one day to soil it.  Screw Rose.

[ Parent ]
Well I think Patrick's values... (0.00 / 0)
are that his district and the people here matter most, and he states that pretty clearly.

[ Parent ]
So does Bush. Which Republicans have you worked for? (1.00 / 1)


[ Parent ]
I worked for a losing one this cycle... (0.00 / 0)


[ Parent ]
WHEW! (0.00 / 0)
That's a lot to remember...

go ahead (5.00 / 1)
And try to primary these folks. You'll be wasting money on money that could be used to take out real Republicans in competive districts like England, Goolsby, Byron Cook, John Davis, Talton, Jim Murphy, and to hold on to our vulnerable reps.

These 15 reps aren't like Jesse Jones, Al Edwards, Ron Wilson.

The vote at the end of the day was about choosing the lesser of two Republicans. I would have trusted McCall far more than Pitts.

Oh, we can do both at the same time... (5.00 / 1)
We're cool like that. Primaries are in the spring, general in the fall. More than enough time to resharpen the knives for Republicans.

[ Parent ]
I also would have trusted McCall over Pitts. If the Iscariot Caucus (1.00 / 1)
hadn't put their personal committee assignments and lust for resume enhancement over their constituents' interests, and had backed McCall instead of Craddick, we'd have speaker McCall (who had more votes than Pitts and only lacked about a half dozen votes to win which he could have picked up from the Iscariot Caucus if they were not such turncoats).

[ Parent ]
Jim Pitts would have changed all that? (0.00 / 0)
Wow, if you really think electing Jim Pitts Speaker could have changed all those things, why aren't you just a Republican? He led the charge on half of it, certainly all the funding stuff as Appropriations chair. Go check out his record on Project Vote Smart and tell me these folks can't counter that attack in a primary.

If Senfronia were the alternative, I'd understand such a reaction, but ... since when does not supporting Jim Pitts(!) make you part of the "Iscariot Caucus"? I mean, it's a little early in the session for that, isn't it? You might find you still need these folks.

Like Eiland said, this wasn't the Alamo.

THEY need us... (0.00 / 0)
The onus is on them to behave well. I, and others, told them Craddick isn't the one they should fear this time around. You've got a party that is waking up and people taking control of their precincts. The tables in many areas have already turned, especially since we're no longer just increasing the number of Democrats voting, we're now turning Republicans.

This is already a huge mark against many of them. We'll see how many more they accumulate. For some, this may in fact not be a big deal... for others,it may well be the final shot. Regardless, how they behave for the remainder of the session will indicate if they survive the next cycle or, failing that, if they'll ever have a chance to resurrect.

[ Parent ]
Craddick isn't just a "Republican" - he's a corrupt Republican who (3.00 / 3)
deliberately violated the Voting Rights Act and who is far less ethical than Pitts.  Both were conservative, but Craddick has repeatedly broken the law to leverage his spiteful agenda -- show me where Pitts ever did that even once and I'll show you 5 examples of where Craddick has done it for each example you can show me where Pitts has broken the law to illegally achieve his agenda.

The difference between Craddick and Pitts is the difference between McCarthy and Eisenhower -- both are Republicans but only one is a corrupt law breaker who rules autocratically by improper use of intimidation.

[ Parent ]
finally a voice of reason... (0.00 / 0)


[ Parent ]
3 Strikes for Puente (4.00 / 2)
Puente is placing himself in a good position to get his ass kicked in the primary.  First, he pissed off the Dems in his district when he paraded Henry Cuellar  during a bloody congressional primary race against Ciro Rodriguez.  He sticks his neck out for Frank Madla and scorns Carlos Uresti for daring to run against Madla.  Now, he sticks his head so deep in Craddick's ass that the stench on Puente will be nasty.  Watch your back Puente, because a "true" democrat will knock you out of office in 2008!

Flamethrowers All Around (1.00 / 1)
Craddick received 121 votes overall. I was sitting in the Gallery, but it all happened so fast, I couldn't see which Dems actually voted for him. My point is the "problem voters" were much more significant than 15 as you repeat so vehemently. Assume all 81 Republicans voted for him, and you still have 40 or so Democrats who did vote for him. How many people should you be talking about punishing? Maybe you should call them the Craddick 40.

I agree that no loyal Dem in good conscience should have gotten up and made a nomination speech like Patrick Rose or Sylvester Turner. Saying "we as Democrats could have done a better job of working with the Speaker" (Rose) is completely laughable and tantamount to "treason". There should be some "censuring" for that. So what do you actually propose? Strongarming loyalty out of all our party's Reps, developing "discipline" so they're all lock-step? Or we can understand they were playing the nasty-wasty game called "politics"? Because to direct so much anger at 15 Reps is not really the problem. The problem lies that we didn't do enough to flip our Legislature like so many other states did last cycle. With 63 before, we needed 12. That was completely possible in 2006.

I wanted Jim Stauber to win in District 20, and I'm sure some other folks worked hard on other House races as well last summer. Felthauser almost beat Krusee! But apparently everybody thought 6 six seats was SUCH a GREAT gain... 

Live and learn, I say. Oh, live and learn.

S.

What I propose (0.00 / 0)
Is quite simple, really.

In leadership matters, the caucus hang together. If half these Iscariots did, the procedural rule protecting the secrecy of the vote would have carried, and we might well be rid of the Craddick Reign of Strongarms and Bad Legislation.

These guys sold out.  What is left to be revealed is for how much and who benefits.

They are responsible for enabling Craddick to control the schedule, so every bad piece of legislation taken to the floor taints them.  And every good piece of legislation that never makes it to the floor as well.

If, and only if, they successfully bring home not just pork, but policies that will benefit the members of their districts (and the rest of Texas), then we can talk about a pass.

Not one minute before.

Before you win, you have to fight. Come fight along with us at TexasKaos.

[ Parent ]
Remember the Craddick 15 | 41 comments

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