GOP in Texas Legislature Can't Count on Democrats' Aid

[Robbien]

Mar. 12--AUSTIN, Texas - Texas Republicans have gotten just about everything they've wanted in the last two years, often with the help of Democrats in the Legislature. But after several of the Democratic crossovers got defeated or saw their political lives flash before their eyes in tough primary races Tuesday, analysts and activists say the Republican leadership will confront a more organized and hostile opposition party.

The result could be that anything requiring a supermajority in the state House, including school-finance overhauls, will be harder to pass. And if there was any hope of reviving the bipartisan spirit that former Gov. George W. Bush, a Republican, once hailed, it appears to be all but gone now, some say. "The Democrats are unifying," said Ross Ramsey, who publishes the political newsletter "Texas Weekly." "They did an enforcement election. They went out and hung some heads on the fence as a caution to anyone who wants to go against the Democrats in the House."

Until recently, the state House and the state congressional delegation were the last bastions of Democratic power. But in 2002, the House went to the Republicans, and they made Rep. Tom Craddick of Midland the first GOP speaker since 1873. Then the Republicans pushed through a congressional redistricting bill that could cost the Democrats more than a half-dozen seats in Congress. All through it, Craddick continued to count more than a dozen Democrats on his team. But several won't return when their terms expire in 2005.

Seven Democrats were defeated or forced into runoffs in Tuesday's primary elections. State Rep. Glenn Lewis, D-Fort Worth, and state Rep. Ron Wilson, D-Houston, both lost, and state Rep. Roberto Gutierrez, D-McAllen, faces a runoff. All three had close ties to Craddick, and none participated in the out-of-state Democratic boycott of the redistricting plan spearheaded by the speaker and his old colleague, U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land. At least two others defeated Tuesday had voted for initiatives pushed by Republican leaders.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/national/8167380.htm

comment: All Right! Texan Democratic voters, you Rock!.

[trumad]

1. Bush's er claim as a uniter not a divider came from the rollover TX Dems

It's about time they got a spine!

[UTUSN]

2. The Problem with This Is...

Yeah, we want Dems who stand up and resist or lead their own agenda, but the numbers win in the end. Meaning that Dem bills and Dem funding back home will be slashed. The only solution is to be the majority, if it's not going to be some kind of Vichy collaboration.

[NoPasaran]

3. Ron Wilson's defeat is especially sweet

He has always been one of the leading Austin-bashers in the Lege.

Enjoy your retirement Ron!!!

[rocktivity]

4. Winner of this month's "You call this NEWS?" award

Texas Republicans have gotten just about everything they've wanted in the last two years...But after several of the Democratic crossovers got defeated or saw their political lives flash before their eyes in tough primary races Tuesday, analysts and activists say the Republican leadership will confront a more organized and hostile opposition party.

All, together now--

"WELL, DUHHHH!!!!"

:headbang:
rocknation

[Gman]

5. In all fairness, the Dems were all caught off guard because

the leggy has historically operated on bipartisanship and a sense of duty to the state. The Dems didn't realize until late in the session that the rules had changed.

[Bandit]

6. We really need to do this on a National level.

There are too damn many Zell Millers in the Democratic Party. We need to challenge them in the Primaries.

[schultzee]

8. You are absolutely right!

[UpInArms]

7. historical information on how Texas went Republican

http://www.famoustexans.com/karlrove.htm

Rove began working for Bill Clements in 1978. Four years later, he was working for Phil Gramm, who was in the U.S. House of Representatives as an old-style conservative Texas Democrat. In 1984, Rove helped Gramm, now a Republican, defeat Democrat Lloyd Doggett in the race for U.S. Senate. It was that same year, 1984, that Rove handled direct-mail for the Reagan-Bush campaign. In 1986, he helped Clements become governor a second time. In 1988, Rove helped Tom Phillips to victory, the first Republican elected to the Texas Supreme Court. Ten years later Republicans held all nine seats. Mark McKinnon, a former Democratic consultant who defected to the Bush campaign, called Rove the "Bobby Fischer of politics. He not only sees the board, he sees about 20 moves ahead."

Rove has been closely advising George W. Bush since he announced he was a candidate for Governor in November 1993. By January 1994, Bush had spent $613,930 on the race against incumbent Ann Richards. Over half of that, $340,579, went to Rove. In a state long dominated by Democrats, albeit right-wing ones, every statewide elected office was, by 1999, held by a Republican. Many of those politicians succeeded with the help of Rove. During the November election, the half-dozen candidates he advised were all winners.

The party of dirty tricks has long roots in Texas politics.