Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – (HOUSTON) – With the Third Called Special Session behind him, State Senator Dan Patrick, authentic conservative candidate for Lt. Governor, answered the challenge to Thomas Ratliff, State Board of Education – District 9, member. Mr. Ratliff, a staunch defender of the controversial CSCOPE education curriculum, had previously challenged Sen. Patrick, an outspoken critic, to publicly debate the issue.
The details of the event are:
- Date: Saturday, August 24, 2013
- Time: 6:30pm
- Place: Lakeview Church of the Nazarene, 10818 Spur 248, Tyler TX
- Host Organization: Grassroots America – We the People
- Organizer: Joann Flemming
- Moderator: TBD
“Mr. Ratliff issued the ‘anytime-anyplace’ challenge, and Sen. Patrick accepts,” said Allen Blakemore. “Sen. Patrick is prepared to meet him more than half way – two third to be more precise (Houston to Tyler = 199 miles / Mt. Pleasant to Tyler = 66 miles). Sen. Patrick will travel into the heart of Mr. Ratliff’s SBOE district, Smith County, and hold a public conversation with Mr. Ratliff. Sen. Patrick has deferred the coin toss and given the home field advantage to Mr. Ratliff.”
“I’ll give him the home field advantage, but I will not concede the high ground,” said Dan Patrick. “The CSCOPE curriculum was an ill-conceived program, shrouded in secrecy. When I shined a light on it during the Legislative Session; it could not withstand close scrutiny. All the parties agreed the program would be dismantled. But a lawyer, a few supporters, and Mr. Ratliff have tried to renege on the deal and resurrect this program.”
“Sen. Patrick looks forward to the opportunity to have a public conversation with Mr. Ratliff on the matter. We eagerly await his reply,” Blakemore concluded.
The planned event will follow the Texas Tribune’s well-known ‘conversation’ style, to allow a more unstructured, free flowing exchange of ideas.
