Representatives must deliver conservative agenda to survive 2012 primary challenges
By former St. Rep. Rick Green
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas For the first time in my lifetime perhaps in history the voters of Texas actually paid attention to the race for Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. Virtually every conservative activist across the state was united. As a result we have less than five months to do the best we can with what we have & where we are … and it may just turn out to be better than if conservatives had won the speakership.
Momma always said no use crying over spilt milk" so well save the pointing of fingers for this mess until the next election.
Joe Straus was able to hold on to power as too many Republicans chose allegiance to the lobby and big contributions from Straus rather than representing the will of their constituents.
Ironically three realities are about to converge that could give us the most conservative policy outcomes we have ever seen in the Texas House.
The 1st reality is that the number one concern for most politicians is re-election. Most republicans were convinced re-electing Joe Straus would give them the money they need for re-election while we the people" would forgive that vote as long as conservative legislation is passed this Session.
These republicans from conservative districts supported Straus while claiming his liberal record and actions somehow made him a conservative as well. Now those representatives must deliver on the conservative agenda if they have any hope of surviving primary challenges in 2012 let alone
maintaining any modicum of decency in delivering on their promises even if they do not seek re-election next year.
There are a few agenda items with the awareness and momentum that legislators know they must pass them or the Straus Speakership will be an albatross around their neck leading to an impossible re-election. The most obvious of those items include Senator
Dan Patricks bill requiring a
sonogram prior to an abortion and legislation requiring Voter ID but there is much more that can be passed in this environment.
The second reality is that we the people" are paying attention like never before. Most politicians still underestimate the depth of commitment and conviction with which Texans are now fulfilling their duty as free citizens.
Unpaid volunteers are willing to spend hours and hours combing through thousands of voter registrations to stop fraud. Thousands of Texans spent their own money to travel to Austin and let their voice be heard even after the speakers race was decided. All across Texas people are gathering in study groups of dozens sometimes hundreds of concerned citizens taking time to study the US Constitution line by line.
Politics as usual is unacceptable to these activated citizens. The politicians who still think a slick speech or campaign flyer will counter the energy
building in the grassroots movement are going to get a rude awakening in 2012.
The 3rd reality is simply that technology has been embraced by the conservative movement and will reach an amazingly powerful level of effectiveness during the 2011 Session and the 2012 election cycle.
We the people" are watching every move made by legislators and we are linked together like never before. Information will flow faster than ever and legislators will hear from their constituents in record numbers and with zeal unseen in previous years.
Those realities combine for the potential of conservative victories unparalleled in recent history. That potential now depends on two specific groups being willing to turn up the heat pour on the pressure and demand results.
The 1st group is composed of all the grassroots organizations and tea parties. We must coordinate on an agreed upon top ten" agenda and then reach out to all legislators and give them a chance to put the speakers race out of our minds by simply passing the conservative items they claimed would be embraced if Straus was re-elected.
The 2nd group is composed of those legislators who were on the losing side of the Speakers race. Their instinct will be to lay low lick their wounds and take whatever crumbs the winning team is willing to brush off the table and leave on the floor for them.
Wrong move.
Now is the time to double down with the hand they have been dealt. (I know I know bad form for a conservative to use a poker analogy when gambling is going to be one of the big fights this session!).
I urge my former colleagues to respond humbly but with a renewed energy sense of purpose and focus like never before. This is a time to ignore the titles and the perks of being chairmen and remember Ronald Reagans desktop reminder:
There is no limit to what we can accomplish if we dont care who gets the credit."
The 30
* state reps unwilling to vote for Straus in the republican caucus are the ones that can focus in on the agenda and work it daily. They will be free of
the daily demands of being a chairman and will receive fewer visits from lobbyists because of their loss of perceived power.
Now is their chance to take the energy and passion they had when first elected and invest in an agenda that will leave a lasting legacy of freedom.
Lets urge them to work with grassroots leaders to identify the key conservative agenda items their colleagues must pass in order to face voters next year. We need them to keep the grassroots informed along the way on every detail as those bills go through the process so we can apply encouragement (a.k.a. pressure) and give thanks at the right time with the right people in order to get the job done.
The 30 can gently remind the other republicans of their promises to the grassroots and then use their credibility with us (for standing against Straus during the Speakers race) to go to bat for those republicans who deliver on the agenda throughout the Session.
Those of us who spend our personal time energy and money to influence policy are only interested in protecting freedom and making sure Texas continues to lead the way in free enterprise and liberty. The name of the Speaker or committee chairmen is irrelevant if we can still get good policy out of our State Capitol.
If the agenda passes we all win.
If it doesnt there will be a lot of new republicans after the 2012 primaries and a renewed call for a new Speaker.
* The caucus chairman did not allow a vote in which we can identify the 30 easily but we know for sure of the 17 who still refused to vote for Straus on the House Floor:
- Leo Berman
- Cindy Burkett
- Erwin Cain
- Wayne Christian
- Dan Flynn
- Bryan Hughes
- Jason Isaac
- Phil King
- Jim Landtroop
- Jodie Laubenberg
- Tan Parker
- Ken Paxton
Charles Perry- David Simpson
- Van Taylor
- James White and
- Bill Zedler
Others who stood firm early in the Speakers Race include:
- Warren Chisum
- Charlie Howard
- Geanie Morrison
- Debbie Riddle and
- Randy Weber
I have been unable to confirm for certain the other 8 Members who did not stand for Straus in Caucus but my guess is that when the Janitorial Committee is appointed well know.
Former Texas State Representative Rick Green speaks across the nation on the Constitution & Americas Founding Fathers while also hosting the national daily radio program WallBuilders Live w/David Barton & Rick Green." For more information visit www.RickGreen.com
