Politics of persuasion not intimidation.
By Adrian Murray & George Scaggs
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Observing the reports out of Austin surrounding the Texas House Speakers race last Monday begs the question: Just who was the political
genius who thought it would be a swell idea in the wake of the
tragedy in Tucson two days earlier to instruct people to line the hallways beneath the Capitol so that lawmakers would be forced to walk through a gauntlet (of
chanting Joe Straus opponents) in order to reach the House chamber?
To abandon proper decorum in our capitol a building which belongs to all Texans seems questionable enough. But to believe jeering our public officials during the opening of the legislative session could possibly have a positive impact is beyond the pale.
While the passion of Ken Paxton supporters is admirable (we too would have preferred a bona fide conservative in the Speakers chair) passion must be properly channeled to produce effective results.
Politics requires persuasion not intimidation.
It might seem principled to stand ones ground and never compromise but taking such a my way or
the highway" approach will inevitably lead to finding oneself stranded on the side of that proverbial highway playing solitaire.
As a rule of thumb those who demand all or nothing usually end up with the latter. While we all would like to hope that everyone thinks the way we do it is simple reality that that is not the case. We the people" includes both us and them.
Those leading the charge into vote-them-all-out fantasy land need to get a grip. One can never ever in any legislative body have 100 conformity to ones ideas or agenda. Believing so can only lead to a life filled with frustration and disappointment.
Instead of driving down that dead end road the grassroots needs to hone its political skills and seek to influence our legislators by reasoning not badgering. If you want a representative who will vote exactly how you want on every single issue be prepared to run for office yourself.
This conservative-minded citizens uprising has proven to be a formidable force and scored some major successes. However we will not win every battle and should reject any such expectations.
Ultimately our long-term success rests upon a sensible approach and finding the inherent value in each battle fought. Attempting to sprint through what is
sure to be a marathon course will prove self-defeating.
Now is the time for outreach and growing the conservative movement through education not closing ranks and merely throwing red-meat to the most fervent among us. While this tactic may generate some heat here and there that energy is destined to provide little light.
To be sure dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs both nationally and at home is understandable. Our nations leadership tilts much too far to the left and conservative successes in the last Texas Legislature were sadly lacking.
However alienating the lawmakers whom you wish to carry your agenda forward seems foolhardy at best.
There are those who will retort Fine well throw their sorry butts out and find someone else to do the job." While it may make great theatre such an approach is likely to find denizens repeating the exercise each and every election cycle eventually treading water rather than moving upstream.
The conservative grassroots will prevail if and only if it uses its collective head and tempers the most instinctive of human reactions. Though we may think it unpalatable sometimes that will require taking unpopular positions.
If we are to demand political courage of our elected officials should we not expect the same of the self-anointed leadership of the grassroots movement?
The next time someone challenges you to throw down the gauntlet consider the consequences first.
Adrian Murray is President of the Fort Worth 9-12 Project. George Scaggs is a writer commentator voice actor & audio-video producer. You can find more of his work at American Thinker Ramparts360.com TheGraph.com and Bargain Citizen Media.
