Two Craddick Democrats Fall In Line - With Craddick

Two Democratic House Committee Chairs are on record in the Houston Chronicle today as supporting Craddick for another term as Speaker of the Texas House. Remember the list of Democratic Chairs I discussed earlier that required watching as the vote for speaker neared? A refresher: The hard-core Craddick Democrats (and their Committee chair assignment) include: Robert Puente (San Antonio, Chair Natural Resources) Kino Flores (Pharr, Chair Licensing) Norma Chavez (El Paso, Chair Border and International Affairs) Helen Giddings (Dallas, Chair Business and Industries) Harold Dutton (Houston, Chair Juvenile Justice) Kevin Bailey (Houston, Chair General Investigations) Sylvester Turner (Speaker Pro Tem; Appropriations Committee) These Democrats owe their legislative power to Craddick and they are on record as doing Craddick's bidding even when it goes against the interests of their districts. Apparently, Craddick is working down the list in order, strong-arming them to go on record a supporting him in the Speaker's race. This from the Chronicle: Sticking with Craddick, for example, are Democratic Reps. Robert Puente of San Antonio and Ismael "Kino" Flores of Palmview, who chair, respectively, the committees on Natural Resources and Licensing & Administrative Procedures.

Flores said Craddick's reputation for strong-arm tactics could be undeserved, but he wasn't about to test it.

"If you don't put him in a corner and if you don't punch him, he'll work with you," Flores said. "Now, has anyone opposed him and survived? I don't know. If you're asking me if I'm going to take that chance, (the answer is) no."

I hope they are bluffing. If not, they need a challenger in their 2008 primaries where they will really have to contemplate losing the power they so crave. The entire list needs to hear from their constituents that another two years of Craddick means another disastrous legislative session. Here's what Brian McCall, currently the lone Republican that has announced against Craddick has to say about him:

"He's known for his tough, strong-armed, mean-spirited tactics," said Rep. Brian McCall of Plano, a fellow Republican. "There's a rebelliousness occurring in the House for that very reason.

He accused Craddick of micromanaging bills, and, in the process, weakening committee chairmanships. He vowed to return power to the committees and to allow members to vote in the interest of their districts and their conscience, which he said Craddick stifled. There's a Democrat in the race, Senfronia Thompson of Houston. She's staying in for now, but says she would consider supporting McCall. Garnet Coleman says he will support McCall if Thompson releases him from his pledge. The vote happens on Jan. 9th. This sort of thing is the Texas politics I know and love. I think we have a real opportunity take out the mean-spirited little man who is currently Speaker of the House.