Let's Get Real On McLeroy

A reminder of who has basically the "no comment" answer to my question: How does the Senator intend to vote on McLeroy's Nomination?: Hinojosa, Lucio, Uresti and (sort of) Zaffirini and Ellis. Now, let's connect some dots. Senate Finance Chair Ogden pushed for the nomination of McLeroy to go to the Senate floor. And, Sen. Mike Jackson caved and made it so. Who is on the Senate Finance Committee?

Chair: Ogden Vice-Chair: Hinojosa Members: Averitt, Duell, Duncan, Eltife, Harris, Lucio, Nelson, Seliger, Shapiro, West, Whitmire, Williams, Zaffirini

Let's assume for the case of argument that all three of those I bolded vote to confirm McLeroy. What is going to be the explanation to the school children of Texas - who can't vote and can't take off of school to go to the Capitol and lobby these powerful Senators on the Finance Committee - of why they went on record and voted for a SBOE Chair whose only purpose is to force a right wing agenda on public schools? And, if they walk the vote, they still would have to explain themselves. Would it possibly be something along the lines of, "I traded favors on the Senate budget and voted against Texas school children?" Hopefully it won't come to that. Public education is supposed to be a Democratic issue, so let's expect every Democrat to do what's right for school kids. Believe me, the religious right is disciplined and they are calling, emailing, and threatening the Republicans to confirm McLeroy. How could we be OK with our folks voting the way the religious right wants them to? As far the argument of, "Oh, noes!!! It could be worse! Big bad Dunbar or Leo or Mercer might be appointed by the Governor!" Hogwash. They aren't worse, they are the same as McLeroy - they all have a single minded focus on their religious right agenda for public schools. Let's put that decision in the Governor's hands. Give him the chance to appoint the moderate Bob Craig. If he puts in another person who is guided by the religious right agenda, we can go after Perry and the new Chair. If we let McLeroy be confirmed, we are agreeing with Perry that a right wing agenda is a good thing for the SBOE. Are our Democrats going to stand with the religious right or with school children?