Because the best things in life are free.

 
Curtains for the Texas 11?

The Dallas Morning News broke this story late day about how one of the "fugitive" Texas state senators, John Whitmire, is going to leave exile in Albuquerque and return to Houson. To hear them tell it, the game is up and the Democrats are finished. In fact, even the Washington Post seems to convey that it's time for an exit strategy. Nevertheless, this isn't quite the full story.

Effectively, when the measure to redistrict appeared at the end of the regular session of the Texas Congress, 50 House member bolted for Oklahoma, with Tom DeLay in hot pursuit. DeLay pressured Gov. Rick Perry to call special sessions. At the first special sessions, the Democrats, who comprise 12 of the 31 state senate seats in Texas, refused to put the issue on the ballot. Frustrated, Lt. Gov. Dave Dewhurst amended the Congressional Rules to allow measures to come to the Senate floor in the second special section with a simple majority instead of a two thirds vote. Hence 11 of the 12 Democrats bolted to the Albuquerque Marriott. This destroyed quorum, and caused the second session to collapse on August 26th. Whitmire actually returned home over the weekend to Houston, where his district buffets the northern reaches of the city and suburbs of Harris County. But nevertheless, quorum isn't established until Whitmire returns to Austin. There's reason to think that unless he's arrested Whitmire might not be doing that: “I just don’t understand the rationale of staying in New Mexico when we’re not in session,” he said. So hypothetically there is the possibility that arrest could happen, but it's also likely that he could book a flight back to Albuquerque. After all, Whitmire was in his district all weekend and saw no shenanigans. It's also evident that Perry has aggravated people by having two special sessions in a row. As the Texas Congress isn't schedule to convene again until January of 2005, it's safe to say this battle isn't over just yet.

Sen. Ken Armbrister had been the Andrew Johnson among his colleague, preparing apparently to show that at least he wasn't backing down. The other 10 aren't leaving just yet...and who can blame them. New Mexico governor Tony Richardson still has a few mind games to play with Tom DeLay. Perry still has to call another special session and see what the Democrats do. Furthermore, the 2/3 clause would have to be suspended...again....so before you think it's over, don't.

posted by Thomas at 10:04 PM 0 comments