As far as the meeting itself goes, there really wasn’t any news made. Except perhaps in my own mind. This was the first meeting I’ve attended in many years and I’ve heard for some time now that the meetings are unorganized and inefficient. Well, that simply wasn’t the case; I don’t know if this was an exception or the other reports were false but this meeting was very well run. The chair, Jared Woodfill, did an excellent job of keeping things moving along and organized. I thought that he made one miscue on a voice vote but after a head count, his original decision was confirmed.
Speaking of Mr. Locke, a resolution was introduced to recognize him and it was soundly defeated. He may well be the leader among traditional Republican voters but it certainly isn’t unanimous, except perhaps among the leadership of the party. County Commissioner Steve Radack was there wearing a Gene Locke for Mayor sticker on his lapel.
Helena Brown tried to get a resolution passed regarding including all candidates in debates.
Helena works for Debra Medina and her resolution was obviously intended to bolster Medina’s press release from yesterday about Gov. Perry avoiding her. Here is the resolution as introduced:
HCRP Supports Open, Balanced, Fair & Healthy Primary Campaigns and Debates
WHEREAS, the voters of Harris County deserve to hear from every candidate in every political race;
WHEREAS, in order to protect their incumbency, some candidates choose to act like royalty and demand control of the debate stage or hold the media hostage to their demands with fear of cancellation or missed opportunity for an increased viewing audience;
WHEREAS, this is how fat cat incumbents perpetuate their political career, holding the media hostage to their demands thus preventing open and transparent debate by all candidates;
WHREAS, this attitude and behavior of arrogant aristocracy is reason why the public trust in our elected officials is at an all time low and the word “politician” has become synonymous with “cheat and liar”;
WHEREAS, this is a tragic abuse of power that ultimately harms the very public that the incumbents are sworn to serve;
WHEREAS, healthy debate with all candidates will allow for the presentation of the facts and assessment of the state of affairs from all sides; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Harris County Republican Party will work to insure that the voters of Harris County are given the opportunity , as they deserve, to hear from all candidates in a healthy debate; and be it further
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution shall be issued as a press advisory to all the major media networks.
Submitted by Helena Brown
SD 15, Precinct 0577
The resolution failed by a large margin. Helena thought perhaps it was too strongly worded but I think it more likely that the Perry supporters, no doubt a large majority of the attendees, recognized it for what it was, a political play by the Medina campaign. Speaking of which, Ken Herman of the Austin American Statesman reports that the Medina press release was incorrect and gives her a little advice:
There is certainly a legitimate argument to be made that Medina belongs in any debates that take place between Perry and Hutchison. It’s not my place to take a position on that. But if Medina wants to be taken seriously in other aspects of her campaign, she needs to be careful about the kind of information her campaign puts out.
Ouch. But I still think that Medina’s larger point is true, especially regarding the KERA debate: Rick Perry does not want her on the same stage with him.
Overall, it was great to be with a bunch of Republicans. There were far too many people there for me to mention, you’ll see them in the pictures.