Those are the words of Texas State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, a Republican from the north Dallas area. From Scott Braddock reporting in the QuorumReport:
Some Tea Party supporters in Tarrant County got a wakeup call overnight as one of the lawmakers they have supported over establishment Republican figures told them late Monday that there is no race for Speaker of the Texas House.
In a town hall style meeting, Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, answered questions about his newfound support for Speaker Joe Straus in a matter-of-fact way. “The reality is there is no race for Scott Turner versus Joe Straus,” Capriglione said, referring of course to the lawmaker from Frisco who has announced his challenge to Speaker Straus.
You really need to watch the video on Facebook to understand why Rep. Capriglione correctly states that there is no race.
That correct assertion doesn’t mean, however, that there will not be vicious attacks on Speaker Joe Straus from groups funded by Midland oilman Tim Dunn. These people would rather waste their time swinging pitchforks on the Oust Straus wagon rather than work to advance their public policy goals. They get paid a lot of money to try and divide the Republican caucus, not to push good public policy.
My fellow Harris County Republican Party Precinct Chair Greg Aydt is already hitting Straus, although not in the vicious way that Dunn’s groups will. Greg has written a couple of posts over at his RhymesWithRight site:
- Will Speaker Joe Straus Reappoint Dem Committee Chair Who Called Republicans Stupid, Ignorant?
- Why Breaking The Joe Straus/Senfronia Thompson Connection Is So Important For Texas Conservatives
I have to disagree with this statement from the second link:
In other words, he has to show us that he is willing to defer to the GOP base and the GOP platform — or he needs to be replaced by someone like Scott Turner, who we know is a conservative who will run the Texas House like Texas is a red state.
First, Turner is not a “conservative” – listen to Rep. Capriglione discuss Turner in the video and then research him. Second, the reason that 80{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986} of Republican legislators and 100{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986} of Democratic legislators prefer Straus is because he lets the members run the House. He doesn’t run it like a dictator nor does he allow outside groups to have undue influence on House members. Ask any member that has been there under other Speakers and they will tell you that Straus is fair, effective, efficient, and leads the House to focus on major issues but allows the members the freedom to vote their districts. Your beef, if you have one, is with the legislators themselves, not the Speaker.
So, no, there is no Speaker’s race in Texas. But there will be a lot of hot air blowing in from those who would rather scream than discuss public policy.
Don Hooper says
There is never a Speaker’s race until there is one.
Ed Vidal says
So then, maybe Texas should have a Speaker like in the British parliament, where the Speaker is not the leader of the majority party. If Joe Strauss is elected Speaker, then immediately thereafter the Republican caucus should elect its own leader, to go up against the Speaker as necessary, and maybe also the Conservative caucus (a subset of the Republican caucus, not including any Democrats) should elect its own leader, to go up against both the Speaker and the Republican leader, as necessary.
Each such caucus should also adopt the Hastert rule, whereby no member of that caucus, much less its leader, will vote for any legislation or motion that is not supported by the majority of such caucus. That is what it means to be a caucus.
David Jennings says
Ed, all of that is already in place. http://www.texashousecaucus.com/about
Ed Vidal says
Yes, but do they follow the Hastert rule? Under Speaker Boehner in Congress, the Republicans have abandoned it.
James Wilson says
Agreed, there is no Speaker’s race. I like Scott Turner and wish him every success, but Joe Straus is the Speaker and has done a good job for the reasons David points out above, among others. No, Straus is not perfect. Neither is he a closet communist with a secret agenda to destroy Texas at the command of his Illuminati puppet masters. He is a lifelong Republican businessman who, if anything, is constantly seeking solutions that balance conservative theory with actionable policy. It’s a tough job, one he takes seriously, and I thank him for his willingness to assume the responsibility.
In regard to the comments regarding caucuses and their appropriate role – Personally, I would rather have my representative actively working for the benefit of our district and its communities. Tying the representative’s hands by requiring them to only support or oppose legislation as decided by a majority vote of the caucus limits their ability to best represent the interests of our communities. If all members of the caucus agree on all issues, representatives are no longer necessary and our republic risks naming a new Caesar. What happens when a majority of the caucus decides that it’s in their best interest to harm the interests of our district? Shouldn’t we expect our representatives to stand against such measures and attempt to build support for our interests by recruiting allies to that fight? Of course we do. Failing to heed the 2nd rule of politics (“all politics is local”) will result in lost elections for any incumbent that votes against the interest of their district.
David Jennings says
James, I need to add a “Like” button just for that comment! Agree 100{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986}.
Michael Smith says
HOOEY in the Texas vernacular – not to mention – GIO campaigned a mere 2 years ago against the Straus record – I know – I LIVE HERE – if FOR NO OTHER reason – Gio has FAILED us!
Big Joe says
Michael,
So what will people like Tony Tunderholt, Jonathan Stickland, Stephanie Klick, Pat Fallon and Bill Zedler do now? Will they campaign against Gio in the next election?
Michael Smith says
I don’t think they will campaign against him persay Sir – but some may not actively campaign for him! Knowing them as I do!
It is certainly safe to say that Gio has lost support from the boots on the ground moving forward and should someone primary him from our ranks – you will likely see the support he enjoyed on 2011/12 go to the challenger.
Tarrant county by and large is controlled by we grassroots – and by and large opposes Straus – ESPECISLLY IN prescient of Capriglioni, Stickland, Krause (my Rep) and Klick.
The proof of that is in our election results over the last two cycles – I was there last night – in fact – the clip most see is me! Tea party groups are starting to release press releases as we speak that a vote for Straus will prevent Tea party approval in future races!
I am wondering one thing however,
Since when have we stopped holding those we elect accountable to what they told us while we were supporting them?
Gio ran in opposition to Straus agenda in 2011/12 – have some FORGOTTEN THAT?
As an activist I have much more integrity than to let this slide and for those here and elsewhere that want to dis us here in Tarrant for reasonably expecting those we campaign for to keep their word is preposterous!
Furthermore – these lies about how “conservative” Speaker Straus has been is a steaming pile of bull sh*t!
All the House Dems have voted 100{997ab4c1e65fa660c64e6dfea23d436a73c89d6254ad3ae72f887cf583448986} every single session for Speaker Straus. There is a reason for that starting with his pro choice position which is proven by the 1000’s of $$ he had received!
So someone tell me what value there is to conservatives, when their Republican Rep votes for the Democrat’s choice?
And
http://youtu.be/TTYA4FRJdfA
David G says
There is one question I keep asking anti-Straus people that I am falling to get a straight answer to.
Can you name me any conservative bills that Straus has blocked that did or would have pass the Senate with its 2/3 rule?
Remember, Republicans have never controlled 2/3 of the Senate so that means every bill passed in regular session would need a few Senate Democrats to support it. Now if their is proof that Straus has frequently blocked passable bills I would be all for getting rid of him, but since his opponents are not advertising it, I doubt their is much evidence of it.
The fact remains that the worst thing Straus has done is blocked bills that might have passed the house but absolutely would have failed in the Senate, and while there is a good argument to be made that such votes should take place I am sympathetic to those who say there is no time for it, due to the short period of the Texas legislature.
So please unless you can site me conservative bills that would have landed on the Governors desk without Straus’s intervention saying that he is “blocking conservative legislation” is nothing but hot air.
Ed Vidal says
Right now Speaker Strauss is blocking continuing funding for Operation Strong Safety, the Texas surge against unlawful aliens streaming across our southern border. Outgoing Governor Perry and Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst want to continue funding, so that there is no gap until the new administration and legislature are installed in January, but Speaker Strauss wants to delay funding until January, thereby creating a gap in funding. Strauss has been a reluctant supporter of Operation Strong Safety from the beginning.
Let the fireworks begin!
David Jennings says
Ed, please spell Speaker Straus’ name right! I beg you to. It amazes me how many people attack him and don’t know how to spell his name.
Ed Vidal says
David,
You must be a racist for correcting my spelling of an Anglo name!
Respectfully,
Eduardo Vidal