Reconsidering Whitmire, Take Two

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I'm almost there.

Nearly 20 years ago (and you have no idea how much it pains me that I can recall political moments nowadays with "nearly 20 years ago") I recall a post-State Convention event where John Whitmire took the mic at a comedy club, prattled off a few jokes at his ex-sister-in-law Kathy's expense and then went into the equally cheap political talking points. Among them was his assertion that the worst Democrat was still better than the best Republican. For some odd reason, that point stuck with me despite not being able to accept it.

Of course, back in 2003, John Whitmire (aka - Quitmire) saw fit to test that theory firsthand. He gave up the stalemate against Tom DeLay's redistricting which caused a net loss of five Democratic Congressmen in Texas. It also allowed the GOP to claim a net gain in Congressional seats when the non-Texas delegation saw a net increase of Democrats in Congress. Adding insult to injury, it drove a stake most directly to the heart of those Democrats I associated a bit more freely with: Charlie Stenholm and John Turner.

For that, I've been reluctant and slow to forgive John Whitmire. Adding to the pain is that I have to confess that after a night at church ... where we're told forgiveness is a vital necessity.

Far less than twenty years ago (one week shy of two, to be precise), there was another political recollection of mine. It seems that Kuff would point out that, for all his other failings, Whitmire at least racked up a solid legislative session not too long ago. And therein lies the benefit of a John Whitmire. His talents as a legislator have never been at issue. What he uses that talent for, however, was.

In light of this more recent power grab by the Texas GOP, perhaps it's time to concede one point here and now: I, too, and willing to reconsider John Whitmire. I'm not sure that I'm completely there yet, but I'm a far cry closer than I was two or three years ago. At a minimum, I'm at least considering that nearly 20-yr old comment of his a bit more truthfully than I was back in the day.