The Fighting 101st: Orange Division
We are campaigning for perfect leaders, not good enough. We are not prepared to settle this March, and we will work to empower this community to help take back our party. We don’t typically shy away from political fights, but now we hope to pick a few. We need more people like Senfronia Thompson, Jim Dunnam, Kirk Watson, Lon Burnam, Elliot Shapleigh, Pete Gallego, Valinda Bolton, Rodney Ellis, Rafeal Anchia, Garnet Coleman, Mark Veasey, and others.
Perfect? I can't help but notice a few folks that have taken a couple of sheckles from Bob Perry. Maybe the definition of "perfect" has been downgraded since my school days.
Still, it's a rather funny screed on the part of the BOR kids. For instance:
Have we drawn the line in the sand? Will we support any of the Craddick D’s? Yes, the ones that said sorry or come out publicly against Craddick or the Craddick leadership team. Sorry Sly, that means you too.
So, are they supporting Sylvester Turner or drawing the line in the sand against him? I mean, the guy did announce his own run for Speaker, which sorta has the semblence of being against Craddick (and with Sly, the qualifier "sorta" is always critical). So what's to be sorry about? Furthermore, will they "empower" their readers to actually field a candidate against Sly? If there's no primary challenge and he's got a GOP opponent, what then? I mean, we're after perfection, right?
Anyways, maybe since BOR is only going to support "perfect" leaders they can illuminate us as to the pre-approved list of such folks running in 2008 and beyond. I look forward to it.
We look forward to doing the research and getting some strong endorsements together. What we do know is that any person that supported Craddick this past January has a lot to prove. Some saw the error of their ways and renounced his leadership, but most didn't. Even Sly Turner said he would keep Craddick close as he ran for Speaker. This isn't denouncing him, that is a statement of support.
The primaries are a way for us to make sure our party better represents us. We plan on using that process to oust corrupt Democrats and Democrats who do not want to represent their districts.
As for your strange analogy of what we do if Sly goes unchallenged in the primary and has a GOP opponent... well sly and the rest of the Craddick D's represent incredibly Democratic districts. I doubt they will need our support. If they do, then what did cozying up to Craddick really earn them then?
If they want support from the base, then they can come home to the party and pledge to support a leader that fairly represents and unifies the House chamber. Without that, they can look elsewhere.
I hope this clarifies your questions and if not, I always read every comment and journal at BOR as well as try to respond to every e-mail that comes in.
"Perfect"