Please help persuade Congressman Charlie Stenholm (17th con. dist.- TX- democrat) to change party's.

[rockhead]

Our Texas congressman, Charlie Stenholm (D) TX is a conservative democrat from the 17th congressional district in central Texas. He's a member of the blue dog democrats and his district is mostly made up of conservative republicans. This past election he won the election 51% to 48%, which is the closest race he's had in roughly 20+ years in congress.

I think with the combination of a close election and the new Democratic leader in the House being such a liberal (Pelosi), that this might just be enough to get Charlie to switch party's. Charlie is not stupid, and realizes that it is the republicans in his district that keep him in office.

Please email Rep. Stenholm at this address and also email others that might be considering changing party's.

http://www.house.gov/stenholm/

Thanks for your help!

[Dog Gone]

He's not THAT conservative. I'd like the new Texas Legislature to change his district boundaries and kick him out of Congress altogether.

[deport]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/788656/posts?

Texas GOP May Redraw Congressional Map

[deport]

If the redistricting thing becomes viable then it maybe he will be persuaded to change in an effort to remain. just a guess.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

With a narrow win, 51/48, couldn't you nominate a better Republican candidate next time and just beat Stenholm?

[The Other Harry]

Honey, the plural of "party" is "parties". "Party's" is the possessive form. The apostrophe tends to to that.

[rockhead]

"Honey, the plural of "party" is "parties". "Party's" is the possessive form. The apostrophe tends to to that."

Uh, sweety...before you cast stones make sure your grammar is correct. LOLOLOLOL

[John Jorsett]

I'd be happy if he moved, but I think people who switch should resign their seats and run again in a special election under their new party. It's the correct thing to do out of respect for the voters. It's what Jeffords should have done (and didn't, probably because he didn't have to, and he knew he'd stand a chance of losing).

[ConservativeDude]

i'd love to see it, but i understand that the texas legislature doesn't meet for very long, making a redistricing fight almost impossible.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Dog Gone's right. The average ACU for Texas Republicans (excluding libertarian Paul) is 95.4. With Paul, it drops to 93.6. Stenholm comes in with a rating of 64.

If he wants to really become a Republican and vote in the 90s like practically all of the Republicans in his TX delegation, that's fine. If he's still going to vote so poorly, then screw him. We'll beat him in 2004 when Bush carries Texas by about 35 points-- and Bush makes it clear he wants Stenholm out.

[Gurn]

Anybody who votes for Gephardt to be speaker is not conservtive. Stenholm's done that since '95.

[88keys]

IMHO, the "official party designation" is far less important than how one votes...if he's an elected Democrat who votes conservatively, and the Republicans are already in the majority, I would say leave him where he is.

If Ms. Pelosi is as left-wing as we expect her to be, Stenholme may lead the charge of fed-up Democrats switching parties to run in the 2004 elections (before he runs...the only honest way to do it!)

[deport]

The Governor can call special sessions if need be. That's how it was accomplished in 1971-81-91......

The Texas Legislature convenes in regular session at noon on the second Tuesday in January of each odd-numbered year for no more than 140 days.

[billhilly]

He's not THAT conservative. I'd like the new Texas Legislature to change his district boundaries and kick him out of Congress altogether.

Dreamers have been talking about Charlie Stenholm switching to the republican party since the days of the "Boll Weevils" in congress during the first Reagan term helped him get his economic package through. Tip O'Neill, then Jim Wright were speakers. They punished as many of the "boll Weevils" as they could, causing some of them to lose their seats in congress. As well as I can remember, Billy Tauzin of Louisiana, a "Blue Dog", the successor to the "Boll Weevils" was the only one to cross over. Of course, as well as I can remember is the operative phrase.

[Paleo Conservative]

I would rather persuade his constituents to retire him. Stenholm might be conservative for a DemocRAT, but he still votes for all the DemocRAT pork barrel projects.

[jf55510]

i'd love to see it, but i understand that the texas legislature doesn't meet for very long, making a redistricing fight almost impossible.

They only meet for 140 days but the Republicans are in charge of EVERYTHING. I believe that after all is said and done, Republicans will have around a 87-63 advantage in the house, 19-12 in the Senate, Reps control the Lite Gov, and the Gov. If Perry wants it to happen, it will happen. Also if the Dems sue, the Repubs control the entire Supreme Court.

[GOPcapitalist]

I'd much rather work on getting Ralph Hall to change. Hall votes with us almost all the time. Stenholm does not.

[cinFLA]

This past election he won the election 51% to 48%, which is the closest race he's had in roughly 20+ years in congress.

Don't need him in the party. Maybe he will LOSE 48 to 51 next time.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Yeah, Hall votes like Dick Armey. There's no logical reason for him to be a Democrat.

[Winfield]

I think Ford, from Tennessee, could be reached. I know in Tennessee, his family doesn't have the greatest reputation, but hearing him on TV several times.....I'm convinced the man has a good heart and is reachable. What a coup for the GOP that would be. Actually, having grown up in West Texas, I believe Ford would be a better prospect than Stenholm.
"Now is the time for all intelligent blacks to reject the slavery of the Democrat Party and join the GOP!"