Posted on 05/17/2003 8:00:14 AM PDT by Theodore R.
Focus turns to unity after House revolt GOP, runaway Democrats set to get back to business
Associated Press
AUSTIN (AP) — Stark battle lines drawn earlier this week seemed to blur a bit Friday on the floor of the Texas House as 55 runaway Democrats reunited with Republicans who've waited anxiously to get back to business.
It was hardly business as usual though, as the eyes of the nation were focused on the group that fled the state earlier this week to avert a contentious push by Republicans to redraw the state's congressional districts.
Many lawmakers embraced and shook hands, patting each other on the back in welcoming gestures.
"The foundation of the House is based on relationships, not politics," Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick said. "And this House needs to unite in that respect. I think it's done that and it will do that immediately."
Rep. Aaron Pena, one of the returning Democrats, said his colleagues have been gracious.
"Most of us have personal relationships with each of the Republican members, so we continue to be friendly with each other," Pena said from the House floor Friday.
Still, Pena said, not all Republicans could forgive and forget, with some Democrats reporting a "chilly reception."
In what appeared to be a show of support for the Dem ocratic Party, some Republican women wore bright red suits, while a few GOP men, including Craddick, wore red ties. The spectators' gallery was peppered with onlookers in red t-shirts.
Most of the rowdy throng in the gallery seemed to be in support of the so-called "Killer D's." As each of the Democrats streamed into the chamber, the gallery erupted into loud standing ovations. Some Republicans on the floor sat quietly at their desks.
"It's been a real long time since any politician has done anything to take a stand," said Jim Hinds, an Austin resident who was waiting in line to get a seat in the packed gallery.
Outside the Capitol, three people wore chicken suits and held signs proclaiming "Chicken D's."
Earlier, at a 7 a.m. rally, the united group of Democrats strolled onto the south steps of the Capitol, smiling triumphantly and waving at an exuberant crowd. They stood momentarily, facing a broad banner proclaiming "Welcome home, Texas Democrats."
"We've weathered a few things. We've weathered some troopers; we've weathered a tornado and we weathered Denny's," said Waco Democrat Jim Dunnam, who emerged as the group's ringleader. Dunnam was referring to a Denny's restaurant near the Oklahoma hotel where the Democrats spent the previous four days.
"No matter what happens, democracy won in this event," Dunnam said.
The group of Democrats walked into the crowd, thanking them for their support.
"Thank you, you've saved us," one onlooker shouted to a lawmaker as he walked by.
One of their Republican colleagues flitted in and out of the crowd with his camera, chatting jovially and taking pictures.
For now, the revolt successfully killed the divisive map that could have added five Republican seats from Texas. But its specter loomed as a Senate redistricting bill that faces an uphill climb to get passed this session. In addition, Republican Gov. Rick Perry has the option to call a special session, in which redistricting could be addressed. The current session ends June 2.
Important issues such as homeowners insurance reform and passing revenue-generating bills to help a $9.9 billion budget shortfall can still be addressed through Senate legislation, amendments and other tools not affected by Thursday's deadline, Democrats say.
After driving all night from Ardmore, Okla., most of the group arrived in Austin just after 3 a.m. Friday.
Upon their arrival, the Democrats congratulated each other for enduring four days away from the Republican-dominated Texas House and avoiding the reach of state troopers who were ordered to round them up for thwarting a quorum.
The buses had departed from Ardmore, 30 miles north of the Texas state line, just before the redistricting bill died in Austin. A midnight deadline passed with no vote — due to the lack of a House quorum.
Legislators' first stop in Austin was a hotel where they had first met Sunday night to finalize their plans to leave the state. A number of Democrats were picking up their vehicles at the hotel, where friends and relatives greeted the sleepy lawmakers.
Redistricting is attempted every decade in conjunction with the Census, but Democrats said this plan was unnecessary because new districts were drawn two years ago.
Forty-seven Democrats boarded the charter buses in Oklahoma — one for smokers, another for nonsmokers. A drawing of a bee was taped inside one of the buses in a reference to the "Killer Bees," 12 Democratic state senators who defied then-Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby in 1979 by refusing to show up at the Capitol.
Three Democrats in the group left Oklahoma in their own cars, a fourth by plane.
Complete and utter B.S. Throwing a temper tantrum like a 2 year old is not democracy. It's utter stupidity and the height of arrogance what they did and I hope the Texas FReepers remember this in '04. Get out there and work your pants off to support the Republican challengers to these cowardly 'RATS!!!
How clueless is this reporter?
Since when did blocking a vote, by means outside the rules, become "democracy"?
So, what exactly should he have done? Not brought up redistricting because the Rats might sabotage the legislative process?
There's an amazing amount of Monday morning quarterbacking going on here.
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