DeLay Wannabes Work the Crowd at GOP Convention

Tom DeLay did not attend the Republican Convention in San Antonio last week, and no one knows whether the soon to be ex-Congressman has put in a plug for one of the eight candidates seeking to replace him. But the contenders were all out in full force, working the precinct chairs who will choose four representatives ultimately responsible for selecting DeLay's successor.

The candidates at this point are:

State Reps. Charlie Howard of Sugar Land and Robert Talton of Pasadena, state Sen. Mike Jackson of La Porte, Houston City Councilwoman Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, Sugar Land Mayor David Wallace, lawyer Tom Campbell, former state executive committee member Tim Turner and retired Air Force major Don Richardson.

The Houston Chronicle has some select quotes from the contenders.

In printed campaign materials he handed out, Talton, a former precinct chairman and convention delegate, touted his A+ rating from the National Rifle Association and his standing as one of the most conservative members of the House. ''This is about relationships built up over many years," Talton said.

''I know the precinct chairs and delegates because I've been among them. Some people change their position on issues for political opportunity."

Shocking, I know. My faith in politicians has just taken a huge hit.

But Talton has some competition for the conservatives from Councilwoman Shelley Sekula-Gibbs.

Sekula-Gibbs gave the Republicans red meat to chew on — telling them she is anti-abortion, pro-business, for limited government, immigration reform without amnesty and lowering crime, ''since Katrina evacuees came into our life [emphasis mine]."

While we're at it, why don't we just build a wall between Texas and Louisiana?

Ms. Sekula-Gibbs seemingly has come from left field to become a major contender in this race. Apparently, her campaign mailings claim support from money-bags Bob Perry, which makes her definitely one to watch.

DeLay Sets Date for Departure

So would anyone care to wager on who will be the first out the door, Karl Rove or Tom DeLay? The odds at the moment favor DeLay, who has set a date of June 9th as his last day representing Texas Congressional District 22. And to be honest, I'm getting kind of worried here. We've only been blogging for three months, and already we're losing our number one favorite target--not to be confused with subject, as in the subject of an investigation, which brings us to Mr. Fitzgerald. If the rumors about Karl are true, it could be any day now...

Fortunately, the Bush administration is the gift that keeps on giving. I'm pretty sure we're still going to have a few scandals to chew on around here. And although the Houston Chronicle article doesn't mention him, Texas House Representative Robert Talton is reportedly still in the running for DeLay's seat. To my mind, Talton taking over DeLay's seat is a little like John Roberts taking Rehnquist's on the Supreme Court -- it's not so bad as long as you're replacing a conservative with another conservative, right?

Talton, as you may recall, is infamous for his introduction of legislation banning gays and lesbians from serving as foster parents. The legislation failed, but for a little insight into Mr. Talton's psyche, I quote from a House Committee on State Affairs in 2003:

[Rep. Mike Villareal, D-San Antonio]: You're talking about the sexual orientation of the parent, not the child.
...
RT: Right. Of the foster parent, or the alleged foster parent.... Some of us believe that's a learned behavior; you're not born that way. And so if it's a learned behavior, then if you're taught that that conduct is OK, then that's what they're gonna do. We know that it's a learned behavior on sex offenders ... same thing with this, it's a learned behavior. Same thing with pedophiles -- it's all a learned behavior.
Groans of disbelief from the audience.
MV: Is that a religious opinion?
RT: No, I think that's probably the majority of Texans.
Audience laughs; committee Chair Ken Marchant, R-Coppell, scolds the crowd.
MV: I also sit on Human Services [Committee] and our number one priority is placing children with caring, nurturing, loving parents, period. ... Are you concerned that we are going to be holding this value of yours above this other priority?
RT: Quite frankly, I don't look at those that may be homosexuals as parents as such. ... We think of a parent -- y'all heard DOMA [Defense of Marriage Act] -- as a mother and a father and not persons of homosexual conduct. And I would put that value ahead of the value of foster care. Quite frankly, if it was me I would rather [leave] kids in orphanages. ... At least they have a chance of learning the proper values, and if that's not important, than I don't know what is.

Values are important, but there's something missing here. Bonding. It's the key to the emotional development of a child, and it depends on the relationship between caregiver and child. And orphanages sucked at providing it. That's why we did away with them. If bonding doesn't take place, the child fails to develop a conscience, becomes obsessively focused on meeting her own needs, and has trouble empathizing with others.

Now I know what you're thinking, but there is no way that the entire Republican legislature was raised in an orphanage. Anyway, we're anxiously awaiting Tom DeLay's replacement. We'll keep you posted.