Texas Monthly Talks
Tony Garza
texashookem says: Darn shame he’s not going to run again. Let’s hope he reconsiders, especially if the Texas GOP is to have any sort of viable future. (April 16th, 2009 at 2:38pm)
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I think the Department of Homeland Security has been, at times, a little insensitive—you’ll note the understatement there—in terms of how they’ve dealt with some of the property-rights issues. Texans feel strongly about their property rights. Let’s listen to those communities and let’s be respectful of those farmers and ranchers who may not want physical barriers dividing their property.
What’s happening with the violence down there? How should Texans regard it?
You’re talking to a guy who’s nearly fifty years old. If I sound a little nostalgic for the border I grew up with, it shouldn’t surprise you. Let’s face it: A part of that generation was never too far from the Cadillac Bar. And yet what I see today is very different. There’s far more violence, but it’s not just the numbers. The nature of the violence has changed, and it’s a by-product of [Mexican president Felipe] Calderón’s administration taking on the cartels. This is a lucrative business they’re in; they’re not going to cede anything to the government. Yet most of [the drug trade] is driven by demand in the United States, and the guns that are in the hands of those cartels have flowed south from the United States. There again you get back to why there’s such urgency in addressing this issue and in being partners. We can’t sit back and point the finger at Mexico and say, “Boy, you have a hell of a problem.”
What can Texas do to live up to its end of the shared responsibility?
Actually, we’ve done a pretty good job. Texas border communities and those within our state manage the tone well. I would include the governor in that. I saw a speech he made a couple weeks ago in which he said, “Listen, there is definitely violence there, and Calderón is doing his part. We’ve got to do our part. Those out there who are saying that Mexico is a failed state simply do not know Mexico. Failed states do not do nearly one billion dollars in trade a day with the U.S. Failed states are not among the twelve largest economies in the world.” On some instinctive level we recognize the importance of the relationship with Mexico, whether it’s because we have an economic or a familial relationship or we simply appreciate our history.
Practically speaking, you agree that people living in El Paso and Laredo have cause to be careful in Juárez and Nuevo Laredo?
You bet. The same with Brownsville and Matamoros. If you went on the State Department Web site, you’d see alerts—there’s a reason for that. There was a time when people on the border would say, “Well, there’s violence, but it’s drug on drug.” Now you can be a completely innocent bystander. You can be in one of the nice restaurants in Juárez and something can go down. It’s more random, it’s more aggressive, and it’s not limited to certain neighborhoods. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t travel—it just means you need to travel a lot smarter. Like the old country lawyer used to say, don’t leave your common sense in the jury box when you go back to defend your case. I tell parents of spring breakers, make sure your kids don’t leave their common sense at the border when they clear Customs.
I want to talk about politics back home, particularly about the civil war that is dividing the Republican party—nationally and in Texas. Where do you come down on all that?
I’ve probably given this less thought than you might imagine, since I’ve been so focused on what I’ve been doing down here for the last six years, but I think this is the ebb and flow of cycles. The Republican party has had a great deal of success, going on thirty years now—all the way back to Ronald Reagan’s election in 1980. We’ve just come off two terms in the White House. The Democrats are in control of the executive branch and Congress, and the factions within our party are having a natural sort of inward-looking discussion. They’re doing what has to happen: debating the future. I don’t see it as unhealthy. I think the Republican party will come out of this pretty strong. I don’t want to sound too sanguine, but this ain’t my first rodeo.
What do you think about Republicans who have said loudly and proudly that they hope the president fails?
I’m not in that camp. I might disagree with President Obama on any number of issues, but at the end of the day I want my president to succeed, because I believe strongly that if my president succeeds, my country succeeds. I know that might sound kind of old-fashioned, kind of throwbacky and not partisan enough. But, you know, that’s the way I feel.
Texas is now a minority-majority state and will soon be a majority Hispanic state. Do you think that the Republican party has done enough to reach out to this emerging community?
I’m not sure either party has done a good job of reaching out to Latinos. I think the Democrats have been the default winner by virtue of the fact that people historically aligned themselves with that party. As Texas moves toward majority Hispanic status, the Republicans are going to have to do less shouting, less shorthand, and less sloganeering and court the Latino community in a way that’s relevant to Latino individuals—whether on education, taxes, or job creation. The Latino community is independent and intelligent. It wants to be talked to thoughtfully, and it wants to be persuaded, not just moved by emotion.
Which of the two Republicans running for governor of Texas will have a better chance of reaching Hispanics?
I think Rick [Perry] has done a good job of reaching out to the Latino community. He’s been smart on border issues, temperate on immigration, and sensitive to communities along the border. If you look at the state today, I think the biggest challenge he has is overcoming his incumbency. There’s an anti-incumbent movement out there, not only in Texas but across the country. But from where I sit—when I pick up the paper and see that we now have, what, 57, 58 Fortune 500 companies that have chosen to headquarter in Texas—he’s weathered the storm pretty well.
Is that an endorsement?
It’s an observation. I’m not sure that my endorsement much matters, but I’m voting for Rick Perry, if that’s what you’re asking.
What are your short-term plans? I stumbled across tonygarza.com, which looks like a Web site for a private-sector endeavor as opposed to a coming political campaign.
Look, you’re not going to see my name on a ballot again.
Ever?
Here’s what I’d like to do: I’m talking to a lot of people and moving toward a platform where I can be involved in a handful of special projects. I want to promote a business-to-business dialogue. Whether it’s Texas business looking south or Mexican business looking north, you’ll see me right in the middle of that.
So if Governor Perry called you and said, “Kay Bailey Hutchison is stepping down to run against me, and I need you to slide into her seat,” what would your response be?
My response would be, “Rick, I live in Mexico City. It seems like an odd place to choose a U.S. senator from.”
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