Burkablog

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

The Liberation

I have covered the Texas House of Representatives since 1975. What I love about the place is that, traditionally, it is has been an open shop. The culture of the House is that you can do what you are big enough to do, whether you are on the team or off, in the majority party or the minority. As a member, Tom Craddick thrived in this culture. He helped educate young Republican members about the process, and he huddled with his disciples in the back of the chamber orchestrating floor strategy. He made alliances with Democrats, most notably, Sylvester Turner. Then he became speaker and everything changed.

He centralized decision-making in the speaker’s office. He divided the House along party lines—not formally, but by excluding Democrats from from positions in which they could be effective, and by allowing the Calendars committee to load up the agenda with ideological issues that were certain to intensify animosity among the parties. I didn’t realize that this was deliberate until I heard a story recently about the debate last session on Sid Miller’s bill to protect historical monuments. Marc Veasey and Senfronia Thompson attacked the bill as being designed to protect Confederate monuments. A heated two-hour debate ensued, and at some point Miller asked Craddick if he wanted him to pull the bill down. Craddick’s response was, “No, keep going.” Incredible. Craddick wanted discord, because it kept the Republicans antagonized against the Democrats (and vice versa).

But this is not an article about Tom Craddick. He’s history. It is an article about the ABCs and Joe Straus. In the Dark Ages of Craddick’s speakership, the ABCs were monks who inscribed the great works of antiquity and preserved the knowledge of the past. They knew what the House was supposed to be like, and what a great institution it could be when allowed to function as a truly representative body, instead of the embodiment of the will of the speaker. Now they have the opportunity to bring their vision of the House to life.

I have written a couple of articles that might be considered negative—one in particular about their not being sore winners—but on the whole I am very optimistic that the ABCs are primarily motivated by their desire to restore the institutional memory of the House and to create an atmosphere of civility in which the problems of the state can be addressed notwithstanding partisan divisions. I think that their choice of Straus may turn out to be brilliant, because he is the only one among them who begins with a clean slate, with no carryover animosities. They want to liberate House members from bondage—to let them vote their districts, pass their local bills, and chart their own destinies, without direction from or retribution by the chair.

They are not pollyannas. The rewards will go to those who brought about the revolution. That’s politics. The leaders of the Democratic opposition and the ABCs are the new leaders of the House. Beverly Woolley will not be chair of Calendars. Phil King will not be chair of Regulated Industries. Warren Chisum will not be chair of Appropriations. But they, and everyone, will have a chance to rise or fall on his or her own. No one in the new regime will be banished in perpetuity, the way the ABCs were under Craddick.

This is the culture, the old you-can-do-what-you’re-big-enough-to-do culture, that Straus and the ABCs want to recreate. It is not going to be easy; the hardcore right of the Republican caucus may emerge as a permanent opposition. Already there is bold talk that Straus will be a one-term speaker, of a holy war in the 2010 Republican primary. The only beneficiary of this circular firing squad will be the Democratic party.

There are some signals Straus can send that will reassure members on both sides of the aisle. I have already mention dealt with the “sore winner” syndrome in another post. He can reach out to the members who were the targets of an advertising campaign by gambling interests in the Republican primary, such as Betty Brown, Phil King, and others, to assure them that the days of a speaker working against Republican members in primary campaigns is over. He can undecorate the speaker’s apartment, turning it into a reception room and offices, to signal that he has no intention of becoming an imperial speaker. And the surest way to signal that a new day has arrived is to do everything possible to give members the committee assignments that they want, even those who were not with him in the beginning. I’m optimistic. And that’s a word I haven’t used much since January 2003.

Tagged: betty brown, beverly wooley, Joe Straus, marc veasey, phil king, senfronia thompson, sid miller, sylvester turner, tom craddick, warren chisum.

82 Responses to “The Liberation”


  1. houtopia says:

    Amen.

    Reply »


  2. Austinmom says:

    PB writes:

    “but on the whole I am very optimistic that the ABCs are primarily motivated by their desire to restore the institutional memory of the House and to create an atmosphere of civility in which the problems of the state can be addressed notwithstanding partisan divisions.”

    You’ve got 10 years on me in terms of time around the Legislature – but I, too, remember a time when things got done – I hope it’s going to be that way again.

    Reply »


  3. Texas Democrat says:

    Burka, there are rumors that United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) will NOT seek reelection in 2010, if true, will former Governor Tom Vilsack (D) bail on the Obama cabinet to run for the Senate ?

    Reply »

    paulburka Reply:

    Hey, Texas Democrat, it’s spring of an odd-numbered year. Who is this guy Obama you’re talking about? Is he running for speaker? Is he in the running for chair of appropriations? You want to know about the U.S. Senate seat in Iowa? All I care about is who is going to be chair of Calendars.

    Reply »


  4. Texas Democrat says:

    Austin Mom, with former Florida Governor Jeb Bush (R) NOT running for the United States Senate in 2010, expect a Democratic pick-up with State CFO Alexis Sink (D).

    Jeb can thank his brother W for ruining any chance of higher office in the future.

    Reply »

    Austinmom Reply:

    Why am I singled out here?

    Reply »


  5. Anonymous says:

    Paul – either you are overly romantic or totally delusional.

    I can’t believe you just tried to compare Tommy Merritt, Burt Solomons, Pat Haggerty, et al as:
    “monks who inscribed the great works of antiquity and preserved the knowledge of the past.”

    Anyone who knows the ABCs will laugh at this comparison…hopefully that was just a lame attempt at humor.

    We all know that you and HK are sooo excited that the Democrats are finally back in control. You both looked like little kids in a candy store at the press conference on Monday morning with your huge grins…so much for impartial journalism.

    Reply »

    Waxahachie Prom Queen Reply:

    Anon, you have no institutional memory or knowledge. Harvey was outright hostile to the Dems and Laney at the outset. Only after he got to know and respect Laney’s style of governing did he warm up. Now, he’s outright hostile at Craddick because he got to know his style of governing. Ironic, isn’t it?

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    Waxahachie Prom Queen…

    you are so correct about harvey, paul i think not, but karl harvey kronberg absolutely…the copulative effusiveness he has displayed is pitiful…

    Reply »


  6. Anonymous says:

    I heard that too about Marshall and Clyde. Hope it’s true….he would be great to have in the Speaker’s office.

    Judging by the favorable comments on this blog, he’s clearly the most popular guy at the Capitol now.

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    Good lord just because Marshall and a couple of buddies flood the comment section of a blog does not mean he is the most popular guy around the capitol now.

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    No this is very organic, I don’t think he has even been told about all of this MK talk on the blog, but this is not the only blog it is happening on, its all over the internet, some of the radical Islamic blogs are even talking about him.

    Reply »

    anonymous Reply:

    Who are these Marshall lovers? Never heard one positive thing about the guy until I read this blog.


  7. Distinguished Gentleman says:

    Paul says: “Already there is bold talk that Straus will be a one-term speaker, of a holy war in the 2010 Republican primary. The only beneficiary of this circular firing squad will be the Democratic party.”

    I, too, believe that Straus’ Speakership will be one term, but that will be because the rapidly changing demographics of Texas favor the Democratic Party. I am convinced that in the 2010 elections, Democrats have a net gain of AT LEAST two more seats, thereby re-taking the Texas House of Representatives and installing one of their own as its presiding officer in 2011.

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    pb and i once heard a very smart member once say, the problem around here with the republicans is the eat their young…well, in this instance, they ate their old too…Craddick, he should be ashamed of himself…

    Reply »


  8. Big Bopper for Congress says:

    “Liberate for bondage”, “monks”, etc. No hyperbole here about the ABCs or DEFs.

    Reply »


  9. Floozikins says:

    Have the lambs stopped screaming, Clarice?

    Reply »


  10. Spiro Eagleton says:

    Texas Democrat,

    You are a dork to be on this page posting abour Chuck Grassley and Jeb Bush. Don’t you know everyone on here just wants to post comments about some guy named Marshall and to talk about how much they hate conservatives?

    Burka,

    Please tell us more about the vaunted ABC Warrior Monks and how they ended an evil empire and freed the oppressed state reps from bondage.

    Reply »

    Jeff Crosby Reply:

    For over a thousand generations, the Jedi knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the old Republic… before the dark times… before the empire.

    Reply »

    Dee Reply:

    Is that really you Jeff, hey have you heard anything about this Marshall Kenderdine guy. I never met him but he seems to be well connected. Is he related to the new speaker, why has his name been all over this blog.

    Reply »


  11. Rog says:

    I,too, believe the ABC’s showed rare political courage.

    The democrats were obviously not going to support Craddick, and I’m sure some of them may have even weighed the advantages to the Democratic Party of retaining Craddick as speaker.

    But the ABC’s deserve all the credit, first for standing up for the well-being of the state, and then by willing to put their individual egos aside and actually agree on a compromise candidate (Strauss).

    The biggest irony of the whole Craddick saga is that he got his start by standing up to a bully speaker, Gus Mutscher, but failed to learn anything from the experience.

    Reply »

    Waxahachie Prom Queen Reply:

    No shiite.

    Reply »

    Givemeabreak Reply:

    Rog, “rare political courage”?
    Usually “courage” is ascribed to someone that takes a risk. Solomons & Eissler were the only two with anything to loose. The others had made their political beds already.

    Reply »


  12. Anonymous says:

    Spiro is the only contributor on this thread who sees the ridiculous genuflecting for what it is.

    Reply »


  13. Little Lady of Texas says:

    I’m too young to remember, or have even paid attention to, a time when those in the House worked for the state instead of their own partisanship.

    I am, however, intrigued by this surprise overturn of power and pleased by the results. It’s not too often that I feel a sense of pride and comraderie (like watching the Horns win on Monday!) in politics.

    I agree that Strauss will more than likely be a 1-term Speaker, but that might not be a bad thing- just in case history decided to repeat itself (as Rog mentions with Gus Mutscher and Craddick above).

    Enjoyed the Blog, Burka.

    Reply »


  14. havingMKsbaby says:

    So any word on who will be the Parliamentarian, I hear Hugh Brady has been called in to meet with the new Speaker.

    Reply »

    paulburka Reply:

    I heard that the last assistant parliamentarian to serve under Bob Kelly was someone named Joe Valenzuela, who just happened to be Joe Straus’s chief of staff last session.

    Reply »


  15. Got the t-shirt says:

    Disaster in the making, perfunctory with any luck.

    Reply »


  16. Austinmom says:

    I seriously have no idea who this kid is (I’ve been gone from the Capitol for more than a decade – and I’m a Democrat…) but I am intrigued…

    Reply »


  17. the shadow says:

    It’s common knowledge among Austin political insiders that Marshall Kenderdine worked under Pitts when Pitts served as Appropriations Chair. Now that Pitts is poised to play a key role in the House, Texas politics will also see a new Marshall Kenderdine era ushered into the halls of the capitol as well. All Texans benefit from the return of Marshall Kenderdine to a role as a civil servant. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Kenderdine will reclaim his role as a guardian of virtue for the Texas House.

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    Re: the shadow

    Dear Mrs. Kenderdine,

    We are so glad you decided to submit a comment on your son’s behalf, and we really appreciate your making us all throw up in our mouths having read it.

    Sincerely,

    John Pitts

    Reply »


  18. Pancho says:

    Francis Fukuyama also wrote a similiar piece. It was called “The End of History.”

    Look at how that turned out.

    Reply »


  19. larry says:

    What happens to the Craddick press office? Is Alexis DeLee going to follow Craddick to the extension?

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    alexis is going to college to get her mba…

    Reply »


  20. Anonymous says:

    I’d sure like to see Pitts back at HAC….

    Reply »


  21. Will Hartnett says:

    Joe is not confiding in me just now, so you will have to ask him. The long distance charge to reach me in Siberia may be too expensive!

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    I think he will bring you in from the cold soon enough, maybe he will invite you to dinner with el y su madre….

    Reply »

    Will Hartnett Reply:

    Solamente si José trae Mama Joci!

    Reply »


  22. Jim says:

    So, does this mean that John Otto is not going to chair Local Government Ways and Means?

    Reply »

    paulburka Reply:

    I’m sure that Otto would love to have a gavel, as so many other members would. But Otto has something better than a gavel. He has talent and he has knowledge. He doesn’t need a gavel to be somebody.

    I suspect that Keffer can have his choice of Ways and Means and Local Government Ways and Means. Oliveira has to have a role, and McCall if he wants it.

    Reply »


  23. middleclassR says:

    good post, Paul.

    Reply »


  24. Anonymous says:

    So why do things get posted on here then when you go back to look for them they are gone, someone posted some stuff on MK a little while ago and its gone now. Is PB taking stuff down he does not want other people to know?

    Reply »

    Don't Mess w/ Pink Reply:

    Ummm … I see MK stuff on here. I think his friends are having some fun. Oh, sorry, they’re called disciples, aren’t they? Where’s my wine?

    Reply »

    Eileen Smith Reply:

    I’m guessing it’s because the We Are Marshall posts are starting to wear on every other reader except, well, one. Maybe two. The Internet is protecting us.

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    You are hot! I like how you can be raunchy and dirty, your pink thing is a good read.

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    I think TM should have a win a date with Eileen S. contest. Best essay or something about how she makes Texas a better place with her smile.

    Reply »


  25. Animal Farm says:

    Since a few Star Wars metaphors have been posited it is appropriate to quote a little Yoda: “Yes, a Jedi’s strength flows from the Force. But beware of the dark side. Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side of the Force, are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Consume you, it will.”

    Didn’t the Jedi Knights-warrior monks-get wiped out?

    Reply »


  26. Elephant in the room says:

    It does seem odd that everyone is so tight lipped on the Parliamentarian issue. Seems that would need to get straightened out quickly. Even if he isn’t really the Speaker yet.

    Reply »

    paulburka Reply:

    Who cares who the parliamentarian is? If Craddick isn’t in the chair, Terry Keel can be parliamentarian, so long as he doesn’t try to enforce his ruling on recognition.

    Reply »


  27. Anonymous says:

    I want to know too, I am tired of hearing about this Marshall person, I think this is what they call gorilla marketing or something but seriously can you just give it a rest. Eileen your kind of hot, are you single, that other guy at the magazine is a Smith too are you guys married… Is it true the turtle neck and the scarf were covering up some monster passion marks?

    Reply »


  28. GOP Realist says:

    Those thinking that without Obama at the top fo the ticket the Dems will take the Texas House in 2010 are dreaming.

    GOP gains were exaggerated by Bush being at the top fo the ticket.

    Dems gains were exaggerated by Obama.

    The best year with the best possible circumstances, and the Dems couldn’t take the Tx House.

    With KBH at the top in 2010, no Craddick to serve as focal point whipping boy, and no incumbent elected statewide officials pulling the top of the ticket, the Dems will face a very uphill fight, demographics or no demographics. AA turnout will be lower in 2010, and they made the difference in several races.

    And the GOP will not screw up redistricting post 2101 census by creating so many marginal GOP Tx House districts.

    Reply »


  29. Anonymous says:

    Burka: “I have covered the Texas House of Representatives since 1975.”

    We know. That’s part of the problem. Its time for some new energy and new blood at Texas Monthly.

    Reply »

    paulburka Reply:

    Reports of my senility have been greatly exaggerated.

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    New blood? Pink is the new red. Not only did TM bring in new energy with Eileen, Paul’s blog has energized his readers! Thanks for bringing us your perspective. And thanks to all the blommentators, especially el hombre mas divertido, Will Hartnett!

    I wish all the grumpy people would read their blomments first and go, “Gosh, that sounds grumpy, maybe I shouldn’t post it,” before hitting Submit Comment.

    Reply »

    hall monitor Reply:

    To Anon @ 7:41pm: I have to throw a flag on you.
    I don’t know if your credentials are in order. Since we don’t know your real name, you might be a phoney.You say that you “have covered the Texas House of Representatives since 1975″. Just what does this mean? Are you a lobbyist? A staffer? A reporter? Knowing exactly who you are would quickly let us know where your biases originate.

    Reply »


  30. William Lutz says:

    How come it is that whenever social conservatives stand up to politically correct nonsense, it’s described as “divisive” and treated as if it was something that shouldn’t even be debated? But everything the social left does is “tolerant,” even when they are marginalizing anyone who doesn’t agree with them (and all in the name of “diversity”)

    How about all those bills about “bullying education” that the Democrats file that are really about teaching third graders about homosexuality? Sounds divisive to me. How about handing out condoms to middle schoolers (which usually goes under the euphemism of “age-appropriate sex education” and is funded — directly or indirectly — by Uncle Sam)? Sounds divisive to me. How about forcing incoming college freshman to sit through liberal, politically correct “sensitivity training” where they are basically told that racial quotas are great, illegal immigration is wonderful, and anyone who feels differently is a racist who should be marginalized.

    The Sid Miller bill was designed to reign in the excesses of politically correct university administrators who were trying to reframe history for their own liberal purposes. Sid Miller brought a good bill to the House floor and should be thanked for representing the views of his constituents.

    Reply »


  31. Anonymous's Ghost says:

    William Lutz: Thank you for posting under your real name. AG

    Reply »


  32. Cincinnatus says:

    Speaking of Star Wars, I have yet to see anyone draw comparisons to 2001, when Senate Ds put a moderate R (Bill “Obi Wan” Ratliff) in the catbird seat. (Sound familiar, anyone?) Who had a good session then? Who had a bad one? What was the fallout (other than Ratliff going “one and done”)? Seems to me that there might be some parallels to draw from that experience, but I’m too lazy to go research it (hint, hint — paging Mr. Burka …)

    Reply »


  33. Anonymous says:

    Paul – why do you care if there is a circular firing squad that benefits the Ds? You have said severl times on this blog that you want the Ds in control.

    Reply »

    paulburka Reply:

    To Anonymous –

    I challenge you to find a time that I have said I want the Democrats in control. What I have said, and what I will continue to say, is that I want a strong two-party system, so that one can check the other. The Democrats can’t do that now. They can’t do it in statewide races and they can’t do it in the state Senate. Give me a strong two-party system and it won’t matter who is speaker.

    Reply »


  34. JFK's Ghost says:

    If anyone does not understand why the GOP is losing ground in Texas and around the nation,then please read William Lutz post at 7:43 pm. Mr. Lutz is representative of a shrinking group of Republicans who do not understand why they are losing even as they shout the non-sense that got them beat. Lutz, for the record, do you REALLY believe that college freshman are taught that illegal immigration is good and should not be stopped and that anti-bullying bills are designed to teach homosexuality as opposed to stopping bullying? I read that 25% of Texans think President elect Obama is a Muslim. Are you also a part of that 25%?

    Reply »

    William Lutz Reply:

    I think the GOP is losing ground in Texas for a variety of reasons, some policy, some political and campaign mechanics. I think a lot of conservative voters feel their concerns are not acted upon (examples include ear-mark laden appropriations bills, no action to stop illegal immigration, etc.)

    I think another serious problem that is impacting the party, nationally and here, are ethical problems and getting too close to certian lobbyists. You can be conservative and ethical at the same time.

    To answer your question, most universities were founded in the Middle Ages to promote Christianity. Now, they worship a new religion — sensitivity. They erect monuments and statues to it and take down those that don’t agree with it, like the iconoclasts of old. Just as anyone who questioned the Trinity would have to recant or get jailed or burned at the stake, in modern academe, anyone who questions racial quotas or affirmative action is branded as “insensitive” and is forced to attend sensitivity training. Academic articles questioning these premises aren’t published in the major journals and that’s why most conservatives at higher education institutions got tenure 30 years ago.

    The idea that controlling immigration is racist has become an article of faith at the modern American university. UT conducts a mandatory racial sensititivity training course at summer orientation.

    No I don’t think Barack Obama is a Muslim, and I was pleasantly surprised with his selection of Robert Gates as secretary of defense.

    Reply »


  35. Elephant in the Hussein room says:

    What, Obama’s not Muslim?

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    I am still waiting for him to show us all his birth certificate! What does he have to hide! I am really scared, I hear he is going to take the oath of office on a copy of the Qur’an, my pastor said he may even be the anti-Christ. God help us all, the only good news I have heard all week is that Marshall Kenderdine is part of the transition team.

    Reply »


  36. Gentle into that good night says:

    Paul –

    Your right about Straus and the ABCs needing to reach out. Straus’ family came after some Republican incumbents in a big way (thousands and thousands of dollars) during the Primary. Nathan Macias would still be here but for some awful television commercials produced by the race track owners’ PAC (Texans for Economic Development). Other incumbent Republicans suffered the same radio and cable attacks.

    Straus should immediately disavow any further association that he or his family will have with TED PAC. He should extend an olive branch to Betty Brown, Phil King and Linda Harper-Brown. He should show the members of the House that he is ready to work with members, not against those who disagree with his stance of gambling. If he wants to change the tone in the House he has a big chance by opening up to those members who were most aggrieved by TED PAC.

    If Straus fails to pull in some of the Craddick loyalists, allows the right to plot against him, and continues his association with TED PAC there will continue to be talk of a one term speaker and the civil war you reference will become a real issue in 2010.

    Reply »


  37. Anonymous says:

    Paul, Joe Valenzuela was Rep. Straus’ COS prior to last session. He lobbied last session. I worked with him and he’s very talented and was able to get things done. Good guy.

    Reply »


  38. Austinmom says:

    I LIKE you Yellow Armadillo…I drive my youngest kid to public school every day (avoiding potholes as often as possible) and I’m sending two more to college….and that’s what I’d like to see the Lege talk about.

    /although members of the Senate did burst the bubble yesterday for anyone who thought there might be more money for public anything in the coming biennium.

    Reply »


  39. John McSame says:

    What about Sharon Carter for parliamentarian? What ever happened to her?

    Reply »


  40. Get it Right says:

    Sharon Carter is mini Nancy Fisher. No way should she be welcomed back

    Reply »

    Got the t-shirt Reply:

    What? That’s absurd and insulting on so many levels, which I am sure you don’t even begin to understand

    Sharon is a cool, steady hand, exactly what the House needs.

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    Dear God, no, we mustn’t have Sharon Carter, or that horrible Denise Davis.

    Either Hugh Brady or Chris Greisel would be excellent as the new parliamentarian.

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    Davis is probably out of the running after that thing in the Statesman.

    Reply »

    Got the t-shirt Reply:

    Oh barf on Hugh Brady. Talk about a warmed over liberal know it all, even if he does know it all!

    Reply »


  41. Rep. Hank Hill (R-Arlen) says:

    All I can say as an incoming freshmen rep is that this whole dang thing with that Kenderline fellow doesn’t make much sense. From best I can tell that boy ain’t right. In fact, I heard that he worked as a lobbyist for Thatherton, the only man ever to be censured by the Texas Propane Gas Association for conduct unbecoming of a propane distributor.

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    For a second, only for a second, I really was thinking you were an incoming freshmen from Arlen, but then the Boomhauer reference sunk in. Nice. Texas Monthly really should honor King of the Hill. I hear Hubert Vo is really Laoation.

    Reply »


  42. John McSame says:

    Who’s Nancy Fisher?

    I know Sharon is considered by many to be a cast-iron b*tch (I had that opinion of her too when I worked in the House, way back in 1995). But she is eminently competent and professional. She would be obviously well-qualified for the job.

    Reply »


  43. asmith says:

    Add GOP realist to that list William Lutz is on JFK’s ghost. Since 2003, the GOP has yet to win any swing districts back. The Cook open and Garcia seats were GOP gimmes. The current GOP is an exurban and rural party in nature.

    They will continue to lose ground in the inner/older suburbs in the urban counties. This was part of their base in the late 70s throughout the 80s and 90s so it’s hard to see it going away. The GOP wants to blame Obama because it’s easy to make that assesment. Many of these seats like the Hightower, England (when he was a R), Kent, Miklos, Maldonado, were moving D, just needed good candidates and some help at the top. The Dems have put up good candidates and ran good campaigns in those seats to win them.

    As I’ve said before what will save the GOP is the LRB carving out the Homer, Hopson, McReynolds, maybe Frost of most of their districts. I’m sure they’ll draw in more of Lubbock to beat Heflin. And they may pair some of the outer loop Democrats but they’ll be stretching themselves thin in the urban counties if they try, like they did in Travis and later in Dallas.

    Reply »


  44. Sigh says:

    Hall Monitor, anon was quoting the FIRST SENTENCE OF BURKA’S POST.

    Pay attention.

    Reply »


  45. Sigh says:

    p.s. I’m sure Hugh Brady would sooner die than have to work at someone’s beck-and-call full time.

    Besides, he’s a Democratic strategist. He’s brilliant, but that wouldn’t sit well.

    Reply »


  46. Anonymous says:

    p.s. p.s. I always thought Hugh Brady lived in Vermont or something like that, he only comes to Texas to check on his cattle.

    Reply »

    Got the t-shirt Reply:

    Well, Hugh’s throwing elbows for the shit. Time to deworm and go back East.

    Reply »


  47. Anonymous says:

    Hugh Brady is really Marshall Kenderdine in disguise.

    Reply »

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