Houston Democrats

Dr. Sekula-Gibbs is, of course, joining Sugar Land Mayor David Wallace in chirping about the nest for the Big Worm of approval dispensed by Mama Bird--in this case the state Republican party. Both are calling in favors, scratching backs, getting all chummy with precinct chairs and activists in a private little calf-scramble to become the next officially unofficial Republican in the race this November. This is such an unseemly display--essentially a mockery of the democratic process--with insider lobbying, good ol' boy elbow rubbing, and community pitched against community, Fort Bend vs Houston, as these candidates (bound to be joined by one or two more hopefuls) jockey thru a closed door screening process for the Republican's officially unofficial support.

The Republicans this year have maneuvered themselves in letting the party machinery vet their candidates, not their party's rank and file members. This is pretty big slap in the face to ordinary voters of the 22nd District.

If I recall my history correctly (and if I can't HISD has made a terrible mistake in hiring me) the whole point of the progressive era reforms 100 years ago was to make sure that elections and even partisan nominations were decided among the general public, democratically, not by closed door bartering among clubby insiders. The Texas GOP seems to be taking a huge step backwards here, mostly in deference to the corrupt mess that Tom DeLay left in his wake as he contrived to slither out of office this summer right after the primaries, only after it was too late for the people to have their say.

If I were a Republican in the 22nd, I would be going thru a bit of buyer's remorse right about now. I would be looking around to see if there wasn't a party out there that--agree or disagree on any given issue--at least believed in democracy enough to trust and value my opinion.