Texas Speaker Standoff

Texas State Capitol Building

Cold dank Monday morning clouds hovered over the Capitol Building in Austin as Texans converged to duke it out in heated debate of words and wills with the newly elected members of the Texas House of Representatives.

Charm in the Tea Party

Hundreds of Tea Party folks got up early to take on the politicians.  They were well armed with documentation clearly showing rationale, lists and maps of the capitol offices, and their  sunny dispositions, tenacity, and willingness to try to influence Republican legislators who would be voting in the caucus later in the day.

Conservatives and Tea Party members are expressing concern that given the overwhelming victory in the number of House Republicans, Joe Straus, who received most of his support from Democrats voting for him in the last session, is not conservative and should be ‘ousted.’ AND 89-90% of conservatives, including Republican Precinct Chairs from all over the state, voted for Ken Paxton.

Stephanie Carter with Paxton Supporter & Candice Noble, SREC

Stephanie Carter, newly elected Representative, showed a willingness to listen to appeals from constituents and supporters walking the halls. Tea Party volunteers and conservative Republicans outside her own district walked her precincts to help Get Out The Vote (GOTV). Some volunteers remember the day of pouring rain and tornadoes, getting soaked to the skin, concerns about getting struck by lightening while walking door to door, and trying to keep her door-hangers dry.

Rally - North Steps of Capitol

While some were visiting offices, others were rallying outside the Capitol. Ken Emanuelson, a Dallas Tea Party leader, warmed the crowd by reminding us why we were making this effort and what was at stake.

Tea Party Participants Making Their Voice Heard

Hand made signs have become a signature of the Tea Party.

Clear Lake Tea Party Thinks it's Time To Take Back America

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Dogs are good judges of character.

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Karen White, Dallas Tea Party Leadership Speaks to the Crowd

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Dallas Tea Party & Irving Tea Party Leadership. Cathy Meyer

And when Ken Emanuelson, head of the Dallas Tea Party hands you the mike you think fast. Folks interrupted their own lives, traveled here, paid for gas, food and hotel.  They did it for a reason… not simply to stand outside in the cold or to wander hallways and into offices hoping to be granted a listening ear. So I reminded and affirmed these honest, decent, hard working folks of all stripes and fancies that we share the passion inside of us to show up.

We’ve been paying attention. We read. We listen. We know the truth. And what we are hearing from some is not the truth. “And I don’t know about you all, but I’m gonna stay on this like a dog on a pant-leg, getting bloody being dragged down their rocky path if necessary, but I’m not gonna let go. Who’s with me?!”

So much more to say and share…  It’s Tuesday morning and a big rally at the Capitol starts in just a few minutes.