The Texas Democratic Party has released a video aimed at Rep. Aaron Peña, stating their intention to take him on in the 2012 election. This is not the first time that the Democrats in Austin have targeted Peña, having faced primary challenges in the past, run by Austin consultants.
Dear Aaron Pena from anthony gutierrez on Vimeo.
It also brings us to the crux of the whole reason Peña switched parties; simply, they pushed him out. Redistricting was the consolation prize. They bailed on him long before he switched.
At the time rumors started swirling that Peña might jump ship, he was on vacation; it was the furthest thing from his mind. But, then the attacks came fast and furious from the usual suspects who never thought he was Democrat enough. So, why not? He was already fighting off people in his own party.
Some of you may recall that Peña was one of the Killer Ds who ran off to Ardmore, Oklahoma to break quorum during the last redistricting fight. At the time, there were enough Democrats in the Texas Legislature to do that. This time around, there aren't enough Democrats to break quorum. There is nothing they can do to stop the redistricting process, except stall.
Having been through redistricting before, and lacking the blunt weapon they had last go round, there was nothing that would stop Republicans from kicking the anthills of all the Democrat candidates.
I find it perplexing that nobody put 1 + 1 together to come up with redistricting. I don't know if the Party operatives are truly surprised at what the Republicans are doing, which indicates poor political savvy; or, if the operatives are simply acting surprised and outraged to goose their base into action. I think it's the latter; they're smart people. It's just part of the campaign groundwork.
Most people don't know much about the census, reapportionment, and redistricting to know that maps are supposed to be redrawn. Everybody is getting their districts altered. If you're friendly to those in power you get a favorable map; if you're unfriendly, you don't. Simple.
Duh! Winning.
Seriously, it's business as usual. These things have a 10 year cycle. Just as the ants get their mounds rebuilt, redistricting will come by and knock them over. There will be scapegoats, demagoguery, demonizing, and outright name calling. It will pass.
You might get the same Rep.; you might get a new one. Either way, you're represented. You'll still have to show up at work, pay the bills, and raise the kids regardless who is elected. Life goes on.
Dear Aaron Pena from anthony gutierrez on Vimeo.
It also brings us to the crux of the whole reason Peña switched parties; simply, they pushed him out. Redistricting was the consolation prize. They bailed on him long before he switched.
At the time rumors started swirling that Peña might jump ship, he was on vacation; it was the furthest thing from his mind. But, then the attacks came fast and furious from the usual suspects who never thought he was Democrat enough. So, why not? He was already fighting off people in his own party.
Some of you may recall that Peña was one of the Killer Ds who ran off to Ardmore, Oklahoma to break quorum during the last redistricting fight. At the time, there were enough Democrats in the Texas Legislature to do that. This time around, there aren't enough Democrats to break quorum. There is nothing they can do to stop the redistricting process, except stall.
Having been through redistricting before, and lacking the blunt weapon they had last go round, there was nothing that would stop Republicans from kicking the anthills of all the Democrat candidates.
I find it perplexing that nobody put 1 + 1 together to come up with redistricting. I don't know if the Party operatives are truly surprised at what the Republicans are doing, which indicates poor political savvy; or, if the operatives are simply acting surprised and outraged to goose their base into action. I think it's the latter; they're smart people. It's just part of the campaign groundwork.
Most people don't know much about the census, reapportionment, and redistricting to know that maps are supposed to be redrawn. Everybody is getting their districts altered. If you're friendly to those in power you get a favorable map; if you're unfriendly, you don't. Simple.
Duh! Winning.
Seriously, it's business as usual. These things have a 10 year cycle. Just as the ants get their mounds rebuilt, redistricting will come by and knock them over. There will be scapegoats, demagoguery, demonizing, and outright name calling. It will pass.
You might get the same Rep.; you might get a new one. Either way, you're represented. You'll still have to show up at work, pay the bills, and raise the kids regardless who is elected. Life goes on.
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