The Return of the Texas Two Step

Or as they are more commonly known in the wonkish world of local politics; "precinct conventions." The precinct convention, was to many voters, a first time experience in 2008. It was the year that we learned while some states have a "caucus" and some states have a vote to determine presidential selection, Texas has to be all special and have both. It was that historical turnout in 2008 that prompted many Democrats to demand an end to the concept of a precinct convention as an old, antiquated, throwback from the backroom politics of yesteryear. Others just complained that filling out all of those forms was just too much trouble.

But, as it turns out, the precinct convention serves a vital role for party organization and for a stronger democratic process. Everyone that showed up in 2008 signed in and provided contact information.  Many went on to the county convention and some to the state convention, all the while meeting fellow Democrats that lived in their community. Much of the organization and efficient communication that our local party utilizes today stems directly from the 2008 Precinct Convention data and resultant network of activists. We may be a minority, but we are at least an organized minority. It's hard to believe that in the age of Facebook, a bi-annual 30 minute meeting can be seen as an important organization tool, but it is.

Aside from the political perspective, participating in your local precinct convention is engaging in democracy in its purest form. By voting and then showing up, you have a voice in what the Democratic Party stands for. Those that don't bother to show up don't have that voice. You can introduce and vote on resolutions that may ultimately make their way all the way to a national convention. These resolutions can amend the party platform, amend party rules, urge Democratic elected officials to take a certain position, or honor someone. Burnt Orange Report has a great post on this subject if you are planning to submit a resolution. You'll also be voting on delegates that will represent your precinct at the county convention and maybe at the state convention. These delegates will cast votes on your behalf on important issues. It's also always interesting to meet and network with neighbors you never suspected as being a Democrats!

Lastly, it's just the right thing to do. Everytime I go to the airport, I have to take off my shoes and belt. While some people gripe, I feel proud and patriotic -- it's the least I can do for the common good. It's the same feeling I get after voting and after participating in a precinct convention. Spending a negligible amount of time making my voice heard is the least I can do for the millions of men and women who have died so that we may have such a privilege.

So, put on your boots and get ready for the Texas Two Step. It starts on Tuesday, March 2nd at 7:15 pm at your local precinct polling location. You must have voted in the 2010 primary to participate.

Congressman Kevin Brady Continues to Embarrass

Yet again, our member of Congress from Montgomery County has continued to be an embarrassment to his constituents, and demonstrated that he's sticking to the principle of carrying water for large corporate interests. Earlier today the House of Representatives voted by an overwhelming 406-19 margin to end the special exemption that health insurance companies have from the federal anti-trust laws. One would think that an advocate of market solutions to problems would endorse the idea of giving the consumers more choice in markets. After all, health insurance is the only major industry aside from major league baseball where this sort of market rigging is allowed. (Not that the 'insurance market' really fits the standard economics model for a market in that it plagued with the problem of adverse selection.) Mr. Brady is the former head of the local chamber of commerce and has championed such 'free market' proposals as the Central American Free Trade Agreement. Every Democrat voted in favor along with 153 Republicans, but Brady was one of 19 Republicans who took the position that the federal government should come down on the side of allowing the companies to keep their special privileges. Shame on Congressman Brady for yet again showing how out of touch with the concerns of people struggling to find affordable health insurance coverage for members of their family. Perhaps his values are actually more like those of the national Chamber of Commerce, which typically peddles whatever position its highest paying benefactors want.

The Courier: Did political brawl get physical?

Did political brawl get physical?

By Howard Roden, www.thecourier-online.com
Updated: 02.02.10
NEW CANEY – The verbal flare-up between Ed Rinehart and Monte Lane at the end of the East Montgomery County candidates forum Monday night may prove to be round one in a bitter fight for Precinct 4 county commissioner.

Lane, one of three challengers seeking to unseat Rinehart in his bid for a fourth term, filed complaints with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office alleging Rinehart’s son Will threatened him with physical violence, then “knocked” Lane’s 16-year-old daughter from an aisle and into several seats at the New Caney High School auditorium.

Lane claims the collision was intentional and resulted in a 4-inch bruise on his daughter’s right thigh.

“I didn’t know about it until I was walking out to my van,” Lane said. “If I had assaulted (Ed) Rinehart’s daughter, I’d be in jail right now. Because of who he is, he (Will Rinehart) got a free pass. He was escorted to his car.”

Ed Rineheart declined comment. However, Marc Davenport, Rinehart’s campaign spokesman, said Monte Lane’s allegations were “totally contrived,” and that 6-foot-4, 230-pound Will Rinehart would never intentionally hurt a child.

Davenport said he personally saw Lane’s children pushing their way up the aisle in order to reach the lobby outside the auditorium.

“To the best of his knowledge, he (Will Rinehart) had no contact with them. They (the Lane children) were doing the pushing,” said Davenport, who added that this was the worst incident of using a child since “Balloon Boy.”

“He (Will Rinehart) didn’t know anything about the accusation until he was well into the lobby,” Davenport said. “Monte Lane should be ashamed.”

Lane, who has three daughters and a son, disputed that version. He said his daughter was working her way up the aisle to join her 11-year-old sister in a reception line in the lobby.

“She told the crowd, ‘Excuse me, excuse me,” Lane said. “I don’t know if it was because she was wearing a Monte Lane T-shirt or he knew she was my daughter, but he lunged into her with a shoulder.”

Lane filed a report on both incidents with MCSO Patrol District 3 later that night, Chief Deputy Randy McDaniel said. The report will be assigned to a detective for further investigation, and then forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office to determine whether charges are warranted, McDaniel said.

The Courier submitted a Freedom of Information request Tuesday with the Sheriff’s Office for a copy of the incident report.

The two-hour forum hosted by the East Montgomery County Concerned Citizens was relatively benign until Ed Rinehart delivered his speech. Each of the candidates were allotted five minutes, but Rinehart kept reading his prepared text even after forum moderator and Precinct 4 Constable Kenneth “Rowdy” Hayden declared Rinehart had run out of time.

“You can’t physically make them quit talking,” said Hayden, vice president of Concerned Citizens. “There were several candidates that went over their (five-minute) limit.”

Lane claimed Rinehart spoke for an extra three minutes, while Davenport said his candidate spent a little more than six minutes in front of the microphone.

“If he could go an extra minute, I had the right to finish my comments,” Lane said.

As Rinehart and the other Precinct 4 candidates – Hank Murray and Clarence Quinn – left the stage, Lane grabbed the microphone and told the crowd Rinehart was in Las Vegas when Hurricane Ike hit Southeast Texas in September 2008. Rinehart yelled at Lane to get off the stage and “quit crying.”

Lane said Will Rinehart then threatened him with physical violence, a claim Davenport denies on behalf of the younger Rinehart.

“The whole incident is totally contrived,” Davenport said.

My fear is retaliation,” Lane said.

Hayden and County Judge Alan B. Sadler said tension was high between the Rinehart and Lane supporters after the forum, which had around 300 attendees. Sadler, who participated in the forum, said there was “ample security” provided by the Sheriff’s Office and Precinct 4 Constable’s Office.

“Their presence prevented any escalation,” Sadler said.

The bitter feud between Lane and Rinehart that goes back to the 2006 election when the incumbent Ed Rinehart won in a runoff didn’t sit well with the other two candidates in the race.

Quinn said Lane’s remark after the end of Rinehart’s speech was “distasteful” and that Rinehart’s reaction was “unprofessional.

“I don’t believe in that type of politics,” Quinn said.

Hank Murray, who also ran against Rinehart in 2006, opposes the mudslinging tactics.

“It’s too upsetting,” he said.