GOP senator is 'distraught' over Demos, state politics| Texas

Republican state Sen. Bill Ratliff is one of those guys whom people usually listen to when they speak because they look out for the best interests of society before self.

The veteran senator opposes congressional redistricting because of its negative impact on rural Texas. He warned GOP leaders not to strip the Senate's cherished two-thirds rule, and he also counseled his Democratic colleagues against leaving the state.

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An El Paso radio talk show mouth urged El Pasoans to flood Shapleigh's office this week with calls protesting the Democrats' boycott.

The tally: 10 calls on Monday and four on Tuesday, says Shapleigh spokesman Ramon Bracamontes. And those were split evenly between pro and anti calls, he says.

The senator wonders whether sponsors of the radio show might get a bigger bang for their investment elsewhere.

http://www.borderlandnews.com/stories/borderland/20030823-12714.shtml

the right wingers are so sure they have thousands behind them, when in fact they do not.

really draw up the re-districting plan on a napkin?

With MoveOn and the DNC teaming up to publicize the issue, I'm feeling much more confident that the Dems will be able to stay the course.

I'm sure it's getting tough for them. I have been sending letters to all 11 of them once a week, letting them know how much this means to so many of us. I have also written to various NM officials, who have been very kind in their replies. I think the tide will turn in our favor. We just need some kind of breakthrough. Hopefully it will be the Move On ads.
:dem:

why doesnt' he just vote with the Democrats and put an end to this mess. Work for comprimise?

But since the repubs changed the Senate rules his vote was moot

They have only one or (sor two?) seats short of two thirds in the TX Senate, which is what it would take to get the bill to the floor under the "old" rules. -So it could have been blocked. One Dem was flaking out and this repub Senator would have given the Dems enough to keep the bill from consideration- with one to spare.

With the dirty tricks rule change, a simple majority would get the redistricting through. That's why the Dems broke quorum.