A frustrated Dewhurst slams Craddick's tactics: Methods called those of `Iranian cabdriver'
Yes, the rumors are true; Texas Republicans really DO eat their young, and it's hugely entertaining. This is why I love politics in this state.
Now that Republicans are in a position where they can do pretty much whatever they want when it comes to redistricting, they can't agree among themselves on how to go about it.
AUSTIN -- Frustrated by negotiations over congressional redistricting, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst on Thursday accused Speaker Tom Craddick of negotiating like an "Iranian cabdriver."
Craddick earlier in the day had denied Senate accusations that the House is negotiating in bad faith. Craddick spokesman Bob Richter later declined to comment on Dewhurst's remarks.
"We would prefer to negotiate with the senators face to face rather than through the news media," Richter said.
Dewhurst said Craddick for months has set only one condition for a new Republican redistricting plan for the state: a district that can be won by someone from Midland.
But as deadlines for passing a plan draw near, Dewhurst said Craddick and House negotiators have suddenly added more demands. Those include drawing a Dallas-area U.S. House district that can be won by state Rep. Ken Marchant, R-Carrollton.
"At this late hour, I think we need to come together on a map ... and stop playing the Iranian cabdriver negotiations, where you get what you want and then you start adding two or three other requests," Dewhurst said.
Sen. Todd Staples, R-Palestine, the lead Senate redistricting negotiator, said Craddick is insisting that West Texas be resolved before any other portion of the state is negotiated. Staples said that is threatening a total breakdown of the redistricting process.
"If one person wants to implode the entire negotiations because of a certain set of parameters that are unreasonable, then the Senate cannot do anything about that," Staples said.
Yep; sometimes, when the gods want to punish you, they really do answer your prayers....
