OR-TX Gulf Coast Reports from OR-TX State Convention

Our Revolution Texas had its statewide convention in San Antonio two weekends ago. Just this morning I received the Gulf Coast delegations report via e-mail. As disorganized and as unreliable a correspondent as I tend to be, it would be wrong to give them shit for the long delay.

I'm pleased to report that the OR Gulf Coast delegation chose my former fellow First UUer Luigi Bai to be its state Steering Committee representative. The message notes that Luigi also played a major role in drafting the state body's bylaws, which are still subject to revision and approval by regional groups.

In addition, seeing that populist firebrands Jim Hightower and David Van Os were not only in attendance but actively participating in this confab fills my heart with light and warmth.​

Sema Not Endorsed
The paragraph below was not the only one in the message containing flagrant use of the passive voice. As for the development in relates, I'm not sure how I feel:

The Harris County OR Delegation made their unanimous motion for OR Texas to endorse Sema Hernandez for state senator. There was lengthy debate as to the appropriateness of the motion. It was decided the motion was appropriate and arguments were had for and against the endorsement, and for and against the appropriateness of this particular process for endorsement. After much debate and procedural maneuvering, the motion failed. We hope the new Statewide Steering Committee will work promptly to develop a process for endorsing candidates for state-wide office.

But excessive and unnecessary passivity is not the root of my ambivalence. With the Democratic Primary (and my customary non-participation in it) imminent, I would like to have seen the state convention endorse a strong progressive, an unabashed Berner, like Sema Hernandez. I take some pride from knowing that my homies introduced the motion.

The author of the message does not indicate whether fans of Beto O'Rourke led the resistance to the endorsement. (I doubt that Edward Kimbrough had a dog in this fight.)

Even if the motion to endorse failed, it accomplished a thing or two:

• As the excerpt notes, the debate over endorsing Hernandez should lead to a codification of OR-TX's endorsement process.
• It revealed where delegations from the other regions stand on such endorsements, or indeed endorsing a like-minded candidate in opposition to a fauxgressive front-runner. And that stance worries me.

Text from the Betobots
Speaking of O'Rourke, I...wait, that section header is a little harsh. Tuesday afternoon I received a text from an actual human being from the O'Rourke campaign. It was actually intended for my son. Somewhere there's a mailing list with his name on it and my mobile number, from when we first got these phones more than a decade ago.

The actual human being asked whether Rep. O'Rourke could count on my (or Paxton's) vote this year. I thought he was referring to the Democratic Primary on 6 March, so I replied, "Not voting in the primary, thx."

A few minutes later, the conversation continued. I didn't feeling like getting snarky or someone's face about my antipathy toward the Two-Headed Corporate Party, but I subtly let her know that I considered a vote for Beto about the same as a vote for None of the Above.

I'm sorry. Is this Paxton's phone or your phone? Also, it is the midterms election in November not the primary.

My phone. Won't give out his number. My November vote depends on what happens between now & then. Won't vote for Cruz though.

We will make note of the wrong number. I understand your wait and see. I'm personally supporting Beto because he's the only candidate that will put Texans before special interests and be the voice that we need in the Senate about issues like no PACs, term limits, and our public schools. Can I help answer any questions or clarify his platform for you?

No thx. Enjoy your day.

I had work to do, so I put my phone aside and forgot about the conversation until I arrived at home. It struck me hours later that this is the O'Rourke campaign presuming victory in the Primary. I'm not gonna deny the likelihood of his capturing the nomination, but this skipping straight to November shows a marked lack of respect for his Primary opponents—maybe not as marked as highjacking the Twitter icon on Hernandez's website (which her web team quickly fixed after I reported it), but still....

No, Congressmember O'Rourke, you cannot count on my vote. That's not to say that I won't vote for you, but now it's not even 50-50. Depending on which of the five Senate candidates the Libertarians nominate, I might even cast a vote that way.