The Katy Tea Party Patriots’ planned political forum is back on track with a new location, along with the possible participation of another incumbent congressman.
Organizer Jennifer Heiden said the event will still be held on the planned date – Feb. 20 – but now at the Taylor High School Performing Arts Center.
The forum had originally been scheduled for Morton Ranch High School, but the event had to be relocated after a scheduling conflict arose because of a change in a school UIL event.
McCAUL
In addition to the new location, an additional congressman may take part. Incumbent Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Austin), whose 10th Congressional District includes the western parts of the Katy area, is attempting to resolve a scheduling conflict so he can appear.
At the same time, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Lake Jackson) has agreed to be a part of the forum, but may do so by proxy. Paul, whose district includes much of Cinco Ranch, committed to participate through his campaign manager, but asked for an “alternative date” due to a scheduling conflict.
Heiden said the Tea Party Patriots could not change the date to accommodate Paul’s schedule because the group needed the debate to take place before early voting concludes.
“It is all about early vote. Our goal is to increase the turnout,” Heiden said. “If we can get those (attending) to leave the debate and pull the trigger in the voting booth, we will have set out to do what Katy Tea was created for – making a change for our citizens and country.”
PAUL
One plan Paul is reportedly considering is to respond to prepared questions by videotape and send a representative to the actual debate.
Paul’s reluctance to face opponents has drawn increasing criticism from some in his district, including one of his opponents.
Katy resident Tim Graney, who is running against Paul in the March 2 GOP primary, has repeatedly challenged Paul to debate the issues facing residents of his district.
Graney said Paul’s commitment-by-proxy at the forum still leaves voters without the chance to see the long-time incumbent face his opponents in a true debate setting.
“Will he debate or not? It’s taking place on a Saturday, so shouldn’t he be in the district?” Graney wondered
He said it sounded like Paul was “unwilling to go before the voters and defend his record.”
GRANEY
“For 20 years, he has been voting ‘no’ in Washington. Voting ‘no’ has been ineffective and done nothing to reduce government,” Graney said. “Ron Paul has proved that working alone and voting ‘no’ will not solve problems in Washington.”
Graney went on to say voters deserve to hear an explanation directly from Paul.
“These are difficult times for a lot of families here in Texas, and Ron Paul is refusing to take the time to go before voters and explain how he’s working on their behalf. Ron Paul is more a product of Washington than a representative of Texas families, and that’s why he’s afraid to defend his record,” Graney said. “This is exactly how long-term incumbents operate and they expect voters to not pay attention. Ron Paul is unwilling to give up his career politician status, but the voters will take care of that on their own when they cast their ballot on March 2.”
Graney has also criticized Paul for spending time in Kentucky campaigning for his son, Rand Paul, who is running for Congress from that state.
Graney’s message appears to be resonating with some voters. Cinco Ranch resident Eric Johnson said he would like to see Paul show up and debate.
“Frankly, (Graney) has a good point. If Paul really cares about what’s going on in the district, why doesn’t he put in an appearance?” Johnson said. “For a guy who likes to paint himself as a maverick, he’s acting an awful lot like an arrogant incumbent.”
Johnson also said Paul’s “showboating” is wearing thin.
“It’s beginning to sound like he just enjoys hearing himself talk and seeing himself on TV. We’ve already got Shelia Jackson Lee for that; we don’t need another one.”
Marlene Belton, who also lives in the Cinco area, said it’s increasingly hard for Paul to claim to be an outsider after two decades in politics.
“I’d like to ask him just what all his grandstanding has actually produced. What has he accomplished? What sweeping change has he caused?” she said. “As one of his constituents, I’d like to know how my life is better as a result of his tilting at windmills for all these years.”
Jerry McElroy said he assumed Paul was “simply being pragmatic.”
“Let’s face it, incumbents have a huge advantage when it comes to getting re-elected, so why expose themselves to a possible slip during a debate” McElroy noted. “He’d just better hope he’s not overestimating his strength or underestimating the anti-incumbent mood of voters.”
As it now stands the Tea Party forum schedule is as follows:
- 1 p.m. Harris County Republican Chair candidates
- 2 p.m. Congressional District 14 candidates
- 3 p.m. Congressional District 10 candidates (if available).
Attendance is limited to 1000 people. All must RSVP to the Tea Party Patriots, agree to help in developing a candidate questionnaire and to early-vote.
