So I had a phone conversation with Gio last night. I wasnt sure hed take my call, but he did and I was very grateful for that as I know there are many he has not taken. In every way he was the same old Gio that we all love and respect... except when it came to Straus. Everything I said about Straus, Gio defended. He blamed other Reps and other circumstances, said he has no recollection of teaching us that Straus is so bad, and denied any knowledge of Straus being a part of the campaigns against Matt Schaefer and Jonathan Stickland. He said Straus fighting those two is no different than one of our guys fighting Ratliffe. He defended Straus by saying, Look at the record. Texas isnt so bad, and you have to give Straus credit for that. I asked how he could have made such a complete turnaround in his opinion of Straus and he said, Im here now. I see what I see now. I didnt know him. I didnt even know where the bathroom was then. He asked me the same question hes been asking everyone else -- name one bill that Straus killed that upsets you. And then he proceeded to knock down every argument by placing the blame elsewhere. When I asked him about Scott, it was clear Gio despises the man (though he said he doesnt). He explained that Scott is so bad for Texas that he has to protect us from him. I argued that no matter how bad Scott is, he is still better than Straus, and we could always vote him out next time. Then I asked if he would vote for someone else if a third person entered the race. He said that will never happen. I told him that wasnt the point, that I was trying to gauge his level of commitment to Straus. He avoided answering that all 3-4 times I asked. When he said Scott doesnt have the numbers, I argued that Gio could change that and he seemed genuinely shocked that people think he has that much influence. I asked him about the controversy and division he has caused not just amongst the voters, but amongst his own band of brothers -- the other conservative reps in the house. Was it worth it? He said he didnt do that, Scott Turner did. Gio did say he will continue to work with NETTP, attend our meetings and help us in any way. He will have the town hall meetings he promised to have and he will take it when people yell at him. But I dont believe anyone will change his mind. He was in Austin yesterday having meetings with Straus, hes accepted money from Straus, and this is a done deal. I dont share this conversation to betray Gio in any way. My role as I see it is to be the voice of the people. Im very upfront and open with all of you on what I learn and how I interpret things, and I tell it like it is. Gio seemed to still be a conservative fighter in every way -- but his stance on Straus continues to baffle me. And because it is SUCH a significant vote almost guaranteeing the death of all conservative measures this session, he should not be given a pass on it. He needs to feel the heat, needs to know folks are paying attention, and needs to know he WILL be held accountable. I have a meeting tomorrow with someone who would be a great challenger to Gio in the next Primary -- and there are one or two others who may have interest as well. Thats not to say its a done deal -- it would be a HUGE decision to go forward with that sort of plan as it would cause a lot of division in our conservative stronghold and we have to count the cost. But the option is on the table and is being pursued aggressively for now. As for Gio, I am positive we will continue to work well together through the session. Hes been a friend for a long time, and though we strongly disagree on this issue, I still value his input and wisdom. I just wish I could slap some sense into him on this! Instead I am focusing on a lot of prayer for discernment and wisdom -- for all of us. I urge those in District 98 to contact Gio to share their own thoughts with him. He said only 10 people had met with him at his office and seemed to take that to mean nobodys interested. His numbers are (512) 463-0690 and/or (817) 431-5339. You can also send an online message via goo.gl/Jb9ftp.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Nov 2014 18:26:36 +0000
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