Momentum killer

Should Republicans lose the Texas House in November, they've got no one to blame but themselves.

(Garland lawmaker admits he doubled-billed for travel, Jay Root, AP via ChronBlog)

A Texas state representative who rails against the evils of runaway government spending admitted Monday that he has pocketed thousands of dollars in taxpayer money for travel expenses that his campaign had already funded.

Rep. Joe Driver, R-Garland, faced with findings from an investigation by The Associated Press, acknowledged in an interview that for years he has been submitting the same receipts — for luxury hotels, airline tickets, meals, fees and incidentals — to both his campaign and to the Texas House of Representatives.

He has also been collecting thousands of dollars in state mileage reimbursements for travel in vehicles for which his campaign has shelled out more than $100,000 since 2000.

You could say something such as "not smart" or "idiot" or any number of other descriptors for this and be within your rights. "Hypocrite" is another one that comes to mind, Rep. Driver being one who rails against Government waste of taxpayer dollars while contributing to it at the same time.

Then there's this: Joe Driver is a member of the Independent (snicker) Conservative Republicans of Texas. Thus proving that joining a group with a zero bar height for entry is the political equivalent of anonymous oath-taking. Fortunately for Rep. Driver, founding member State Sen. Dan Patrick has already appeared to leave this group behind, having done zero with it since it's very public unfurling. Hey, he got the Tea Party folks on his side right?

Just for fun though, let's review the icROT "Contract with Texans"

We give our word to be fiscally accountable,
limit the size of government,
and fight for free market principles.

Oops.


Have fun Democrats y'all deserve your chuckles on this one.


My prediction though is that Rep. Driver will still win, the 'straight party' balloting in Garland should see to that unless, that is, he does the honorable thing and resigns. That's what you should require of him Republicans, that he resign. After all it's the "principled Christian" thing to do.