I'm not one to spread rumors but....

[WestHoustonDem]

Check this out http://www.savetexasreps.com/index.php?p=86. I find it hard to believe since he backpedaled on the homophobe vote, but he seems awfully cozy with Craddick.

[Longhorn]

1. Oh, please, I hope not!

I've known Sylvester since we went to high school together, though we haven't seen each other in the last 30+ years except at reunions. I knew he was a politician but I honestly didn't believe he would stoop this low! But he didn't go to Ardmore with the other House Dems two years ago, though he claimed he supported them.

My take on him is that he is extremely ambitious and after a couple of failed (and scandal-filled) runs at Houston mayor, he may have decided he has a stronger future as a Republican. :shrug:

[merci_me]

2. That would mean

we could stop looking for a primary challenger.

IMHO, it would be no big loss. But it will be a loss for him. Do you
think Craddick will play footsie with him, if he's a repuke?

Mary

[WestHoustonDem]

3. Agreed

I've decided to to let the fur fly on houstondemocrats.com. I'd rather be represented by a Repug voting like a Repug than a DINO voting like a Repug.

[merci_me]

4. I'm wondering

what deserving longterm repuke will be named the NEW president pro tem once they don't need Slippery Sly anymore.

I haven't been able to stand him since back when he ran in the three way race for mayor with Bob Lanier and Kathy Whitmire. I voted for Kathy, but said if it came to a runoff between Lanier and Turner, I'd vote for Turner. Then 1, 2, 3, 4 the stories came out and there was no way I'd vote for Turner for anything. He tried to blame Wayne Dulcefino for reporting the stories. Well, maybe one of the four was questionable and the more I got to know Slippery Sly, that didn't seem likely. But three of the stories, there was no making them up. There they were.

Mary

[Longhorn]

5. Wow, I'm really out of it!

I had no idea Sylvester had such a reputation. I just assumed he was a good Democrat! My first clue should have been when my mother, a Republican who lives in Spring, made excuses for him in the previous mayoral elections.

This also sheds some light on some comments my state rep made about him last summer. This is really disappointing. :(

[sonias]

6. He's out to save his hide

And he thinks being a repuke is going to get him elected and get him big money to run in that district.

I hope the good Dems will run someone who can beat him. All we have to do is expose his recent record.

Vilma Luna you're next.

Sonia

[splat@14]

7. Disappointing

He also voted to ban gays from being foster parents earlier this week. One of two Houston area Dems that jumped the aisle.

"WestHoustonDem"....gues I'm a NorthHoustonDem! Give `em hell!

[PDittie]

8. Welcome to DU, splat

Us Houston Dems (you seen the blog yet?) meet once a month offline to do some socializing. We were using Meetup, but since they've added fees, we'll be making those announcements here.

Feel free to join us. Among the H-Town DU crowd who get together occasionally are W.H.D., Lisa 0825, merci me, johncoby, CitySky, Gothmog, and slutticus.

We've also met many of the Austin crew as well as a buncha D-FW evilDUers.

Welcome to the forum.

[splat@14]

9. Thanks, glad to be here.

Haven't seen it but will check it out!

[WestHoustonDem]

10. Welcome to DU Splat!

Believe it or not, Turner voted for the ban in error, or so he says:

"There has been some confusion surrounding my vote on Representative Talton's amendment to SB 6. The vote was cast mistakenly while I was at the appropriation conference committee working group. I am NOT in favor of the amendment, and my previous record and actions reflect that. Foster children need loving comfortable homes and I would never let prejudice or discrimination stand in the way of these children finding those homes. I am hopeful that the conference committee on SB 6 will remove discrimination from this piece of legislation."

http://www.burntorangereport.com/archives/003732.html

Personally, I'm not buying it. Who was able to cast a vote in his name? Why did they get it wrong?

[Gman]

11. I wouldn't be surprised

and it would probably be best for all concerned if he switched parties. The African-American caucus in the leggy is very uncomfortable dealing with him because of the way he stayed home from Ardmore. They are all friendly, but very cool towards Sylvester. Also, Sylvester has no credibility with any Democratic legislator, his vote cannot be counted on when it matters, so there's nothing lost here.