Sen. Dan Patrick Promises "Respect" And Partisanship As Lt. Gov.

[TexasTowelie]

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst likes to tout his conservative credentials, but according to Dan Patrick, he is just not conservative enough.

Last week during an extended interview with the Texas Tribune the Senator from Houston made his case to replace Dewhurst and previewed a Texas Senate with himself presiding. Patrick was critical of Dewhurst's handling of the special session agenda and said that the minority party is too powerful under the Senate's current rules and leadership.

Patrick was for Dewhurst before he was against him. He endorsed the Lt. Gov. just over a year ago for US Senate in his epic primary loss to Ted Cruz. Now Patrick has flip-flopped, endorsed Cruz and set his sights on the number 2 spot in Texas politics.

Patrick said he would ensure more conservative legislation reached the Senate floor by getting rid of the 2/3s rule. "I think the Democrats have abused the [2/3s] rule...It is the will of the Senate, but I will try and do everything I can to persuade the Republicans who return to join me and change it." The 2/3s rule has traditionally been used as a way to prevent the critical work of the Senate from being derailed by controversial issues but Patrick contends that, "the Democrats as the minority party are really controlling the agenda."

More at http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/14109/sen-dan-patrick-promises-respect-and-partisanship-as-lt-gov .

[Gothmog]

1. Dan Patrick is a nut case

I think that Dan Patrick will defeat Dewhurst in the GOP primary. Getting rid of the two thirds rule would kill Senate traditions. The LT. Governor is actually more powerful in Texas compared to the Governor. We need to make sure that we defeat Dan Patrick.