“I’m a lifelong Republican and I am conservative…” said Texas House Speaker to the Abilene Reporter News when in the Big Country shoring up support with representative Susan King for his upcoming race for re-election as Speaker.

I think Joe Straus is a nice guy, a gentleman even but, this statement is a cold-calculated lie straight from his lips. When elected Speaker, Straus was asked by the press how he described himself and he chose to tell all that he was a “moderate”*, which in today’s world is a long way from being a conservative. His position on issues, other than fiscal, is hardly conservative either.

Just to ensure that this well-known description, quoted often on Pratt on Texas during the last Session, was not a misquote or misunderstanding on the part of a reporter, I recently reminded the Speaker of this self-label and he told me that he did indeed use the term “moderate Republican” to describe himself to the press.

Now that he wants to be re-elected as Speaker and the GOP Caucus is much larger and more conservative, he is describing himself as a conservative. Last Session, when Straus was among the group of 11 traitor-RINOs who deposed a conservative Speaker, it was convenient for him to be a “moderate” as he was elected primarily by the democrat caucus plus 10 other RINOs.

I’m very disappointed in Straus. I was ready to give him the benefit of the doubt this time, and a chance to show that he will allow the conservative majority to set the agenda – remember his platform was to let the members run the House as opposed to a heavy-handed Speaker. But now, seeing that Mr. Straus is willing to lie to the Press and the people so blatantly, just to keep power and a Capitol apartment, I see no reason to trust any claim he will make related to the passage of legislation.

Robert Pratt is host of the top-rated Pratt on Texas radio program which can be heard at www.PrattonTexas.com

* Examples still online:
https://www.reporternews.com/news/2010/nov/16/balanced-budget-vowed/
https://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/texas/AP_Analysis_shows_Straus_differences_to_Craddick

Pratt on Texas

Robert Pratt has been active in Texas Republican politics since the Reagan re-elect in 1984. He has served as Lubbock County Republican chairman, and in 2006 founded the Pratt on Texas radio network, providing the news and commentary of Texas on both radio and podcast. Learn more at www.PrattonTexas.com.

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