What if Texas Really Tried to Secede?
Posted: Monday, April 27, 2009
by Terry Mitchell
http://commenterry.blogs.com
Texas Governor Rick Perry recently stated that he believed his state would be within its legal rights to secede from the United States. Although he gave no indication that such a move is imminent or even under serious consideration, many Texas Democrats are furious at Perry over this assertion.
However, some of the state's Republicans seem to relish the idea. They realize that they would likely be the dominant party in a nation of Texas suddenly freed from a Democratically-controlled Washington.
Hypothetically, though, what if Texas really attempted to secede? In a complete 180 from the way state politicians are currently reacting, I believe it would be national Republicans – not Democrats – who would have the biggest problem with it and subsequently throw up the most roadblocks to such a move. You see, it's a matter of simple arithmetic in Congress and in the Electoral College.Texas is solidly Republican, having gone for the GOP candidates in the last eight presidential elections. In addition, both of its Senators, as well as 20 of its House members, are Republican. Out of the 20 most populous, you cannot find a more dependable state for the national GOP. Without Texas, Republicans would have difficulty not only winning presidential elections but ever having any hopes of regaining a majority in Congress.
Therefore, I believe President Obama and national Democrats would only go through the motions of blocking Texas from seceding, as it would be to their political advantage to let the Lone Star State go. The Republican National Committee, on the other hand, would no doubt fight to the bitter end to keep Texas in the fold – and be left crying in their beer if unsuccessful.
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)Hmmm, as a long-time Texan, I cringe to even see this article in print (and I have been a Republican my whole life). Rick Perry has a great gift for grandstanding - that's about the extent of his political ability. Oh, and he's got great hair.
Some statistics worth noting: 23 percent of Texans think we should secede... the same number that think President Obama is a Muslim and the same number that think George Bush was a great president.Jean, no need to cringe. The purpose of this article was not to lead any credence to the idea of a Texas secession. I just want to point out who would have the most to lose, if, hypothetically, that were ever to happen.Yeah, I think you could probably get 23% of the population to believe (or be in favor of) just about anything. Thank God for the other 77%. :-)
I don't know much about American politics, but we in Canada have been living with this scenario for decades with the province of Quebec. They have had many referendums over the years and have always scraped by with a majority vote to stay within The Confederation. There is even a political party in Quebec (The Parti Quebecois) , which is a separatist party. Basically what this means, is that their main political platform is to secede from Confederation and become a sovereign state. As far as I'm concerned, that is called Treason.Yes, David, I remember hearing about the Quebec vote in 1995. The vote was very close that year, so close that I even remember hearing discussions here in the U.S. about the four maritime provinces possibly breaking off from Canada and joining the U.S.
Rick Perry said the 'what if?' of succession just to make a point during the tea party. Texas won't succeed, although many here probably see what's happening in Washington and Wall Street and just shake their heads and say, 'what the hail?'Nicely done.Yes, Michael, this is just one of those things that's interesting to speculate about but will never actually happen. It couldn't -- it would be too much fun. As I've always said, reality is biased toward the boring.
Ok Terry, sounds of the mid 1800's? Terry I fear you just landed on the list.
Hey Terry that was me Robert, I forgot to add my name.Robert, I'm almost afraid to ask, but what list have I landed on?Terry, Only kidding but I was referring to the HSR report on anarchists. That is anyone speaking against the government in any venue format who may incite otehrs to action. Christians and vets top the list of possibles but really anyone writing against the government. Best wishes.
Great article. Well done.I want to tell that Rick Perry to walk up little round top at Gettysburg and then zoom back to 2009 and then ask him if Texas should Secede.Texas chance of surviving out of the union and most people in Texas don't want to secede.Conner, thanks for reading and commenting.
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