Feisty Friday
So here I was, trying to tune out on this Friday-before-Christmas, when I learn of a minor eruption in the world of Texas politics.
Earlier this week, Texas Monthly executive editor Evan Smith reported on his blog that a Midland City Councilman, Bill Dingus, would file to run in House District 82 against incumbent/House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland. Yikes. This made big news, as it would mean Craddick would have to run two races at once -- the race to keep his house seat, and the race to stay speaker.
Then, the Midland Reporter-Telegraph ran a piece in which Dingus says Smith "encouraged" him to run. The Texas Republican Party Chair is steamed:
“Evan Smith needs to make a choice he can’t be both a political consultant and a magazine editor. Those who report the news are not supposed to make it. If Mr. Smith’s work hasn’t already made his antagonism toward Speaker Craddick clear enough, this revelation leaves no question. The conflict of interest is obvious. He needs to step down.”Smith has responded on his blog, which includes an email from Dingus himself saying that the paper was inaccurate in reporting that Smith encouraged him.:
Since I did no such thing, I was a bit surprised. I have talked to Dingus, yes, to confirm that he is in fact running, as every reporter worth a damn in Texas has done in the last day or so. But a reporter calling a potential candidate is journalism, not encouragement.Smith says he is so not resigning.
EXTRA: MRT video of Dingus discussing his run against Craddick (but the typing sound you'll hear throughout is painful. The MRT needs new keybords, stat.)
