First off, the GOP Convention was an extremely well-run affair, From our local district caucuses to the general sessions. Kudos to Steve Munisteri & Melinda Fredricks for the operational aspects, and Neal Katz for the Senate District 8 and Congressional District 3.
The Selection of Delegates to the National Convention was lively, but respectful. Lots of candidates, with the Ron Paul supporters proposing several. It was a tough field and the Party workhorses of Susan Fletcher, Jodie Ruston, and Candy Noble winning the delegate slots (Both Susan and Candy were Santorum supporters originally)
It was in the Alternates that got interesting. Joe Cordina- another long-time Party worker- and Crystal Griffin- a younger worker with solid support from the ‘Old Hands’- were selected as alternates. Up to then, the Paul supporters- and those who thought they deserved some level of representation- had fallen short. But when the three candidates for the last alternate slot got their three minutes to speak, Stacy Chen (The Paul supporter; an American of Taiwanese-Chinese descent college student) was so authentic and impressive in her three minutes that she made it into a runoff and won the runoff. The applause of all was very heart-felt for the young lady and the Paul supporters were very pleased and should be; they have a GREAT representative. They had been- with only a very rare exception- been quite constructive and respectful throughout the processes and did their cause proud for the future. (Yes, there was some booing of the mention of Romney during the general session speeches, but not nearly anything too disruptive and- frankly- Paul supporters were probably not the only ones participating; MANY wished for a different choice.) Many of us have disagreements with some of Ron Paul’s positions, but his young supporters ARE the future and some of us old warhorses were impressed. We are hoping Stacey will consider sending on her thoughts and experiences at the National Convention in Florida; should she do so, we would be happy to post them.
Stacy Chen and Friend
Changes to the platform (Here is the full platform in PDF) were both bad and good. Munisteri, after it was obvious was going to face interminable amendments- which he had the votes to block- the managed to get the platform voted and passed essentially how it came out of committee. The really bad news is the immigration platform was significantly diluted, adding a working permit concept (pointless to even consider until there is some level of actual control of our border; no ‘solution’ is possible without that first). However, in their rush to slam dunk this change to the platform, they apparently were unaware of a last-minute change that Kelly Shackelford and Susan Fletcher got added.
Texas House Leadership Town Hall – We call for the Republican members of the Texas House of Representatives after the November election, leading up to the Legislative session, to hold public town hall meetings in which the voters can express their wishes and thoughts about the leadership for the 83rd Session.
Texas House Leadership Caucus – We call for the Republican members of the Texas House of Representatives to convene in caucus after each November general election to determine by secret ballot their candidate for Speaker of the House, and that rules be instituted to ensure the integrity and security of the secret ballot so that members may vote without risk of retribution by the prevailing party. We also call for the Republican members of the Texas House to vote as a unified body for their selected speaker candidate when the Legislature convenes in regular session and a vote for speaker is called on the House Floor.
So, we now can ask our state representatives and candidates if they will support and demand others support the Party platform on this. 
There will be additional postings on Joe Straus and Dewhurst-Cruz; interesting things there.
