How Things Work (In Houston Democrat Politics)

City Council failed to kill the controversial SimDesk program yesterday, as Carroll Robinson backtracked on an earlier pledge:

Opponents of the contract were expecting Councilman Carroll Robinson, who said two weeks ago he would vote to kill it, to side with them. He cast the eighth -- and decisive -- vote Wednesday that saved the deal.

Robinson would not say why he changed his mind.

Brown, who met with Robinson two days before the vote, said Wednesday each council member had to vote his own conscience.

"Council members should always be cautious when they stake out a position, especially when you make a strong statement on anything," said Councilwoman Annise Parker. "The public should know why he reversed."

Please, Councilwoman Parker. We know exactly why Robinson reversed, and it's the same reason Chris Bell (now Congressman Chris Bell) endorsed Mayor Pothole in the last runoff after blasting him for the entire year prior: future political viability. Robinson is an ambitious young politician with a future, and I'm sure Mayor Pothole explained to him that crossing a fellow Democrat and brother on such a "minor" matter would have significant political ramifications down the line.

That's how it works in Houston. No further explanation necessary, Councilwoman Parker.

[Posted at 06:26 CST on 12/12/02] [Link]