Is the Texas Nationalist Movement resolution actually going to get on the ballot? UPDATE: Tanya Robertson did submit the Texas Nationalist Movement ballot measure

WOAI radio is reporting that Texas Nationalist Movement (TMN) has made a break through in getting a resolution on independence on the ballot.

http://www.woai.com/articles/woai-local-news-sponsored-by-five-119078/texas-gop-asked-to-consider-resolution-14110464/

According to the TNM their resolution had previously been rebuffed by the State Republican Election Committee, but this recently changed.

"That changed this week when SREC member Tanya Robertson formally introduced the TNM’s resolution for consideration by the Resolutions Committee in December."

http://www.thetnm.org/tx_ind_srec#addreaction

However, I checked Tanya Robertson's Facebook page and didn't see that she had mentioned that she was going to introduce the measure. I would think that something big like this would be mentioned. 

The WOAI article states:

Resolutions on issues to be placed before the voters in the primary can only be presented by members of the State Republican Executive Committee.

So Miller says SREC member Tanya Robertson has formally introduced their TNM's resolution for consideration by the Resolutions Committee in December.

WOAI article doesn't mentioned whether they confirmed that Robertson has actually done this.

The TNM also states on their website

The language of the resolution is substantially similar to the TNM’s resolution introduced in the Texas Legislature by State Representative James White as HCR 77 and places the question of Texas independence on the ballot in much the same way as the petition campaign.

Again, in checking the Facebook page I can't find any statement by James White about the TNM. I am checking the link that the TNM page gave. James White's HCR 77 says that Texas has the right to secede, but it doesn't say that Texas should. However, it should be thought of as pandering to secessionists. Other online sources do suggest that Texas State Rep. did actually submit HCR 77. I think going forward it should be understood that White can't take the oath of any Federal office in good faith. 

Both Robertson and White may well support the TNM. I am just not finding confirmation using Google.

I think the State Republican Election Committee would be very opposed to getting a TNM measure on the ballot.

The deadline for signatures is December 1, 2015. The TNM website isn't reporting numbers.

If the TNM measure did get on the Republican Party primary ballot it would be a huge benefit to the Democrats in Texas and across the country. It would be a disaster for the Republicans.

The Texas Republicans would have to decide whether to debate against it or for it.

If they argue against it they are indirectly rejecting secession, the Confederacy, and the general spirit of cranky anti-Federalism that now pervades the Republican Party. Are they going to argue that remaining a part of the United States of America and the Federal government a good thing and at the same time rail against all things Federal as good Tea Party members.

If they argue for it, then they join the ranks of the officially crazy in the public mind. It undermines the image of the Republican Party as being more patriotic than the Democrats. A Republican who argues for the TNM position will find that he or she will have to face their record as having supported the TNM in any election they face, and any institution that works with them will be criticized. Whether they can take the oath of office for a Federal position in good faith can be doubted.

For the Democrats this can be used nationally to discredit the Republicans, more so if it passes. It would bring under suspicion Republicans everywhere whether their patriotism for the United States is basically contingent.  Also, if the TNM resolution passed, or even made a better than expected showing, fringe groups everywhere would feel empowered. Republican Party establishments everywhere would be besieged by secessionists groups.

I do think that the TNM is struggling to get the necessary signatures. If they were making real progress I would think they would be posting numbers to encourage petition collectors to work the home stretch with only about 15 days to go. 

The Texas Republican Party establishment strategy is to ignore them to avoid giving them free publicity. WOIA probably well understands that their coverage aides the TNM.

If it was every thought that the TNM had any reasonable chance it would be disastrous for the Texas economy.  How many national headquarters of major businesses would have to leave? What would be the value of mortgages on property in Texas? Would companies want to build national distribution centers in Texas?

In the national job market, many would not want to move to a state and buy a home that they might not be able to sell if they had to move out of Texas. Companies in Texas, universities in Texas might find it difficult to recruit people from a national labor pool.

Finally, why would secession stop as an issue at the state level. If large sections of Texas don't want to secede wouldn't it be reasonable to break up Texas so some sections could stay part of the United States of America? That is one question secessionists don't really consider. They want a geographic area to secede, but aren't too fond of further secession.

However, all of this very likely idle speculation since it is not likely that this measure will get on the ballot.

If it does get on the ballot it brings to the front Confederate statues and flags and other such things. After all when you honor violent secessionists doesn't that send a message of encouragement to people who make up  groups such as the TNM?

I personally love the idea of an America where you can drive for thousands of miles.

UPDATE:

Tanya Robertson did submit the Texas Nationalist Republic ballot measure to the SREC and defends doing so. Our exchange is as follows:

·        
Conversation started Saturday

·        

11/14, 3:12pm

Edward H. Sebesta

Is it true that you submitted the Texas Nationalist Movement resolution to the SREC?

·         Wednesday

·        

11/18, 10:54pm

Tanya Robertson - TX SD11 SREC Committeewoman

I submitted it to be added as a March 1st Republican Primary ballot initiative.

·        

11:00pm

Edward H. Sebesta

How unpatriotic. I don't see how you can do the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag in good faith. Also, I want my home in Texas to remain in America. Also, are you aware that the 1st Republican president was Abraham Lincoln who preserved the Union?

I presumed you were being misrepresented.

·        

11/18, 11:04pm

Tanya Robertson - TX SD11 SREC Committeewoman

Whether you agree with it or not, the people of TX should have a voice in the matter.

·        

11:08pm

Edward H. Sebesta

We live in a Republic not a democracy, both at the national and state level. Let them see what means they can find to get something like this on the ballot. Not every measure goes on the ballot, there is a requirement for signatures for a reason. Yet you have aided them. You have assisted a group which seeks to disunite the United States of America. You can not claim to love our country.