San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
An optimistic Straus sees beyond ‘this sad moment in time’
When I reached out to former Texas House Speaker Joe Straus about a possible interview, I outlined four big topics: school vouchers, border security, rising antisemitism and addressing gun violence. Optimism was not in my pitch. But optimism is the focus of this column
Straus served as speaker of the Texas House from 2009 to 2019, and I was curious to hear his thoughts on these issues at such a tenuous moment.
He is the longest-serving Republican speaker in Texas’ history, and yet in some ways Straus’ absence from Austin has only amplified the impact he has had on Texas politics.
Straus articulates a much different vision for Texas than what has emerged this year. Picture a Texas that invests in public education and tackles big challenges in pragmatic and bipartisan ways. It would be a Texas that embraces commonsense gun reforms while respecting and honoring gun rights.
When we met on Nov. 10, Straus, 64, was candid on these topics. He spoke at length about how vouchers would decimate public education; how Operation Lone Star has failed taxpayers; his support for gun rights and commonsense gun safety reforms such as red flag laws, age restrictions and background checks; and how antisemitism, racism and bigotry will always require vigilance.
But the most interesting part of our conversation was his appeal for optimism and his commitment to the politics of hope. He spoke of a return to
what his political hero, former President George H.W. Bush, called a “kinder, gentler nation.” It was refreshing and is worth sharing.
Below are excerpts from our conversation, edited for brevity and clarity. My questions have been paraphrased.
Q: How concerned are you about our civic health? On a scale of one to 10, where would you fall?
A:
I’m certainly more concerned about it today than I’ve ever been. I don’t know what number to put on it. Looking ahead to what most people expect to be the contenders for president, I think you better hang on to your hat. There doesn’t seem to be an advancement of what, you know, my hero George H.W. Bush called a
“kinder, gentler America.” We will get there eventually. Young people have to rise to the occasion and start participating.
I believe the great majority of Americans are really good, decent, honorable, optimistic people. We’re in a bit of a funk right now because our leaders aren’t really lifting us up. And they’re continuing to thrive in re-elections because they’re telling everyone how horrible everything is. And when that’s your platform and your position, you’re essentially telling optimists not to participate.
You know, it’s a sad moment in time, but it will pass. And there will be leaders who come along who will find the spirit that built this state, this country into the success it is. … There’s a sense of optimism and a spark that will be reignited. It’s just
hard to see it right now.
Q: Is there anything to be optimistic about right now?
A:
There’s a lot to be optimistic about. Just looking at Texas, we’re growing like crazy. When you travel outside of Texas, people are wondering what the secret sauce is. … When you get away from the politics, and you get into people’s real lives, there’s a lot to be optimistic about. And I just wish our political leadership would learn to be more positive. And, you know, spread a message of opportunity. How good it is to be here.
Q: Do you feel like a man without a political party?
A:
I think most people feel that there’s no party for them. But in the system that we have, you have to choose, practically, or you sit it out. And the biggest problem we have right now is that too many people are sitting it out.
So, you know, I want to see the Republican Party become a credible party again. I want to see the leadership of the Republican Party progress to a point where it’s attracting more people and more diverse audiences and supporters than it is right now. Right now, the Republican Party in Texas is a disaster and is led by somebody (Texas GOP Chairman Matt Rinaldi) who is the antithesis of what I’ve just been describing.
Q: You said we are in a funk, so when do we get out of it? How do we get out of it?
A:
Either leaders emerge who have had enough and speak to this. Or it comes from the bottom up where the people say, ‘Enough of this. I don’t want my government leaders to be just one big, wet blanket.’ And I’m not sure which comes first. But we’ll get out of it. We always do.
Q: Do you miss the elected, day-to-day part of politics?
A:
I didn’t really need to be an elected official. It wasn’t really what validated me as a person. I think it’s really important for everybody to do some sort of public service; doesn’t mean your name has to be on a ballot.
But everybody should pitch in and do something that’s for the public good. I’m glad I did my time with the Legislature. But I never intended to be there as long as I was there. And there could be other public service in my future. I’m not saying there’s not. It’s just unlikely to be in the state Legislature.
I think everybody should participate, whether it’s in an elected office or some sort of volunteer opportunity. Military service, which I regrettably did not do. There’s a role for everybody to do something that helps the public.