Stay Bailey Hutchison

Who does this surprise? Well, me. But then I've never been much of an insider, either.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison said this morning that she will stay in the Senate until her term ends in early 2013, reversing repeated pledges made during her failed campaign for governor that she would resign early.

Hutchison said she had changed her mind and decided not to leave Washington because the country needs her to stand against the liberal agenda of President Barack Obama and the Democratic majority in Congress.

Speaking for the country, we would prefer it if you dried up and blew away, Kay.

"My experience will be better used fighting this effort by the president and the Congress to do so much to take away the essence of America," she said in an appearance with her Texas Republican colleague, Sen. John Cornyn, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

Hutchison, McConnell and Cornyn took no questions. Aides said they had pressing obligations elsewhere. Congress is not in session this week.

She appeared between two burly henchmen bodyguards named Cornyn and McConnell, who made sure she said what they wanted her to say, and then she and Mitch piled back on the plane after her 90-second announcement. Corndog stayed behind to spin.

Reaction to this latest flip-flop was typical.

"This is a selfish decision but not a surprising one,” said one Republican who was eager for Hutchison to retire. “The wind is at our backs this year, and it was the best chance we had of getting a solid Republican in this seat. Sen. Hutchison has put the seat at greater risk by pushing the vacancy off until 2012. We have no idea what the political landscape will look like two years from now."

Florence Shapiro withdrew, Michael Williams collapsed in a heap of hysterical crying, Roger Williams sighed heavily and went back to selling cars.

Rodney Ellis told a funny, though.

Even conservative freak blogger Douchebag Robbie -- continuing his contempt for everyone and everything that doesn't shoot bullets -- let fly some invective:

2010: The year that Mark McGwyer announced he used steroids. Ricky Martin announced he's gay. Sen. Kay Baily Hutchison (RINO-TX) announces she lied about resigning from the Senate. Let's just call 2010 "The year stuff that everybody already knew is considered news."

The lamest duck in the United States Senate -- formerly the 'most popular elected official in Texas' -- gets to sit in Washington a couple more years, draw a paycheck, and keep doing what she has done since 1993: tell her purse boys to make certain her nail polish and makeup are refrigerated.

The Weekly Wrangle

Why not enjoy these posts from the Texas Progressive Alliance along with the beautiful spring weather?

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme sees vast differences between Rick Perry, his bud David Dewhurst and Bill White. Democrats are for a robust public education while Republicans are doing their darnedest to kill it.

This week at Texas Vox, the commissioners at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) undermine the findings of their own staff in order to follow TCEQ’s mission statement that prioritizes economic development over protecting the environmental health of Texas. Are we surprised?

Are you playing the Barnett Shale economic shell game? Learn the rules at Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.

The Texas Cloverleaf has commentary on Congressional GOP members behaving like adults; if grown-ups were 4 years old, that is.

Off the Kuff took a look at voting trends in Texas' fastest-growing counties. Hint: They are getting more blue.

The week at Left of College Station Teddy reports on the Coalition for Life possibly being in conflict with itself 501(c) 3 status by appearing connected to the Rob Curnock for Congress campaign.  LoCS also takes a first look at the candidates for College Station mayor, and also the candidates for Bryan mayor.

Libby Shaw at Texas Kaos updates us on GoodHair and company's reaction to HCR. It is not pretty: Perry and Abbott On Crusade to Block Health Care Benefits for Texans.

Neil at Texas Liberal visited a Walgreen's in suburban Chicago in the week just past. While there he took a picture of chocolate praying hands and of a chocolate cross that are on sale for Easter. Maybe these items are for people who adhere to the Chocolate God Theory.

WCNews at Eye On Williamson chronicles the fact that after the Democrats passed a historic health care bill, the GOP went crazy over health care.

Randy Noogie-Booger, the West Texas Congress critter who yelled "Baby killer!" during the debate on healthcare reform last week, was profiled by PDiddie at Brains and Eggs.

Bay Area Houston writes about When Teabaggers Become Terrorists.

WhosPlayin, like a lot of other progressive bloggers this week, had thoughts on the historic passage of health care insurance reform.

Sunday Funnies

The Bayou City Arts Festival and the Tomball German Heritage Festival

Here's your weekend.

Houston's award-winning outdoor art gallery is a juried fine art event that boasts 300 acclaimed artists in 17 media formats from throughout the U.S. and the world. Ranked the #3 Festival in the U.S. by the readers of AmericanStyle Magazine in 2009, the Bayou City Art Festival features fine art, multicultural music and dance, international food and wine cafes, and interactive art, including the Capital One Bank Creative Zone, where children and families can discover the fun of making art together.

$10 for adults, free for children 12 and under. There is no public parking at Memorial Park, but BCAF is offering a free park and ride shuttle. There are two shuttles; one will pick you up from Northwest Mall (610 Northloop and 18th; you'll want to park near the PODS). The other is available in the Theater District (you'll have to pay to park there). It runs each day of the festival from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Shuttle passes are available for free inside the mall. Click here to get more parking details.

The 10th Annual Tomball German Heritage Festival will be March 26, 27, and 28 located on the Old Downtown Streets of Tomball, Texas near 201 S. Elm Street, Main Street (FM 2920), and Market Street. It is a Music/Street festival celebrating German and ethnic heritage with 4 stages of live music entertainment "happy music for happy people", ethnic and festival food, beer, wine, 150 street vendors, all kinds of German souvenirs and clothing, arts crafts, antiques, Heritage Center, German church service, fireworks, carnival, pony ride, petting zoo, strolling music makers, street performers, and much more. Like Oktoberfest in March! One of the best street festivals in Texas. Willkommen! No admission or parking fees.