FORT WORTH -- It's never a good thing to see a pink slip.
But Republicans gathered in Fort Worth last week were happy to pick some up -- to give to Democratic President Barack Obama.The pink pieces of paper found throughout the Fort Worth Convention Center were distributed by State Comptroller Susan Combs and were meant to notify Obama that Republicans want him out of office for several reasons: Obamacare, record debt, bailouts, deficits, regulation, litigation and unemployment."America can no longer thrive under the policies and actions of this president," the paper reads. "Our country, and our state, cannot suffer under this administration for another four years."GiddyapState Rep. Warren Chisum of Pampa is hoping he is picture-perfect.On Saturday, in the state GOP convention's exhibit hall, he posed for pictures with supporters of his bid for Texas Railroad Commission.He had a few props -- a saddle, a lasso, a revolver and an old shotgun.Chisum, a longtime House member, is in a runoff against Austin attorney Christi Craddick.Take a seatFort Worth bought a county convention center 15 years ago but never bought new chairs.So delegates sit in more than 8,000 1988-vintage metal folding chairs on the floor of the Republican State Convention.The chairs still read "Tarrant Center," dating to when the arena was the Tarrant County Convention Center and hosted concerts from Elvis Presley and Led Zeppelin to Kiss and U2.A county spokesman confirmed that the chairs were bought in the late 1980s to replace the original 1960s chairs. The date "88" is stamped on the legs.Delegates have complained about the food and the center's poorly kept and maintained bathrooms, but not about the old chairs."Your city's being conservative and not spending money," said Donna Moore of Sherman. "I like these chairs."They're comfortable," she said.Sitting alongside, Patricia Womack said: "You're being green! Keep reusing these chairs."Getting alongTexas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson told the thousands of delegates that he has noticed how nice and polite people are being with one another during this convention -- and he finally realized why."I've got it all figured out," said Patterson, who as a senator carried legislation 17 years ago to legalize concealed handguns in Texas. "We're all packing. That's what it is."Isn't it amazing how friendly and safe we can all be when we exercise our constitutional right" to bear arms?Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
