Williams discusses Senate run, calls GOP to reach out

By Matt Smith/msmith@trcle.com

Texas Railroad Commission Commissioner Michael Williams discussed his bid for the U.S. Senate and addressed other political topics while speaking to members of the Johnson County Republican Women’s Club on Tuesday.

Williams hopes to fill Kay Bailey Hutchinson’s seat in the U.S. Senate, who in turn plans to seek the Texas governor’s seat.

Williams has served on the Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and natural gas industry, since 1990, twice serving as chairman of the commission.

Williams spoke about Sen. John McCain’s 2008 presidential bid, complementing McCain’s pro-life stance and other ideals.

Williams then discussed why Republicans lost the White House last year.

“Some argue that the brand got old, the message stale after eight years in office,” Williams said. “I don’t think a message of pro-faith and family and low taxes got old. But I think the [Republican] party became unpredictable and that, for many office holders, their record didn’t meet their rhetoric.”

Conservative Republican leadership is needed more than ever, Williams said.

“We need folks up there who will hold consistent to the conservative message because we’ve got to say no to the transition to European-style socialism and the next thing, you know it’s coming, raising taxes,” Williams said. “I’m looking forward to the challenge of running. I hope you’ll consider me as someone who has the courage to stand up to Ralph Reed and Nancy Pelosi. Someone who won’t be seduced by the Washington Post and New York Times or K Street lobbyists.”

To thrive and grow the Republican Party needs to reach out and attract a more diverse group, Williams said.

Deborah Simpson, JCRWC membership chairwoman, joked that the party is not just old white women but agreed that party members need to move beyond that demographic.

“We need to make the party look more like America than this room does,” Williams said. “And I appreciate the efforts of all of you in this room in working toward that goal.”

Williams discussed his opposition to President Barack Obama’s cap and trade policy, a idea Williams characterized as a tax.

“Which doesn’t mean Republicans don’t want to clean up the environment,” Williams said. “Just that we think there are better ways to get there than the Democrats ideas of regulation, taxation and litigation. You generate more revenue for the government by cutting taxes than you do by raising them. Jobs, capital and talent move to the low-tax areas.”

Williams spoke of the need to control, not close, the border.

“Because we want people who want to come to America and Texas and become citizens,” Williams said. “But we want them to do it in the right way. And we want them to come here not simply for jobs but because they want to become Americans. And part of that involves learning English.”

Williams discussed his push to convert school buses from regular gas and diesel fuel to natural gas or propane power and discussed the need for an energy policy involving natural gas, clean coal and nuclear power complimented by wind and other power sources.

One audience member asked Williams if he believed America could be energy independent.

“I’d say energy secure,” Williams said. “Because energy independent means buying no foreign fuel, and I don’t think that’s realistic. But I think we can become energy secure to the point that we don’t care what happens in the Middle East.”

Williams closed by asking audience members to support his Senate bid.

“I’m a fighter; I’m consistent,” Williams said. “I’m someone who can go up there and, even in the minority, still carry your water.”

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