It’s not a nice note, but it must have been kinda nice to see.

The Lone Star Project - Democrat activist Matt Angle’s group of political progressives in Texas - is slamming new House Speaker Joe Straus for his chairmanship picks.

“His first major action as Speaker is unquestionably partisan and ideological… It appears that the crude Craddick meat-ax approach has been replaced with a more subtle, but just as partisan and harmful, Straus scalpel approach which undermines fair Democratic participation in policy decisions and undercuts the concerns of fair-minded Texas voters. … Joe Straus, a relatively junior Member serving in only his fourth term, literally owes his Speaker’s post to House Democrats. Straus accepted the Speaker’s post promising a new era of bipartisanship and comity. (Source: Address by the Speaker , January 13, 2009) So far, his words ring hollow.”

Ouch. And hey, thanks.

So, why the double-edged sword, you say?

Well, first off,  one of the biggest criticisms of the Straus candidacy was that he would be beholden to Ds because they helped get him elected. They were vital to his election, in fact. So getting a letter like this on the record can only help shore up his street cred with the R constituency.

The other cut, however, goes like this: Straus, who claimed that he was bipartisan, is now being accused of making hollow promises to Democrats.

Naturally, this is their job - to antagonize the Rs, no matter who is in charge. And frankly, with Craddick out, the Ds are dangerously close to being in the same position MSNBC is in without Bush in office. Totally, and completely, without purpose.

So I guess this was coming.  And while it may sting, it also doesn’t do much to hurt Straus. AND, it’s mildly off base.

The LSP may have a slight point when it says that Straus’ picks are partisan. He gave 8 of the 10 “top tier” committees to Republicans, and then fleshed out the lesser important committee chairs with Dems.

But, please.

First of all, I’m looking over the so-called “top tier” committees, and I don’t see an ideologue in the bunch. Todd Smith? Jim Pitts? Brian Mccall? Rob Eissler? Burt Solomons?  John Smithee and Dan Branch? Are you kidding me? Have you met these guys? At the very least, they’re moderates. At most, they’re willing to reach across the aisle.

Secondly, I’m going to take issue with the categorization of some of these (and omission of others) as Top Tier.

Corrections was one of the most important committees last session. And not only was the Republican chairman Jerry Madden busted from his post, but it was given to a rural Democrat. And let’s look at Local and Consent. These are bread-and-butter local bills that were overseen by Charlie Howard, R-Sugarland, last session. If you’ll recall, his decisions as head of that seemingly innocuous panel were so heavy handed that the resulting revolt was largely credited as one of the final keys to Craddick’s undoing. So Straus busted Howard and put Senfronia Thompson back in charge (I believe she lead that panel in the past). If anything, the Rs ought to be nervous about that pick.

Meanwhile, when did Elections become such an important panel? Suddenly it’s Top Tier? Second tier ….  maybe. But the only reason the Ds think it’s Top Tier is because that’s where the Voter ID bill will come through. Most likely. And it’s headed up by Todd Smith, who is actually accused of being reasonable, in general. And while we’re on the subject, er, what about Human Services? I don’t see it on this Top Tier list, but chances are, Democrat Patrick Rose will weild sizeable influence over subjects very near and dear to Ds - like aid for the needy. That’s kind of their thing.

So, you know. I can see where, in a 74-76 House with Rs having only a slight edge, the Ds would want and expect more important chairmenships. But at the end of the day, they made out a lot better than a lot of other R speakers may have done for them. Straus could have taken that power and run with it (lookin at you, Dewhurst), knowing that it might be the last session the Rs have the speakership if trends continue in 2010.

Instead, he refrained from such childish antics as putting urban vegetarian Democrats on the Agriculture and Livestock committee and instead divided the “top tier” committees fairly evenly, give or take.

At any rate, Straus wins no matter what your interpretation. But it’s fun to see the fireworks again. I missed them.