Great moments in consistency

Earlier this week, Chron political columnist John Williams had this blurb in his weekly piece:

Term limits just too confining?

· Add the name of Harris County Judge Robert Eckels to the growing list of term-limit backers who seem to be losing enthusiasm for the idea.

When Eckels campaigned for county judge eight years ago, he promised not to serve more than three four-year terms in the office, which is not term-limited.

"I'm a firm believer in term limits," Eckels said in 1995.

Eckels easily won a third term last November, and since then he has been talking with supporters about seeking a fourth term in 2006.

Eckels said he wants to consider long-term challenges such as homeland security and regional initiatives like transportation.

And his support of terms limits?

"I really haven't changed on them, but some issues need a long-term approach," Eckels said.

Translation: "All that stuff about corrupt career politicians and the need to force them out of office was never supposed to be about me. Term limits are for the other guy."

I'm sure there have been more cynically exploited issues than term limits by Republicans in the 1990s, but I can't think of any other recent examples.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on February 07, 2003 to Local politics | TrackBack