Burnt Orange Report
News, Politics, and Fun From Deep in the Heart of Texas
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Burnt Orange ReportNews, Politics, and Fun From Deep in the Heart of Texas |
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February 29, 2004Endorsements...by Karl-T.By Karl-Thomas MusselmanAfter some thought and much hand wringing, I have come to a decision on a number of endorsements on everything from national on down to campus politics. President: I have been since the beginning, a Howard Dean supporter. Since he is out of the race, I have had some thinking to do. He will remain on the ballot here in Texas and is still trying to gain delegates but I know that my Senate District out in the Hill Country is probably not going to meet the 15% marker. Maybe it will here in Austin, but not likely out there. So I have reached the following conclusion. I will now endorse John Edwards for President. But, if Dean supporters in Austin want to try to get those delegates, by all mean, vote for Dean. Back home, I will vote for Dean barring Edwards needing my help statewide on March 9 if he is still around. I will try to caucus for Dean but will go with Edwards if I need to in order to make it through the convention process. I know that doesn't seem like much of an endorsement, but if I'm going to give money or time to anyone, it's going to be Edwards because he represents to me at least a fresh positive face in politics, wheras I do not see Kerry doing much new for the party other than using it. U.S. Congress: I endorse Lloyd Doggett for the new district he is running in that goes to Mexico. While I didn't get to enjoy him for but a year (and will soon be represented by Lamar Smith, the same one I had back in the Hill Country, even though 'back home' has been put in the Midland-Odessa District). He's the best chance for Austin to retain some chance of a congressman because it ain't happening in the other two seats and I believe it is more important to keep Austin values represented in some fashion than be forced to go with a Hispanic candidate just because that's how the seat was Perrymandered. County Commissioner Precinct One: Celia Israel is my choice. I cannot speak for the precinct as a whole, but those here on the University Campus would be best served by Celia who represents new leadership for Austin. Her primary opponent, Ron Davis, did not spend near the time she has in talking to students and came across as very defensive in his speeches, even when no one was attacking him. In addition, I think it would be a shame for Austin to have no openly gay officials with the departure of the sheriff so Celia gets my vote. I defer to the University Democrats endorsements (listed to the right) on the rest of the local races. I voted for all of them at our meeting and believe that they are the best candidates for each of their races. Student Government: Comments
As for SG--Reprezent looks like a conservative freakshow, with 3 exceptions--Ali Puente, Zach Neumann, and Andrew Dobbs. Posted by: Leodem at March 1, 2004 12:13 AMY'all vote Tuesday? We do in California, also. I'm disappointed at not getting to see or hear any of the candidates. I would love to have had the opportunity to rub elbows and ask a couple of martini-inspired, pointed questions. Nah, I'd just smile and gush like everyone else. I'm voting for Edwards because he's just so darn cute and he talks the talk. He grew up in the same Democrat-Populist tradition as did I. I know where my roots are. If he doesn't win, I'm fine with John Kerry. He'll be a good candidate and a reasonably good President. At least he and his advisors will have an idea as to what is invovled with governing the entire country. It must be tough for you True Believers [Democrats] left in Texas. I played politics there in the 60s and early 70s before being exiled. The biggest difference I see is that all of the Republicans are now in the Republican Party. Back in the 60s, half of them still called themselves Democrats. Hey, Karl. I'm getting to know you from your writings. Cheers. Posted by: r. Houston Bridges at March 1, 2004 01:39 AMDr. Bridges, regular voting is March 9, but we can vote "early" (replaces absentee voting). I voted "early" Saturday because my wife was to have a medical procedure 3/9 and it looked like too much to do in one day. That just changed, though, so it looks like I'll be able to caucus on primary night after all. Not much on the Dem. primary ballot in precinct 2415. President, county sheriff, and a couple of non-binding referenda. Our neck of the woods is pretty heavily GOP. My Presidential vote was for Edwards, but it was a "strategic" vote, just to keep the process going. (I prefer Dean but he's not going to get 15% and I didn't want to throw my vote away.) I don't have a problem with Kerry, and was quite impressed with his comments on Haiti; I just don't think he should be getting the "free ride" we Democrats have been giving him so far. Kerry will probably get 70% of the vote here in Texas, but Edwards should get around 25% and therefore earn some delegates. I'll probably do what Karl's doing on primary night: try to caucus for Dean but switch to Edwards if (as is likely) the Dean group isn't viable. Posted by: Mathwiz at March 1, 2004 10:30 AMAndrea (Leodem)- I really think its unfair to call people you have never met "conservative freakshows." Our President thinks he's a Republican but I'd say he's almost as liberal as I am. Our VP candidate is a former member of the YCTs that wrote a pretty courageous firing line last week decrying their activities. Three of our On Year at Larges- Coco Benitez, Summer Nance (both of whom are African Americans) and Ben Durham are all liberals. 3 of our Two Years- Zach, Danielle Rugoff and Verick Cornett (also an African-American) are liberals, I am our Two Year with 1 Remaining. We have two gay rep candidates- Nathan Sires in Natural Sciences and John Bazan in Communications. Our Fine Arts candidate is a writer for the left-wing magazine Issue. I could go on but in fact our ticket is so liberal that the YCTs refused to endorse us. I really think its unfair for you to slam my friends without having met them nor hearing what they have to say. Post a comment
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