He's Baaack: Gene Kelly Files for TX-21

I think Texas election precedent says that (0.00 / 0)

lots of people will run in open elections.

Texas election precedent for open elections for vacant Senate seats says "30 person minimum"

When it comes to the Gene Kelly effect, the only way he indirectly changes the outcome of the election in a way that favors Smith is if Smith finishes below 50% and Kelly finishes second.

Granted, Kelly isn't hard to beat if you have candidates who have a good ground game. Kelly finished with 5 percent in the 2002 Senate primary.

As for other people who could file for office. Hopefully we'll get a few more interesting candidates out of this entire situation.

But whoever wins in TX-21 gets to be Kinky's Congressman!

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by: RBH @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 01:43:41 AM UTC

Also (0.00 / 0)

If Gene Kelly wants to keep giving the Texas Democratic party $3125 for the priviledge of doing nothing.. well, I gotta say that's not a bad thing for the state party.

The bad thing for the state party is having candidates who can't get 50% of the vote against Gene Kelly. It's probably easier to get candidates who could get enough name recognition to win in March (or keep Gene from going to a runoff) than it is to shut Gene out of running for office.

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by: RBH @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 01:48:56 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Actually (0.00 / 0)

that's $3125 to the state of Texas, I think.

If it's money to the Sec of State office, then there's not a lot that the Texas Dems can do.

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by: RBH @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 02:22:00 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

it goes to the SOS office (0.00 / 0)

Yeah, no luck there.

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 04:23:29 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

In Missouri, the fee is around $25 to $100 (0.00 / 0)

I forget the specific amount for the US Congress, but I know the check goes to the party and the candidate presents the receipt to the Secretary of State.

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by: RBH @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 11:52:08 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

In Texas... (0.00 / 0)

We subsidize the Sec of State's office with the fees. And basically the fees and petitions keep the regular Joe off the ballot in this state. It's designed that way for a reason. Not a good reason, but for a reason.

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by: John McClelland @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 14:30:52 PM UTC

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it's unfortunate that... (0.00 / 0)

in this case the regular Joe could afford the fee.

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by: McBlogger @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 15:57:47 PM UTC

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Cuellar Opponent (0.00 / 0)

I heard that Henry Cuellar got an opponent at 7 pm tonight.

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by: SADem @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 02:17:48 AM UTC

Who? (0.00 / 0)

It would be intriguing if Cuellar's opponent is someone from McAllen or Starr County...

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by: SouthAustin @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 15:19:51 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Congresswoman Linda Yanez (3.00 / 1)

This report from a Harlingen news station mentions two potential oppoenents, but I was told that 13th Court of Appeals Judge Linda Yanez had declared her candidacy.

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by: SADem @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 18:47:45 PM UTC

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It's fascinating to watch (0.00 / 0)

Democrats try their best to restrict democracy, so that only "approved" candidates can run.  Maybe all candidates should be approved by the state party chair?  Or the county chairs?

We all know how dangerous the democratic process can be.  Let's put an end to it right now, and keep bad men like Gene Kelly out!

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by: Wanderer @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 14:03:27 PM UTC

It was worse in March after BAR went to the runoff with Kelly (0.00 / 0)

Just sayin. ;)

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by: RBH @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 14:06:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Damn skippy... (0.00 / 0)

this guy is a nut and makes a mockery out of all voters. Every time a Republican gets nervous, Gene Kelly shows up.

That makes him about as much a Democrat as George Bush. Fuck his decrepit ass.

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by: McBlogger @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 16:01:40 PM UTC

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HD-48 (0.00 / 0)

Don't I remember you having a great old commenting about HD-48 and how there should have been fewer candidates there and the party should consolidate behind one?

You like being contrary just for the sake of it.

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 16:59:41 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

No, that was someone else (0.00 / 0)

I don't even know who ran in HD-48, or where it is, although I'm guessing Austin.

And I love being agreeable.  The problem is Democrats marching in lockstep, just like the Republicans.  Because my political fit is still more Democratic than anything, I come to forums like this one.  And I read all the racist, sexist, anti-democratic bile being spewed, and I can't help but comment on occasion.  No doubt, in your grad student arrogance (and I'm an LBJ School grad myself), you consider all disagreement to be contrary.

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by: Wanderer @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 18:02:59 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

You know... (0.00 / 0)

it's not about marching it lockstep. It IS about acknowledging that most campaigns have finite resources and can't afford to take on a challanger from within their party.

As a party we decided during the primary that Courage would be the guy. When the map changed, that was thrown out. Still, out of all the candidates he is the one most likely to beat Smith. Kelly will nothing but what he's always done... sit on his decaying ass in SA and do nothing other than rot. So instead of having all efforts focused on our best shot, someone who doesn't even want the seat can step in as a spoiler.

As for grad student arrogance, yours comes across well. It's only slightly offensive.

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by: McBlogger @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 18:23:53 PM UTC

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You're right about both Courage and Kelly (0.00 / 0)

Guys like Kelly are definitely pathetic, but what can you do if you really want democracy?  You take on all comers, and work all the harder if you have to.  Trying to keep them off the ballot is just as bad as our complaints about E-Slate.

Remembers that the Democratic Party wanted those redistricting maps thrown out, so the fact that it causes problems for Courage now -- is no one else's fault but Democrats'.  I think it was worth it to toss out those maps.

Yes, many educated people have a problem with arrogance.  Some of us concede the fact and work on it as best we can; the rest fail to see outside their own little boxes.  How many people on this blog will concede their own failings as well as those of others?

Oh, KT only wants constructive stuff from me from now on.  Does that mean all the name calling, finger pointing, and cursing by others will come to an end as well?

To paraphrase Billy Jack, I try.  I really try.  But when idiots talk and no one talks back, I go berserk!

But I would say nothing at all if I did not really care -- not only about the issues, but about the people here.  We all have a long way to go before we deserve the leaders we think we want, and before we get the leaders we really need.  Is it 2010 yet?

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by: Wanderer @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 18:47:31 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Uhh... (3.00 / 1)

1) KT's not a grad student
2) Who's written racist and sexist things? KT? Me?

Now, a very great man once said that some people rob you with a fountain pen.

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by: Phillip Martin, Progress Texas @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 18:50:29 PM UTC

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haha (0.00 / 0)

It's funny when people try to be catty but get the facts wrong.

I mean, come on, that's like half my schtick.

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 19:16:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

If you're not a grad student, I apologize for the error (0.00 / 0)

I thought I had read you were an LBJ school student.  Is that totally wrong, partially wrong, or what?

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by: Wanderer @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 20:23:13 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Totally wrong (0.00 / 0)

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 21:30:28 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

That explains a lot (0.00 / 0)

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by: Wanderer @ Mon Aug 14, 2006 at 21:15:03 PM UTC

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Hopeless Anyhow (0.00 / 0)

John Courage was sunk the new map came out, not that he had much of a chance under the old map.

Prediction:

Lamar Smith - 64%

John Courage - 17%

Gene Kelly - 15%

Libertarian - 2%

Miscellaneous - 2%

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by: AaronSmith @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 15:06:01 PM UTC

IF (0.00 / 0)

Lamar Smith gets 64% of the vote, then every Texan should be ashamed of themselves....

This man allowed his wife to die of appendicitis because he refused medical care for her.  And we want him to represent us?  I don't think so.

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by: mpunfun @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 15:18:00 PM UTC

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I don't think... (0.00 / 0)

Lamar will break 50 in the first round even in the new district. If Courage runs agressive, he could easily hold Lamar below 50%.

People are PISSED in the rural areas about gas prices. That's the reality a lot of metro dwellers don't get.

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by: McBlogger @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 16:03:46 PM UTC

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Yeah, but... (0.00 / 0)

This district is HARD CORE Republican.  He'll easily get above 50%.  I'm just thankful that Kelley ran in THIS District and not a competative one!

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by: David O. @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 16:54:04 PM UTC

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True, but even hard core R's (0.00 / 0)

are pissed as hell. In fact, they're probably more upset than Democrats because they feel betrayed. I'll bet you dinner that if Courage goes really agressive against Lamar and Gene can be marginalized, John can hold him to under 50 in the first round and make the runoff.

Deal?

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by: McBlogger @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 17:21:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Absolutely. Hardcore Reeps are Mad (5.00 / 1)

I live on the border and the rare times I venture into Central and East Texas to visit my Republican relatives, I am generally appalled at how conservative this frickin' state is.

Not this year.  Even my Baptist, Republican relatives are pissed about gas prices, the last special session, and toll roads.  I.  Was.  Shocked.

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by: carmelita @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 21:46:40 PM UTC

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You're gonna owe me a nice juicy steak :) (0.00 / 0)

Cause, honestly, it's impossible statistically for Smith to get less than 50%.  The numbers just aren't there.

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by: David O. @ Sun Aug 13, 2006 at 02:10:04 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

true (5.00 / 1)

Now that you mentioned that we had an elderly Republican come to the Denton Dem exec meeting last night in Carrollton. He said he was turning Democrat, but Democrats didn't say enough about gas prices. I think he was inspired to even mention that since he was given a Van Os flyer.

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by: John McClelland @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 18:29:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Could have positives... (3.00 / 1)

As long as John Courage gets a larger percentage than Gene, I think we would get ok.  That may or may not be a hard thing to do, but its not as if Courage is some wierd name.  In fact, what cooler name can a guy have than Courage?  Gene Kelly will get name-rec. votes, but Courage will get 'this name sounds right to me' votes.

On the other hand, if party labels are not put on the ballot, Kelly could also get votes from the more ignorant Republicans as well as the more ignorant Democrats.  This could potentially force a run-off, and if we can get John into that run-off; I think we have a chance.

"Let us tenderly and kindly cherish therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write."  -  John Adams

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by: Michael Hurta @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 15:21:07 PM UTC

So.... (0.00 / 0)

What exactly do you want the party to do, Karl?  Corner Gene Kelly in some dark alley and tell him no more running for office or what?  I don't think it works that way.

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by: austinite @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 15:26:24 PM UTC

yes (1.00 / 1)

They're smart or are you saying the TDP is ineffective?

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 16:56:34 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

i'm saying (0.00 / 0)

that's a ridiculous thing to expect of the party.  they aren't in the business of candidate intimidation, nor should they be.  it's not very democratic.

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by: austinite @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 17:47:03 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

how about candidate identification? (0.00 / 0)

that's a business they should be in but do you see any of that either?

is that so ridiculous to expect?

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 19:15:07 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

doesn't work (0.00 / 0)

in an open election like this...

Now, a very great man once said that some people rob you with a fountain pen.

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by: Phillip Martin, Progress Texas @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 19:24:34 PM UTC

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Dude (0.00 / 0)

You know that can't happen. Come on.

What's more, if something weird happens and he helps split the race so that it goes to a run-off, that'd be good for Courage, wouldn't it?

Now, a very great man once said that some people rob you with a fountain pen.

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by: Phillip Martin, Progress Texas @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 19:14:53 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

ok (0.00 / 0)

I hope Gene Kelly runs in Hopson's district some day.

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 19:15:57 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Fine (0.00 / 0)

Hopson would trounce him in the primary, and he'd never be a factor...

Now, a very great man once said that some people rob you with a fountain pen.

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by: Phillip Martin, Progress Texas @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 19:24:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

and Rhett Smith (0.00 / 0)

And Jennifer Gale.

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Fri Aug 11, 2006 at 20:00:55 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

LOL! (0.00 / 0)

The day a transvestite wins in East Texas is the day Joe Liberman wins netroots support for the 2008 Presidential Primary!

Phil's right, a solid candidate will absolutely trounce fringe candidates.

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by: David O. @ Sun Aug 13, 2006 at 02:08:35 AM UTC

[ Parent ]