Republican Money in House District 46

Why is the Dukes campaign... (0.00 / 0)

attacking Trial Lawyers?

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by: JohnB @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 18:14:30 PM UTC

Don't Know (0.00 / 0)

Why are they supporting so many Republicans?  Why does she shun the party and refuse to support Senfronia Thompson for Speaker of the Texas House like Brian Thompson did?

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by: Matt Glazer @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 19:08:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Because she's desperate (0.00 / 0)

She knows that Brian Thompson has a good chance of beating her and she's getting desperate.  It's ridiculous that she accuses Thompson of "selling out" when her contributors are a littany of Republican special interest corporate mongers.  Dukes is the one who sold her votes, a long time ago.

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by: austinite @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 19:24:55 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

This is ridiculous... (0.00 / 0)

she needs to start being honest with folks.  She supports the Republican agenda...she accepts Republican money...she's a Republican.

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by: JohnB @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 19:34:05 PM UTC

TEXPAC Endorsed Dukes LONG Ago (3.00 / 2)

For what it's worth, the Texas Medical Association Political Action Committee (TEXPAC) endorsed Dawnna Dukes for reelection months ago. Dec. 3, 2007, to be exact.

Here's a quote from the TEXPAC press release:

"Representative Dukes is a powerful champion in the Texas Legislature for patients and their physicians," said Manual Acosta, MD, chair of the TMA Political Action Committee (TEXPAC) Board of Directors. "She is determined to fight for health care for those Texans who can least afford it. We need to make sure she wins reelection."

During the 2007 Texas Legislature, Representative Dukes was a key cosponsor of House Bill 109, which restored Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for more than 120,000 children in low-income, working families. As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, Representative Dukes fought for and won additional state funding for CHIP, children's Medicaid, mental health crisis centers, primary care prevention services, and special preventive health care for women.

"Representative Dukes' legislative record proves that she is a tremendously effective patient advocate," Dr. Acosta said. "She passed a bill to help Medicaid patients find physicians who are in the program. She passed a bill to give patients and physicians greater choice in life-saving vaccinations.

"As the state experiments with new ways to finance our Medicaid program, Representative Dukes will be there to make sure our patients are covered. She was recently appointed to the Medicaid Reform Legislative Oversight Committee, which is responsible for a smooth transition from the existing Medicaid payment benefit systems to any recommended new model of Medicaid."

See the full release at http://www.texpac.org/politica...

Steve Levine
VP, Communications
Texas Medical Association

Director of Communications Texas Medical Association

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by: stlevine @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 19:42:27 PM UTC

Greatest Hits (0.00 / 0)

First, I like the fact y'all highlight her CHIP vote when she voted to keep it below the 2003 level and fully fund the program.  Brian Thompson has pledged to vote to fully fund CHIP so he seems like  a better advocate on the issue.

Looking at your site here are some of the the endorsements that stick out:

Frank Corte (House Republican Chairman)

"He helped us stop the epidemic of lawsuit abuse that was sweeping our state, and now his constituents - our patients - are reaping the benefits," added Dr. Acosta. "The reforms have served to help sick and injured Texans have more physicians who are more willing and able to give them the medical care they need."

James Leininger funded Nathan Macias:

"Representative Marcias is a vigorous champion in the Texas Legislature for patients and physicians," said Manuel Acosta, MD, chair of the TMA Political Action Committee (TEXPAC) Board of Directors. "He works hard to ensure Texas' hard-earned tax dollars are spent appropriately and wisely.

Embattled Republican Thomas Latham:

"Representative Latham is steadfast in his support of the issues that matter most to Texas physicians and their patients," said Manuel Acosta, MD, chair of the TMA Political Action Committee (TEXPAC) Board of Directors. "His leadership ensures that hard-earned tax dollars are spent appropriately and wisely."

There are more, but I gotta run to some events.

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by: Matt Glazer @ Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 19:57:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Okay so "Austin" wants change (0.00 / 0)

So why couldn't "Austin" come up with a real candidate against Dukes?  Like someone with real roots in East Austin.  Someone who has actually voted in the Democratic primary in East Austin before.

I'm not a big fan of Dawnna Dukes, but come on guys and girls, as real Democrats, wanting to win the one district in Austin that has historically been African American, it seems we could've done better than Brian Thompson.  Like maybe a young politically active African American, who actually knew something, or would learn something about the legislature before running.

You know for years Austin has gotten away with repressive at-large city council races beacause the city could argue that the voting populace supports people of color, and is willing to respect the fact that there should be people of color elected and the educated, enlightened populace of Austin will ensure people of color represent themselves.

Well I guess the "educated, enlightened" part of that doesn't apply to Thompson supporters.  

I don't know the answers to any of this, but just thought it would be interesting to ask the questions.

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by: sa grassroots @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 17:22:39 PM UTC

Only One Question (0.00 / 0)

We did come up with a real candidate, and his name is Brian Thompson.  

Seems odd you would say the candidate that has been endorsed by Rep. Lon Burnam, the Texas League of Conservation Voters, Austin Progressive Coalition, University Democrats, Victory Fund, Texas Environmental Democrats, Southwest Austin Democrats, Capitol Area Progressive Democrats, Teamster Local 657, Capitol Area Asian American Democrats, Austin Stonewall Democrats, South Austin Democrats, Austin Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, Central Austin Democrats, and countless community leaders is not a "real Democrat".  

I am happy to support Brian Thompson and join all of these groups.

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by: Matt Glazer @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 18:37:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

You can have... (0.00 / 0)

all of those endorsements from outside of Dist 46 (last time I checked this district didn't cover Southwest Austin, same for South Austin, and I don't think Lon Burnam lives in this District even when he's in town for the legislature).  I guess it's appropriate since Brian really isn't from Dist 46.  

I hear she's got Gonzalo Barrientos and Wilhelmina Delco.  I haven't lived in Austin for a while, but from memory, in this district, just those two alone trump everyone you listed above. (Oh and by the way in case you didn't notice, they are both people of color who live in East Austin).

Again, I'm no big fan of Dukes, but it seems we could have gotten an opponent who's from the district, in tune with the district, looks like the people who live in the district....and on and on.

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by: sa grassroots @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 19:08:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

believe me (0.00 / 0)

recruiting a minority from the district was tried.  They were all afraid to run against her.  Brian stepped up, and is trying to make the case that he can represent the district's interests better than Dawnna.  We'll see what happens.  Even if he loses, I've talked to a couple of the afore-mentioned minority candidates in the district who wish they would have ran after seeing how well Brian has capitalized on voter disgust.  If Dawnna doesn't improve, they'll probably take a chance in 2010.

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by: Kedron Touvell @ Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 18:27:10 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

We should ignore... (0.00 / 0)

the will of the community?

If Dukes had won those endorsements, would she still say that they don't matter?  Brian Thompson has whose who of community leaders endorsing him.

I have been in Austin a while and having the endorsement of Richard Franklin, Marguerite Jones, and currently elected officials like Lon Burnam means something.

Remember, Lon Burnam actually has to work with her, and he endorsed the challenger.  

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by: Matt Glazer @ Sun Mar 02, 2008 at 20:16:47 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

DISTRICT 46 CANDIDATE (0.00 / 0)

I have heard Brian speak several times in the past couple of months. I think he is probably a bright individual who wants to become more involved in his community. But I agree, this is not yet his time for this particular position.

He seems to be doing pretty well with the political side of campaign season as I am certain he is receiving advice from some of the best political operatives, but unfortunately his answers in forums to policy related questions show he is not well prepared or not as knowledgeable of the legislative process and the policy issues that Democrats on the State level have been struggling with for 10+ years, well before Craddick.

I would love to see him run for another position sometime in the future after he has become more involved with policy and how the process works, not just the campaigning process. A great example of a young and energetic State Legislator who was ready for his position is Mark Strama. He had worked on policy under Sen. Ellis and when he first ran he had a really good grasp of what he needed to do and how the process worked to make a positive difference for his district.  He really got to know his district before running.  He also had great political saavy with all of his political experience inside and outside the legislature.  

It may also be helpful to give Brian a little more time to really get out in the community outside of campaigning and get to know the different groups as their interests and needs vary greatly.  He hasn't seemed to be able to modify his policy issues for certain groups and appeal to their interests.

East Austin/ Eastern Travis County can use as many passionate advocates as it can get.  I think Brian would be much better suited as a City Councilmember, especially in one of the open seats, as he seems to have a better understanding of and interest in local issues and he has become very involved as a member of the City of Austin Human Rights Commission. It would really be good for East Austinites if they could have three strong members of the City Council to fight for them.  It would level the playing field for East Austinites whose interests in the past have been under represented on the City level.

Oh and I really think this District 46 race is unfortunately much less about who Brian Thompson is and can deliver for the district and much more about an anti-incumbent movement because of an unpopular vote for a particular Speaker.  Thompson has been endorsed by several Democratic groups because he is not the incumbent who has angered some Democrats. This race is more about who he is not than who he is.

Here's to seeing Brian in the future when he is truly ready for the position for which he is running!

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by: AnnElaine @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 19:43:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

educated and enlightened (0.00 / 0)

doesn't mean you support every minority candidate.  Eddie Rodriguez, Ron Davis, Sheryl Cole, Mike Martinez, and Sam Biscoe don't seem to have any problems with the Austin progressive community.  White Boy Andy Brown was endorsed by Barrientos and Delco for his race over minority Fidel Acevedo.

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by: Kedron Touvell @ Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 18:33:24 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Ya know (0.00 / 0)

It is really easy to say "he's not ready"(he is young and just moved to the district, as have MANY people in the last few years) or "hes not black"(a stupid arguement in my view, regardless he is still a "minority" if you wanna play that game).  For the record, several interested parties searched East Austin for an alternative because they saw what a train reck Double D had become.  Brian is the one that stood up and said ENOUGH.  This 27yo transformed his life to do the right thing.  He is a principled, honest, progressive man.  I can think of many successful public servants that weren't "experienced" in the traditional sense when they were elected.  It is not just that any Democrat would be better than Dukes, it is that THIS Democrat would be better than Dukes.

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by: BJazz @ Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 05:23:31 AM UTC

How the heck (0.00 / 0)

is a 27 year old white male a minority?

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by: sa grassroots @ Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 15:30:55 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I understand (0.00 / 0)

that Thompson is gay.  That's probably what he's referring to.

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by: Kedron Touvell @ Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 18:28:09 PM UTC

[ Parent ]