Clay Robison joins Schieffer Campaign as Communications Director

by: Michael Hurta

Thu Apr 02, 2009 at 10:27 AM CDT

First off, I think I speak for everyone in saying we are glad Mr. Robison has found a new job.  He has a good mind for politics, has contributed a lot to Texas politics specifically, and deserves a job in this state.

As far as campaign strategy goes, this could be a coup for the Schieffer campaign.  If nothing else, Robison probably is on friendly terms every reporter in Texas who might cover this race.  Even if he does not have much recent campaign experience, his connections serve as a major plus.

And perhaps more importantly, this announcement means one thing more: if you had your doubts about the seriousness of the Schieffer campaign, they should subdue.  Even if someone else enters the race as a Democrat who we initially like more, the Schieffer campaign will definitely still be worth our attention.

I have reposted the press release below the fold.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2009

CLAY ROBISON TO JOIN SCHIEFFER CAMPAIGN AS DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Tom Schieffer announced today that former veteran state Capitol reporter Clay Robison will be the Director of Communications for the Tom Schieffer for Governor Exploratory Committee.

Schieffer, a former United States ambassador to Australia and Japan who was also President of the Texas Rangers Baseball Club and a former Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives, announced the formation of his exploratory committee on March 2.

"I am gratified that someone of Clay's reputation and integrity will be joining our team," Schieffer said. " I want my campaign to be about openness and honesty and I can think of no one who better epitomizes those values than Clay Robison. For almost forty years he has been known as a reporter's reporter.  I am so pleased that he will be speaking for the   campaign and me. But I told Clay that I wanted him to be more than just a spokesman. I want him to be an integral part of the campaign so that I can call upon his wise counsel and long years of experience in dealing with state government."

Robison said he was "delighted to be associated with someone of Tom Schieffer's caliber and experience in the political, diplomatic and business arenas. I believe that Tom Schieffer has the vision and strength to be a strong and effective governor of Texas and I look forward to working with him in the campaign."

Robison covered state government and politics for 38 years. Most of that time, he was Austin bureau chief for the Houston Chronicle and recently for both the Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News.