Back in 2004 I had the opportunity to take part in now Rep. Mark Strama's first Campaign Academy which was an awesome experience of college students getting to be involved on one of the hottest races in Texas. Not only did we have the opportunity to get some real "campaign infrastructure" training from Texas experts, but we 'became' the campaign for a month, organizing voter registration efforts, voter contact, and more.
In 2006, the Strama Campaign Academy was opened up to high school students (a great decision) who took it to a whole new level, organizing "Stramarama", a media event (blood drive), and had student end up taking some leadership roles later in the campaign.
This year, the 2008 Strama Campaign Academy is going a step further as it will now be a countywide program operated out of the Travis County Coordinated Campaign (who's official kickoff is this Saturday). Not only will this make it more accessible to a wider variety of high school and college students, but it will put them right in the center of all the action. Having worked on the 2006 Coordinated Campaign, I can near guarantee that the 2008 efforts will be some of the biggest ever.
So, if you know anyone who might be interested (or are yourself), visit the following website for further details and to apply.
Applications are supposed to be sent to "kt@markstrama.com" which obviously may look familiar to most of you. That's because last month Rep. Strama asked me if I'd be interested in managing this program and his campaign this year which I accepted. I'll continue assisting the Noriega campaign in the online department which both the good representative and I agreed upon given our combined early interest in making him our next U.S. Senator. That's the nice part about general elections- similar goals.
While most of these I think readers were aware of, here is the list via email from the Texas Democratic Party chair Boyd Richie today.
Today, I'm excited to announce the officers who are working with me to plan this convention:
Chair - Senator Kirk Watson
Vice Chair - Senator Leticia Van de Putte
Parliamentarian - Bob Slagle
Secretary - Amber Goodwin
Honorary Co-Chair - Representative Yvonne Davis
Honorary Co-Chair - Representative Rene Oliveira
Watson, Goodwin, and Davis are Obama suporters while Van de Putte, Slagle, and Oliveira are for Clinton. Of course, by the time we get to the Texas state convention, none of that may matter. We'll see.
(I have to say, I've been reading Poblano now and it's great stuff. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
People are starting to notice the brilliance that is Poblano. Combining statistical regression, poll analysis, and census survey findings, Poblano managed to peg both Indiana and North Carolina in ways that drew widespread attention and outperformed all pollsters and RCP combined.
With the Nomination all but wrapped up, the question now becomes: What path to Victory does Obama have? And more importantly, is his Team already several steps ahead of the analysis?
In recent posts on 538 (essential reading), Poblano has again worked brilliance and paved the path to victory for Barack Obama in the Fall General Election Campaign. Follow me over the jump for some statistical bliss.
Hillary is still in this thing -- I don't care if Saturday Night Live says it's over -- and yes, I take Amy Poehler more seriously than Chris Matthews because, well, she's a natural blonde and he's not. (OMG! LOL! Make me a birthday sandwich!)
I also don't care about any debt she may be carrying along -- though the Washington Post seems to think that a $20 million debt for her campaign is somehow newsworthy. Please. They should see my Visa bill.
Are they forgetting the larger debt -- the $9 trillion U.S. debt? When's the last time you saw the Washington Post write about that, huh? And you know why we don't read about it? (Media favors Republicans? Sexism? It's not a real number?) I'll tell you why:
Oh, actually, it was the first two. But let me point out two things: (1) Bill can balance the budget plenty fine; and (2) there's no way Bill was the one balancing the checkbook
Hillary was clearly the one who balanced the budget in the 90's. Don't even get me started. What's next -- we're supposed to expect Bill did the laundry, too? Puh-leaze. All you liberal men who have your wives/girlfriends/Republican-accountants balance your books, be honest. She's balanced the debt before, and she'll do it again. This ain't nothing but a family thing.
No money, no problem for Hillary. Who's ready for West Virginia?
(Yes, I don't know what stage I'm on any more, other than my birthday stage so CUT ME SOME SLACK AND BUY ME A DRINK ALREADY!)
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Eileen Smith -- who has brought her split personalities online with her long-standing blog, In the Pink Texas, and her new online step-child, Poll Dancing over at Texas Monthly -- turns "she still counts as a kid blogger in my book!" years old today. As a special tribute, I thought I'd write this BOR post as if it were an ITPT post.
This morning I spoke by telephone with Cid Galindo and Laura Morrison. Both of them were gracious in their praise of my campaign, and I congratulated each of them on their success. I expressed my hope that the two of them would be able to continue running positive campaigns in the runoff.
Cid and Laura each let me know that they will be reaching out to the voters who supported me in the general election, and I understand that. I will not be making any endorsement in the runoff, and I let each of them know that.
I will look forward to working with both Cid and Laura in the future in whatever roles each of us may have in serving Austin.
Thanks.
-Robin
Who are you voting for in the runoff? Take the BOR poll.
(LaFave is one of my favorite musicians. I actually drove 35 miles west of Boston to see him a couple months ago up here in MA. Surely, you all can make it to The Old School! - promoted by Phillip Martin)
TCDP Chair Andy Brown invites you to come say farewell and thank you to Chris Elliott for his four years as Chair of the bluest county Party in Texas. Join us tomorrow for this exciting event!
WHAT: Farewell Party Honoring Chris Elliott
Featuring special musical guest Jimmy LaFave.
WHEN: 6:00 - 9:00pm
Tuesday, May 13
WHERE: The Old School 1604 East 11th Street
(at the top of the State Cemetery)
HOW: Buy tickets at the door or RSVP with Susan Harry at 542-9744 or susan@susanharry.com. Checks should be written out to the Travis County Democratic Party and mailed to P.O. Box 684263, Austin, Texas 78768. Or make a credit card contribution at: www.traviscountydemocrats.org and click on "donations".
TICKETS: * General Admission: $35
* Current TCDP Sustaining Members: $15.
* Current TCDP Finance Council Members: Free.
SPONSORSHIPS: * Host $1000 - Tickets for 12 and prominent listing on event sponsor board
* Patron $500 - Tickets for 8 and listing on event sponsor board
* Friend $250 - Tickets for 4 and listing on event sponsor board
* Supporter $100 - Tickets for 2 and listing on event sponsor board
Yesterday was a great day for Barack Obama, and an even better day for the hundreds and thousands of new voters registered today across the United States. Here in Austin we ran a voter registration drive that crossed the city, looking to make as many new Democrats as possible. We ended up with several hundred new voters, and dozens of new deputy registrars.
We'll be at it again next weekend, Saturday May 17 at 1:00 p.m. starting from Nuevo Leon, 1501 East 6th Street, concurrent with the launch of the Travis County Coordinated Campaign.
If you happened to watching the proceedings of the U.S. House on Wednesday, what you saw wasn't a pretty sight--especially if your mother was watching, too.
Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Austin) voted against against H Res 1113 "Celebrating the Role of Mothers in the United States and Supporting the Goals and Ideals of Mother's Day. " Now this was a pretty stupid vote. Politicians often talk about how they won't vote against something because doing so would be like voting against mothers and apple pie. But this politician actually did vote against mothers! (His decision on apple pie is pending a higher campaign contribution from the apple pie lobby).
Sure it was just a vote on a ceremonial resolution, but it was emblematic of McCaul's atrocious voting record on the issues that matter to mothers, fathers, families, and children across America. For instance:
* McCaul voted AGAINST a resolution honoring the contributions of mothers and Mothers day.
* McCaul voted AGAINST a bill that would repeal the tax breaks given to big oil companies. Meanwhile, working mothers driving to work and moms driving their kids to the soccer game pay more at the pump while the companies make record profits.
*McCaul voted AGAINST expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program.
*McCaul voted AGAINST beginning to bring our sons and daughters home from Iraq.
*McCaul voted AGAINST raising the federal minimum wage for working mothers across the country.
*McCaul voted to CUT funding for federal assistance for working mothers and student loans.
And the list goes on. McCaul managed to score a paltry 9 percent rating from the National Organization for Women, and scored 0 percent in 2006 from the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce, a leading advocate for women on economic issues.
If these aren't reasons enough to support Larry Joe Doherty for Congress, I don't know what is. This Mother's Day, spend time with your mother, make her dinner, send her a card, or just let her know you love her. Then, donate $25 or whatever you can spare to Doherty, whose mother was a grocery clerk. Volunteer or tell your friends. Because one of the best things we can do for our mothers and our families is to make change happen and return responsible representation to Congress.
I'm really curious what announcements may be coming...
The voters have spoken, and Cid Galindo and Laura Morrison will now go into a runoff. I congratulate them on their success and wish them both the best. I salute Jennifer Gale, Sam Osemene, and Ken Vasseau for their campaigns.
I'm deeply grateful for all the loyal friends and the many new friends who joined my campaign, and to the citizens who responded so warmly. It's been a blast!
My family and my staff and I will be taking some well-earned rest, but I may have an announcement or two in the coming week.
Thanks.
-Robin
Robin continues to impress. I doubt this is the last we've heard of him.
In all the hoopla about the Austin city races, it was easy to miss out on all the excitement out in the suburbs. One of the most interesting races was for Leander ISD, where incumbent Pam Waggoner faced off against challenger Will Streit.
Waggoner made noise earlier this year when she became the Republican nominee to take on Donna Howard this November in TX House District 48 (I guess Ben Bentzin got the hint). Waggoner, a six year veteran of the school board, also chose to run for re-election (how's that for confidence?), citing her passion for education issues (Howard is also a former school board member for the Eanes district).
Below are the current results for the major races. We're using the combined early and election day vote. Feel free to follow select jurisdictions in the comments.
All reports now final.
PLACE 1, AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL
206 of 206 Precincts Reporting
Lee Leffingwell 22,539 67.84% (re-elected)
Allen Demling 3,162 9.52%
Jason Meeker 7,524 22.65%
PLACE 3, AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL
206 of 206 Precincts Reporting
Jennifer Kim 9,347 27.02%
Randi Shade 22,190 64.15% (elected)
Ken Weiss 3,053 8.83%
PLACE 4, AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL
206 of 206 Precincts Reporting
Cid Galindo 9,729 29.13% (runoff)Laura Morrison 12,882 38.57% (runoff)
Ken Vasseau 592 1.77%
Jennifer Gale 1,951 5.84%
Osemene, Sam 1,419 4.25%
Robin Cravey 6,825 20.44%
And in the ACC race, we may see a runoff...
PLACE 1 ACC TRUSTEE
193 of 193 Precincts Reporting
Tim Mahoney 13,625 49.10% (runoff)Harrison Keller 9,132 32.91% (runoff)
Michael Reid 4,995 18.00%
And in the AISD Place 3 Race...
AISD DISTRICT 3 SINGLE MEMBER TRUSTEE
21 of 21 Precincts Reporting
Christine Brister 1,191 63.22% (elected)
Jerry Garcia 693 36.78%
All 3 AISD bonds are passing by healthy margins wit 100% reporting.
I've heard that literally DOZENS AND DOZENS of Austinites have turned out to vote today. Not the most encouraging news --- and if we do have a runoff in the Place 3 and Place 4 races (which may or may not happen), then any runoff may come down to who has a longer list of supporters on their website.
Leave any predictions below, and feel free to comment on results. Also, if you voted, let us know -- we're curious to see how many of you we can count just here on our site. :)
Update by KT: If you're done with elections today, feel free to head to any of the following victory parties.
The following is intended to be a one-stop post for all of the information you could want for the Austin City Council races. Please let us know if we are missing any information, and feel free to share this post with any and all friends and neighbors who want to get more informed on Austin City Council races. Thanks for reading Burnt Orange Report.
ABOUT CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS - Explanation, Endorsements, Polls, Election History
"There are seven members on the Austin City Council: one Mayor and six Council Members. The entire Council is elected at large by the voters of the City. Each member serves a staggered three-year term. Thus, three of the members are voted on one year, with the remaining members, including the Mayor, elected the following year. Term limits are now in place, which means the Mayor and Council Members may serve in their respective seat for a maximum of six years, or two consecutive terms."
