Burnt Orange Report

I've met all 4 candidates and I believe any of them would make a good council member.

That's about as bland of a statement as this election.

I consider myself to be Liberal and I have volunteered for Gregg Knaupe. And I'm not the only Austin Liberal who is supporting Gregg's campaign. In fact, liberal local activists like Celia Israel and partisan Democrats like Margo Frasier, state Rep. Pete Gallego and former Mayor Bruce Todd are also supporting Gregg. He is the choice of labor and is also endorsed by the Black Woman's Political Caucus. If the fresh ideas for economic growth of Gregg Knaupe make him a "Republican" , than its time we reevaluate where our paty stands. In reality though, as the writers of the Burnt Orange Report know as well as I do, Gregg Knaupe, like the other 3 candidates for Place 3, is a good Democrat.

My dear Longhorn friends:

Don't hold it against Greg that the Conservatives have no real 'brethren' in the race so they decide to pick Greg as their candidate.

Look instead to the array of Liberals who believe in Greg and know where his heart is. I met Greg years back before many of you were able to prounounce 'trickle down economics' in 1990 in the Ann Richards "winning campaign"; I was the Volunteer Coordinator and relied heavily on regular volunteers to plan out projects and get things done. Greg was there like clockwork; reliably joining up for whatever task was at hand. I saw him on a weekly basis; he was a UT student at the time, I was a recent grad eager to help make a good impression in my FIRST POLITICAL CAMPAIGN. As a local Hispanic leader in the community, as a gay woman; as a local woman who herself 'broke the rules' about who can run for what seats in Travis county and ran for office myself - I say cut the Republican crap already.

Greg is getting bashed by Dems who don't know how to handle it when a white guy Democrat wants to put his name on the line before the voters. Let's evaluate the skills; the ideas and the presentation; let's look at the big picture.

Hook 'em.
Celia Israel
1988 Alum

I don't think that anyone is qustioning that Gregg Knaupe is a Democrat. Gregg Knaupe is a Democrat. However, Gregg Knaupe is supported by many Republicans and right-wingers and I think that the voters of Austin should be aware of this.

I don't think it's very constructive to jump to conclusions simply because a couple of conservatives have decided Knaupe is the lesser of the Democratic evils.

Knaupe has certainly demonstrated a willingness to hear all perspectives, and values working together even with those he disagrees with. Minority viewpoints at least deserve a hearing, and these conservatives are not alone in recognizing the value of an open mind. That being said, Knaupe is and has always been a committed and loyal Democrat, and the independent endorsement decisions of such groups reveals little more than the fact that conservatives had to choose SOMEONE in an all-Democratic race.

Moreover, a closer look at the actual substance of the endorsements reveals that they're responding to Knaupe's experience and ideas. But just because a conservative appreciates experience with economic development doesn't mean much. And just because some conservatives recognize that an academic health center would be good for the city doesn't mean that it's not a good idea; liberals have always been huge proponents of the value of greater investment in higher education to both improve quality of life and attract talent. We should be thankful that at least some conservatives are willing to recognize that Democrats have ideas that are good for Austin.

Let's not forget that plenty of nutty groups enter the endorsement game regardless of whether someone wants, appreciates, or even seeks their approval. Campaigns love to bandy these things about instead of pointing to substantive problems with the issues - how many good progressive candidates this last election got smeared b/c Lyndon LaRouche and his crazies decided to endorse them? Howard Dean gets an A rating from the NRA - does that make him unworthy to fight for grassroots progressive politics? Russ Feingold gets plenty of plaudits for his strong advocacy of fiscal restraint from right-wing anti-government types - does anyone doubt where he stands?

Let's hear what Knaupe has to say, rather than rush to judge him through some self-anointed amateur pundits that aren't even part of the race.

Celia - Thank you for participating here. Many of you are aware that I supported Celia in her race for County Commissioner and I respect her opinion. She supports Greg and she is a great Democratic activist in this city that I highly respect. While I think that it is important that people know that Gregg Knaupe is supported by several Republican organizations, he is also supported by many great Democrats including Celia Israel.

[ed. note, Byron - this comment has been deleted. I'm certainly in favor of spirited debate, but personal attacks against a city council candidate and their family are not appropriate.]

Did you invite the spin team Byron or was that coordinated by Team Knaupe? I love Celia (and am proud that the two campus boxes voted for her) but she's not the one running for city council, Knaupe is. I'm reminded of a particular conversation I had with Mr. Campaign Manager back in February about how they need to "shore up the Liberal support for Knaupe". I think it's apparent why now.

Dunno about you guys, but I'm sure not supporting someone who's broadly liked. Nice try spinning, though.

While Knaupe has support from Celia and a number of other committed Dems, he also has gotten 30 percent of his funding from the road lobby. Looking ahead to a Council that, in all likelihood, will consist of Wynn, McCracken, Dunkerley, Alvarez, Thomas, and Leffingwell, it is important to look at all of the Place 3 candidates and determine which one will bring the appropriate advocacy and leadership and listen to the concerns of the people of Austin.

Jeb

Knaupe, Dealey, Kim & Clarke have all taken money from developers and builders. The only difference between Clarke and the other three is that Clarke has broken the law, been unethical, and lied about it.

So go ahead and vote for the crazy lier.

So, I'm picking up on a common thread in the BOR postings and in conversations I've had with many UT Dems.

pro-growth Republicans=bad
anti-growth (and "crazy") Margot= bad
Mandy Dealy= just right

Is this an accurate reading?

-Betty Kerr

Can you give us a little more background on that Jakob?

Also, though I support Mandy Dealey for City Council, I think that it is completely meaningless that right-wing groups choose to support Greg. The Austin Labor Council, Celia Israel (who I supported and did a little blockwalking for), the Black Women's Political Caucus, Margo Frasier, Pete Gallego, Bobby Inman, Garry Mauro and Bruce Todd wouldn't be in the business of supporting a conservative Republican. His biggest public effort to this point has been his work to create a hospital district- levying new taxes in the name of improving services for the poor and working class. Sounds pretty liberal to me. Will he be as liberal as say Margot or Mandy? No, but he will be progressive and is probably more liberal than Jennifer Kim.

Furthermore, as to the money he's raised from developers, if he can be bought off for $100 we have more serious problems than who is giving him money. I don't think that this should be a big issue.

In the end, I support Mandy Dealey because I think that she is the most qualified, progressive yet common sense candidate in this race. She has been fighting for Austin for years and she deserves a chance to be on the council. Austin deserves her leadership.

Thank you Andrew.

I also support Mandy, but Byron will not let me post my support.

Uh, Bobby Inman's a Republican who has donated to the Bush '04 and Cornyn '02 campaigns. Not such a good peg on which to hang Knaupe's progressive bona fides.

Gregg Knaupe more liberal than Jennifer Kim??? Are you kidding? He is definitely the furthest to the right than anyone else in this race.

I heard that Gregg came out for domestic partnerships because he opposes gay marriage. Does anyone know anything else about this?

Also, I love how even Gregg's (that's 2 g's) supporters can't even spell his name correctly. How well do they really know him?

Kristin, oh Kristin, get your damn facts straight. Gregg supports gay marriage and he's the ONLY CANDIDATE to come out in favor of DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFITS in the City Charter.

Jennifer Kim is a closet Republican, the Chronicle said so. At least Knaupe has some legit democrats backing him.

Fellow Longhorns:

I am proud that my husband has come so far in a tough race. And he's done it while remaining positive and proactive.

I have watched many of the candidates speak out on issues, and if you take the time to look at what each has to say, you'll find that we know what his opponents are for and against. But what will they do. What are their solutions?

With Gregg, we find out how to get there:
-an academic health center to improve indigent care AND spur economic development.
-affordable child care to assist working families
-proactively addressing affordable housing through the bond package

Gang, he's a good guy who wants to to good things. So whether you vote for my husband or not, know that there's nothing sinister or ulterior. He's not that sophisticated...what you see is what you get and I am awfully proud. Austin should be, too.

P.S. No, the campaign did not put me up to this. In fact, they might kill me. I read BOR religiously, and felt the need to finally speak up.

While I support Gregg Knaupe, Jennifer Kim is not a closet Republican. That is just a false statement.

I'm a bit saddened that most of the comments we get on city council posts are some of the most idiotic childish back and forth accusatory reasons for voting that we've had on this blog.