Burnt Orange Report

I think a lot of the people on Andy's supporter list may ask for their names to be taken down now that the primary is contested. Several of them may have been willing to support him against Baxter (and still will be willing, if he gets the nomination), but are not going to support him against another Democrat.

I for one am sick of people bashing Andy. Good grief, the man has been pounding the pavement for months and all I seem read on the blogs is negative comments.

If you are going to support Donna, that's great! Say positive things about her. If you are going to support Andy, that's gretat! Say positive things about him.

Enough with the crap. You can call me naive, or say I live in a utopia, but I believe in not trashing any Democratic candidate during a primary. There's enough of that to go around for Baxter -- leave it out of our Party (and George, this comment isn't really directed towards you, just a frustration in general).

The voters will decide who will be their nominee in this house district (one I'm glad to say I have a voice in) and we should leave it at that. Stop the pettiness and stop the childishness.

Oh and Katie, thanks for the post! It's nice to read something positive once and awhile! I look forward to seeing one on Donna, as well.

Oh and Katie, I've misplaced your e-mail and phone number -- shoot them my way, when you get a chance! Thanks!

Matthew,

Republicans read this blog as much as Dems. I hope that the negative stuff we see comes from them.

Uh...there are a lot of Democrats who aren't exactly *wowed* by Andy Brown.

Being concerned that he's not tough enough to handle the very, very nasty race Baxter has waiting for whomever makes it out of the primary doesn't make me a Repub. It makes me a Dem who's more concerned with winning than he is with feeling important 'cause a candidate for State Rep. knows his (my) name.

And I wouldn't be so quick to connect Andy's admirable but ridiculously early field program with the supporter names on his website. I seriously doubt Andy knocked on too many Doggett-mafia doors to get that list of names.

First of all, Katie is leaving out some important details from Andy's résumé. She mentions that he was Doggett's campaign manager and that he worked for Speaker Laney. Truth be told, he was Doggett's campaign manager during the last month of the 2004 general election (not exactly a tough fight) and he interned in Speaker Laney's office.

In addition to block-walking, Andy and Katie apparently also share a penchant for bad grammar. Katie, it's the Children's Health Insurance Program. There is no "S”. Saying "CHIPS Program" is like saying "queso cheese dip". It just makes you sound like you have no idea what you're talking about.

And Matthew, I share your hope that this profile on Andy's campaign is a courtesy Katie is providing to all the Dems in this race. I look forward to reading a piece on Donna Howard.

Nadia,
Thus far I have not received any contact from Donna Howard. She is welcome to call me and arrange an interview where I can discuss issues that are important to her.

I would like to point out that Andy did take the time to call me and arrange the interview, until her call I hope to learn about Donna.

For those of you who enjoy being negative about Democrats, get over yourself. I enjoy writing positive details about people who are taking the initiative to run. They are spending their time, money and sweat to get involved. This interview is in no way an endorsement for HD 48, but rather a chance to pat a young man on the back for raising his voice to Republicans. If you have a problem with that, then don't read my posts!!

Katie,

I understand your zeal to write "positive" stories.

Just consider that if readers want to hear nothing but great stuff about a particular candidate -- irrespective of who they are -- we can just go directly to their campaign.

It sometimes gets frustrating when bloggers (and this isn't personal to you, it applies to lots of folks) get good access and don't appear to ask any questions beyond the easy ones.

I'm certain Andy Brown is a nice guy who wants to run for the (mostly) right reasons. But many, many people have genuine questions as to whether or not he's tough enough to take on Baxter. There is a genuine group of folks who have interacted with him personally (including myself) who worry that he's got a soft chin.

I for one would appreciate a good tough question in with all the easy bio/background/stuff. Next time you see Andy, ask him something along the lines of "Are you ready for Todd Baxter to send a half dozen mail pieces to 25,000 people in Travis county calling you a commie pinko baby killing lightweight? How will you respond?" His answer to that kind of question would be far more informative than bio piece which doesn't tell us anymore than his own campaign website.

And let's hope Donna Howard contacts BOR soon (although she just announced, so I think she's got a bit of time). I hope y'all will ask her tough questions, too.

RWJ, I'm happy to have Katie (and Damon for other candidates at times) write some of these background and yes, more positive pieces about candidates. But don't worry, in due time you'll be having me write posts about candidates that are a bit more 'testy' if you will because you know as well as we do that the Republicans don't play no Powderpuff Politics.

RWJ,
Make no mistake Andy Brown is a very shrewd politician and is fully prepared to take on whatever Todd Baxter will throw at him. We've ran three women in a row against Todd Baxter that delivered the same-old, same-old (don't get me wrong I probably agreed with 90% of their positions) without any sort of innovative or discipline. Andy Brown wants to represent this district bad, he deserves a shot, I ask anyone who harbors concerns or skepticism to meet and talk with him. You will find a man of passion, integrity, and political guile. (for full disclosure I am a volunteer for Andy Brown)

The last thing local Democrats need is a trial lawyer backed litigator to take on Baxter.

Donna Howard has real life experience and the community credentials needed to run a successful campaign in the fall.

This town is littered with political hack wannabes. That won't beat Baxter. And Donna Howard has earned her shot.

Besides, I'd never bet against a candidate that Ann Kitchen is backing in the Primary.

Just ask Mandy Dealey.

P.S. The Democratic Primary is heavily skewed towards females. So if the gals all stick together, Brown is toast (burned toast).

Really, never bet against an Ann Kitchen backed opponent? Is that statement valid for the primary or the general election? I asked because Kitchen backed herself in '02 and White in '04 and she lost. The point of the HD 48 Dem primary is to find a person who can beat Baxter. That's not Howard.

Once again, I'm also noticing comments that Howard has "earned" a spot on the Dem's ticket. What has she done, other than announce her intent to run a few days ago, that would come close to campaigning for HD 48? Until I see Howard pounding the pavement, raising money, operating a website, and doing the other things candidates are supposed to do, I will not take her seriously.

Furthermore, Brown is a versatile candidate with cross-over appeal (great for a swing dist like 48). Howard is narrow in scope and lacks mainstream appeal.

Rip,

In many of your posts, both here and on your own blog, you correctly say that Kely White lost the race but overlook just how extraordinairly close the race was. Kelly lost by a mere 147 votes! She got 49.9% of the vote! Of course, politics is a winner-take-all game, but the impression you try to leave is that it was Kelly White was beaten decisively, which is far from the truth.

Kelly White was a great candidate and she had a great team. Kelly's backing Donna, and most of Kelly's former campaign team are also backing her. That should tell people something.

Rip also does not know how to read. I said I would never bet against an Ann Kitchen backed candidate in a PRIMARY - not a general election.

Learn to read Rip fully and completely before you make a fool of yourself.

about the comment I posted on I'd like modify some grammatical errors:
"without any sort of innovative or discipline" I meant motivation, and " You will find a man of passion, integrity, and political guile" I meant to say ...as well as political guile