Burnt Orange Report

I'm curious about this, because I've actually been worried about it for the NNiN campaign, but doesn't the Texas Dept. Of Transportation hold the ownership of the Don't Mess with Texas slogan? Because I know they've sued groups before that misuse it and don't change the font types. Any intellectual copyright laywers out there that want to chime in? I'd rather not have either of these campaigns get his with a lawsuit later than sooner...

They should get SRV (in Phillipsvision) and Marcia Ball to do the music for the Don't Mess With Texas Ethics campaign.

As if Chris Bell cares that he may be violating a copyright? He would probably claim it was retaliation for his ethics complaint against Tom De Lay if they sued him.

For a Democrat, he certainly has a Republican "the rules don't really apply to me" air about him.

A. I don't think there's a copyright on it. Look at the UT Don't Mess With Texas shirts that are sold at the Coop (not a state entity). Also, he could easily claim parody.

I think you're probably stretching a little too far on this one BS.

Copyright or not, being a copycat still applies does it not? He definitely is a parody.

It's 1st Amendment protected political satire.

"The announcement will begin at 11am so don't be late!!!"

So where is it? Three hours later.

http://www.chrisbell.com/ethics_plan

Actually not bad. Actually quite good. I suspect, however, that the Democrats will react the same way the Republicans will. "Forget it."

Both parties are corrupt. Not just the Republicans. They both love the money. And what it buys. And Chris Bell did very well by the various "money machines" in 2002. At least one PAC gave more than the limit he now would impose on others. That alone will probably result in some criticism by quite a few. Or does his plan only apply to state election candidates? Why not propose a uniform code that applies to all elections in all states? Quite a few corporations go "shopping" if you will in states with more flexible campaign finance laws. And of course send in their lobbyists soon after. We saw that quite a bit in the past legislative sessions. And of course often those "local" politicians in turn exert influence in Washington. They have us coming and going. Simply because they have the money. And we don't.

Is there really a solution to the problem other than banning everything but personal contributions and limiting those to where the very wealthy cannot continue to buy influence for themselves and their corporations? Probably not.

But at least Chris Bell is raising the point that the present system does not work for the simple reason that the decks are stacked against the public interest. Which few politicians are willing to do. If nothing else, perhaps more politicians will be willing to do the same.

I do question how you can have a "non-partisan" arm of a legislature that has always been partisan in this state draw the districts. That is probably about as feasible as having retired judges draw the districts considering most of the retired judges at this point are probably Republicans. Of course we could go to non-partisan judicial races. Which we should do anyway. We might get some legal minds back on the benches instead of political agendas. And those legal minds might be capable of drawing fair districts themselves. Or at least toss out the ones the legislature comes up with that are not fair and based on partisan rather than demographic bases.

Wouldn't a "values" frame resonate better than an "ethics" one? Ethics just seems too liberal/scientific for a state-wide race in Texas.

Just another gimmick!!!

Hardly a gimmick, and talking about ethis is all about talking about fairness, which is an essential value to all kinds of issue.

Man...I'm writing just like I'm talking. This head cold is affecting my spelling and grammar worse than my speech...

Remind me again, why is Chris Bell even running for governor? If my memory serves me right, isn't it because he's mad at Tom DeLay because he couldn't compete in the Democrat primary in 2004?? Seems like DeLay is all Chris Bell talks about. Maybe he should just go ahead and join keynote Democratic fundraiser Ronnie Earle on "prosecuting" DeLay.

Baby Snooks not completely ripping on Bell! Now I think I've seen it all.

I don't have confirmation here, but I think that Bell's plan would only affect state government candidates since as Governor he only has jurisdiction over state government.

But I do agree with you, the number of different limits set at a variety of levels- 2,100 for Federal, nothing for State, 500 for City Council and 1,000 for Mayor here in SA are ridiculous. And I wouldn't be opposed to us bringing the sort of spending limits that we have at the federal level to the state level.

Oops.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8D63TO81.html

Well I thought I would overlook the fact that most of his eight ideas appeared to be ideas that he borrowed from someone else so I guess I can overlook this on the basis that he depended on his consultants to make sure no else had followed through on any of them. 7 out 8 ain't bad?

I will do so just as soon as I pick myself up off the floor from the second round of total hysterics. Chris, sweetie, forget it.

Dudes,
Seriously do you have nothing better to do. Baby Snooks (ie. Freak on a Leash) you seriously rag on Chris all the time. What is up with that? Do you have the guts to run for governor? I don't see your name on the ballot.

For everyone else, criticism is good it helps to find holes in arguments and build a stronger platform. Now, instead of constantly trying to shut down DEMOCRATIC candidates give suggestions or help.

In Summary: Put Up or Shut Up!!!!!!

Katie, sweetie, wake up. Any candidate who doesn't know what the laws ALREADY ARE in the state when he proposes changes in the laws is a little, well, clueless. And that is being gracious. About the only purpose Chris Bell would serve as governor is to entertain the rest of us with these "oops" and this, really, was a big "oops" if you ask me.

"Dudes,
Seriously do you have nothing better to do. Baby Snooks (ie. Freak on a Leash) you seriously rag on Chris all the time. What is up with that?"

Oh, and Katie, taking pot shots at the messenger hoping to divert attention from the message usually just draws attention to the message.

For some of us, just declaring yourself a Democrat is not sufficient reason to blindly support you. And so far, that seems to be the only reason you and quite a few others seem to have in supporting Chris Bell. That and the complaint he filed against Tom De Lay. Which others actually put together for him. Just as others probably put together this "ethics reform plan" that includes proposed changes in law that have already been changed.

Since you decided to take pot shots, I will give one back. Are you brain dead?

not to defend baby snooks, but chris bell does not stand a chance at beating perry. sorry guys and girls. wake up.

To look on the bright side, Perry's people are already acknowledging an opponent by name. Is this the first time that has happened?

actually, with a minor mistake these stories probably got placement that's at least twice as good as if he didn't make the mistake.

While I (a Republican) and most other Republicans don't like Perry, we have no other choice, since Bell is a Washington liberal who happens to live in Texas. Had John Sharp decided to run, then that would've been a different story, and Perry would've been biting his nails again.
But anyone with a sense of reality would know that in 2006, it's gonna be Perry, hands down, even as much as we can't stand him.

Considering the lack of competitive congressional races, the fact that most state races are either unchallenged or democratically challenged and an overall sense of conservative apathy (as represented above) I think this is a good opportunity for a challenger if the candidate can get the Dems excited.

Keep your eyes and ears open for former State Senator Ted Lyon.

I'm pleased to see the Democrats tearing themselves apart in their liberal idealisms. My greatest fear, as always, would be for Democrats and Independents to rally behind a single candidate for the election, then pressure him throughout the next four years to work with the (I'll even admit) growingly practical Texas House and Texas Senate on the issues that matter to them. After all, I do little more than put a face to the party, as most of the real lawmaking is out of my hands. Still, so long as my face is out in front, my ideas and the ideas of my conservative friends will be synonymous with public policy in the state of Texas, and my Republican colleagues will maintain a stranglehold on the strength and direction of Texas' political agenda.

Thankfully, as long as Texans prefer superb candidates that are poor leaders over poor candidates that are superb leaders, my reign as Governor will never end.

Republicanly yours,

Rick Perry

If Chris Bell is so high on ethics why was in instrumental in dis-inviting Felix Alvarado, his only opponent thus far, from the Denton County Donkey Fest?
You know not all candidates are made of money or lawyers, shouldn't we give them a chance to prove themselves before we start calling them corrupt just because they are Democrats or Republicans?

"Thankfully, as long as Texans prefer superb candidates that are poor leaders over poor candidates that are superb leaders, my reign as Governor will never end."

Are you saying that you are a poor leader with a good smile? Many Texans, myself included, feel that it is time for change here in the Lone Star State!
We NEED someone who can take care of the education of our children without having to throw something in for their "friends".
No matter who ends up running against you, I WILL vote for them as well as everyone I know will too, just to get your pretty smile out of office!

We NEED REAL LEADERS, not just spokesmen for special interest groups!!!

"To look on the bright side, Perry's people are already acknowledging an opponent by name. Is this the first time that has happened?"

Actually they were poking fun at him. Which most of Texas is. He not only doesn't know what he's doing, his consultants don't know what they're doing either.

Most of Texas? Are you telling me that over 11 million people are making fun of Chris Bell?

"He not only doesn't know what he's doing, his consultants don't know what they're doing either."

If history is any guide that's a pretty big requirement for being governor.

"Most of Texas? Are you telling me that over 11 million people are making fun of Chris Bell?"

11 million people don't know who Chris Bell is. If 11 million people did, and it was because of mistakes, I'd say he should make another small mistake to get another 11 million.

Agreed

Anyone who has read the AP story is roaring. Get over it. He looks like a total idiot.

By that logic, everyone who has ever read a Bushism isn't going to vote for Bush (of course, he's never lost an election). And then, that Adios MoFo thing is probably going to kill Perry's chances. Maybe Felix Alvarado is really going to be the next governor.

Bush and Perry also have a party that stands behind them in the end. Bell doesn't. And that is becoming obvious to everyone except the handful of supporters scattered here and there.

He doesn't depend on consultants. He's his own man with his own ideas. And yet all of his own ideas appear to be someone else's. As well as his "oops" according to the AP story.

To have a consultant who cannot check facts on his own and has to depend on someone else to check them for him sort of sums up what a total disaster Chris Bell is as well as his campaign.

The attorney Jason Stanford spoke to probably deliberately gave him the wrong information. And then went "Adios, MoFo" after he hung up.

Bell is both a candidate for governor and a practicing attorney. And yet doesn't know what the law is in this state. Says it all.

Have you ever worked on a campaign, BS? If you knew the amount of mistakes that get made on a daily basis. You support kinky, sort of, right?

Kinky doesn't know anything until someone tells him. Everyone knows that. Once you get above the school board level there's going to be someone helping out a candidate or an elected official.

That being said it was a busch-league mistake and someone deserves a good ass-whooping for it.

This is not something a candidate should have known. This is something an attorney should have known. Especially an attorney running for governor. You have to wonder how many times Chris Bell has gone "oops" after he lost a case for a client. Thanks, but again, no thanks.

"Kinky doesn't know anything until someone tells him. Everyone knows that."

Kinky is his own man with his own ideas. You don't see "links" on his website about his ideas so you can "learn more" about what are really someone else's ideas.

"Kinky is his own man with his own ideas. "

Not when it comes to serious things that affect texans. For instance, when asked about dereg he made a joke and kind of admitted he didn't know anything about it. Then his handlers got together and explained it to him. One of Kinky's people actually said I should ask the question because now he knows the answer. He's a funny guy, but he knows almost nothing about the issues which is why he hasn't voted in so long, I suspect.

I'd rather have a governor who admits he doesn't know and is willing to find out than a governor who says he knows and doesn't. Big difference.

You are adamant about Bell. So am I. You intend to vote for him. I intend not to.