Burnt Orange Report

"Cut-and-run Bob?" Does Jason Stanford open his mouth to do anything except change feet?

What are your thoughts: after the primaries settle, Dems should challenge the R nominee whether he / she will pledge to rule out pardoning Delay. Put them in a box.

This is great news for Democrats. If Tarrant County activist Todd Hill (quoted in Statesman) is correct that Gammage "lights a fire under people", then Gammage will be a welcome addition. All Texas Democrats need is a little inspiration. Maybe Gammage is the hell raiser we've been waiting for?

I completely agree with Bruce Buchanan's statement in the Statesman, a "three-way race could generate interest in candidates who would otherwise be overshadowed by the high-powered GOP primary pitting Strayhorn against Perry."

Thumbs up to Alvarado's response to Gammage, "The more the merrier." I haven't seen much from Alvarado, but his comment suggest that he's a classy fellow.

Thumbs down to Bell's repsonse to Gammage. Jason Stanford has some silly quotes, like comparing Food Fighter Bell to President Bill Clinton, but this stupid attack on Gammage shows how desperate the Bell team is. Bell has had plenty of time to generate some grassroots enthusiasm, and it just hasn't happened yet. Bell's speech to the UDems was a snoozer.

Someone please tell Bell's team that Gammage is the best thing to happen to Bell. Maybe the media will now actually focus on the Democrats now, and Bell can get some much needed exposure through primary debates across the state. If Bell is as truly dreamy as Stanford claims, then the cream will rise to the top, and Bell will be our nominee. But if Bell wants to run a silly negative campaign against Gammage, then Bell will further alienate what little support he currently has.

Everyone needs to focus on how bad Gov. Good Hair sucks. Period.

CKMRS needs to talk about how bad Good Hair sucks.
Kinky needs to talk about how bad Good Hair sucks.
Gammage needs to talk about how bad Good Hair sucks.
Alvarado needs to talk about how bad Good Hair sucks.
Bell needs to talk about how bad Good Hair sucks.

Perry is weak, and 2006 has lots of potential. After the primaries, everyone needs to unite in our collective mission to make sure Gov. Good Hair doesn't become the longest serving governor in Texas history. If it turns out that Bell/Gammage/Alvarado/Strayhorn haven't caputured the attention of Texas voters, then we should consider supporting Kinky if he's our only chance to stop Perry. But for now, I'm hopeful that a lively Democratic primary will light the state on fire. If voters start paying attention to the issues, then Democrats will clean house.

Final thought: If Gammage/Bell/Alvarado don't drop out, then we'll likely have a run-off. That means Kinky has one month, instead of two, to get his signatures. He'll probably still get the signatures, but it will require more of Kinky's scarce resources. I wonder if Kinky regrets his lame decision not to lift a finger to lobby the bi-partisan HB 1721 that was pushed by the Libertarians during the session? Texas is the only state with a "primary screenout", but apparently Kinky decided he was too cool to swing by the Legislature of midgets to lobby for a bill that would have made the Kinster's campaign much easier. Kinky could have used his precious resources during the general election instead of wasting resources on signatures. Oh well.

"Cut and run Bob?" What a dumb comment to make about his Dem opponent. Gammage hasn't been Bell's opponent for five seconds yet, and he's already decided that he is going negative.

robert: It's not hard to talk about how much the R's suck. What's hard is saying what you would do instead.

The first may keep folks from voting for the other guy. But without the second there's little chance they'll vote for you.

I may be a bit jaded. Coming from the Chicago 'burbs, folks would put up with a less-than-ethical machine, long as the potholes on their streets got fixed.

Let's talk less about ethics and more about who's getting what done. The ethics talk will be part of that story -- it's hard to deliver the goods when you're skimming the cream. But the main thing I want to hear are the plans for what the candidates will do when in office. How are you going to fix rising taxes? How are you going to fix the schools? How are you going to reign in health care costs? What's your plan for managing growth in Texas?

Ultimately I don't think Kinky will be on the ballot. He wants to be Governor, but he doesn't want to run for Governor.
Strayhorn maybe someone to watch for some fireworks. I expect she will lose badly in the Republican primary. In fact, I won't believe she'll be in the primary until I see her officially file.
I wouldn't be surprised to see her run as an independent. Unlike Kinky, she has the organization and the desire to get on the ballot.

"Cut and run Bob" is not a reflection of Jason Stanford but of Chris Bell and reflects what those of us who would never vote for him have seen all along. A smart-mouthed immature spoiled brat who thinks insults and innuendo are hallmarks of intelligence. But I hope he keeps it up. He might garner two votes. Jason's and Alison's. Even Marie might have second thoughts.

At least Jason will have a job after the 2006 elections. He can write a book. "How Not to Run a Political Campaign."

Given a choice between the high road and the low raod, Chris Bell always takes the low road.

BS, in this case I'm pretty sure it's a safe bet that comment is one of the Jason S. type, considering his regular political operation is opposition research. That's not exactly a top of the campaign quote, so lay off a bit.

GlennM,

You're right that Dems need to lay out their postive agendas in addition to talking about how bad the Repubs suck. But rest assured, the policy platforms will come soon enough. Now that we'll have Democratic primary debates across Texas, there will be ready-made venues for these positive policy agendas to be discussed. You're right that it's too easy to talk about how bad the Repubs suck, but let's not make 2006 any more complicated than it needs to be. Repubs control everything, so if you like the status quo, then vote for Repubs. If you want change, then vote for Dems. This isn't rocket science. 2006 is all about turnout. If we could fire up all the Dems who vote in presidential elections, but who skip gubernatorial elections, then we'll have strong turnout in 2006. So, we need to keep talking about why the current incumbents are bad for Texas in order to motivate our casual voters to get off the couch and into the voting booth. There were about 1 million more people who voted for Kerry in 2004 than voted for Sanchez in 2002.

Some guy in Austin,
You're right that Kinky is a lazy campaigner, but don't discount his cult-like following. If everything goes to hell, he still has the Shampoo King of Texas financing his campaign. They can always pay $1 per signature to professional signature gatherers like Linda Curtis. It wouldn't be the inspiring, broad-based grassroots revolution that Kinky promised, but it will do the trick and get him on the ballot. Kinky is good for Texas, if for no other reason, because he'll increase voter turnout. The big question is will Kinky devolve into the Republican protest vote, allowing the Democratic candidate to win plurality? Or will Dems give up on their candidate and join the Kinkster in an anybody-but-Perry effort?

Your point about Strayhorn is intersting. Is she really considering running as an independent? I had assumed she was going to go out with a bang and play hardball in the Repub primary by reviving all those dirty Perry rumors that make Repub primary voters uneasy about Gov. Good Hair. Remember how Rove used the rumor mill to destroy Ann Richards?

Just fits in with what has already been published about him. Long before Jason Stanford. Including the admonishment he received from the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.

I do think the focus should shift from negative to positive. Bob Gammage announcing will be a very big positive.

Maybe "Cut and Run" does apply. He is "cutting" his retirement from government short and "running" for governor.

go gammage go!

kick some perry butt.

here is a copy of Kathy Rider's entire email list -- I figured if she dumb enough to put it out there then all the other candidates for HD 48 should have a crack at it.

robertsgold@earthlink.net; roliver489@aol.com; rosawilson59@hotmail.com; Rosegarner2002@yahoo.com; rox@roxancoffman.com; roxwil@mail.utexas.edu; RPABS@aol.com; rpdeclerck@yahoo.com; rrathgeber@austin.rr.com; rratl31392@aol.com; rrichter@blgy.com; rrkreisle@austin.rr.com; rsdoolin@aol.com; rsmer@ev1.net; rtcline@aol.com; ruth_goines@hotmail.com; ruthaclu@sbcglobal.net; s.fairbairn@sylvanhmj.com; s.kemp@prodigy.net; sabright@aol.com; sallie@austin.rr.com; salsichk@aol.com; sandracrouch@austin.rr.com; sarahm@hwlaw.com; sarar@austin.rr.com; satgreg@sbcglobal.net; sblair32000@yahoo.com; sbreitbach@harvey-daco.com; sbuchanan@sstx.org; sbytnar@austin.rr.com; schunck33@aol.com; scullen@texas.net; sdhouston360@hotmail.com; sdjoseph@austin.rr.com; seanhanna@sbcglob.texas.rr.com; segan@austin.rr.com; selinidi@texas.net; sfcarlton@aol.com; sfussell@texas.net; sgbutler@yahoo.com; sgwynne@austin.rr.com; shan1956@aol.com; shanelvandergriff@hotmail.com; sharon@hornfischerlit.com; shay@rogillio.com; ShayB@prodigy.net; sherigallo@austin.rr.com; shermku@msn.com; sherryzmorgan@sbcglobal.net; sheryl.austintx@att.net; shirleyh@austin.rr.com; shirleyswilliams@aol.com; shs2412@yahoo.com; siezel@aol.com; singjoy4him@hotmail.com; Sjc54@att.net; sjgillespie@austin.rr.com; skaggs.stephen@usa.net; SKHTexas@aol.com; skrause@settlementhome.org; skstowell@aol.com; smauro@texas.net; smducloux@austin.rr.com; smigould1@yahoo.com; Sodawson4@aol.com; soule@austin.rr.com; sp.easter@sbcglobal.net; speterson@unicomp.net; spficken@aol.com; spsp@austin.rr.com; srroberts@fulbright.com; sscalco@austin.rr.com; stacy.bishop@tpwd.state.tx.us; stanhutchison@austin.rr.com; stephanieashby@austin.rr.com; stevedavis@austin.rr.com; stewards6@aol.com; stipton@att.net; stonemktg@aol.com; sturnq1950@aol.com; sucline@onr.com; Sue@philmaxwell.com; SUE1804@aol.com; suedon@mymailstation.com; suef@sbcglobal.net; sumiss2@aol.com; supermomCK@austin.rr.com; susadair@hotmail.com; susan.brown@ci.austin.tx.us; susan.campbell@bankofamerica.com; susan_gatlin@yahoo.com; susanavant@aveone.com; susanfinnigan@austin.rr.com; susanparker@ev1.net; suspenn@austin.rr.com; suzannestewart@sbcglobal.net; suzbeth@austin.cc.tx.us; suzerobweb@aol.com; suzieq@austin.rr.com; suzii.paynter@bgct.org; swilson17@austin.rr.com; swittliff1@aol.com; sydneylangley@hotmail.com; syds@austin.rr.com; T3Thomas@sbcglobal.net; taebel@sbcglobal.net; taksi_2000@yahoo.com; tambraithwaite@hotmail.com; tbailey@lbjs.com; tbrumley@sbcglobal.net; tdefoyd@attglobal.net; terrivd@austin.rr.com; terrym@austin.rr.com; TexanBobSmith@aol.com; Texasbjh@aol.com; texasduo21@hotmail.com; TFEILD@austin.rr.com; TGCE@aol.com; thomaskay@mail.utexas.edu; thorrtvt@hotmail.com; tinariojas@sbcglobal.net; tknutsen@austin.rr.com; tlamarkerley@aol.com; tmcan36121@aol.com; tmoodysr@prodigy.net; tomollan@sbcglobal.net; TracyandNannette@aol.com; traisters@hotmail.com; trishgraf@aol.com; tsamel@yahoo.com; tvanvoris@austin.rr.com; twesterkom@sbcglobal.net; txhummer@aol.com; ultrasoundimages@sbcglobal.net; v_duke@sbcglobal.net; valerie_shoen@lycos.com; ValWeynand@aol.com; vanwolfe@austin.rr.com; veronicajj@aol.com; vhhill@pobox.com; vickibohls@msn.com; vickiehr@att.net; vijayparekhtx@yahoo.com; VW03@txstate.edu; predington@txregionalcouncil.org; sejnowski@sbcglobal.net; lissaga@austin.rr.com; w.bessent@mail.utexas.edu; waggone@attglobal.net; warrennapier@hotmail.com; wayne.holtzman@mail.utexas.edu; wcenmon@aol.com; Wdeaton@aol.com; westlakevisioncenter@covad.net; willieb77@aol.com; wmh1944@aol.com; wmteten@aol.com; wthall@austin.rr.com; wwilson1@austin.rr.com; yemoeller@austin.rr.com; helen@tarrytownumc.org; tandnj@austin.rr.com; judyeavery@msn.com; francelle@sbcglobal.net; zsaler@aol.com; michelle.brinkman@austin.rr.com; shaye@austin.rr.com; jeanf@admin.stedwards.edu; egeise@msn.com; grifprop@texas.net; jguerrero13@austin.rr.com; mhkeller@onr.com; patluck8102@aol.com; hdnp@sbcglobal.net

Come on people. The more we disagree, the more miraculous Perry's hair looks. Our strategy should be defeating the hair – you have to admit, it is hard to beat. Kinky knew he could not beat the hair one and one and thus pulled the black cowboy hat out . You have to give him points for creativity. Bell isnt fooling anyone with the toupee look and Gammage manges well for a 67 year old. If we can find better hair, I think we have a new Governor. I know it will be an exhaustive search, but I just know there is better hair out there.

Bob was awesome during the Clark campaign. He'll give Perry a good fight. Go Bob!

BS clearly demonstrates a lack of oxygen to the brain.

Jason's comment about 'cut and run ' is particularly offensive because one of Bob's sons is currently serving in Iraq.

You'd think a former oppo guy would know better.

Ouch, with that revelation, that comment really does suck. I'm sure that wasn't the intention (God I hope not) but the attacks on Murtha were shameful. If they are being applied here, it's equally so. If the Bell campaign tries to continue that as a meme, there are already two applicable responses to it in the comments to this post alone.

Reminds me of the gold old days where blogs were constructive in creating responses and slogans. ;)

Any "progressive" who supports Kinky Friedman is symbolic of why the Texas Democratic Party has so many problems

How anybody could support a guy that supports prayer in public schools and a wall on the border is beyond me. They're not Democrats, that's for sure.

Who is the Lt. Governor candidate?
It is a more powerful position than governor

Right now, Tony Buzbee. Do a search on BOR -- you'll find some information. There is still a question as to whether or not Pete Laney will jump into any race. We're still wait and see on that.

Nothing wrong with prayer in schools as long as it's not just a Christian prayer. Maybe they should have prayers from all the world's religions so children can learn to respect other religions. Their parents for the most part don't in this country.

Nothing wrong with the Ten Commandments either although it might help if the attorneys, prosecutors and judges in this country would read them. Particularly the "shall not bear false witness" one.

As for the border, we have a serious problem in this country with illegal immigration. Emphasis on illegal. The Republicans like to call illegal immigrants "guest workers" which equates to workers exempt from labor law including minimum wage standards. The Democrats should think about that before they start pulling that card out of the political deck. The Democrats should also remember the warning of Barbara Jordan. We have an estimated number of illegal immigrants in this country that pretty much matches the estimated number of unemployed, and unemployable, citizens. Which is what Barbara Jordan warned everyone would happen in 1996.

Who are you to define what makes a Democrat? Democrats with narrow definitions and "litmus tests" are not much different from Republicans with their narrow definitions and "litmus tests."

Vikas,

The problems with some so called democrats like yourself is that youre so quick to pounce on defining what a democrat should or should not be. Last time I check we were the party of tolerance and variety. If you want a be in a group with standardized thinging, unorigional ideas, and a lack of variance then please - be my guest and identify yourself with that other party. However, if you want to be open minded and and realize that we dont have to be as up and down liberal as you might be to call ourselves democrats - well then I say welcome home brother.

I've heard no rumors that Strayhorn will run as independent, just speculation on my part. As bad as Perry is, he will still hammer her in the primary.
Perry's only support is the hard core Republicans (the ones who vote in primaries.)
If Strayhorn is counting on Dems crossing over and voting for her, she's living in the same fantasyland as her son's boss.

andy's bitch, that's not nice.

(Any democratic candidate who doesn't copy those doesn't deserve to be elected.)

"Perry's only support is the hard core Republicans (the ones who vote in primaries.)"

I think the voting trends across the state would indicate otherwise. Conservative, moderate, or "on your way to becoming a Democrat" doesn't matter. A Republican will vote Republican. They do seem to have a sense of party unity that the Democrats don't. And they like being in power. And that may keep Perry in office unless the Democrats come up with a viable candidate or Kinky Friedman shocks the hell out of everyone.

My hesitancy about Gammage, by the way, is the same hesitancy everyone else had about Chris Bell and the other "possible candidates" so far. Their hesitancy. If you're going to run for office, announce and file and get going with it. Everyone seems to want to "test the waters" to see how murky they are. Snow White would be labeled a whore at this point in Texas politics.

If you're that thin-skinned, you don't belong in office in this state. That is just the reality. And if you do have skeletons in the closet, either keep the closet shut by not running or accept that at some point they will start rattling. Past is prologue. In politics, you can count on past becoming a problem.

Strayhorn is a joke at this point. She sees a state income tax as a solution to what some believe is a non-existent funding crisis and is taking money from some Big Boy Democrats.

The Democrats don't mind their candidates taking money from Big Boy Republicans. The Republicans do mind their candidates taking money from Big Boy Democrats.

Regarding Vikas' comment.
By golly you're right! They're not "Democrats", they're called "INDEPENDENTS"! This is a good thing because it means they can think for themselves, unlike most hard core Dems or Repubs. Personally, I have a problem with anyone who can call themselves a Texan and back any party or candidate who supports a state income tax and complains that our State is one of the 50 worst in anything while they've sat in the State's Legislature and helped create the problems! I'm referring to State Senators Shapleigh and Barrientos, both Dems.

Before you start casting aspersions, perhaps you should look a bit closer to home. As screwed up as our State government is, at least Kinky Friedman cares enough to roll up his pant legs and get his boots dirty in that cesspool we call a State Capitol. Not to mention shrugging off diatribes from containerized thinkers.

I guess that the cold has affected some folks in la la land. As an aside, does the radon from the pink palace make all of the democrats in Austin weird? or just those who blog?

One, is this Jason, the Bell flack, the same guy as the box of rocks who set up the tour of Chris Bell's old college room and the burger place where he got arrested at for throwing fries? And when the columnist and candidate showed up the current occupants in the room now were nowhere to be seen?

Two, why can’t Bob Gammage run? Who was the last congressman to win state wide? (nope not Maddox, cause the qustion should be who was the last congresman to loss his seat in a primary and go on to win statewide? (nope, not Boone, Daniel that is, only Texas congressman booted out of office by his own party? Answer: Yup your right NO ONE!

There may be lots of reasons folks disagree with the current resident of 1100 Colorado (the Governor’s Mansion) but his hair is silly and why folks love to pick on someone looks seems silly and in fact like a jr. high school preteen. And just a little hypocritical. It’s not like us blogers fall in the eye candy category ourselves or we would have a life and be out and about and not hang out on here. Let’s here it? Can I have an Amen? Amen! Thanks!

Gammage comes from the Dallas area why is that not a bigger base then from where Bell comes? (some where in West Texas where he lost local races like for mayor or the like.) I’m not sure but the Abilene democratic club has no need to rent the legion post to hold their holiday party. The DQ will hold them all. In fact the local Abilene dems most likely hold a Christmas party!

Chris Bell has had a clear shot for a year. He has gotten no one excited. Why not get an experience hand to take a shot? This DC style campaign has gotten Bell Zippo!

I say Run Bob Run! Why the hell not? Do we want a real debate or just end up playing second fiddle to the Kinkster? Or maybe some of the chilled brained folks in LA LA Land think “Pocket the Loot” Pete as the LG candidate can pull Bell into first place?

At least Gammage has never bilked the state of of millions.

Hamiltonfan --

Two words: Tobacco Settlement.

That said, I'm open to a competitive primary. Jason Stanford is a nice guy but this comes across as silly.

With all due respect to Baby Snooks and jg, I'm all for diversity in our party.

But I will not tolerate those who advocate unconstitutional ideas such school prayer and garbage like walls on the border.

That is intolerant in my book, and as an Indian-American, Hindu minority in this state, don't expect me to go along with it.

If I believed in those ideas, I would be a Republican.

Next thing you know, I will be expected to embrace Democrats who love GW Bush.

Don't expect any apologies from me.
Republican-lite isn't my idea of a Democrat.

To Texasbelle4732

Why should I take Kinky Friedman seriously?
Because he is cool?

If you support school prayer and a wall on the border, that's your right.

I don't.

When we were teammates at ucc in the early 60's he hit low and hard, no cut & run tag for this guy. We need someone to run with the ball like Bob to clean up Texas politics. He may have been a guard then but he's ready to play quarterback now. Go all the way Bob..

Activist Todd Hill should be given credit for the Gammage announcement as he has been encouraging this along with other North Texans for quite some time. He has reached the "base" of Tarrant county and is quickly spreading further. Watch out Perry!