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Texas BlogWire

DSCC gearing up to play in Texas Senate Race? And the candidate is?

by: Glen Maxey

Thu Apr 19, 2007 at 15:48:07 PM CDT


How does the DSCC select its targeted candidates?  The internal maneuvering and decision making within the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is probably quite a mystery to most of us who consider ourselves grassroots get-out-the-vote activists.  What we do know is that using a complex set of criteria and insider judgments, the DSCC decides where to place their money in 2008 in an effort to get to a filibuster proof Senate. 

While I'm a great advocate of people-powered campaigns, the frustration in the last months by so many of us on the inability of critical legislation to move in the Senate, even with Democratic control, makes me want to be sure that we move up the Democratic margin in that body considerably. 

Glen Maxey :: DSCC gearing up to play in Texas Senate Race? And the candidate is?
With Republicans defending 21 seats and Democrats only 12, there are a lot of possibilities.  Many of us are salivating that one of them will be recapturing the Corny seat in Texas.

One of the criteria for the DSCC to get involved with a nominee in a particular state is that the state's nominee has raised a "tally" amount for the DSCC from their state. 

Saturday,  Mikal Watts, Democratic activist and fundraiser, is hosting a high dollar event at his home in San Antonio headlined by Sen. Chuck Schumer (NY), chair of the DSCC. 

The invitation notes that Watts has gained an agreement with the DSCC that the funds coming from this event (over $100,000 according to the email) will all be applied to the amount the nominee in Texas must have raised. 

"With the promise obtained, all the money we raise at our event will count toward that tally for the democratic party nominee from Texas, making it much more likely that money raised in Texas will be used to unseat Senator John Cornyn."

I applaud Mikal  Watts and these folks for removing this hurdle in advance from our future nominee.  Here's the list of co-hosts of the event from the invite:

Jim Adler,
Hon. Ben Barnes,
Fred Baron,
Rene Barrientos,
Adolph Briscoe,
Tony Buzbee,
Mauricio Ceils,
Brent Coon,
Hon.  Garry Mauro,
Tony Sanchez,
Todd Tracy,
Walter Umphrey,
Mikal Watts,
Robin Young- Ellis

Of course, this entire event begs the question on who our nominee might be. 
No one has announced.  The filing deadline to be a candidate is fast approaching, and  is either October 31st or January 2nd (depending upon whether the Texas Senate will approve moving the primary or not).

Trial balloons up and down for Ben Barnes.  Rumors fly that Barbara Ann Radnofsky will try again.  State Rep. Pete Gallego of Alpine seems to be sniffing the air.  Supporters and others are pushing the draft of State Rep. Rick Noriega of Houston.  And in the last weeks, rumors are moving rapidly of the interest of a certain activist and fundraiser who is leading the effort to raise money for the DSCC:  Mikal Watts of San Antonio / Corpus  Christi.

I have a level of respect for all of these possible candidates.  I'm ready to get our nominee elected and get the general election underway.  It's been too long since we've had a Democratic Senator from Texas.  By the end of 2008, let's have that suffix (D-TX) behind one of ours.

Poll
Who's your candidate?
Any Democrat below will do
Pete Gallego
Rick Noriega
Babara Ann Radnofsky
Mikal Watts
None of the Above
You left off my choice... check the comments

Results
Tags: John Cornyn, U S Senate, Mikal Watts, Pete Gallego, rick noriega, Barbara Ann Radnofsky, (All Tags)
Print Friendly View Send As Email
DSCC gearing up to play in Texas Senate Race? And the candidate is? | 37 comments | Post A Comment
 
DSCC gearing up (0.00 / 0)
It is Garry Mauro, not Gary. 

by: aggie82 @ Thu Apr 19, 2007 at 16:19:53 PM CDT
[ Reply ]
 
Proofreading failure... (0.00 / 0)
I have yet to post on BOR without a spelling error.  I've known Garry for over two and half decades... and know how to spell his name.  I simply copied and pasted the names from the email from the DSCC and didn't take time to proof them, passing along their error.

Garry, I apologize. 

Glen (and that's with ONE "N").


by: Glen Maxey @ Thu Apr 19, 2007 at 17:06:30 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
and one more... (0.00 / 0)
the email butchered one other name...

it should say  Rene Barrientos who is an attorney in Mikal Watt's firm in Corpus.

Sorry, Rene.


by: Glen Maxey @ Thu Apr 19, 2007 at 17:34:05 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
and another... (0.00 / 0)
I'll never cut and paste again for ease...

Tony Buzbee is the correct name.


by: Glen Maxey @ Thu Apr 19, 2007 at 17:36:25 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
corrected (0.00 / 0)
I fixed them for you now.

John for Dallas City Council

by: John McClelland @ Thu Apr 19, 2007 at 22:19:00 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
That may be worth a campaing donation... (0.00 / 0)
What a candidate will do to guilt trip someone into giving money..

by: Glen Maxey @ Thu Apr 19, 2007 at 22:33:57 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
Indeed (0.00 / 0)
I would have thought I'd be worth a donation without showing off my BOR editing skills :)

John for Dallas City Council

by: John McClelland @ Fri Apr 20, 2007 at 13:29:38 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
Rene Barrientos (0.00 / 0)
Rene Barrientos is not a lawyer in the Watts firm. Joseph Barrientos is a Watts partner in Corpus. However, Rene Barrientos is an outstanding lawyer in his own right. He made national news with a verdict he obtained in Webb Co. for a Mexican national who was shot and left to die on a large ranch there. He has been mentioned as a very strong candidate for Texas senate.

by: mguerra @ Mon Apr 23, 2007 at 17:24:38 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
Barrientos (0.00 / 0)
State Senate or U.S. Senate?

by: Indigo @ Mon Apr 23, 2007 at 19:19:22 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
State Senate (0.00 / 0)
Rene is a great Dem.  He gave Uresti like $60k, contributes hundreds of thousands to Ds all over Texas, and donates millions to charities in South Texas.

He has also been named "Land Conservationist of the Year" for his efforts to protect and preserve natural Texas wildlife habitat.


by: colin @ Mon Apr 23, 2007 at 22:23:00 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
this is the event... (0.00 / 0)
that I referenced last week in one of Matt's US Senate posts.

The person that I know on the list was himself asked to kick in $100k.  I thought it was the intent to establish a "pioneer-type" group that would either write a check or commit to raise $100k.  Of course, this wouldn't be the first thing I got wrong...if I did.

I know he got his hand scalded on the stove the last time he did it...but what about Doggett?

He has a lot of money, the potential to raise a lot of money, offers a real choice to voters, is well-versed on the issues, and his seat could easily be retained by a D.

I remain skeptical that the DSCC will just hand over the IE to ANY D nominee.  If they do have a few mil for an IE, will they spend it on Gene Kelley over another state?


by: colin @ Thu Apr 19, 2007 at 17:55:26 PM CDT
[ Reply ]
 
Gene Kelly? (5.00 / 1)
Damn, why did I not remember to put him on the poll?

by: Glen Maxey @ Thu Apr 19, 2007 at 18:11:53 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
He's pale, rested and ready (5.00 / 1)
He'll do whatever it takes to win this race, so long as he doesn't have to get up from the La-Z-Boy

by: George @ Thu Apr 19, 2007 at 22:22:08 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
Watts (0.00 / 0)
Well, it is nice to hear that money is being raised for the eventual nominee (I am reading that correctly, right?), but the prospect of a seventeenth Gene Kelly campaign can make one just a little apprehensive.  However, I'm sure that whomever gets in the race will be able to shake the ol' boy's challenge, lol.

Interesting that you didn't include Sharp or Lampson, are you hearing things about their possible disinterest?  I've always maintained that I'm hoping either for a Noriega or Gallego candidacy, but just figured that the DSCC would try to get either Sharp or Lampson into this one. 

On a side note, not that the poll Rep Maxey included has any real bearing (other than our feelings, which I guess do count, lol), but I am pretty shocked Watts is leading it - big.  Only 17 votes have been cast, but still.  To be perfectly honest, I've never even heard of the man until this was posted, so this adds yet another interesting development into this already crazy race.

Very informative diary!!


by: Indigo @ Thu Apr 19, 2007 at 18:30:33 PM CDT
[ Reply ]
 
I don't know much... (0.00 / 0)
about Watts from from a google search it doesn't look pretty.  We have to run a Jim Webb-style (military, moderate) candidate otherwise we'll get clobbered.  We have to peel away conservative Republicans dissatisfied with Iraq and W.  only guy who fits that description in the list is Noriega...

...then again, what the hell do i know.


by: thegipper @ Thu Apr 19, 2007 at 20:17:42 PM CDT
[ Reply ]
 
Juan Garcia (0.00 / 0)
I think since Mikal is the same person who poured about $500,000 into Juan Garcia's campaign against Gene Seaman, he's going to back a candidate who has a good chance of winning.

by: SADem @ Thu Apr 19, 2007 at 23:32:21 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
This is an improvment over Cornyn? (0.00 / 0)
Watts backed Vilma Luna and Craddick's favorite lobby shop, HillCo, sending them hundreds of thousands of dollars to give to Rick Perry and GOP legislative candidates around the state, including Talmadge Heflin against Hubert Vo. 

by: Orizaba 212 @ Sat Apr 21, 2007 at 11:12:52 AM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
Tony Buzbee... (0.00 / 0)
Not on-topic, but is this the same Buzbee that was rumored to be flirting with the previous Lt. Gov's race?  I'm assuming so, not many by that name, lol.  Is there any chance of him making the TX-14 race, or is that the wrong congresstional district for Galveston (or is it someone else from Galveston? I could be confused, lol).  That could be interesting, especially if Paul retires.

by: Indigo @ Thu Apr 19, 2007 at 20:54:18 PM CDT
[ Reply ]
 
Same one... (0.00 / 0)
Yes this is the Buzbee of possible race last cycle...  Have no idea of his political plans.

by: Glen Maxey @ Thu Apr 19, 2007 at 21:12:27 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
This race is a long way from settling down (0.00 / 0)
I talked to a top $$$ giving trial lawyer who knows Barnes well ... and doesn't think Barnes will do it.  He'd like Barnes to do it -- his eyes light and he gets excited talking about it -- but thinks Barnes is too comfortable in his current life.

He confides that Nick Lampson is considering it seriously ... says Lampson is not at all happy with his prospects for re-election in CD22.

I really like Lampson but worry that he is not a strong enough candidate for this statewide race.  Tony Buzbee, though -- that's a guy who should be able to make some waves.  I'll be watching for him.  He's a well-off attorney, ex-Marine, and carries an excellent electoral profile. 


by: Wanderer @ Thu Apr 19, 2007 at 21:14:35 PM CDT
[ Reply ]
 
Forget Barnes (3.00 / 2)
He should never be forgiven for getting W out of serving in Vietnam.  Just think of what a better place this world would have been if he had gone.

by: tamsterbath @ Thu Apr 19, 2007 at 22:09:28 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
You have a very narrow view of the world (0.00 / 0)
If that's all you can think about

by: Wanderer @ Fri Apr 20, 2007 at 12:08:40 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
sigh (0.00 / 0)
Sorry to be such a downer, but it seems to me that we are being forced to play by Republican rules here.  Pay to play and find some republican lite candidate with big bucks to represent us.  I suppose our state's politicians have been whoring for lobbyists and big business for so long that Texans are expected to accept the notion that the co-mingling of politics and business is a normal and acceptable practice. 

Abramoff clones who own our politicians are apparently alive, thriving and well in Texas.  It is interesting that we have no oversight here, like no special prosecutors or U.S. attorneys who are holding anyone in office or in business accountable.  Is this the state in which Kenny boy types can thrive and muck it up with our elected politicians, while the rest of us be damned?

I would like to remind our state's party that the rather primitive and extremely partisan politics the Bush Texans imported to Washington has engendered not only a national rejection but also one of collective contempt and outrage.

Check out the U.S. Senate's Judiciary Committee's hearing today with Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and you will see what I mean.  Even right wing conservative Cornyn was subdued by the Attorney General's testimony.

One can stream the hearings from CSPAN.org, or go to Truthout.org for written summaries. Firedoglake.com also did live blogging.  Listen, read and decide for yourselves what the Bush Administration has done to our country.

I apologize for my dispirited opinion, for I am a loyal yellow dog and I will do what I need to do to uphold our party's Democratic principles. I just wish my state's party had more cojones and, sadly, mega bucks.  I do not wish to whore to the big daddies with bucks in order for our candidate to get noticed.  More importantly, I will not sell my soul to the devil as the Republicans have obviously and very willingly done. 


by: Libby Shaw @ Thu Apr 19, 2007 at 22:55:20 PM CDT
[ Reply ]
 
"Republican like candidate?" (0.00 / 0)
Libby... I'm not sure I'm following your train of thought here.

I'd never even begin putting the folks talked about here as "Republican like". 
Not sure which one you're talking about.

If it's just the ideal that the DSCC might spend money for a Democrat running in Texas and that's a problem, I think I'll have to disagree with you.

I actually like progressive Democrats who have money or can raise money.  They might even win an election in Texas.

I certainly like the idea of a candidate that can raise millions in small donations, and I like the idea of a candidate you can raise the necessary money to take out John Cornyn.  And I hope we can bring all this together in 2008.


by: Glen Maxey @ Thu Apr 19, 2007 at 23:29:12 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
Wealthy progressive Democrats? (0.00 / 0)

I actually like progressive Democrats who have money or can raise money.  They might even win an election in Texas.

I thought about this for a minute after reading it.  "might even win ..." is an interesting phrase.  Like you are conceding it is an unproven proposition. 

Indeed, I am trying to think of a time a wealthy progressive Democrat has ever won a statewide office in Texas.  Go back as far you like ... 1970s, 1960s, 1950s ... as far as you want.  When wealthy Democrats were winning statewide office, they were never progressive.  When "progressives" like Ralph Yarborough ran and won, they were not wealthy.  When wealthy progressive Democrats run, they lose.  I wonder what the problem could be ... could it be because they are "progressive"?  Could it be because the are so far from the mainstream of Texan thought?


by: Wanderer @ Fri Apr 20, 2007 at 12:21:20 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
Having $$ doesn't mean youre "Republican lite" (0.00 / 0)


by: david @ Fri Apr 20, 2007 at 01:21:52 AM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
Amen Brother! (0.00 / 0)
I have to agree with David.  That's a big part of our problem, thinking that anyone who has money ust be at best "Republican-lite".  While I don't have money, I have no problem supporting someone who does, if they have the same values I do

by: sa grassroots @ Fri Apr 20, 2007 at 09:27:32 AM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
So what were the Texas Democratic officeholders of the 1980s? (0.00 / 0)
Were they "Republican Lite?" As in Bullock, Sharp and the others? Would they have forced many in today's left-of-center to bolt to a party such as the Green Party?

Just what makes a candidate "Republican Lite?"

www.completethewar.com


by: sfagrad02 @ Fri Apr 20, 2007 at 10:11:41 AM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
Whether (0.00 / 0)
Bullock and Sharp are "Republican-lite" can be debated but you are leaving out 1980s Democratic statewide officeholders like Ann Richards, Garry Mauro and Jim Mattox, none of whom can be called "Republican-lite" by any informed person.

by: david @ Fri Apr 20, 2007 at 12:52:17 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
Sorry Glen (5.00 / 1)
and everyone.  Thinking about how hard it was for the BAR campaign to get big money reminded me how dispiriting a process running for office can be.  BAR was clearly a far more superior candidate who would have represented far more Texans than pathetic rubber stamping and Bush loyalist KBH.  But we could not get the media coverage we needed, or the big bucks.  I battled with the letters editor of the Houston Chronicle and some of the reporters, trying to them to write about BAR, to no avail.  I won't read the paper to this day because of it.  I was not alone.  There were many volunteers who tried very hard to accomplish the same.  Sure, in the end one of the reporters did write an article about BAR, that was buried in the newspaper, but by that time the election was fast approaching.  It was too late to get traction. 

I will work hard again in 2008.  But our party had better get behind a candidate with people power, support and money.  We can win this one and we can win big with the right candidate.  Many Texans surely don't want two right wing nut jobs representing us in Washington, especially when both are Bush ideologues and loyalists. 

But it will take $15-$20 million cool ones to pull it off.  Where are we going to get it?


by: Libby Shaw @ Fri Apr 20, 2007 at 16:04:04 PM CDT
[ Reply ]
 
Well, there are several ways (0.00 / 0)
The easiest is Mikal Watts: he could commit $10 to $15 million to the race.

by: david @ Fri Apr 20, 2007 at 18:43:40 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
Very vulnerable (0.00 / 0)
Having never heard of Watts before, I googled him and read a few news articles.  It's hard to be sure, but I see potential problems in his candidacy:  it would be hard to set aside all the cases he is working on, and the controversial nature of many of them would give Corny a lot of material to campaign against.  Since Watts has virtually no name ID statewide (I assume), he and Corny would be going head to head to establish Watts' bonafides.  It is entirely possible that Watts would be even more vulnerable to attacks than Tony Sanchez was.

Aside from that, I like what I read.  A lot.


by: Wanderer @ Fri Apr 20, 2007 at 21:16:45 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
The anti-Watts arguments (0.00 / 0)
were made about Edwards in 98, too.

by: david @ Fri Apr 20, 2007 at 21:53:14 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
Tony Sanchez committed $67 million (0.00 / 0)
How did that work out?

by: Orizaba 212 @ Sat Apr 21, 2007 at 11:14:18 AM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
Like every (0.00 / 0)
single other statewide Democratic campaign in Texas since 1994.


by: david @ Sat Apr 21, 2007 at 14:12:26 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
The Houston Chronicle (0.00 / 0)
The Houston Chronicle is owned by the Hearst Corporation but it is "written and edited" by Greater Houston Partnership.  And they like Kay Bailey Hutchison. She's "good for business" as they say.


by: Baby Snooks @ Sat Apr 21, 2007 at 19:08:01 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]
 
Thank you Baby Snooks (0.00 / 0)
Maybe the members of the Greater Houston Partnership  ought to put their money where their mouths are by enlisting in the military.  They could volunteer to serve in Iraq.  Like KBH, war is real good for certain businesses.

by: Libby Shaw @ Sun Apr 22, 2007 at 22:43:47 PM CDT
[ Reply ]
DSCC gearing up to play in Texas Senate Race? And the candidate is? | 37 comments | Post A Comment
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