Today is the filing deadline for the Democratic Primary, and, with only 58 days until Election Day, I am proud of the progress my campaign has made so far.
I've received endorsements from six public safety associations, including the state's largest, the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas (CLEAT). I am humbled to have earned the support of CLEAT once again, as well as the Travis County Sheriffs Officers Association, Travis County Sheriffs Law Enforcement Association, Austin/Travis County EMS Employee Association, Austin Police Association, and the Travis County Firefighters Association.
I also have the support of the only three elected officials to have endorsed in this race: Travis County Judge Sam Biscoe, Austin City Councilman Bill Spelman, and Constable Richard McCain. Additionally, I have been endorsed by former Travis County Judge Bill Aleshire, former Texas Land Commissioner Garry Mauro, and former Texas Comptroller John Sharp.
After fifteen years as county commissioner, I am so proud to have the support of both the current president of University Democrats Melessa Rodriguez and the immediate past president Jimmy Talarico.
With more than three decades of Democratic activism in my hometown of Austin, I am proud to have the support of many Democratic activists, including Precinct 424 Democratic chair Walter Timberlake. To view my full supporter list, click here.
Volunteers, friends, family and I have been working hard over the past few months to spread the word to Precinct 4 voters about my record on the Commissioners Court. Our campaign has knocked on over 1800 doors throughout southeast Travis County and made countless phone calls.
There are less than two months until Election Day, and just over a month until early voting begins. The support our campaign has enjoyed has been great, and I look forward to continuing to work hard as I visit and listen to voters across Precinct 4 about how county government can better serve them.
What may have seen impossible in the immediate wake of her third-place finish in this spring's Austin Mayor race, may actually end up happening. The Statesman's Jason Embry has reported that Carole Strayhorn has had discussions with Texas Democratic Party Chair Boyd Richie about seeking the party's nomination for comptroller.
Strayhorn, who has run for office as a Democrat, Republican, and Independent, has served as Mayor of Austin, railroad commissioner, and, before incumbent Susan Combs took office in 2007, comptroller.
The Statesman's Gardner Selby had previously reported that Strayhorn had contacted Houston Mayor Bill White, the leading Democratic candidate for governor, about her possible candidacy for comptroller.
“We will rely on our voters to consider each candidate’s record and decide if they have the Democratic credentials they want in a nominee. Our role is to run a fair primary.”
While former Congressman Nick Lampson said he was considering running and State Rep. Mike Villarreal (D-San Antonio) briefly thought about entering the race, no Democrat has decided to challenge Combs yet.
If Strayhorn decides to run, she will have a lot of explaining to do for her Republican past and, given the frequency of her attempts at electoral office, she will have to also prove that she truly wants to be comptroller. Despite her negatives, she has won at least four or five statewide elections, and certainly has higher name ID than probably any other potential rival to Combs, whose campaign has $4 million on hand.
As many of you know, over the last five days, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, in partnership with a number of progressive organizations and blogs including Senate Guru, asked those in the netroots, "Should a Draft Sestak movement be created to take on Sen. Arlen Specter in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary?"
The results are in and they are overwhelming. 85% of Pennsylvanian respondents and 86% of respondents nationally want Democratic Congressman Joe Sestak to challenge Arlen Specter in the 2010 Democratic Senate primary. The poll has even gotten the attention of Congressman Sestak, as the PCCC points out:
"I am honored that so many of you took the time to vote in the recent grassroots Straw Poll. Let me tell you, I and many others were paying attention. If I decide to run it will be in large measure because of the grassroots energy of so many people like you. Until I and my family make that decision, please accept my thanks and my best wishes as you continue be active participants in our people-powered democracy. Thank you so very much!"
Due to such an overwhelming response, a Draft Sestak Fund has been created on ActBlue. To contribute and further encourage Congressman Sestak to enter the race, click on the image below:
If you need any additional motivation to contribute to this effort to draft a real Democrat to oppose Specter in the primary, consider Specter's actions since announcing his Party switch:
1) Specter opposed the Obama budget.
2) Specter opposed the "cramdown" mortgage/bankruptcy reform, siding with banks over families.
3) Specter reiterated his opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act.
4) Specter reiterated his opposition to President Obama's nomination of Dawn Johnsen to the Office of Legal Counsel.
5) Specter announced his support for Republican Norm Coleman over Democratic Senator-elect Al Franken in Minnesota's Senate race.
6) Specter promoted a website that appeared to raise money for cancer research but, in actuality, simply raised money for his campaign.
7) Specter denied reports that he told President Obama that he would be a "loyal Democrat" despite multiple reporters sticking to their story.
The netroots have displayed overwhelming support for Congressman Sestak to take on recently-Republican Arlen Specter. Help the effort by contributing to the Draft Sestak Fund.
The Progressive Change Campaign Committee, working with a number of progressive organizations and blogs including Senate Guru, has put out a poll to gauge netroots interest - in Texas and all across the country - in supporting an effort to draft Congressman Joe Sestak to challenge recently-Republican Arlen Specter in the PA-Sen Democratic primary next year. The poll will be open for the next four days, and provided are both pro and con arguments regarding a draft effort. To read the arguments and vote in the poll, click the below link:
Barbara Ann Radnofsky, the Houston lawyer who was the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2006, has been known to be considering a run for Attorney General for some time.
The Houston Chronicle reported yesterday that Radnofsky has filed paperwork to run for Attorney General next year. Radnofsky is the first Democratic candidate to jump into the race, joining Republican Ted Cruz, a former solicitor general.
But Radnofsky may not be the last Democrat to enter the race, especially if current Attorney General decides to run for the U.S. Senate or Lt. Governor, as many expect. By being the first Democrat out of the gate, Radnofksy will hope to discourage primary competition by posting impressive fundraising numbers.
What other Democrats do you think (or hope) will jump into this race? Let us know in the comments.
Tom Schieffer, who is exploring a Gubernatorial run as a Democrat, sat down with Jenny Hoff of KXAN in Austin yesterday for a six minute interview.
Schieffer says a lot of stuff that I completely agree with in the interview, especially about education.
He says as Ambassador he was serving the nation, "not the Republican Party" and that he never stopped being a Democrat. He has said before he does not regret supporting George W. Bush in any of the races.
I would like to hear Mr. Schieffer explain why he supported George W. Bush over Ann Richards in 1994, over Garry Mauro in 1998, over Al Gore in 2000 and over John Kerry in 2004.
As a Democrat, what made him think Bush would do a better job?
He can insist he never left the Democratic Party all he wants, but eventually we are going to need some answers.
Tom Schieffer, the former Bush appointed Ambassador to Australia and Japan, announced earlier this week that he is forming an Gubernatorial exploratory committee.
While much has been made of his close ties to former President George W. Bush and his short stint as a conservative Democrat in the Texas House of Representatives in the 1970s, not much attention has been paid to his years as Ambassador.
In 2004, Schieffer criticized a Labor Party leader for proposed amendments to a U.S.-Australia Free Trade agreement.
Mr Schieffer warned yesterday that US certification of the deal was no longer certain because of the Opposition amendments.
"The concern we have about the amendment is that ... for patent law there's an attempt to carve out a special exception with regard to pharmaceuticals," he said.
"The concern we have is that if you were able to do that, then could you then carve out something later on for automotive parts or for this or that sector in the economy?"
The Opposition trade spokesman, Stephen Conroy, said Mr Schieffer had entered the debate without a clear understanding of what the Labor Party's amendments were about.
"What Tom Schieffer's comments suggest is that [Prime Minister] John Howard has negotiated a free trade deal that sells out the PBS [pharmaceutical benefits scheme]," Senator Conroy told ABC radio
....
"For people to be concerned that there have been changes to the Patents Act demonstrates that they haven't carefully examined Labor's amendments. "In terms of other carve-outs, I repeat, there are not carve-outs here."
Senator Conroy said Labor had been attempting to ensure that the government and the parliament were not beholden to the drug companies, as they were in the US.
"The Bush administration have been a wholly owned subsidiary of the drug companies in the US for some time." he said.
US Ambassador Tom Schieffer told The Age that Mr Latham's comments "could have very serious consequences beyond Australia." Such a move risked damaging the US alliance and could assist terrorists accomplishing larger goals, he said.
Though I have been openly critical of his Republican ties, I am trying to take a "wait and see" approach to Ambassador Schieffer's campaign. While I sure haven't seen much to get excited about yet, if he is the Democratic nominee he will have my support.
Having said that, the filing deadline is many months away and those Democats who look at Schieffer and think "We can do better" have plenty of time to find their candidate.
Tom Schieffer was named one of Texas Monthly's "Ten Worst Legislators" back in 1975. Schieffer, a former Ambassador to Australia and Japan who is now considering a run for Governor as a Democrat, was a state representative from Fort Worth at the time.
Tom Schieffer, 27, Conservative Democrat, Fort Worth. What you get is even less than what you see.
Arrogant and—what is worse—ambitious. Gained abundant notoriety early in the session as the sponsor of a patently unfair presidential primary bill designed to boost the chances of Senator Lloyd Bentsen. His garbled mishandling of that affair could put him on the Ten Worst by itself, but he wins his spot by conspicuous lack of merit in every field.
“Actually he is furniture,” said one lobbyist. “His mistake was in trying to be anything else.” Said another: “He sits around and acts like he’s thinking. The worst type of person is someone who’s very ordinary and gets it into his head he’s some sort of big shot.” Said a high-ranking employee of a key state agency: “He’s just not very capable. All he can do is turn red in the face and scream at you.”
As chairman of the Local and Consent Calendars Committee, he killed uncontroversial but important legislation sponsored by members he didn’t like. Said one person victimized by Schieffer’s maneuverings: “He really had big britches this session. Every time he let a bill out, he acted like he’d done you a big favor.” After a feud with Comptroller Bob Bullock over the fiscal implications of the presidential primary (capped by a letter from Bullock remarking, “I am sorry if you were offended by the cost of your own bill”), he killed two innocuous bills that were vital to the orderly operation of the comptroller’s office.
The most appalling news of the 64th Legislature may be the fact that Tom Schieffer is soliciting pledges to be Speaker of the House.
Texas Monthly was so scathing that they even said that a state senator deserved, "the Tom Schieffer Award for the member whose ambition most outstrips his talent."
Of course, a lot could have changed in 34 years. Although he was appointed by Bush, Scheiffer told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram he voted for Obama in both the primary and general election. Whether that is enough to win the approval of Texas Democrats remains to be seen.
This, I believe, is an optimal, viable and timely plan for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. It will be presented at precinct conventions throughout Travis County on March 4. I think it's an excellent plan for us to coalesce support around.
-- Thorne Dreyer
Proposed Resolution on Iraq
For March 4 Democratic Precinct Conventions
The following is a "Plan for the withdrawal of all U.S. military forces from Iraq" posted by Paul Spencer on The Rag Blog and adapted by David Hamilton of MDS/Austin. It will be submitted to every precinct in Travis County for consideration at the Democratic Party precinct caucuses on March 4th.
MDS/Austin strongly urges participation in these caucuses and the advocacy of this plan. In order to do so, you must vote in the Democratic Party
primary, either on March 4 or before at an early voting site. Any
registered voter can vote in the Democratic Party primary and participate
in these caucuses and doing so does not commit you to vote for the
Democratic Party nominee in November.
Texas has the most complex delegate selection process in the nation,
both a primary and caucuses. Essentially, you can vote twice. Texas has
228 delegates, but 35 are super-delegates (Democratic Party officials) and
those are not in play. Of the remaining 183, 122 will be determined by
votes in the March 4th primary election. Another 61 will be determined by
the caucus process that begins that same night at the precinct level.
Caucuses are at the same location as the voting and are supposed to begin
at 7:15 pm after the polls close. Be on time. You merely have to show up
at that time and register as a supporter of a particular candidate. Then
you can leave. The numbers of those who register at the precinct caucus
will determine the apportionment of delegates to the county convention on
March 29th. Resolutions will be considered by those who stay.
Please send on this information to all those you know who might be interested
and supportive.
Plan for Withdrawal of all U.S. Military Forces from Iraq.
Please complete the following at the Democratic Precinct Convention on
Tuesday, March 4, 2008: (circle one)
Adopted / Not adopted by Precinct _____, Senate District _____.
Plan for the withdrawal of all U.S. military forces from Iraq.
Whereas, the Second Iraq War has caused enormous damage to the security,
economic well-being and moral standing of the United States,
And whereas, this war was entered into on what were known by the Bush
administration at the time to be questionable if not false pretexts,
Therefore, let it be resolved that:
1a. All U.S. troops will redeploy to the five main U.S. bases in Iraq, as
quickly as possible, but no later than in 60 days after the institution of
this plan on January 20, 2009 with the inauguration of the new U.S. president.
b. Iraqis who have cooperated with U.S. forces and request asylum in the US
will be moved to temporary camps within these bases within the 60-day limit.
c. All U.S. troops not necessary to support these bases will depart Iraq
within the 60-day limit.
2a. All U.S. "contractors" will redeploy to Kuwait within the 60-day limit
in order to organize their expeditious departure from the region.
b. All non-U.S. citizen "contractors" will be dismissed and given
commercial airplane tickets to their home country from Kuwait.
3a. All non-essential material will be left in place and turned over to
local Iraqi authorities.
b. All weaponry and ammunition will be collected and secured within 60 days
for transport to the U.S. in conjunction with the U.S. troop withdrawal.
c. All mine-detection devices, tools, construction equipment and material,
and medical supplies will be turned over to local Iraqi authorities.
4a. A UN sponsored conference will be organized including Syria, Iran,
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraqi Sunni, and Iraqi Shia to negotiate
political arrangements for Iraq's southern provinces.
b. A UN sponsored conference will be organized including Turkey, Iran,
Syria, Turkomen, Iraqi Sunnis and Iraqi Kurds to negotiate political
arrangements for Iraq's northern provinces.
c. A subsequent UN sponsored conference will be organized including all
regional and Iraqi parties to negotiate future relations between all
segments of Iraqi society.
d. The UN will hold an advisory conference on Iraq to obtain viewpoints of
all interested parties with no direct political role in the region.
5a. When the treaties, constitutions or arrangements acceptable to all
sectors of Iraqi society are formalized and approved in UN monitored
elections, the full withdrawal of all US military personnel from Iraq will
be completed at the agreed date-certain, but not later than December 31, 2009.
b. Eligible Iraqis who request asylum to the US will be processed for
immigration on an expedited basis.
c. The U.S. bases will be turned over to the local Iraqi authorities in
which they are located.
d. The U.S. will budget reparations to compensate for damage done to Iraq
during the invasion and occupation, to be paid to the Iraqi entity or
entities that emerge from the above agreements.
Submitted by David and Sally Hamilton. Precinct 338. Senate district 14.
Yesterday, Nelda Wells Spears put out a statementconfirming her support for the Republican Voter ID bill HB 626 in the last session.
As reported by the Austin Chronicle and Austin American Statesman, Ms. Spears is using the language of and siding with Tom Craddick and Texas Republicans in their attempt to disenfranchise thousands of minority, poor, and senior Texas voters.
As a reminder, Texas Senate Democrats heroically fought HB 626 including State Senator Mario Gallegos who was wheeled in on a hospital bed against doctor's orders to cast the deciding vote blocking the bill.
It is outrageous that a Democratic elected official would side with Republicans on this attack on our voting rights.
Glen Maxey has taken a stand not only oppose voter suppression bills, but as Travis County's chief of voter registration will lead a statewide effort to protect the rights of every voter.
We cannot allow the Republicans to go unchallenged another session as they chip away at our right to vote.
I will stand up and be a voice for the rights of Texans. As a 6 term legislator, I have a record of taking on the bad guys, standing up on civil and voting rights issues and for open and transparent government.
Glen Maxey is running as a Democrat for Travis County Tax Assessor Collector in the March 4 Primary.
"It is pretty much against the party line," Spears said. "Even though I consider myself a good Democrat, I also consider myself a person who can think for myself."
Yesterday, Nelda Wells Spears put 