Debts of Gratitude: John Courage

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 06:04 PM CDT

John has a long and deep relationship with many of us here at Burnt Orange Report, starting with a personal friendship that pre-dates this blog's existence when he ran for Congress in the 21st District in 2002. That was right after the first round of redistricting after the census, when I was still in high school in Fredericksburg which was in the old 21st. John was the very first campaign I did anything for, manning his campaign booth at our county fair, and handing out literature at the polls on election day.

He ran again in 2006. That was under the new re-redistricted map, which actually made the 21st competitive as it had moved into Austin. But the Supreme Court reviewed it, and in order to correct injustices done to Hispanics on the border, made the 21st more Republican in the middle of an election. Matt was running that campaign, and rather than him or John quitting, they stayed on and directed their resources to helping down ballot which had the added effect of helping Valinda Bolton become a state rep instead.

John had been a Netroots candidate, with support from the blogs, Democracy for America, and Russ Feingold's PAC. He was one of the early and first examples of the growing force of the online progressive movement in Texas. Even after losing, he went on to form the True Courage Action Network which worked for good government, redistricting, and campaign finance reforms in the 2007 session.

He gave back and supported his friends. And even after all this time, hasn't forgotten sending out the rare email of support for an out of state candidate- Russ Feingold who is now up for re-election.

Friends and fellow Democrats,

Many of you have been great supporters of my 2002 & 2006 campaigns for the U.S. Congress and I will always be grateful for your support. Some of you may also know I have been and remain a strong supporter of other local and state Democratic Party activities and candidates. I rarely advocate sending our people and resources (especially financial resources) to out of state to support other candidates (an exception being the Barack Obama campaign). However I am going to recommend to you and to your fellow Democratic Party friends that you consider making a contribution to the re-election of a great Democratic Senator, Russ Feingold of Wisconsin. Russ personally supported my 2006 campaign for Congress and came to Texas to help me.

I will always remember his kindness and support and want to do what I can to return the confidence he showed in me.

Russ is running for re-election and I don't know how tough his re-election race may be, but he is truly one of the progressive Democratic leaders in the U.S. Senate. Listed below are just a few of the things people have said about Russ Feingold's leadership in the Senate over the recent past. I hope you will read these statements and then join me in making as substantial a contribution as you can to his re-election campaign.

You can go to the following link to make an online contribution. I would ask you to add .21 cents to your contribution to let to let the Senator's staff know that your contribution has come from my efforts as a former candidate for the Texas 21st Congressional District. Contribute to the Russ Feingold Campaign .

Democratically yours,
John Courage

If you want to give a small amount, say $10.21 (in remembrance of the 21st District Race Sen. Feingold helped John out in 4 years ago), that's cool.

But what's cooler is John Courage for remembering his friends and pointing out once more why we always supported him. Politics is a better place because of people like you.

Rick Noriega Gets Progressive Patriot Fund $$$$ from Feingold

by: Benny

Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 01:56 PM CDT

I'm proud to announce that the Progressive Patriots community has chosen U.S. Senate candidate of Texas Rick Noriega as our first 'Progressive Patriot' of 2008.  Of the thousands of progressives who cast their vote, Rick received the most votes and we'll be sending him a $5,000 contribution today to help his campaign.  While I'm sure it was difficult to choose among so many great candidates, we're thrilled to support Rick's campaign for the Senate seat in Texas.

Rick has spent his entire career serving this country.  Following a 14 month deployment to Afghanistan, Rick returned to his native Houston to coordinate Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.  In addition to his military background, Rick was elected to four terms in the Texas House.  I urge you to check out Rick's website at www.ricknoriega.com to learn more about his record and to find out how you can help Rick succeed in November.

More after the jump

Pick a Progressive Patriot: This time pick Barbara Ann!!

by: John McClelland

Tue Sep 19, 2006 at 03:04 PM CDT

The list includes all 18 Democrats challenging for US Senate, which includes our own Barbara Ann Radnofsky.

So join with me in supporting her and let's come through! CLICK TO VOTE HERE

Pick a Progressive Patriot for Russ Feingold!

by: John McClelland

Wed Aug 16, 2006 at 11:29 AM CDT

One of Texas's own is among the candidates, so we need to come through for him! $5000 goes to the victor.

Please Vote for Tim Barnwell!!

Tim is running in TX-26 for US Congress against Michael Burgess. We did an interview and profile with Tim last week on BOR.

So please vote early and often!

Texas Round-Up

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Thu Apr 20, 2006 at 00:38 AM CDT

• The 3rd Court of Appeals sided with DeLay in an effort by Travis County DA Ronnie Earle to bring back a conspiracy indictment. But the language of their ruling is almost conciliatory to Earle saying that their ruling is only in line with what they may believe to be flawed higher level court rulings, leaving open the possibility of appeal to the 100% Republican state Court of Appeals.

  A state court handed U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay a legal victory Wednesday, but in language that almost seemed to urge Travis County prosecutors to second-guess it with an appeal.

  ...

  "The court of criminal appeals may want to revisit its opinion in Baker. But until that time, Baker is the law and we are not free to disregard it."



• Texas Monthly gives a sneak peak of their cover story on Tom DeLay. Check it out here for a limited time only!


• Pete Sessions Subject of DOJ Bribery Investigation Request Gotta love a headline like that, check out more from the Lone Star Project.


• Last night Sen. Russ Feingold gave us a sneak peak of what has now launched publicly for his Progressive Patriots Fund. That being a new online video which was well received by the liberal crowd in South Austin yesterday. Check it out (it may resize your window).


• Matt keeps me from forgetting that Scotty McClellan has resigned as Press Secretary (does he come back to work for One Tough Mamma?) and Karl Rove gets a bit of a new job description (is he getting prepped for a different kind of leave from his duties?). And don't forget that Andy Card is gone and so is Scooter Libby. Is there anyone left?

Podcast with Feingold and Courage

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 01:26 PM CDT

Click here to listen. (mp3) <-- link fixed

Feingold / Courage Update

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Wed Apr 19, 2006 at 00:28 AM CDT

Needless to say, I was very impressed with Sen. Feingold, not only in his policies, prose, and posture but in the sense that he just comes across as a real guy, someone I'd actually enjoy sitting down and having a drink with- a quality that apparently seems to be lacking in Sen. Kerry, Sen. Biden, and apparently even Obama who gave a bit of the cold shoulder to some of the UDems that made it out to his money scoop of a fundraiser today for his personal PAC.

Also, photos from today's Feingold/Courage Listening Session on campus this afternoon are now available here. This picture captures some of the fun and energy that was shared between the two men on stage. Though I also like this one and this one should be used for any future Feingold campaign...

I also made it out to the BlueGrassRoots fundraiser for John Courage in South Austin. (It was held after the higher dollar fundraiser at Susan Frost's house where we hear Sissy Farenthold and Molly Ivins attended). Jim Hightower headlined the evening event with Sen. Feingold and Courage, with the backup of some awesome Austin bands to a very boisterous packed crowd. Somewhere over $10k was raised all for John Courage in the last 24 hours.

Update: Looks like a John Courage related story makes the front page of the Daily Texan for a 2nd week in a row.  And today's events were listed on ABC's The Note.

Liveblog with Sen. Feingold and Courage

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Tue Apr 18, 2006 at 00:25 PM CDT

We'll be updating shortly. Turnout looks to be around 150 at this point with more trickling in.

12:40 Our guests have entered to a standing ovation and now being introduced by UDems Vice President Ali Puente.

John Courage introduces himself, and looks forward to being the next Congressmen to represent the people in this room.

Russ Feingold takes the mike. He mentions he's here because he supports a 50 State Strategy and this district (TX-21) is exactly the kind of place where we can win and we must fight.

Sen. Feingold explains his listening sessions, where he pledged to hold one per year in each of Wisconsin’s 72 counties per year, a pledge he made when he was at 1 percent in the polls before he was first elected.  Now he has taken them nationwide and will complete his 1000th session later this year.

12:45 First question related to genocide in the world (missed response). Second question in regards to McCain-Feingold finance reform.

Feingold: Believes in voluntary public financing of all campaigns in America- it's the only way all Americans can feel welcome into our political system.

Courage: Agrees and mentions how he's worked in Bexar County towards this effort.  "Make sure legislation in this county is written for the public interest and as part of that I believe we should look into having public financing for campaigns."

Liveblog continued in the extended entry.

Russ Feingold Tomorrow at UT!

by: Katie Naranjo

Mon Apr 17, 2006 at 08:09 PM CDT

Doors open at Noon and the event starts at 12:30, so show up eraly. SEATING IS LIMITED soooo get there EARLY! Special Thanks to John Courage for bringing Russ Feingold and sharing him with U-Dems for the day!

To see all 5 of Tuesday's events on our calendar click here. That includes 3 Feingold/Courage events, a Sen. Obama event, and a Sen. Edwards event in Dallas.  Looks like Texas will have more Democratic Senators in the state in one day than we've been used to in a long time. We can dream... -kt

You can see Russ Feingold and Cindy Sheehan and David Van Os in Austin next week!

by: PDiddie

Wed Apr 12, 2006 at 11:30 AM CDT

U.S. Senator Russ Feingold announced today that he will travel to Austin next Tuesday, April 18th, for a series of events with Texas Congressional Candidate John Courage.

Feingold and Courage will hold a Listening Session on the campus of the University of Texas at 12:30 PM CT, in the Quadrangle of the University’s Student Union. This event is open to the public. Feingold and Courage will be available to the media following the event.

At 7:30 PM CT that evening, Tuesday, April 18th, Feingold will join Courage at Jovita’s, 1619 First St. in Austin, for a large event with Courage supporters. The event will feature live music and addresses by Jim Hightower, the former Texas Agriculture Commissioner and radio commentator, Feingold, and Courage. Tickets for this event can be purchased at the door or in advance at www.frontgatetickets.com, Encore Video and CD, Stubbs BBQ and Waterloo Records.

Cindy Sheehan is also at UT on Monday the 17th. appearing at the east mall near the MLK statue from 11 am until 12:15 as part of the Cameo anti-war rally.

I have only a preliminary agenda, and there's nothing on the Cameo site yet, so if you have more information about this event, please post it in the comments.

And don't forget David Van Os' "Citizen's Filibuster for a Fair and Constitutional Public Education", beginning Monday April 17 at noon at the Capitol and running for 24 hours.

See you in Austin next week!