Today, the Texas Democratic Party filed an advisory with the San Antonio court in response to Friday's opinion from the Supreme Court that threw out the interim redistricting maps. SCOTUS basically said it wasn't right for the San Antonio panel to draw maps based on the districts we used in the 2010 elections, rather than the racist gerrymander drawn by the Legislature in 2011. Now, we all wait for the DC Circuit to rule on whether the Legislature's maps do indeed fail to garner pre-clearance. If so, the San Antonio panel will likely get instructions on how to revise their interim maps. Long story short, we may still be weeks away from actually knowing what our 2012 maps look like. Thanks, Republican legislature and your desperate attempt to disenfranchise minority voters!
In any case, an April 3rd primary looks less and less likely--at least for Congressional and Legislative races--which brings us back to the issue of one primary or two. TDP weighed in today in support of one primary through an advisory submitted to the San Antonio panel.
The advisory reads as follows:
The Texas Democratic Party has and continues to support a unified primary insofar as is possible. Nonetheless, the Supreme Court ruling in this case seems to require substantial additional work from counsel to this case and from this Court, in particular. The members of the Court are best able to determine what and when they can accomplish in terms of reviewing the evidence, preparing interim maps and issuing opinions to support each interim map. TDP is prepared to work with all parties with respect to the preparation of an election schedule once it is known when districts maps will be available.
The Democratic party is doing everything they can to keep one primary date. That's what's best for our county governments in terms of saving money and minimizing confusion. It's also what's best for maintaining high turnout -- a second, later primary for districts impacted by the redistricting process would have lower turnout, not to mention the increased confusion of potential new precinct lines.
None of this would have happened if Republicans hadn't decided to blatantly stifle minority populations' voting power through their partisan, racist gerrymander.
Below is a statement from TDP spokesperson Anthony Gutierrez regarding the Supreme Court's decision on redistricting, emphasis mine:
"The Supreme Court did not strike down the interim maps. They issues they had pertained to the process by which the court arrived at new maps, not necessarily the maps themselves.
While it is not clear what the final districts will look like at this point, what is clear is that the state's original maps have been found to be discriminatory in some way by every court which has examined them.
The state's maps completely ignored the demographic realities of Texas. The Supreme Court did not approve the state's maps and we don't expect they ever will."
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Make no mistake: we're in this mess because of the Republican gerrymander that reached too far in its effort to stifle minority voters' voices. As the ongoing pre-clearance trial makes clear, Texas Republicans deliberately worked to draw lines that diluted Hispanic voting power. While the population growth in our state has been predominantly minority over the past decade, Republicans refuse to recognize that reality and draw districts that let minority Texans select the candidates of their choosing.
If you watched the GOP Debate Last night, you heard the Republican audience boo Juan Williams' mention of Mitt Romney's Mexican-born father.
Here's the clip:
While we wait for Gingrich, Santorum, and Perry to trip over each other calling for Mitt's birth certificate, here's the TDP's response to the incident. Good to see the TDP coming out so forcefully against such blatant bigotry by Republican voters. There's no need to boo Mitt's cultural heritage, or that of any other human being, especially not on MLK Day.
From the Texas Democratic Party:
La sola mención de México causa abucheos de los republicanos
Austin-En el debate republicano de Carolina del Sur, el público abucheó al moderador Juan Williams cuando mencionó la palabra 'México'.
"Es desafortunado que solo la mención de México causa abucheos de los republicanos," dijo el portavoz del TDP Anthony Gutiérrez. "Los demócratas de Texas están haciendo serios esfuerzos para involucrar a la comunidad latina mientras que los republicanos son hostiles, tanto en sus palabras y acciones."
Mientras que los republicanos siguen faltando el respeto y siguen siendo abiertamente hostiles hacia los latinos, el Partido Demócrata de Texas está haciendo un esfuerzo para llegar a esta importante comunidad a través del Proyecto Promesa. El Proyecto de Promesa fue creado para aumentar la participación política de los latinos. El Proyecto Promesa utilizará técnicas en línea y de base para conectarse con los jóvenes latinos. También les pediremos que nos den su promesa que serán nuestros mensajeros Demócratas a sus familias y redes sociales.
En las próximas semanas, el TDP desarrollará la segunda fase del Proyecto de Promesa. El objetivo de la segunda fase es aumentar el número de votantes latinos para la Primaria Demócrata 2012. El TDP pondrá organizadores en ciertas universidades donde llevarán a cabo:
Eventos para registrar votantes
Eventos en las universidades para generar publicidad gratuita
Producción de Vídeo
Identidades sociales en los medios de comunicación como Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Google + y Vimeo.
Bancos de teléfono
Para aprender más sobre el Proyecto de Promesa visité a www.promesaproject.com.
Los esfuerzos de acercarse hacia los latinos de los aspirantes republicanos a la presidencia:
Mitt Romney promete vetar el DREAM Act, que es apoyada por el 85% de los latinos. Romney también recibió el apoyo de Kris Kobach, el arquitecto de leyes anti-inmigrantes de los estados.
Rick Santorum se opone a cualquiera reforma migratoria.
Newt Gingrich dijo que el español es el idioma del "ghetto."
Rick Perry recortó billones de la educación pública el primer año que los latinos representaron más del 50% de los estudiantes en las escuelas públicas de Texas. Perry también recibió el apoyo del Alguacil Joe Arpaio y lo nombró presidente de sus esfuerzos presidenciales en Arizona.
(I've been trying to think of how to put this in words for a long time. We need to be having this discussion, among many. Let's have a real (and civil) discussion in the comments. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
The impending departure of TDP Chairman Boyd Richie initially offered the promise of rebuilding our state party, our party infrastructure and developing a real blueprint for a path forward towards some success at the ballot box.
Make no mistake-we have suffered a disaster. And it is way past time to begin the recovery.
To start with, Chairman Richie is to be commended for his willingness to serve at all. Party Chair isn't exactly a position for which we have a large number of willing applicants. And, for the record, I don't question for one second that he did the best job he was able to do.
His announcement creates both a dilemma and an opportunity. The dilemma is that we are going to be starting over again. The opportunity is that we are going to be starting over again.
There are two main points that all Texas Democrats should be intently focused on at this critical time: adding top-notch staff, and ensuring that the 2012 election cycle is the first step on the long journey to becoming viable and electable across Texas.
And these two main points must be considered in the most basic, simplistic framework: you cannot rebuild and recover from a disaster until you have a period of demolition...get it down to the frames and start over.
Normally this news would want to make me go bang my head against the wall slowly. But I half to admit that I wasn't really expecting much from the state party anyways until a new chair is elected at the 2012 state party convention. Of course, somebody has to fill in until then. Best of luck to outgoing ED Ruben Hernandez on his next venture. And best of luck to Bill for taking on a thankless job.
(Austin, TX) - Today, Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie announced that he will appoint Bill Brannon as TDP Executive Director, effective July 1. Outgoing TDP Executive Director Ruben Hernandez will transition out at the end of July.
"I've thought long and hard on this decision, and I'm very confident that Bill will do a tremendous job at the helm of the TDP," said Boyd Richie. "Bill has spent a lifetime working to foster inclusion, coordination and cooperation in Texas Democratic politics and he works well with grassroots organizers, officeholders and major donors, all of whom are important to Democratic success. Bill's leadership will allow the TDP to continue and strengthen its fundraising, political, organizational and communications tasks."
"I cannot say enough about the job Ruben Hernandez has done for the Texas Democratic Party," Richie added. "In six years as Executive Director, Ruben's guidance has enabled TDP to build an infrastructure that is second to none among state Democratic parties, and he has earned the respect and appreciation of Texas Democrats."
Bill Brannon has been professionally involved in politics for over 30 years. He has been part of over 150 campaigns at all levels and in virtually all positions. As an administrator, Bill has directed numerous campaign staffs and has over ten years experience as the District Director for two congressional offices. Bill has participated in the Texas Democratic Party at all levels - as an activist, Precinct Chair, County Chair and SDEC member.
Bill currently serves as Deputy Political Director for Party Operations. He lives in Sulphur Springs with his wife Vali and will relocate to Austin.
I respect any person or elected officials that has the courage to stand up for their convictions and face the public. This philosophy is why I respect so many elected officials (even when I don't support them).
Before and after elections, candidates and incumbents have to face political and constituent pressures to "do the right thing".
This is why I supported Kirk England and Arlen Specter when they switched parties before the election season. They stood by their beliefs, faced their constituents and declared, you have the decision to keep me or fire me. Simply, they announced before an election and not afterwards.
Alan Ritter did the exact opposite. He filed as a Democrat. Won re-election as a Democrat. When the going got tough, he betrayed the people who less than a month ago voted for him. Even though House District 21 voted for Democratic PAC Chair and Democratic candidate Alan Ritter, they elected a turncoat who open lied.
House District 21 should have the right to either approve Ritter's cowardly choice or reject him. Instead, as it stands now, the people who voted for Ritter, gave him 2 years to serve a false constituency. Sadly, unless Ritter does the right thing, they can't hold accountable one way or the other.
Yesterday, Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie issued a statement that I wholly agree with.
Dear fellow Democrat,
This past weekend, I was extremely disappointed to learn that a Democratic Texas House Member, Allan Ritter of Nederland, has told colleagues that he plans to switch parties to become a Republican. His announcement comes just weeks after he was elected to serve another term as a Democrat, and his immediate party switch shows contempt for the voters and is certainly not a principled decision.
I've issued a statement to the press, expressing my view that if Rep. Ritter does intend to switch parties, he should show the voters enough respect to immediately resign and seek election as a Republican. I will make the same call to any other Democratic lawmaker who considers switching parties now, because switching parties immediately after being elected is a disingenuous slap in the face of the voters who put that legislator in office.
As I said in my statement, Texans will soon see the impact of failed Republican policy on our state and local economy, our schools and our communities. Those who switch parties to join Republicans now will be held accountable for every action that harms our public schools and universities, our children's health, and our economic future, not to mention the attacks we expect on our right to vote freely in fair and legal districts. In the case of Rep. Ritter, we pointed out how Republican policy is harmful to his constituents, and we will do the same with anyone else who abandons his own voters by switching parties.
In the Democratic Party, there is room for principled officeholders without regard to labels. We are united by our willingness to stand up to special interests and do what is right for our community. Those who switch parties now are not acting on principle, and we will hold them accountable. Thank you for your commitment to the common sense principles that define our party. Together, we can and will hold the Republicans, both old and new, accountable and restore responsible government in Texas.
Ritter, along with any other person who switches parties immediately after an election, should offer to return campaign contributions and resign to run in a special election.
Voters should have a voice and hold someone accountable. Instead, Ritter has 2 years in office and has already shown his political ambition is more valuable than being open and honest to his constituents.
To be clear, I could care less if people switch. Democrats are going to pick up nearly a dozen seats in 2 years because of the gross over correction in 2010. If Ritter, or any other Democrat, wants to paint a giant bulls-eye on their back, I can't stop someone from committing political suicide. At the end of the day though, voters should have rights. It appears Ritter simply doesn't believe that.
The Texas Democratic Party filed a motion with the Texas Supreme Court to dismiss the writ of mandamus filed in the Green Party ballot scam clase. The Statesman's Jason Embry had it first:
...Democrats will drop that effort, hoping to quiet complaints that they are trying to limit voters’ choices. Instead they will focus on suing to find out who provided more than $500,000 for the petition drive that gave the Greens ballot access.
“This case has never been exclusively about whether or not the Green Party gets on the ballot,” said Chad Dunn, a lawyer for the Democrats. “That was a small part of it. The focus in this case was discovering all the violations of the law and ensuring that those responsible pay the necessary penalties.”
From the TDP statement:
By filing our motion today, we can best insure that both the lower Courts and the Supreme Court have all the facts before ruling on whether these secret funds were, in fact, spent illegally by a corporation for blatantly political purposes.
We brought this action to find out the facts behind the Republican Party/Green Party scandal, and that has always been more important than whether or not Green Party candidates appear on the Texas ballot. Texas voters should know the truth about what Republican operatives with ties to Rick Perry have done and are deliberately trying to hide from Texas voters.
We are confident that when all the facts are established and the truth is known, the Courts will see that this is a case where the Republicans had an obvious political interest and funneled secret funds into an illegal corporate effort to gain political advantage.
I don't expect this to go away any time -- the lawsuit will continue, and it seems that every week another Republican is linked to Rick Perry's campaign. For now, though, the Texas Democratic Party has done what the Green Party has yet to do -- act responsibly. It continues to amaze me how much kat swift, in her quest for the latest fractured talking point, rails against corporate money yet refuses to prevent her organization from leading by example.
Kudos to the TDP for taking the high road and focusing on the only issue that's ever mattered: finding the source of the corporate money that got the Green Party on the ballot in the first place. Stay tuned.
Texas Democrats are energized and excited heading to the TDP State Convention this weekend. The latest polls have shown that, despite being known by 100% of Texans, Rick Perry still can't get above 50% in the polls. Perry has hit his ceiling, and has nowhere to go but down from here -- especially as Bill White's campaign ramps up for their summer work.
There are two major, major reasons for Democrats to be excited:
Bill White is running a fully-funded, professional statewide campaign
Texas Republicans can't stop tripping over themselves
I write about what's happening with Bill White's campaign on a daily basis, and will have more about his campaign tomorrow, before the start of the TDP Convention. Before then, let's remind ourselves, quickly, of all the massive failures of Rick Perry and Texas Republicans from recent weeks:
Rick Perry’s Worst Month Ever
Rental Mansion – Perry's rental mansion continues to drag him down; the latest TV ad from the Back to Basics PAC will continue to pile onto that story. Perry is living in a $10,000-a-month taxpayer-funded rental mansion. Meanwhile, Texans for Public Justice have filed an ethics complaint against Perry for his failure to properly disclose where the money comes and goes from his “mansion fund.”
Rick Chicken Perry – Described as "the cluck heard round the world" -- Perry’s campaign team decided to host a press conference in front of Bill White’s headquarters. Instead of making whatever meaningless point they were trying to make, Perry’s team ended up as funny props for a Bill White rally. We have photos and video of Bill White supporters -- including a guy in a chicken suit – holding signs and chanted “Rick Chicken Perry” and “Debate Bill Now!” in our wrap-up post, "Rick "Chicken" Perry Campaign Hosts Bill White Press Conference."
Republicans Agree: Perry May Not Win – Don’t take our word for it. Ask Republicans:
Linda Harper-Benz - I mean, come on. And then the video? COME ON.
Stefani Carter Plagiarism – Not only has she plagiarized, on video, parts of Obama’s speech, she also pads her résumé -- trying to assert that she was a “fellow” at the Heritage Foundation (she was an intern), and further trying to claim she was a “columnist” for USA Today (she penned a couple guest pieces, but never worked for the paper).
RPT in Disarray – The Republican Party of Texas convention in Dallas was supposed to be all about unity. Instead, facing well over $550,000 of debt, the Republican state party elected a new chair, Steve Munisteri, and passed a brutally divisive platform that highlights the extreme values of a party out-of-touch with Texans.
Over the past ten weeks, the Texas Democratic Party promoted an unprecedented "Meet the Statewides" campaign on our website. Each week, we promoted content for our statewide candidates on our website, Facebook, and Twitter pages. We asked candidates to submit a video, write an original op-ed, and provide biographical information. We at the TDP also penned an issue piece, sent out all material to our e-mail list, and created duplicative Spanish-language pages for each candidate.
Yesterday, we began looking back at our series by looking at our statewide judicial candidates. Read our post from yesterday ("Our "Meet the Statewides" Series: Texas Supreme Court & Court of Criminal Appeals Candidates") to read about Texas Supreme Court Candidates Jim Sharp, Blake Bailey, and Bill Moody, as well as Court of Criminal Appeals candidate Keith Hampton.
Today, we wanted to focus on our next batch of statewide candidates:
Practicing law on both sides of the docket, Barbara Ann Radnofsky is a mother, wife, teacher, and mediator. Texas educated, she’s a magna cum laude graduate from the University of Houston and an honors graduate from University of Texas Law School. In 2006, after 27 years of law practice, Barbara Ann left Vinson & Elkins as Head of the Alternate Dispute Resolution Section to become the first woman in history to serve as the Texas Democratic U.S. Senate nominee. She was the first woman at Vinson & Elkins to have children as an associate and attain partnership.
The Texas Attorney General picks his battles. It was a Texas Attorney General opinion which enabled Tom DeLay’s mid decade redistricting. To the great credit of the Texas Rangers in 2006, an election year, it was a Ranger who brought concrete evidence of sexual and physical abuse at the Texas Youth Commission to the Texas Attorney General. The Attorney General turned his back. Instead, he used Attorney General resources to target elderly and minority Democrats assisting the homebound to cast their mail in ballots. Attorney General Abbott squandered seven figures of discretionary funds, finding no organized widespread fraud or voter impersonation. Reports of investigators spying on an elderly woman in her bathroom and knocking on her door amid selective prosecutions of Democratic activists convey a political purpose: voter intimidation.
In the wake of the recent British Petroleum (BP) Gulf oil spill, Abbott didn’t even attempt to act like the state’s chief law enforcement officer. Despite BP’s horrific safety record, Abbott made excuses for the oil company rather than insisting that its plans and actions be scrutinized. Instead, Abbott said on May 3rd: “we’re seeing BP take all the right actions and make all the right comments.” (Source: KXAN-TV).
(Good info about our statewide candidates here. - promoted by Phillip Martin)
Over the past ten weeks, the Texas Democratic Party promoted an unprecedented "Meet the Statewides" campaign on our website. Each week, we promoted content for our statewide candidates on our website, Facebook, and Twitter pages. We asked candidates to submit a video, write an original op-ed, and provide biographical information. We at the TDP also penned an issue piece, sent out all material to our e-mail list, and created duplicative Spanish-language pages for each candidate.
In the coming days, we'll be revisiting the campaign. Today, we begin with our Texas Supreme Court & Court of Criminal Appeals Candidates. Click on the links below to learn more about our statewide Democrats, and how you can help them win in 2010.
If elected, Keith Hampton will be the only judge who has handled death penalty cases in all stages of litigation – from accusation, trial, appeal and all post-conviction proceedings, including appearing before the Supreme Court of the United States.
There are no “Democratic” decisions or “conservative” analyses; there is only the exposition of law in an impartial manner. The force and persuasiveness of the reasoning of judicial opinions must stand on their own. Political labeling is best left in the legislative branch. In this democratic society, the judicial branch of government must remain outside the lawmaking world and avoid the political storms and policy shifts of the day. In this way, judges can conduct their decisionmaking in an impartial way, free from the pressures of competing interest groups. Law itself is thereby strengthened, sustained by a judiciary that moves cautiously and skeptically on the issues before it.
The “totalitarian wing” of the Court has a well-documented and thoroughly perplexing history of unprofessional actions. From the “sleeping lawyer” case in October 2000, to investigations into the judicial conduct of Sharon Keller in 2007, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is in desperate need of professional, accountable judges on its bench.
