Yesterday I received an electronic newsletter from John Cornyn that rather surprised me. In his letter to his so-called constituents, Senator Cornyn informed us that he agrees with the uber liberal/progressive former chair of the DNC and governor of Vermont on the health care reform bill.
Wow. This is a new and interesting twist in right/left politics.
In what way, Senator? Please do explain.
My colleagues and I picked up an unlikely ally in our quest to stop the Reid health care bill. Gov. Howard Dean pleaded for his fellow Democrats to "kill this bill" in a Washington Post op-ed on Thursday morning, saying that it "will do more harm than good to the future of America." Despite the vocal protests from Liberals, Conservatives, and Independents, Democrats remain determined to force the bill through by Christmas. I assure you that my fellow Republicans and I remain resolute in stopping the Reid bill dead in its tracks.
As usual, Cornyn is full hot air. The Republicans are screaming about expanded government, as usual, and a health care program that will be affordable and will include millions of uninsured Americans. Republicans are obviously perfectly pleased with the status quo of nearly 50 million uninsured folks who use emergency rooms for their primary care needs. When this happens, the expense is passed along to taxpayers. As W. said during his Administration, everyone has access to health care. Everyone can go to the emergency rooms. Taxpayers shoulder this burden as we do W.'s war in Iraq and his tax cuts to the wealthy. Republicans hate taxation except when it comes to sticking the middle class with taxes.
Progressive Democrats are very unhappy about the lack of a government run public option that would introduce competition into the health insurance market. Many are also worried about the mandates if there is no real competition in the insurance market. Folks have every right to fear that the insurance sharks will take advantage of them if there are no checks and balances. They would do it in a New York nanosecond. Cornyn and the Republicans, by the way, have been enabling these sharks for decades.
If Cornyn had paid attention to the news yesterday he would have known that Dr. Dean now believes the bill should pass. Are you still on board with Dr. Dean, Sir?
I didn't think so.
If John Cornyn and his Republican Party were so concerned about their constituents they would have engaged in this debate a long time ago. They failed to. And now the spineless cowards are trying to align themselves with Dr. Dean and other Progressives who are rightfully upset about the absence of a public option.
Cornyn also writes:
As Texans are well aware by now, the Senate is coming to the end of its third straight week in the debate over health care reform. I think many of you have seen that as this debate progresses, we've learned two important things. First, with each passing day we have more questions than answers about the Reid bill, and secondly, the more the American public learns about it, the more they don't like it. The most recent Washington Post / ABC News Poll says that a solid majority of Americans are opposed to the Reid bill, with a CNN estimate pegging opposition as high as 61% among Americans. I met recently with a group of San Antonio firefighters in my Washington office who echoed this sentiment to me, telling me they could not afford the new taxes they would be saddled with should the bill pass. The President's own chief cost analyst recently became the latest expert to sound alarms over the Reid bill. The Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Rick Foster, issued a report last week concluding that the Reid bill would increase health care costs, threaten access to care for seniors, and force people off of their current coverage. In other words, the Administration's own expert conclusively demonstrated that the Democrats' rhetoric does not match the reality of their bill and that passing the legislation would be worse than doing nothing. You can read the CMS report for yourself here.
Dude, the public is against a health care reform bill that lacks a public option.
Reform with public option or medicare expansion won 59% to 31% support.
Now tell me Sir, are you going to embrace a public option if it is present in the final bill?
I didn't think so.
Folks might be interested to know that John Cornyn has accepted millions of dollars in donations from the insurance, health professionals and pharma sectors. He has received:
$576,878 from insurance, $1,371,928 from health professionals and $288,165 from pharma.
Cornyn has also taken $362,390 from lobbyists. Banking and oil & gas are his biggest contributors.
While appearing on a Dallas talk radio show this morning, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison told host Mark Davis that she expected to resign her seat in the Senate in October or November.
Davis: So you’ll be coming out at some point. When do you think its decision time for you? When would you like when might we know?
Hutchison: I’m going to announce in August. Formal announcement I am in. Then the actual leaving of the Senate will be sometime – October/November – that-- in that time frame.
While it first should be said that Hutchison has said plenty of things over the years and many skeptics will not be convinced until she actually resigns, this is the closest Hutchison herself has come to setting a real timetable for an exit from the Senate.
Once Hutchison resigns, the non-existent U.S. Senate race we have been reporting about for months will suddenly have an election date and a new incumbent, as Gov. Rick Perry will be able appoint someone to fill the term between the resignation and the special election.
Who would Perry pick? Many Republicans aeem to be waiting to see who Perry picks before they decide to back a candidate. If Perry picks someone like Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who would be able to self-finance his campaign with millions of dollars, it is hard to imagine Republican candidates who have so far been fundraising failures, like Railroad Commissioners Michael Williams and Elizabeth Ames Jones, being very competitive.
The campaign spokesman for former Secretary of State Roger Williams, who was a Perry apointee, recently speculated that Williams' relatively strong fundraising quarter could put him in a good position to receive the appointment. Clearly, Perry will be looking to back a winning horse and given his options, he may decide Dewhurst, for all the Lieutenant Governor's flaws, is his best bet.
Gardner Selby wrote last week that Perry was considering calling a special election much earlier than many had assumed, potentially calling for an election before the end of the year.
Under the law, if the governor determines that an emergency warrants holding a special election before the uniform election date, then it can be on a nonuniform date as long as the governor identifies the nature of the emergency.
Translation: The election can happen any day the governor pleases.
And should Hutchison step down, Perry would consider setting an election shortly. Perry spokeswoman Allison Castle told me, "If a vacancy were to occur, the governor would be inclined to call an election soon to ensure Texans are fully represented" in Washington.
While it is fun (and exhausting) to speculate about the many scenarios that could play out following Hutchison's resignation, we have learned over the years that with Hutchison there is often a disconnect between words and actions.
Sharp returned more than $90,000 to his contributors during the second quarter. So his net contributions for the period totaled -$45,000. These returned contributions were large checks — many of them for the per-election maximum of $2,400. And more than $70,000 of those returned contributions went back to employees, and family of employees, of Ryan and Co., the tax-consulting firm that employs Sharp.
Ryan and Co. employees (not their families) gave Sharp more than $150,000 in the first quarter of the year. So Sharp is not returning all of the money he got from them. But he is returning a lot of it, and it’s unclear why. Sharp’s campaign did not respond to questions about the contributions Thursday.
Of all the candidates running to replace U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Sharp has the second-most cash on hand with $2.9 million. But he also raised the least amount of money in the second quarter. He’s only financially competitive at the moment because he has loaned his own campaign $2.6 million. With the other Democrat in the race, Houston Mayor Bill White, leading the field in money raised, Sharp either isn’t trying to raise money or isn’t very good at it any more.
We will keep an eye on this story and update it when and if the Sharp campaign decides to respond to Mr. Embry's questions.
UPDATE: Sharp's campaign has now answered Embry's questions and he had a story about in this morning's Statesman. The story is excerpted below:
Democrat John Sharp returned more than $90,000 in campaign contributions in recent months after a colleague told donors the wrong date for when Sharp would be making his bid for the U.S. Senate, his campaign said Friday.
The former state comptroller is running to replace U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who may soon resign her seat to run for governor. An election to replace her has not been set.
More than $70,000 of the money that Sharp returned went to employees and families of employees at Ryan, the Dallas-based tax consulting firm where he works.
"A well-intentioned colleague of Sharp's in Dallas sent out a fundraising solicitation to Ryan and Company directors but mistakenly listed a May 2009 election date," Sharp spokesman Kelly Fero said. "Sharp returned the checks so that no one would think they had been asked to give under a false pretext."
Some of the donors will wait until the election date is set and then contribute, Fero said.
So one fundraising solicitation from a colleague raised over $90,000 while Sharp, who has paid thousands of dollars to a fundraising consulting firm, raised only about $45,000 during the second quarter.
Capitol Insider's Mike Hailey is speculating two very big points as it pertains to the Democratic landscape.
First, Bill White is dropping out of the race for U.S. Senate to run for Texas Governor.
Second, Kirk Watson is no longer even considering a bid for Governor.
The entire article can be summed up by this paragraph from the article:
The story line about White changing course in midstream is predicated on several theories including a growing school of thought that State Senator Kirk Watson of Austin isn't going to enter the field of contenders in the governor's race as some Democrats have been hoping he would to do in the near future. There's even been speculation in the past few days that Watson won't even run for lieutenant governor - an office he's had his eye on for months if not longer - and will simply seek re-election to the Legislature's upper chamber instead. Watson, a former Austin mayor who'd be the prohibitive favorite in a re-election bid if he had any opposition at all, could expect be an underdog in a race for some high statewide office in a state where Republicans will still appear to have the advantage at that level despite steady gains by Democrats on the legislative battlefield and in battles for top county jobs in major urban areas.
This is an interesting article to read at this point in the cycle. Locally, Senator Kirk Watson has made it fairly public he won't decide one way or the other until the end of summer or labor day. It is also a well known fact Watson is actively looking into the breadth and range of support he may have in a statewide bid.
In fact, his first statement after Leticia Van de Putte's endorsement highlights the timeline.
I am very flattered by Senator Van de Putte's confidence in me, and I strongly agree with her about the need for improved leadership in Texas.
I have a job I enjoy greatly, which is representing the citizens of Senate District 14. Over the next several weeks, I will evaluate the role I intend to play in serving Texas after 2010. That service may include running for and serving in another office or running for reelection. I intend to give this issue serious consideration, and I do not anticipate making any decisions in this regard until at least sometime after the end of the anticipated special session of the legislature, and probably not until the end of the summer.
Watson doesn't need to be on a quick timeline to decide. Watson currently has $1.4 million on hand in his Senate account. On the other hand, Tom Schieffer announced nearly $800,000 raised and $200,000 were loans.
The fact that Watson has a fundraising advantage doesn't accelerate the time line for decision.
Also interesting is the fact White would be the one dropping down for Governor. White has raised approximately $4.4 million total and John Sharp is under a million when you exclude the loans.
In addition, a White spokesperson says the Mayor isn't looking at the Governor's race.
Katy Bacon said:
Don't listen to the rumors. Listen to the more than 3000 people who've given financially, and the many, many more who have volunteered to help get Bill to Washington. He's not running for Governor. Bill White's running for U.S. Senate because Texans need a strong voice in Washington, someone who will put Texas first and who knows how to bring people together to get things done. With past experience in both business and federal government, Bill's the man for the job.
In addition, White wrote on his facebook page notes indicating he is still committed to the U.S. Senate race.
I respect Paul B, but my decision-making wasn't based on politics. Texas would best be served by a new Senator with the strength to what is right for Texas, the federal experience to hit the ground running, the business skills to help balance the budget, and the broad support to have real influence with the new leadership in DC.
Hailey's presupposition that White is considering the Governor's race and Watson seems to be a story based solely on rumors and the sort of rumors that only happen when a slate is determined through careful deliberation and conversation. This is a stark contrast to the Republican Party's slugfest at the top of the ticket were their dirty laundry is aired publicly.
Watson may or may not run. However his timeline has been static and a decision isn't likely until September.
White is a candidate for U.S. Senate, and there is no indication from the campaign or the rumor mill either Sharp or White will move to a different race.
The current reality is, Watson is exploring his options and White is running for U.S. Senate.
Judge Sonia Sotomayor represents a political problem for our two Republican U.S. Senators. She is a highly qualified, highly respected, historic pick to the U.S. Supreme Court. It's hard to find something to vote against, but Junior Senator John Cornyn and Senior Senator (soon to be leaving?) Kay Bailey Hutchison, both have to find a reason to vote against her.
Both have to vote against her for two very different reasons. Hutchison because she is likely running for Governor needs to appeal to the extreme right wing of the Texas Republican Party. Cornyn because he is the Senate leader of his failing party and has to appeal to diminishing Republican donor base.
One thing both of them can't do, is agree with sound judgment of a popular Democratic President.
"Cornyn's going to have to repair fences with Hispanics; they are going to be scrutinizing him a lot harder after the way he questioned Sotomayor," said Lionel Sosa, a Texas-based marketing consulting who has created Latino outreach programs for GOP candidates, including George W. Bush.
"I would advise him to be more careful," Sosa added. "He has a fine line to walk between satisfying the conservative base and not alienating Hispanic voters."
Thanks to his opposition to Bush-era immigration reforms, Cornyn already has sub-40 percent approval ratings among Texas Hispanics, who make up about one-third of the voting-age population.
The Texas Democratic Party noticed Kay Bailey Hutchison's hypocrisy and her political problem today.
In an e-mail that went out, they note:
Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison said Monday that she still has questions about the qualifications of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. She said she wouldn't decide on whether to vote to confirm Sotomayor until her hearings are over. "I'm looking to the hearings to clarify some of the questions I have," Hutchison said (Dallas Morning News, July 14,2009).
However, in 1993 Sen. Hutchison told the Dallas Morning News she would support any judge - even someone who was pro-choice - if the nominee was qualified:
Ms. Hutchison said she will not apply any "litmus test" to a nominee, and she indicated in an April debate that she would vote to confirm an abortion-rights supporter if the person is qualified overall. "I would only vote against a Supreme Court nominee if there was a question of character, if the person was unfit for office or unqualified for office," Ms. Hutchison said (Dallas Morning News, May 20, 1993).
Democratic Party Chair Boyd Richie had this to say about KBH's cowardly political posturing.
"I'd like Sen. Kay Hutchison to clarify some questions I have," said Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie. "Why is Sen. Hutchison abandoning her commitment to feign concern over Judge Sotomayor, a nominee of unquestionable character with more federal judicial experience than any Supreme Court nominee in 100 years?"
"Unfortunately, the only reason Sen. Hutchison is not 100% behind the most supremely qualified nominee in recent history is that she is just another pandering Republican politician who will abandon any commitment to compete with Rick Perry for the extreme elements that control the Republican Party," concluded Richie.
The Republican Party is showing how hard it is to be the party of no.
President Obama unveiled today a bold new plan to increase auto fuel efficiency. This will reduce our dependency on foreign oil and help our environment. Obama's delivering real results and creating change we can believe in!
Today's news is welcome after eight long years of the Bush/Cheney era, but we must keep pressing forward. In order to pass Obama's full agenda, we need to elect more Democratic Senators who won't filibuster Obama's call for change.
Here in our own backyard, Texas Democrats have a unique opportunity to win the open U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison.
Houston Mayor Bill White is a nationally recognized leader on alternative energy, and he's announced his candidacy as a Democrat for this Senate seat. Tonight, he'll be at Scholz Garten to answer your questions about his policy proposals. This is an important race with national implications, so we look forward to seeing you at Scholz Garten.
Texans for Obama May Meetup Featuring Mayor Bill White
Tuesday, May 19
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Scholz Garten
1607 San Jacinto Blvd
Austin, TX 78701
Free Admission
RSVP on Facebook
Thanks for everything you did to help elect Barack Obama. Now let's continue the momentum and elect a Texas Senator who will support Obama's agenda.
Our next monthly meetup is scheduled for June 16. The special guest will be John Sharp, another great Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. Fired up and ready to go!
The two Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate, former comptroller John Sharp and Houston Mayor Bill White, hold significant advantages in cash on hand over their Republican opponents after the first fundraising quarter.
John Sharp reported receiving $2,516,833 in loans and contributions this quarter to finish with $2,432,675 on hand. The number, in itself, is impressive but as Gardner Selby points out, we should reserve judgement until we learn how much of that money was from personal loans. Today, when asked, the Sharp campaign declined to disclose that information.
Both Democrats hold big advantages over the Republican candidates.
Former Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams leads the Republican contenders with $388,628 on hand, but that number is less impressive when the $200,000 in personal loans are taken into account. State Sen. Florence Shapiro had just over $310,000 on hand, while Railroad Commissioners Elizabeth Ames Jones and Michael Williams have $164,663 and $113,957 on hand, respectively.
The Democratic money advantage, however, may not last. Well financed candidates such as Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who would pour his personal wealth into a campaign, and Attorney General Greg Abbott are also said to be considering the race.
When the amount of Sharp's personal loans are known, we will have a better idea of how the money race is shaping up on the Democratic side.
Previously, White had led all Senate candidates in fundraising. Not all campaigns have reported yet, but expect that trend to continue. The contributions have come from 1400 Texans, White's campaign says.
Hopefully we will have the first fundraising numbers from John Sharp's U.S. Senate campaign later today.
Updated: Via Matt Stiles of the Houston Chronicle, news from the Republican side of the U.S. Senate race: Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams reported raising $181,000. Almost exactly 1/10 of what Bill White raised.
A Republican senator tried to muscle Attorney General-designate Eric Holder into promising not to conduct "witch hunts"- code language for criminal prosecutions - of intelligence operatives who engaged in torture during the Bush administration. It was an outrageous demand, and it would have been unethical for Holder to accede to it.
Since taking the reins of the NRSC, Cornyn has had a series of very bad press hits.
The LA Times article, which was reprinted in the Houston Chronicle last Saturday, hits Cornyn right between the eyes with their accurate criticisms.
Cornyn is free to endorse torture and to vote against Holder's confirmation, which he did. But asking that a prospective attorney general commit in advance to prosecute - or not prosecute - potential defendants crosses an ethical line. Cornyn, a former state Supreme Court justice, should know that. A prospective attorney general shouldn't put himself in the position of prejudging cases in exchange for Senate confirmation.
Opponents of any criminal investigation of CIA interrogators - or of Bush administration lawyers who gave them cover - argue that President Barack Obama himself has hinted that he isn't eager to launch prosecutions. It's true that when the president was asked whether he would appoint a special prosecutor to investigate torture and wiretapping under the Bush administration, he said that "we need to look forward as opposed to looking backward." But, in the same interview, Obama said: "I don't believe that anybody is above the law."
The Houston Chronicle confirmed today what I have been hearing from Washington, John Cornyn doesn't want Kay to vacate her Senate seat.
Cornyn, a second-term senator heading the Republicans' senatorial campaign committee, says his Senate colleague can keep her Senate seat as well as run for governor.
"She does not have to step down," Cornyn told reporters in a telephone conference call today. "That is my request of her both publicly and privately."
Were Hutchison to resign her seat to seek the governorship full time, Cornyn said it could expose Republicans to a tough fight to hold onto the seat in a special election.
Adding one more Democrat to Democrats' 58-seat Senate majority could bring Democrats one vote closer to the 60 votes needed to choke off a GOP filibuster, Cornyn said.
Cornyn has had a tough time in his new role. Senate Republicans are on the brink of being irrelevant. According to FiveThirtyEight.com the 2010 U.S. Senate map isn't going to be friendly for Republicans.
Rather than give up the seat and cause an expensive, must win U.S. Senate race, Cornyn is publicly urging Kay Bailey Hutchison to run from Washington and give Texans 1.5 Senators.
Cornyn is trying to make sure his job doesn't get harder because of another Texan, and so far it looks like he is losing that fight.
It appears Cornyn would prefer to weaken Texas' voice in the Senate than fill it with someone who actually wants to serve in Washington. Cornyn continues to put his party over the needs of Texas and our country, but is that any real surprise?
