As we did with the Republican debates, we will be liveblogging the Texas Democratic gubernatorial debate tonight. You can follow along with our liveblog here.
Additionally, the Bill White campaign has asked that we join in the conversation with them, so you can also follow along at Bill White's website, at http://www.billwhitefortexas.com/txdebate.html
Tonight is the second big debate between Rick Perry, Kay Bailey Hutchison, and Debra Medina. If tonight is at all like their last debate, it will behoove rational Texans to be very drunk by the end of the show. (Heck, their 'facts' might make more sense then, too.)
Texas Gubernatorial Drinking Game
Rick Perry
If he says Washington, take a shot.
If he claims the Texas Enterprise Fund is successful, take two shots.
If he looks like he's trying to impersonate George W. Bush, scream "Frank the Tank!" and chug a beer.
If he looks like he's trying to impersonate Dick Cheney, duck before you get shot.
Kay Bailey Hutchison
If she addresses Rick Perry as Governor, take a shot.
If she says she has a plan for transportation, take two shots and set your bus pass on fire.
If she tries to tag-team with Debra Medina to attack Perry, take three shots for each member of the most gruesome threesome in Texas political history.
If she tells Rick Perry, "I was a cheerleader. I was a great cheerleader. You, sir, are no cheerleader" then put that shot on YouTube as fast as possible.
Debra Medina
If she says "lower taxes" take a shot.
If she admits she doesn't know an answer, take two shots.
If you see her in the grocery store, run before you get shot.
If she wins the debate again, toast whatever you have left to a Republican primary runoff.
Enjoy the debate! And remember, if any of these folks win in November, we all lose.
Note: Burnt Orange Report is not responsible for alcohol poisoning that will inevitably result from following this game.
Thursday's national championship game has more on the line than just a football trophy. Burnt Orange Report has challenged our corresponding liberal political state blog, Left in Alabama, to a friendly wager on the outcome of the game. Thus, we bring you this year's Blogger Championship Series:
State Blogger BCS Championship Wager -- Burnt Orange Report vs. Left in Alabama
In addition to home state pride, each blog will be wagering local foodstuffs, to be supplied by the losing state blog to the winning state blog. On our end, Burnt Orange Report has put 10 pounds of local Elgin sausage on the line. Left in Alabama has proffered several slabs of local ribs. I'm not sure why we'd want them with all of our own excellent local barbecue, but the offer was accepted nevertheless!
Alabama is the favorite by 4 points, however we charitable and confident Longhorns are willing to play winner-take-all, rather than factor in the spread.
Here's what our rival liberal bloggers have to say:
Since Gov. Bob Riley is undoubtedly too cowed by the religious right to make a friendly wager with Rick Perry, it is our clear duty as liberal bloggers to take up the slack. -- Left In Alabama
This is a valid point, and since Perry's an Aggie, we're unclear if he's up for the task of even rooting for the Longhorns in the first place! As for playing to win, rather than the spread?
Points? Points are them thar things on the end of a Long Horn. We gonna milk us some cows Thursday and eat us some sausage on Sunday morning. Oh yeah, we accept. Let the games begin! -- Left in Alabama
We'll have more coverage before Thursday's big game, but in the meantime, this blog, our Longhorn alumni on staff, our readers, and residents of the great State of Texas have just one thing to say to our friends in Alabama:
The Texas Progressive Alliance announced on Wednesday, December 30th that Houston Mayor-Elect Annise Parker is its "Texan of the Year" for 2009.
"Annise Parker's win is a testament to the power of grassroots campaigning," said Texas Progressive Alliance Chair Vince Leibowitz. "Key Houston progressive bloggers endorsed Parker and contributed to her win, with hard hitting stories contrasting her strengths with her opponent's weaknesses," he continued.
Annise Parker is the Alliance's fifth recipient of its "Texan of the Year Award." Parker joins former State Representative Carter Casteel of New Braunfels, who won the award in 2005; Carolyn Boyle of Texas Parent PAC in 2006; State Representatives Garnet Coleman, Jim Dunnam, and Pete Gallego who shared the honor in 2007; and the Harris County Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign in 2008.
With the election of Annise Parker as mayor of Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States signaled that they pay more attention to qualifications than to sexual orientation. This news reverberated around the globe, and brought positive attention to Texas. National Democratic groups took note of a more progressive Houston than they assumed, and the talk and speculation turned to the possibilities of Texas turning blue sooner rather than later.
The Parker win was no accident. She put together a talented campaign team that ran on the strength of the grassroots, rather than City Hall insiders. Key Houston area progressive bloggers aligned themselves with Parker, and were embraced by the campaign. Blogs became an effective messaging strategy, emphasizing Parker's qualifications, and her opponent's weaknesses.
In the runoff, several third parties, including one longtime right wing operative who endorsed Parker's opponent, launched a series of homophobic attacks against her, but they failed to do her any serious damage because voters recognized her distinguished service as a member of Council and City Controller, and valued her experience and financial acumen. Voters knew who she was and what she was about because she had always been open and honest about it, and that was more important than anything some agitator could say.
For her historic victory, for making the rest of the world re-evaluate its opinion of Texas, and for running a truly modern grassroots campaign, the Texas Progressive Alliance is proud to name Houston's Mayor-Elect Annise Parker its Texan of the Year for 2009.
The Texan of the Year Award is voted on annually by the members of the Texas Progressive Alliance, the largest state-level organization of bloggers, blogs, and netroots activists in the United States.
Also earning recognition from the Alliance were Ramey Ko, Hank Gilbert, Calvin Tillman, Texas Watchdog, and State Representative Elliott Naishtat, who were each recognized as "Gold Star Texans" for 2009.
The Texas Progressive Alliance announced on Wednesday the annual list of "Gold Star Texans" for 2009: Ramey Ko, Calvin Tillman, State Representative Elliott Naishtat, Texas Watchdog, and Hank Gilbert. This recognition is voted on annually by the members of the Texas Progressive Alliance, the largest state-level organization of bloggers, blogs, and netroots activists in the United States.
Ramey Ko Ramey Ko is an attorney and activist in Austin. He should be best known for his work in Asian Americans for Obama, but Republican stupidity assured us he will be best known as "the guy who held his cool while on the receiving end of a massive dose of both ignorance and racism from Betty Brown." With extreme professionalism, he tried to help Brown understand why it would behoove her and all Texans that voting rights for Asian Texans and all Texans not fall prey to bureaucratic errors creating name mismatches. Brown's ignorance/racism and Ko's cool reasonableness drew worldwide media attention. Watch the video of their exchange.
Calvin Tillman Calvin is mayor of a tiny town at the epicenter of the Barnett Shale. Several industry giants seized DISH land and installed a several huge compressor stations and processing plants right next to neighborhoods. They built a crisscross of pipelines all through the town and on private property. He has taken a hard line with industry, crafting a strategy to get the most bang for his press releases.
Calvin and the DISH City Council spent @ 10% of their yearly budget for a private ambient air study. This is the first such study where the results were made public so that all citizens in the Barnett Shale area might benefit. The levels of toxins were amazingly high and many DISH residents are seriously ill but they are poor and do not have health insurance. Calvin worked with TDSHS and finally got them to agree to test DISH residents. This is the first time a state agency has tested residents for drilling toxins. Calvin travels to other areas and speaks about these issues. He has offered to speak and assist others and refuses any compensation for travel or time.
Calvin is largely responsible for TCEQ's changed policy, announced today, in responses to Barnett Shale air emissions. Also, he is a blogger.
State Rep. Elliott Naishtat and his Capitol Staff While he may not be a native Texan, the work that Representative Naishtat has done for the State of Texas earns him a spot on the Texans of the Year List for 2009. Even with Voter ID putting a choke-hold on progress, Naishtat and his Capitol staff worked diligently to pass more legislation than any other member of the House during the 81st session. The Representative from Queens, who just completed his 10th session, has consistently proven himself to be an advocate for the sick and elderly, passing legislation that will create the Legislative Committee on Aging and ensuring Texas receives $15.2 million in Violence Against Women Act grants. We would be remiss in acknowledging Elliott Naishtat -- as the Representative is always quick to remind people -- without also recognizing his longtime staffers (Dorothy Browne, Nancy Walker and Judy Dale) who work tirelessly behind the scenes to help make Texas a better, safer place to live.
Texas Watchdog Texas Watchdog had a role in breaking stories in the just-completed Houston city elections. Though their work can, at times, be controversial, we welcome another online news organization to the Texas media landscape with our nomination of the group.
Hank Gilbert For his continuing work to defeat infrastructure privatization schemes and working with Democrats and more than a few Republicans, he helped put a stop to CDA's this past session and handed Governor Perry and Commissioner Todd Staples a rare defeat.
The end of the year brings the obligatory stream of wrap-up materials helping us to forever remember moments that stood out. Our friends at the Texas Tribune--whose own launch a significant political moment of 2009--flexed their new media muscle with this fun round-up of Texas political videos. From secession to chubbing, Marc Katz to KBH, Tom DeLay to Betty Brown, Elise Hu has put together a montage of the year that was 2009:
What moments stick out in your mind, that perhaps weren't properly enshrined on viral video?
On Monday at our last-minute holiday party, guests were asked to submit anonymous holiday wishes. Here, in their entirety, are what our staff, readers, and friends are wishing for this holiday season.
"I want statewide Democratic candidates who are well-qualified & well-funded."
"Health care, dammit! #HCR"
"I want a BOR site re-design."
"I want our young State House candidates to work hard in 2010 if they want support in 2014."
"I wish Rick Perry would get a new face. BURN!"
"A mint-condition, in-box, 98+ rated die-cast Millenium Falcon (1978 Edition) and a Ken Herman column that doesn't make men nash their teeth and infants weep blood."
"Turf-cutting tool in the VAN!"
"Free beer! :-) "
"Free massages in the BOR office on Tuesdays & Thursdays."
"Health."
"I wish Kinky Friedman a Happy Kwanzaa."
"I wish that Brian Pendleton gets a late-night talk show on Channel 10 where he interviews county party chairs."
"A ticket to freedom."
"I wish Michael Hurta would come back to Texas."
"More TCDP Sustaining Donors."
"My very own reality dating show on VH1."
"I want a re-design. #HCR"
"I wish we could increase our number of steak dinners, b/c I'm hungry."
"A Democratic candidate for Comptroller."
"A Raphael Anchia daily calendar."
"I wish that Matt Glazer would win the TDP fantasy pool. Note: not written by Matt Glazer."
"A boy."
"World peace & Glazer finding love with AT&T customer service."
"A BOR site redesign."
"I wish the O.C. Christmas special got as much recognition as that Charlie Brown guy..."
I want a BOR site redesign."
"I want Matt Glazer to monetize... YOUR MOM."
"I wish the Longhorns win the National title game."
"Bill White and Bill Clinton campaigning together in the Valley."
"I wish Paul Burka would just [redacted]."
"Free CHI for everyone!"
"Peace on earth, goodwill to men, and a 500% increase in online ad sales for BOR."
If you can help with any of these, please provide details in the comments below. And regardless of what you're celebrating this season, have a happy and healthy holiday!
Join most of your favorite Burnt Orange Reporters for some last-minute holiday merriment tonight in Austin! Whether you're a long-time commenter, an angry troll, or a candidate for local office, feel free to drop by and partake in some holiday merriment.
Last-Minute BOR Holiday Happening Monday, December 21, 2009
9:30 p.m. Onward
Buffalo Billiards
201 E. 6th Street
Look for us Upstairs
Show up around 9:30 p.m. after your other exciting holiday events for some Ms. Pacman and mini-corn dogs. After all, there's no better time to throw back a drink and knock some balls together with the staff of Burnt Orange Report.
Tom Schieffer announced today that he will drop out of the Texas Democratic primary race for Governor. His campaign made the announcement official this afternoon. He also went on to say that he will endorse Houston mayor and current U.S. Senate candidate for Texas, Bill White. Schieffer had been running since March, and despite his aggressive travel across the state, was never able to fully get his campaign off the ground.
Bill White (@billwhitefortx) had, up until today, strongly denied that he would switch to run for Governor. As recently as last Friday, he told current Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith that he had filed to run for Senate and would run for Senate. (Source: Texas Tribune) However, White admitted that conversations about switching over to the Governor's race increased after Hutchison's announcement that she would not resign her U.S. Senate seat -- making what White had anticipated to be a May 2010 U.S. Senate election to fill Hutchison's seat pushed back to at least November 2010, and possibly as far as November 2012. Now, the person who has what one of our writers called, "Texas Democrats' First Truly Statewide Campaign of the 21st Century" will, most likely, be running for Governor.
Kay Bailey Hutchison's decision was the first domino to fall. Why did she decide to stay in office, and not resign to run against fellow cheerleader and Republican extremist, Governor Rick Perry? The conventional wisdom says that she couldn't have beaten Rick Perry in the Republican primary. Perry's dramatic and almost insane outreach to the Republican base -- noted most recently in his public comments that President Obama is "hell-bent on taking America towards a socialist country" -- have helped him lock up a lead in the polls. Hutchison hasn't helped herself, having failed to define her campaign or message at all in the months she's had the chance. But will her disappointment and failure among the chattering class of Texas political insiders translate to electoral defeat on primary day? We'll have to see -- but if she's shown no signs of political life, let alone strength, until now, then the answer will most likely be a resounding yes.
Rick Perry must be kicking himself. Last week, he had a presumptive lock on another four years for Governor (or two, if his Presidential campaign kicks off the way Paul Burka believes it will). Perry dropped a much more effective TV ad than Hutchison (watch both of them on Jason Embry's First Reading blog) and it looked like he only had to beat severe underdogs for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in order to win re-election. Now, he will have to face a formiddable opponent in Bill White -- and these very real election possibilities from a recent poll by the Texas Tribune:
Perry polls in a virtual tie with an unnamed Democrat, getting 34 percent to the Democrat's 33 percent. Eight percent would vote for a third-party candidate, and the rest haven't decided.
Meanwhile, we have to wait and here on other possibilities for the full ticket:
Hank Gilbert -- a favorite among our BOR readers -- now must decide if he stays in the Governor's race, or looks elsewhere. His campaign spokesperson, Vince Leibowitz, has said that he's staying, but the rumors are that he would be willing to switch to a downballot statewide race. Both the Agriculture Commissioner's place (which Hank ran for in 2006), and the Land Commisioner race (which holds a seat on the 5-person Legislative Redistricting Board, which is obviously important for the upcoming redistricting cycle in 2011) are places he's rumored to consider switching to.
John Sharp -- will now presumably have the Senate field to himself, at least in the very near future. If the election doesn't happen until 2012, then perhaps he'd find himself a challenger -- but to be honest, no one is concerned about that race at the moment, and until Hutchison officially resigns her post or officially does not file for office, we'd expect there not to be much news on this race for some time.
We will, of course, have more news and analysis in the coming days and weeks, as the conversations take place about who should go where. We welcome your comments and ideas below. In the mean time, remember:
Today's announcement is encouraging, but it only raises the bar on how much work we must do to actually win in 2010. Texas Democrats will not retake Texas just because someone with money and name ID enters a race. We're going to have to be disciplined messengers for our Party, we're going to have to knock on doors and make phone calls and raise small dollars and do everything we can to win.
Texas Democrats have the strength and infrastructure to show we can win in 2010. Now, let's show them how we do it.
(I resurveyed the staff just to check and we unanimously endorse Annise Parker for Mayor of Houston in this Saturday's runoff. The following endorsement is what we printed in her first round of the election. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
Burnt Orange Report endorses Annise Parker for Mayor of Houston because she is an experienced candidate and committed grassroots activist we can trust to put the people of Houston first.
When we at Burnt Orange Report write about local city races, we normally focus on Austin -- simply because that's where most of us live. However, the City of Houston -- which is both the fourth largest city in the country, and the third fastest-growing city in the country -- will, in one week, select a new mayor to replace the long and respected tenure of Bill White.
We believe the most qualified candidate to be Houston's next mayor is Annise Parker.
Annise Parker is a strong Democrat who has separated herself from the rest of the field with her positive campaign for progress in Houston. Her twelve years of experience in Houston city politics -- she was on the Houston City Council for six years, and is now at the end of her sixth year as City Controller -- stand out as examples of her delivering results, and not just talking about, the issues that matter to the city of Houston.
Parker came into politics through neighborhood activism, a path of determination and sacrifice that resonates both with our own personal experiences as well as with the values we champion throughout the BOR community. Her recent profile in the Houston Chronicle discussed some of her most impressive grassroots work:
Parker hasn't budged from Houston since returning here in 1974 to attend Rice University. Her involvement in gay politics began in 1979, the year after she graduated, when she helped organize a gay student group at Rice.
After college, Parker went to work using new computer software to do economic modeling in the oil and gas industry. In her free time, she plunged into community involvement, joining the boards of gay and lesbian organizations and riding in Houston's first Pride Parade in 1979.
[...]
Many of her nonworking hours are devoted to community activities. It was a desire for something new, Parker said, that prompted her to move from gay activism to the next chapter in her life.
“I was bored with gay stuff,” she said. “I threw myself just as hard into 10 years of neighborhood activism.”
A rash of arson fires near her home prompted Parker and a neighbor to create the East Montrose Civic Association in 1990. Five years later, she became president of the Neartown Association, a coalition of Montrose-area civic clubs, making connections that would help her in her campaigns for public office.
When we take away all the campaign attacks, and television ads, and look at this Houston mayoral race closely, we find that Annise Parker is one of us, and she is someone we can trust. In times like these, trust counts.
Despite what our current Governor would have everyone believe, Texas -- and especially the city of Houston -- is facing challenging economic times. At a time when the specific policies of the mayoral candidates are, by most accounts, broad and indiscriminate, we find ourselves searching for the candidate we can identify with and trust the most.
Parker is the most experienced candidate for mayor, and as she said in one debate, "I'll always tell you the truth, even if you don't want to hear it." I personally know her to be smart, loyal, and an extremely hard worker. From day one, the City will be run effectively and efficiently.
In a community, you trust your neighbors that work hard and share your values. Burnt Orange Report endorses Annise Parker for Mayor of Houston because she is an experienced candidate and committed grassroots activist we can trust to put the people of Houston first.
Tonight is the second big debate between Rick Perry, Kay Bailey Hutchison, and Debra Medina. If tonight is at all like their last debate, it will behoove rational Texans to be very drunk by the end of the show. (Heck, their 'facts' might make more sense then, too.) 
The Texas Progressive Alliance announced on Wednesday, December 30th that Houston Mayor-Elect Annise Parker is its "Texan of the Year" for 2009.
