September 21, 2006

Texas Republican Platform 2006 for the Layman

This video provides a layman's view of the Texas Republican platform. A party's platform sets out in detail what the party is really all about. It is written by the party's most active and committed members and expresses their basic beliefs. Many of the policies are so radical that they would shock most people including political moderates and even many conversatives. When Republicans take office, they seize every opportunity to impose these policies on the American people.

Review this platform carefully and share it with your family and friends! Many thanks to the following individuals who authored this presentation!

Compare the Democratic Party and Republican party platforms


Posted by Sarah Gonzales at 08:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

June 12, 2006

Post your convention experiences here

It was great seeing everyone at the convention this weeknd. I have a lot of thoughts I will blog when I catch up on my paying work. Here are some photos: (click the thumbnails to view the larger image)

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Posted by Lyn Wall at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

May 05, 2006

Ellen Cohen Campaign

Block Walking Weekends

If you're sick and tired of being sick of tired of Republicans, Ellen Cohen will be doing weekend block walks. She is running for State Representative District 134. We need for her to replace one of Craddock's toadies, and in the State House standing up for responsible education financing.

See the block walking schedule below, or contact their office fo more details.

Upcoming Campaign Events
Saturday, May 6th
Block Walking Precinct 222 - Hermann Park
Meet at Campaign Headquarters, 4950 Bissonnet
1 to 4 pm
Sunday, May 7th
Block Walking Precinct 222 - Hermann Park
Meet at Campaign Headquarters, 4950 Bissonnet
1 to 4 pm
Saturday, May 13th
Block Walking Precinct 175 - Braeswood
Meet at Campaign Headquarters, 4950 Bissonnet
1 to 4 pm
Wednesday, May 17th
Young Professionals for Ellen
Join us at Beso, 2300 Westheimer
We look forward to seeing you at this reception at one of District 134's best locations, on Westheimer just east of Kirby.
Call or email the Campaign to see how you can get involved!

Posted by Jon Boyd at 11:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 02, 2006

David Van Os Cinco de Mayo Filibuster in San Antonio

The spreading popular rebellion against Big Oil represents the growing realization that we the people must win a revolution at the ballot box to reclaim our rights and liberties from the corporate and political power grabbers who seek to destroy democracy and abolish Constitutional checks and balances. As a fitting opportunity to spread that realization, please join David Van Os, candidate for Texas Attorney General, in a 24-hour Citizens' Filibuster for Freedom on the occasion of Cinco de Mayo. The Filibuster will begin at 12 noon on Friday, May 5 and will continue until 12 noon on Saturday, May 6. It will take place at Main Plaza in downtown San Antonio (across the street from San Fernando Cathedral, 115 Main Plaza, 78205).



On the occasion of Cinco de Mayo:

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "May 5") commemorates the May 5, 1862, victory of the outnumbered and outgunned forces of Mexico's democratic government over the invading troops of Napoleon III's Imperial France at Puebla, Mexico. Abraham Lincoln sympathized strongly with Mexico's resistance to the French imperial invasion, but in 1862 Lincoln's necessary preoccupation with the Civil War prevented the U.S. from coming to Mexico's aid at that time. France returned with more troops and armaments after the Battle of Puebla and succeeded in occupying Mexico City in 1863. The democratically elected government of President Benito Juarez retreated to the north and carried on a government in exile and the struggle for freedom. After the end of the Civil War the United States was able to supply the Mexican freedom fighters with arms and material. With the support of their friends to the north, the Mexican people succeeded in overthrowing the French and their puppets, and regained their freedom from European imperialism.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the universal pursuit of freedom and democracy, as well as the historic partnership of the peoples of the United States and Mexico in that pursuit.

Posted by Lyn Wall at 08:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 01, 2006

Texas Anti-Trust Law

David Van Os, Democratic candidate for Texas Attorney General, reminds us that Texas still has a strong anti-trust law. That's easy to forget as long as Greg Abbott is the AG.

Posted by Jon Boyd at 06:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 27, 2006

Can a radio ad be an in-kind benefit to Perry?

This is the question Chris Bell raised in a letter to Ronnie Earle. For background, see Off the Kuff and Red State.

In his letter, Bell wrote:

Texas Weekly has reported that Texans for Taxpayer Relief is airing radio ads in Houston apparently paid for by corporate money. These ads might constitute an in-kind officeholder and/or political contribution to Governor Rick Perry paid for by illegal corporate contributions that he and his representatives appear to have helped raise in possible violation of Election Code Section 253.094. We, therefore, respectfully request that you start a criminal investigation.

Posted by Jon Boyd at 08:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 17, 2006

David Van Os - Citizen's Filibuster at Capitol Today!

Join Us for a Citizen's Filibuster

NOON MONDAY 04-17 - NOON TUESDAY 04-18

Capitol Grounds, Austin

We all have children, grand children, nephews or nieces attending schools in Texas and most of us are frustrated with the chronic lack of adequate funding for our children and inadequate pay for competent teachers while our taxpayer money is squandered on personal freeways and expensive vacations by Republican politicians.

Why should we settle for our Great State of Texas, which is rich in natural resources and revenue, being close to last place in education. Why should struggling low- to middle-income homeowners bear the brunt of school funding responsibility through run-away taxation of the OVER-INFLATED VALUATION of our homes, while rich homeowners and multi-million dollar corporations are given a break?

I urge all responsible, but frustrated citizens to show up in great force and flood the State Capitol grounds with the loudest voice possible, supporting the tireless effort of our friend and next Texas Attorney General, David Van Os, while at the same time, demanding that the educational future of our children be adequately-funded, at long last. Make plans to join us next Monday starting at noon, in Austin, Texas.

~Placido Salazar, DVO Veteran and Latino Community Outreach

 

DID YOU KNOW:

DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT CARD >>

...and join us Monday at noon on the Capitol grounds!

Posted by Lyn Wall at 07:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

March 08, 2006

Congratulations to Yesterday's Primary Winners

and good luck to the candidates who find themselves in runoffs. To view the results, go to http://election.co.harris.tx.us/.

And remember, organizing your precinct for the November elections starts today. Visit www.hcdp.org/organize.htm for organizing strategies and resources.

Posted by Lyn Wall at 01:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

March 07, 2006

Tom DeLay, the Movie

The producers and distributors of the big buyI was lucky enough to get dismissed from jury duty today early enough to attend the press conference for the release of The Big Buy. The new documentary that focuses on the story of Tom DeLay. Unfortunately, although Mr. DeLay received numerous requests to be interviewed for the film over the course of the 3 years it was in production, his office did not respond to the requests.

I came home with a copy of the DVD but no time to watch it today. The teaser, which you can download at http://tomdelaymovie.com/ is very powerful, ending with Jack Abramoff saying, "Tom DeLay is who we all want to be when we grow up. Thank God Tom DeLay is the Speaker of the House".

The speakers at the press conference were the film's directors, Mark Birnbaum (who, far from being a liberal partisan, voted in the Republican primary) and Jim Schermbeck as well as BraveNew Films' Chairman Rick Jacobs.

KHOU, Channel 11 filmed the entire press conference (including a long shot of my David Van Os Tshirt). AP was there and KTRK, Channel 13 showed up at the end.

Those of us who've been following it know the story. It's about time the rest of the nation learns how corrupt Tom DeLay really is.

Posted by Lyn Wall at 04:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack

February 21, 2006

Early Voting Starts Today

Early voting starts today. Be prepared for glitches at the polls. Make sure you know your precinct number and check the bottom of the paper with your PIN number to make sure they got it right. Mine was incorrect and if I hadn't noticed before I cast my ballot, I would have been unable to vote in the primary races in my district.

Be sure to bring your voter registration card to the polls. Poll workers will stamp it DEMOCRATIC, and you will need to show this card in order to participate in your precinct convention to be held on TUE March 7th @ 7:15 pm.

During early voting, Harris County residents may vote at any of the early voting locations within Harris County.

EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS (pdf)

EARLY VOTING SCHEDULE:
TUE February 21st – FRI February 24th
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

SAT February 25th
7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

SUN February 26th
1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

MON February 27th – FRI March 3rd
7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Posted by Lyn Wall at 01:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

February 16, 2006

Join David Van Os for a "Filibuster for Independence"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Perry Dorrell 800-714-7222 713-569-4714 (cell)

======================

Texas Attorney General candidate David Van Os will conduct a 24-hour "Filibuster for Independence" on the south steps of the Texas Capitol in Austin, beginning Friday March 3 at 6 p.m. and concluding at 6 p.m. on Saturday March 4. The attached file contains additional specifics of the event.

All Democratic candidates running for federal and state offices across Texas have been invited to participate in the Filibuster for brief periods. A full roster of participants will be released shortly. The people of Texas are invited to this event, as well as members of the media.

Contact the campaign at the above numbers for more information.

In 1836 the founders of Texas declared and won their independence from dictatorship and entered the community of nations.

In our day the people of Texas must again win their independence from the modern dictatorship of corruption, cronyism, and corporate government.

Please join me as I honor the 170th anniversary of the Texas Declaration of Independence by conducting a 24-hour Filibuster for Independence at the seat of Texas government on the State Capitol grounds.

The Filibuster for Independence will commence at 6:00 p.m. on Friday,

March 3 and will continue until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 4.

The Filibuster for Independence will be conducted on the South Steps or Grounds of the State Capitol Building, 11th Street at Congress Avenue, Austin.

The Capitol Building and Grounds belong to the People, and public discourse on issues of public concern is their highest and greatest use.

All candidates for public office are invited to relieve me temporarily in speaking duties during the Filibuster, but are requested to remain on topic.

The public is invited to attend, observe, and listen.

Representatives of the press are welcome to attend.

-- David Van Os

Democratic Candidate for Texas Attorney General
www.vanosfortexasag.com

Posted by Lyn Wall at 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

January 20, 2006

For Immediate Release: Radnofsky press conferences in Houston and Austin outline anti-corruption initiatives

January 20, 2005

Campaign Contact: Seth Davidson, Communications Director, 713-865-0416, seth@radnofsky.com

Democratic U.S. Radnofsky, with state and local Democratic officials and candidates, will hold two press conferences to announce her anti-corruption initiative. She will hold her press conference in Houston on Wednesday, January 25 at 2:00 p.m. at the Harris County Democratic Party offices (1445 North Loop West), and in Austin on Thursday, January 26 at 3:00 p.m. at the state Democratic Party offices (707 Rio Grande). Congressional candidate Mary Beth Harrell will attend the Austin press conference.

“A major moral cost of corruption is our children growing up in a world where lying, cheating, and stealing appear to be acceptable. It’s a world where leaders embrace perjury, take money under false pretenses, and lack any code of honor so they refuse to try to correct the wrongs in which they’re involved,” says Radnofsky.

Radnofsky will detail her anti-corruption initiatives at the press conference.

“The cost of corruption is economic loss, waste, higher taxes, poor health care and education systems, and our inability to compete,” Radnofsky says. “Corruption has forced the early retirement of teachers under the ‘windfall elimination’ bill, has raised drug prices under the prescription drug bill, and robs Texans with unfair transportation funding formulas.”

Texans now recognize the cost of corruption, and recent polling shows the trend. Since the last Zogby poll in November, Barbara has improved her numbers among Democrats from 63% to 73%. This is among all likely voters, not Democratic Primary voters. While 14% of Democrats remain undecided, less than 1% favor a candidate other than Radnofsky or Hutchison. Looking towards the general election in November, Radnofsky continues her steady gains among moderate voters and now leads Hutchison 45% to 38%. This is a reversal from September when moderates favored Hutchison over Radnofsky 51% to 36%. The poll was conducted by Zogby International January 6-12 among 1097 likely voters as part of their year-long Battleground States Survey. Margin of error is 3.0%.

Matt Angle, Texas political strategist and former executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, commented on the poll saying “John Zogby is a well known and respected national pollster. His survey of the Texas Senate race is interesting. Clearly Barbara Radnofsky has the opportunity to build a coalition of moderate and progressive voters that, over time, could make this race competitive.”

Radnofsky’s initiative will include the following “to do” items for Sen. Hutchison:

  1. Renounce perjury
  2. Return the money she accepted from El Paso's Tigua Indian tribe, who were defrauded by indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff
  3. Make good on the promise she made to the people of South Texas recently when she echoed Radnofsky’s call for a VA hospital south of San Antonio.

    4. Press packets can be obtained via e-mail from seth@radnofsky.com, or from the web site, http://www.radnofsky.com under the Press section.

    ###

    Seth Davidson
    Communications Director
    Barbara Ann Radnofsky US Senate 2006
    www.radnofsky.com
    713-865-0416

    The Harris County Democratic Party supports and promotes all Democrats. The HCDP encourages and welcomes all Democratic candidates, even those with opponents in the March primary, to send HCDP news and events for posting.

    Posted by Lyn Wall at 05:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

    Day of "Inclusion" Did Not Include HCDP

    Guest Blogged by Melissa Taylor, Excecutive Director, HCDP

    The media billed this year's Martin Luther King, Jr. Grande Parade held on Monday, January 16th in downtown Houston as an event of "inclusion." Charles Stamps, Executive Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade Foundation, was under court order to collaborate with the Black Heritage Society, another parade organization who organized past MLK parades. Unfortunately, the media did not cover the story about Stamps denying the Harris County Democratic Party (HCDP) the opportunity to participate in the celebration of one of our nation's greatest civil rights leaders.

    Throughout the days leading up to the event, Stamps showed reluctance in the HCDP’s participation. He claimed the participants marching with the HCDP in previous years did not follow the parade’s strict guidelines prohibiting the endorsements of political candidates and what Stamps referred to as ‘electioneering.’ Melissa Taylor, the Executive Director of HCDP, assured him that she would attend the parade and monitor the participants closely to ensure that all participants followed the parade’s rules. Although Stamps initially agreed to allow HCDP to participate in the parade, he regrettably reversed his decision several times over the next few days. Despite the tireless efforts of Ms. Taylor, Houston City Councilman Ron Green and his aide Kassaye B. Kassaye, and telephone calls from many local Democratic office holders, Stamps made the final decision to exclude the Harris County Democratic Party in the parade late Sunday night.

    Other community groups were denied the opportunity to participate in the parade, as well. For example, Stamps spurned a group that marched in the MLK Parade with Martin Luther King, Sr. in 1978 in celebration the parade’s inaugural year in Houston.

    The Party wishes to thank all Democrats and Democratic organizations who volunteered to march in honor of Dr. King. Special thanks go to Houston City council member Ron Green and his council aide Kassaye B. Kassaye for their tireless efforts on behalf of the Democratic Party. We thank the many Democratic office holders who made calls to Stamps on the Party’s behalf—there are too many to name. In addition, several Democratic office holders and candidate withdrew from the MLK Parade as a sign of solidarity with their Party. These brave Democrats include: Dr. Alma Allen, State Representative for District 131, Ron Green, Houston City council member, and James G. Pierre, candidate for Harris County Clerk.

    The Houston Chronicle and Channel 11, which broadcast the parade, are probably not aware of the exclusion of the Harris County Democratic Party. It is a sad day when an organization whose mission mirrors Dr. King’s vision for inclusiveness and civic empowerment is denied their opportunity to express those sentiments to the community.

    Posted by Lyn Wall at 02:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack

    Tune in to KPFT Right Now

    This Friday on KPFT Open Journal at Noon("The No Hate Zone"), John Basel will interview Texas House Rep. Garnett Coleman. They will discuss his positions on key issues, particularly school vouchers and school finance reform. Gerry Birnberg, Harris County Democratic Party Chairman. will discuss the various upcoming primary elections.

    This promises to be stimulating discussion. Join it by calling the KPFT Studio call-in number - 713-526-KPFT.

    Posted by Lyn Wall at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

    January 12, 2006

    Protestors greet 3 stooges of corruption: Perry, DeLay, Culberson

    A small, but loud group of protestors greeted Governor Rick Perry at the Greater Houston Builders Association during one of the Governors campaign stop. "If the citizens of Texas knew what this Governor and his party has done to them, they would never vote for him again and would join in our protest" said John Cobarruvias.

    The event was highlighted by the arrival of Congressman Tom DeLay indicted for money laundering and Congressman John Culberson now implicated in the Coushatta Tribe controversy. "No place can you get the three stooges of corruption, Perry, DeLay, and Culberson in one place at one time, except here in Texas. It looks bad. It smells bad. It is bad." said Margaret Tyler one of the protestors.

    Perry was visiting at the Greater Houston Homebuilders Association and is awaiting the results of an investigation by Comptroller Carol Keaton Ryllander Strayhorn into the Texas Residential Construction Commission, a Commission created by the homebuilders to oversee their own industry. "Rick Perry acts as if he is bought and paid for by the homebuilders in this state." said Francis Rankin.

    The Governor and his supporters were greeted as they left with a sign that said "Adios Mo Fo".

    Posted by John Cobarruvias at 12:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

    January 08, 2006

    Some New Voter Registration Cards Reverse the Flow of Time

    At least two friends of mine who are residents of Harris County are reporting that their new yellow voter registration cards they received this weekend are valid

    From 1/1/2006 through 12/31/2005

    Mine is correct, I suggest you check yours.

    Posted by Lyn Wall at 09:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

    January 03, 2006

    David Van Os on Filing Results

    Dear Steering Committee:



    No other Democrat filed for Attorney General, thus we do not have a contested Democratic Primary to win. This is a credit to your hard work. Since this campaign had no great amount of money to deter any potential Primary opponents, we had to establish strong, visible grassroots viability in order to remain uncontested for the Democratic nomination, and that is exactly what you did. Congratulations!

    I am very happy to report to you that Democrats came in strongly to file for Republican-held seats all day long. Contrary to what the cynics of the embedded corporate media predicted, the Texas Democratic Party will be fielding a full statewide ticket in the general election. There are Democratic candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, Land Commissioner, Railroad Commissioner, Texas Supreme Court, and Court of Criminal Appeals. The Democrat who came in to file for Comptroller caused a flurry of excitement - Fred Head, well-known as a champion of reform and ethics, who served in the Legislature for 14 years as an old-time populist East Texas Democrat, who was a member of the "Dirty Thirty" that rose in 1971 to put an end to the corruption of an earlier day, and whose East Texas support base is solid as a rock. Already Fred has made it known that he is campaigning fiercely against what Republican one-party rule has done to the people of Texas; as he put this afternoon, he is going to "light fires." There are 4 Democrats running for Governor, 3 for Lt. Governor, and 2 for Agriculture Commissioner.



    The filings for U.S. House seats are equally encouraging and exciting. Democrats are running in 31 of the 32 U.S. House seats in Texas. In total, 39 Democrats are running for those 31 seats, due to more than one Democrat filing in some of them. The most telling sign of Democratic fires burning hot is that 20 of the 21 Republican incumbents in the U.S. House from Texas will have Democratic challengers in the general election. The fires are burning so hot in fact, that 25 Democrats filed for the opportunity to run against those 20 Republican incumbents.



    The number of State Legislature filings are not yet assembled in one place because candidates for multi-county districts file with the State Democratic Party but candidates for single-county districts file with County Democratic Parties. From all indications it appears that the number of Democrats who filed for the State Legislature will turn out to be equally heavy.



    The most exciting thing of all is that this outpouring of Democratic fire is not a top-down thing. The candidates are grassroots Democrats who came in from the bottom-up. This kind of Democrat is close to the people and has a finger on the community's pulse. The potential for big change is on the horizon.



    For a grassroots campaign like ours, this is all incredibly good news. It means that all over the state local and regional Democratic candidates will be identifying and mobilizing Democratic voters to turn out. It means we're not climbing the mountain alone. It means we are part of a mutual support network above, below, and all around. And very importantly, based on the kind of Democrats who have filed all over the place, it means our ol'-time populist Democratic campaign message will be corroborated and reinforced by other Democratic candidates in every direction, just as we will be corroborating and reinforcing them. I've had the experience of running for statewide office without reinforcement from either above or below -- believe you me, this year is very clearly going to be a great contrast to those years. It will be a new and exciting experience for me. Folks, between us as friends, no "cheerleading" involved - we really, truly, seriously can defeat the incumbent Republican corporate mouthpiece Attorney General.



    Finally, Strayhorn's move is a huge plus for us and the Texas Democratic Party because it graphically demonstrates serious division in the Texas Republican Party for all the world to see.



    Please be on the lookout for a an upcoming Steering Commitee Round-Up from Sherry.



    For Democracy!



    David Van Os

    Posted by Lyn Wall at 08:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

    January 02, 2006

    6:30 Filing Update

    Still updating - just added a few judicial candidates.

    7:30 - The list is complete!

    Posted by Lyn Wall at 06:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

    5pm filing update

    The latest updates are available at http://hcdp.org/democraticprimary.htm. More to come....

    No surprises yet - 40 minutes to go

    5:45 - I'm waiting for the last minute filings - mostly for Justice and Judge, but Garnet Coleman has an opponent in District 147. I'm waiting to get the specifics.

    6:10 - Filing is closed, I'm waiting on paperwork....

    6:13 Coleman's 2 opponents are listed - Cheryl Armitage, Herschel Smith

    From PDiddie:

    Gary Binderim of the Kingwood Democrats filed to run against Ted Poe! Thanks for taking on this challenge, Gary. Here's a photo of Gary and Rebecca with someone you may know:

    Posted by Lyn Wall at 04:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack

    Strayhorn to run as Independent

    Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn announced Monday she will run for governor as an independent, abandoning the Republican primary for a direct shot at the state’s top job in November. “I am a Republican, but I know we must set partisan politics aside and do what’s right for Texas," Strayhorn said in prepared remarks. "That is why I am running for governor as an independent. A Texas independent.” more MySA.com: Metro | State

    Posted by Lyn Wall at 03:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

    December 30, 2005

    Filing Deadline Monday and Live Blogging 1/2/06

    Monday at 6pm is the filing deadline for candidates and precinct chairs. I'll be at HCDP HQ (1445 North Loop West - map) updating the web site and live blogging the last minute filings Monday afternoon.

    Join us online or in person for the fun. There'll be an after party if enough folks are interested.

    Posted by Lyn Wall at 04:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

    December 29, 2005

    Senator Hutchison Reneges on Veterans' Hospital Promise

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Senator Hutchison Reneges on Veterans' Hospital Promise

    Contact:
    Seth Davidson, Communications Director, 713-865-0416 or seth@radnofsky.com

    December 29, 2005

    Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison today reneged on her call for a veterans'
    hospital in the Valley. Her opponent, Barbara Ann Radnofsky has campaigned
    for over a year calling for a veterans' hospital south of San Antonio.
    Hutchison echoed Radnofsky's call in Harlingen on August 17, stating "A real
    veterans' hospital is needed in the Valley," according to press reports. The
    planned outpatient clinic in Harlingen, which will replace the small and
    inadequate outpatient clinic in McAllen is not a hospital. Senator Hutchison
    has once again deserted the veterans of Texas.

    Recently, she voted against the amendment1 which would have provided proper
    funding for veterans' mental health affairs. The bill she voted against
    would have provided additional funding for each fiscal year from 2006
    through 2010, and would have been used for readjustment counseling, related
    mental health services, treatment and rehabilitative services for veterans
    with mental illness, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use
    disorder.

    Radnofsky outlines issues and positions on her web site, at http://www.radnofsky.com/issue.php?items_id=238#_edn21. She is focusing her campaign on clean government, health care, education, and veterans' affairs. Senator Hutchison supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 0 percent in 2004; On the votes that the Retired Enlisted Association considered to be the most important in 2004, Senator Hutchison voted their preferred position 0 percent of the time.

    1. Bill Number: S 2020; Issue: Veterans Issues, 11/17/2005, Sponsor:
    Amendment: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [CA]; Original Bill: Sen. Grassley, Chuck
    [IA], Roll Call Number: 343, Motion Rejected (senate). How members voted:
    Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison voted NO. Official Title of Legislation: S
    Amdmt 2634 to S 2020: To provide an additional $500,000,000 for each of
    fiscal years 2006 through 2010, to be used for readjustment counseling,
    related mental health services, and treatment and rehabilitative services
    for veterans with mental illness, post-traumatic stress disorder, or
    substance use disorder.

    Seth Davidson
    Communications Director
    Barbara Ann Radnofsky US Senate 2006
    www.radnofsky.com
    713-865-0416

    The Harris County Democratic Party supports and promotes all Democrats. The HCDP encourages and welcomes all Democratic candidates, even those with opponents in the March primary, to send HCDP news and events for posting.

    Posted by Lyn Wall at 09:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack

    December 20, 2005

    Eight House Republicans still need challengers

    From kos.

    These DeLay robots are currently unchallenged for the November ballot. Several of them are only in office today because The Hammer redrew their districts. Since we're going to take out the boss, let's knock off a few of his lickspittles while we're at it:

    Louis Gohmert (TX-1: East Texas, including Tyler, Longview, Marshall, and Lufkin)
    Ted Poe (TX-2: Southeast Texas, including Kingwood, Beaumont, and Port Arthur)
    Mike Conaway (TX-11: West Texas, including Midland, Odessa, San Angelo, and Brownwood)
    Kay Granger (TX-12: NW Fort Worth suburbs, including White Settlement, Aledo, and Weatherford)
    Mac Thornberry (TX-13: the Panhandle, from Wichita Falls and Mineral Wells all the way to Amarillo)
    Henry Bonilla (TX-23: Big Bend, from Laredo and Kerrville all the way out to Fort Stockton and Pecos)
    Michael Burgess (TX-26: a middle slice of the Metroplex, from Fort Worth north through H-E-B to Denton and Gainesville)
    Pete Sessions (TX-32: north and west Dallas suburbs, including Irving, University Park, and Richardson)

    Go here, find the district's number in the list, and click on "preview map" to see the part of Texas each of these GOP rubberstamps represents.

    Of course, if you'd rather serve the public a little closer to home, or in Austin, there are many other positions availble for filing at the county and statehouse level. Thinking about running for office? Check out this page from the Texas Democratic Party. It's a list of all the things you need to do to get on the ballot. For Congressional candidates, the main requirement is either a filing fee of $3,125 or 500 signatures.

    People, this is the People's Party, and we need more people. Like you.

    Posted by Perry Dorrell at 06:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack

    December 19, 2005

    New Barbara Radnofsky Blogad

    Happy Hanukkah,
    Bill O'Reilly!


    Barbara Ann Radnofsky,
    Texan for U.S. Senate 2006
    No lyin'
    No cheatin'
    No stealin'
    Read More...

    See the add at the following sites:
    http://americablog.blogspot.com/

    http://www.newshounds.us/

    http://politics1.com/

    http://talkleft.com/

    The Harris County Democratic Party supports and promotes all Democrats. The HCDP encourages and welcomes all Democratic candidates, even those with opponents in the March primary, to send HCDP news and events for posting.

    Posted by Lyn Wall at 09:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

    December 17, 2005

    The first poll in the Texas Governor's race

    is posted here. Go vote in it (if you're registered).

    The overnight results are somewhat intriguing:

    Who will you vote for in the March primary?

    Felix Alvarado
    4%

    Chris Bell
    30%

    Bob Gammage
    30%

    Not voting -- signing Kinky's petition
    30%

    Other
    2%

    Votes: 42

    Posted by Perry Dorrell at 06:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack

    December 16, 2005

    Van Os applies the smackdown to Abbott

    When he got the news that the U.S. Supreme Court has decided to hear arguments in the Texas redistricting case, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott quickly issued a press release blithely stating that it was "not surprising" for the Supreme Court to hear arguments on the case and that he expects the Court will find the Texas redistricting plan to be "wholly constitutional."

    First of all, every lawyer worth his salt knows that the U.S. Supreme Court rarely grants review in cases appealed to it. Putting aside the fact that his statement is misleading, one must wonder why Greg Abbott felt it necessary to editorialize at all. Is he perhaps feeling defensive about the role he played as Texas Attorney General in giving his legal blessing to Tom DeLay's power grab?

    Could he be hurt about the fact that he was unsuccessful in trying to persuade the Supreme Court to summarily affirm the lower court's decision without hearing argument? Or is he embarrassed because the professional legal staff in the U.S. Department of Justice concluded that the Texas redistricting was illegal?

    Remember, this is the same Greg Abbott who tried to convince the Texas courts they had no authority to take action over an unconstitutional school finance system. Even the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court had no stomach for that stellar argument.

    A Texas Attorney General who understood that his job was to be the People's Lawyer would have long ago sided with the people rather than with the Republican Party political bosses when it came to Texas redistricting. Greg Abbott may be concerned that Texans will learn the truth about their Attorney General's complicity with the rest of the Republican Party's power-grabbing political hacks in their arrogant pursuit of one-party rule -- and well he should be.

    David Van Os, Democrat for Attorney General of Texas

    Posted by Perry Dorrell at 01:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

    Texan Wins Russ Feingold's Progressive Patriot Award!

    John CourageI am excited to announce that you have chosen John Courage to be our first Progressive Patriot. John is a terrific candidate running in the Texas 21st. He's running to protect social security from privatization, to bring affordable health care to all Americans, and to make our country a leader in alternative energy. He's a veteran who wants to bring our troops home safely, and a teacher who will work to improve public education. I'm proud to call John Courage a Progressive Patriot, and based on your recommendation we will contribute $5,000 to his campaign for Congress. You can find out more about John at his website, http://www.courageforcongress.org.

    With so many deserving candidates competing in this online voting event, it is difficult to support only the candidates receiving the most votes, so we have also decided to make smaller contributions to each of the other ten candidates. I hope that you will also consider financially supporting these great candidates in the future.

    Because of the overwhelming response to this event, we hope to do similar events several times over the coming year. There are many other strong democratic candidates running in 2006 who deserve our support. I am committed to doing everything I can to help elect more democrats across the country, but I need your financial help if we are to be effective. Please consider making a contribution today, so that we may continue to help to support these candidates through the Progressive Patriots Fund.

    http://www.progressivepatriotsfund.com/morepatriots

    Sincerely,

    Russ Feingold

    Russ Feingold
    United States Senator
    Honorary Chair, Progressive Patriots Fund

    Posted by Lyn Wall at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

    December 07, 2005

    If that's a poker face, then hurry up and deal


    Which office in Austin is nicer -- the one at the Lottery Commission, or the one given a junior member of the House?


    That will no doubt be the deciding factor.


    I'm guessing Hubert Vo isn't all that worried...

    Posted by Perry Dorrell at 06:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

    December 04, 2005

    David Van Os to File for Attorney General Tomorrow in Austin

    Civil rights and labor lawyer David Van Os will present Texas Democratic Party Chairman Charles Soechting his application for a place on the 2006 Democratic Primary ballot as a candidate for Texas Attorney General on Monday, December 5.

    Mr. Van Os will make a public statement and take questions from the press at 11:00 a.m. at the Texas Democratic Party office in Austin. According to Van Os, “Texas belongs to all the people, and they are entitled to a people's lawyer as Attorney General who'll fight to restore it to them.”

    DATE: December 5th, 2005
    TIME: 11:00 a.m.-12:00 NOON
    LOCATION: Texas Democratic Party Headquarters
    707 Rio Grande, Austin

    For more information about this campaign, please check out our web-site:
    www.vanosfortexasag.com

    Posted by Lyn Wall at 08:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

    December 03, 2005

    Barbara takes Kay to the woodshed

    This is quite a smackdown. Go read the whole thing; here's the opening salvo:

    Barbara Ann Radnofsky’s opponent spent 2005 declining to discuss any specific challenges to her anti-Texas voting record. While absurdly claiming through her consultants that "Every poll has shown that the senator has the highest approval rating of any elected official in history", one recent poll put Senator Hutchison at 41% among Hispanics. Another poll put her in the low 50's against Radnofsky.

    As 2005 draws to a close, we present our proposals and contrast them with the ten most unpopular, cynical, anti-Texas positions espoused by the senior U.S. Senator from Texas.

    Energy

    Radnofsky: Promote a national policy of energy independence

    * Require mandatory emissions standards
    * Develop a balanced policy that emphasizes renewables as well as non-renewables
    * Promote energy conservation
    * Require fuel efficiency standards

    Hutchison: Who Loves Ya, Baby: Liberal tax incentives for Big Oil campaign donors, foreign energy dependence

    Opponent liberally gave away billions of tax dollars as incentives to oil companies—which oil company executives later admitted they did not need. Opponent advocated an energy dependence policy: non-renewable foreign oil from Azerbaijan. Opponent: "This small, former-Soviet satellite nation of just eight million people is working to strengthen its ties to the global community through participation in the European Union's Neighborhood Policy, collaboration with NATO and a move towards membership in the World Trade Organization."

    Azerbaijan was condemned days later by the U.S. State Department, international agencies, and observers world-wide for dishonest balloting, election fraud, and violence against its citizens; peaceful assembly. Opponent enacted tax giveaways and favoritism, while failing to disclose that she is the single biggest recipient after George W. Bush of Exxon-Mobil contributions, a company that coincidentally has energy interests in Azerbaijan.

    Transportation

    Radnofsky: Fairness and conservative spending

    * Work to ensure that Texas receives 100% of its federal gas taxes
    * Oppose liberal spending transportation pork barrel projects for states like Alaska

    Hutchison: Liberal spender: Working hard for Alaskans

    Opponent short-changed Texans by championing a transportation bill that gave away more Texas taxpayer dollars and continued her longstanding practice of donating Texas federal gas taxes to other states. The bill and its unpopular liberal spending provisions contained a million-dollar bus stop and a $200 million "bridge to nowhere" in Alaska. Opponent's liberal spending guaranteed that Alaskans would receive about $1,500 per capita in highway benefits, while Texans would receive a meager $36. At the time of passage, opponent wrongly claimed that the bill eliminated Texas as a super donor, ignoring the fact that, according to her own figures, Texans will receive back only 91.3 cents for every dollar they give to the country. Opponent's claim that this was a new development was also false; she acknowledged in 2001 that Texas was receiving back a mere 91 cents for each dollar it contributed. In August of 2005, after the transportation bill had become law, she finally admitted that it "short-changed Texas."

    There's eight more. Go check them out.

    Posted by Perry Dorrell at 08:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

    November 26, 2005

    Early Voting Begins Wednesday 11/30

    The City Council runoff elections will be held on December 10. Early voting will be held:

    • November 30 - December 3 from 7am to 7pm
    • December 4 from 1pm to 6pm
    • December 5 - December 6 from 7pm to 7pm

    for locations, click here (pdf)

    On the ballot:

    • At Large #2: Sue Lovell vs. Jay Aiyer,
    • District B: Felicia Galloway-Hall vs. Jarvis Johnson
    • District C: Anne Clutterbuck vs. George Hittner survived the crowded field in District C
    • HD143: Ana Hernandez vs. Laura Salinas led the pack
    • HISD 1: Natasha Kamrani vs. Anne Flores Santiago
    • HISD 9: Larry Marshall vs. Daisy Maura

    Posted by Lyn Wall at 03:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

    November 18, 2005

    Hittner, Clutterbuck, or neither?

    This is a shout-out to our conservative readers (and bloggers).

    Though Houston's municipal elections are officially non-partisan, everybody who does a little research can figure out where the candidates stand. And I don't live in District C, so the runoff election on December 10 between George Hittner, who's been a GOP staffer and activist for various Republicans and Anne Clutterbuck, who worked for both Bill Archer and John Culberson isn't one I get to have a say in (at least at the ballot box).

    But I'd like to hear why those of us on the left should vote for one of these two candidates -- without the tired platitudes, please, about potholes or flooding being non-partisan.

    Personally, if I had a vote in this race I would be inclined not to cast it -- and I will be voting, because two good Democrats, Sue Lovell and Jay Aiyer, are in the runoff for At-Large 2.

    There hasn't been much talk about the race in the conservative blogosphere that I can find: my Yahoo search of "hittner clutterbuck" produced just over a hundred hits, the first ten of which were four of Houston's lefty blogs (with multiple hits), including this one you're reading; two Chronicle articles on the race, one non-partisan political analysis website and one right-wing blog with a post made in in May, six months ago. Google produced a similar result.

    I also remember that when Kuffner and Wyeth and Wall and others hosted all candidates in a face-to-face forum, that the righty bloggers were MIA that day. I thought that was puzzling then, and I think it's odd that there still aren't many posts from Republicans on this election, but no matter...

    All the good folks who voted for Mark Lee and Herman Litt might want to know who to vote for on December 10th. Would someone like to give them a reason to?

    (And as always, be polite.)

    Posted by Perry Dorrell at 11:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack

    November 17, 2005

    Texas Republican Party Gets Caught, Agrees to Stop Breaking Law

    Texas GOP agrees to stop some campaign practices

    The Austin-American Statesman is reporting that the Texas GOP:

    avoided prosecution Thursday by agreeing to stop using corporate money in several ways being investigated by Travis County Attorney David Escamilla.

    Escamilla's investigation, which is similar to allegations being pursued by Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle against U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay and the Texas Association of Business, is put on hold through March 31, 2007. In return, the Republican Party agrees to stop using corporate money the way it did during the 2002 election. The party's administrative expenses spiked five-fold to about $5.6 million that year.

    The illegal practices under investigation:

    •To pay for political consulting.

    •To pay postage for voter registration materials that include the slate of GOP candidates.

    •To produce a mailer urging voters to cast ballots early.

    More here...

    The GOP has agreed to stop these practices. It's good to know we can count on some Republicans to do the right thing when they are threatened with prosecution.

    Posted by Lyn Wall at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

    November 16, 2005

    Our candidates are making news

    Chris Bell's position on non-partisan redistricting reform was echoed by the Fort Worth-Star Telegram in an editorial this week.

    Barbara Radnofsky has made official her run for the United States Senate, challenging incumbent Kay Bailey Perjury Technicality. You can attend her public announcement tomorrow at noon at The Monarch School, 1231 Wirt Road (located on the campus of the Houston Mennonite Church).

    David Van Os picked up the endorsement of Jim Hightower, and will host a filing party on Saturday, December 3, in Austin with Hightower as guest speaker.

    Nick Lampson will hit a million dollars in campaign contributions today.

    Whose news did I miss? Leave us a campaign update in the comments.

    Posted by Perry Dorrell at 04:08 PM |