The Red State

Bell raises over $200,000 online

Link: Campaign watch on the 2006 election.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell has announced Thursday that his campaign has raised more than $200,000 from his Web site, www.chrisbell.com.

“Holy freaking cow. You guys are incredible,” Bell spokesman Jason Stanford wrote to Web site visitors. “Not only have you knocked out our $25,000 online fund-raising drive with more than 24 hours left to go, but you just reached an important milestone in the growth of the Texas netroots.”

....

“This is an incredible accomplishment that shows how your donations can add up to rival the biggest checks that anyone gets,” Stanford said. “Raising $200,000 in small donations over the Internet shows why Chris Bell can win this race. He’s got the support of the Texas Democratic Party, the endorsement of the Texas AFL-CIO, and the most successful online fund-raising campaign in Texas political history. Texans are giving their dollars over the Internet because they want change in Texas, and Chris Bell is going to give it to them.”

The great thing about this is not only the amount of money raise but the sheer number of people giving. I am interested to see how many different people gave compared to all the PACs that give to Perry.

The Grandma and the Wohlgemuth

Let's see here.... Which politician turned lobbyist would a candidate for Governor least want want to be associated with?

Answer: Arlene Wohlgemuth

You remember her. One of the chief architects of the HB 2292. The bill that gutted the barely there safety net of neediest Texans.

Apparently, one tough Grandma is really one MEAN Grandma

Carole Strayhorn was “very helpful” in passing the 2003 bill that created these problems, according to former state Rep. Arlene Wohlgemuth, who sponsored HB 2292. Wohlgemuth’s contention, published in today’s Houston Chronicle, that Strayhorn is the “grandma of House Bill 2292” contradicts recent statements by her campaign about her role in 2003.

“Carole Strayhorn can’t talk her way out of this,” said Democrat Chris Bell, “and I don’t say that lightly.”

....

In fact, in an E-Texas recommendation titled “Use Call Centers to Determine Eligibility for Children’s Medicaid” released in Jan. 2003, Strayhorn called for privatizing the process by replacing state employees with four call centers. (GG 12, E-Texas, Office of the Comptroller, Jan. 2003)

Then in Apr. 2003, [Strayhorn] recommended reducing the eligibility period for the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program from 12 to six months for the 2004-05 biennium. Her recommendation anticipated that “about 113,700 children would become ineligible by fiscal 2005.” (HHS 15, E-Texas, Office of the Comptroller, Apr. 2003)

Privatization of call centers: failed so miserably that the state took the contract back. Cutting children off of CHIP: cruel and wasteful.

If Strayhorn wanted to confirm her Republican bona fides, she just did it. She is just a bad imitation of Perry. Its interesting watching politicians trying to distance themselves from themselves.

Mark Warner and Chris Bell

I'm sure all of you have notice the ads popping around the blogosphere for Gov. Mark Warner's FORWARD TOGETHER PAC. He is having nominations for his Map Changers. After the nominations, the 10 top nominees will recieve a $5,000 contribuion and move on for the grand finale of a fundraiser with Mark Warner.

The 2006 elections will be an opportunity for Democrats. For the first time in many years, Democrats have a strong chance to win majorities in both houses of Congress. Forward Together PAC has already contributed to more than 50 campaigns in more than 30 states. Now we are opening up the process.

You can help us choose the next group of candidates we'll support. We are looking for fresh faces with fresh ideas - and for solutions-oriented Democrats with a focus on the future - candidates who will help us change the political map. Which candidates are you supporting? Register below and tell us who your Map Changers are!

There are a lot of great Texas candidates on the list. However, my vote is going to Chris Bell. I believe that Bell's win in Texas can provide such an impetus for change. Not only is the money helpful but the notiriety and attention brought the race outside of Texas can bring us more support. Imagine a time when George W. Bush's governor is a Democrat. Man, that thought puts a smile on my face.

Go check out Warner's PAC and vote for Chris Bell.

The true colors of the Texas Republican Party

I guess you can file this under "I told you so."

With the Texas Republican Party in the former pueblo San Antonio de Padua, party officials have set our their positions. Their positions are hateful, racist and disrespectful of human dignity.

Texas Republicans want to:

• build a wall between the U.S. and our neighbor Mexico (similar to the wall Reagan asked Gorbachev to tear down),
• hunt down the 12 million undocumented workers in the this country and return them to their country of origin (if this administration couldn't evacuate New Orleans, how are they going to expel 12 million people?),
• pull the National Guard from fighting the war on terrorism and make them Border Patrol,
• "not violate the constitutional rights of citizens of the United States" but purposefully say nothing about the rights of the undocumented, those here on work visas or anyone other than a citizen (FYI: The Constitution of the U.S. extends its protection to more than just U.S. citizens),
• prevent those who have become citizens of the U.S. from bringing in their families thus destroying the fabric of society: familial relationships (they believe in family values but only if you not an immigrant),
• deny earned citizenship for immigrants,
• deny the natural right to be a citizen if you are born on U.S. soil (guess no one will check your papers if you are white),
• make local police an arm of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency causing distrust of the police and prevent the reporting of crime against undocumented persons.
• remove day labor centers, and
• deny medical treatment to undocumented persons (does every get asked for papers or just the brown people).

There you have folks! That is what the Texas Republican Party stands for.... fear, hate, racism, classism and general disdain for basic human rights.

You are in San Antonio this weekend. So say it loud and say it proud because us Latinos are listening and we will remember.

San Antonio tomorrow: Dems call Republicans out on their wedge issues

From a TDP release:

Democratic State Representatives Joaquin Castro (HD-125), Trey Martinez Fischer (HD-116), and Jose Menendez (HD-124) of San Antonio will hold a press conference   Friday, June 2nd at 10:00 am to call on Governor Rick Perry and the Republican Party of Texas to stop their election year gimmicks and truly work to solve the problem of illegal immigration.

“It is disrespectful for Rick Perry and the Republican Party to use the immigration debate as a wedge issue to divide Texans,” the Democratic Representatives said.  “Republicans are clearly split on this issue and have profoundly failed to provide meaningful solutions to the immigration debate.  What they claim to be public policy amounts to nothing more than a band-aid approach that deals with the issue symbolically and not realistically.”

WHO:       Democratic State Representatives Joaquin Castro, Trey Martinez Fischer and                 Jose Menendez

WHERE:    Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
                200 E. Market Street
                San Antonio, Texas 78205
                (At the corner of Alamo and Market.)

WHEN:      Friday June 2, 2006
                10:00am

The Republicans will be here in full force tomorrow. So, are they going to get confused with "all them brown people" just walking around like they own the place? Here's a little hint: A lot of us were here before this was Texas.... sorry but its true.

I am okay with the Republican's rhetoric. Please say it in SAN ANTONIO. It they were honest they would say "We would really like you brown folks to vote for us but don't expect us to respect you... you are brown you know... and stay away from my daughter."

Texans for Taxpayer Relief: The new TRMPAC and TAB?

My God, it's like Rick Perry is channeling Tom Delay.

In a letter sent today by Chris Bell to Travis County District Attorney's office, Bell asks the DA to look into Texans for Taxpayer Relief and their apparent connection to Rick Perry's campaign. In Texas, the Travis County DA is the head of the Public Integrity Unit that looks into official corruption and abuse of power.

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.

....

The state election code prohibits contributions from labor organizations and from most corporations. (Elec. Code § 253.091, et seq.) And according to a published report, Texans for Taxpayer Relief will be “funded at least in part with corporate money.” And when asked to defend the planned use of corporate money, Perry’s state spokeswoman said, "The tobacco companies are using corporate money to attack the tax bill" (Texas Weekly, Volume 22, Issue 41, Apr. 17, 2006). In short, corporate funds appear to be funding ads to further an officeholder activity of Governor Perry, raising serious legal issues.

The ads also may be an illegal corporate contribution because they appear coordinated with Governor Perry. The law appears clear that corporate-funded ads, even clearly those that are issue ads, are considered electioneering or officeholder activity if coordinated with a candidate or officeholder. Rick Perry’s personal involvement with this ad campaign appears to belie any claim that Texans for Taxpayer Relief’s ads operate independently from his official duties as Texas Governor....

Check out the letter here.

You figure after the corruption scandals dealing directly with corporate contributions  (Texan for Republican Majority (TRMPAC), Texas Association of Business (TAB) and Tom Delay and Co.), you would think they would leave well enough alone. It is almost like they want to go to jail.

Getting directly to the point, Bell states “After four years of fighting the effects of corporate money in Texas politics, I am greatly disturbed that Rick Perry is raising unlimited corporate donations from the very same businesses that will benefit from his plan. This is exactly what I’m talking about when I say Rick Perry is taking ethics lessons from Tom DeLay.”

Ronnie Earle once said: "The reason corporations and labor unions are not allowed to give money to campaigns is because they are not individual people. They are things. And to allow things to control elections makes a mockery of government by the people.... If we allow corporations to control elections, we will destroy democracy."

Amen.

UPDATE: Via Quorum Report, Ronnie Earle responds to Bell's request.

"When a complaint alleging criminal conduct on the part of a candidate in an election or someone acting on his or her behalf is made by an opposing candidate or someone acting on his or her behalf, it is the policy of this office to monitor the situation but not take action until after the election, except in extraordinary circumstances.

"When the alleged criminal conduct involves actions by a third party, different considerations attach and each case is evaluated on its own merits and action is taken where warranted."[Emphasis added]

Hmmm... I bet the lawyers for the corporations that gave to this campaign have had their phones ringing off the hook today. Remember, you get a better deal if you flip early.

 

 

Perry sets a record but not a good one

via Lone Star Report
Perry/DeLay Will Set Modern Record for Vacant Texas Seat
Republican’s scheme will leave TX-22 unrepresented more than four months

Teddy Roosevelt was President, Butch Cassidy was alive and Lyndon Johnson had not yet been born the last time a Texas congressional district was forced to go 130 days without knowing who represented them in Congress.

Teddy, Cassidy and baby LBJ

It has been more than 100 years since a Congressional District has been left without a Congressman for longer than 130 Days.  However, under the scheme hatched by Texas Governor Rick Perry and surrendering former House Republican Leader Tom DeLay, citizens in the 22nd District of Texas will be left without any Member of Congress representing them for at least 130 days, from June 30, 2006 until November 7, 2006.                    

This gap in representation could be even longer if DeLay resigns earlier in June or if a run-off results from a November 7th special election, leaving the seat open another 30 days.                 

DeLay/Perry Move Will Create Longest Vacancy Since 1905

Unlike DeLay, whose last chapter will identify him as the guy who decided to quit and run, the last Texas Member of Congress to cause such a long vacancy went out guns blazing –  literally.  On April 24, 1905, the Congressman for the 8th District of Texas, John M. Pinckney, was shot and killed at a meeting of the Waller County Prohibition league.  According to the man who killed Pinckney, “I heard a shot behind me about 6- feet away and I turned and saw [Congressman] John M. Pinckney shoot at papa. I turned around and shot at him 3-times.”  (Source: Rockdale Messenger,  April, 27 1905).  Pinkney had served in the Confederate Army and as a County Judge before entering Congress.  He was succeeded by John M. Moore, a former State Representative from Fort Bend County after a vacancy of 224 days. (Source: Handbook of Texas Online)

Since then, whether congressional vacancies occurred due to resignation or tragic death, an election was held to fill the seat in less than 130 days and usually fairly soon after a district lost its Member of Congress. (Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress)

Madla quits and leave SD19 without representation

Link: MySA.com: Madla to quit state Senate.

I heard this was coming but thought it was only a rumor.

Sen. Frank Madla, who lost the Democratic primary to Rep. Carlos Uresti, said Monday he will leave office May 31.      

The move will leave his District 19 seat vacant until the November general election because Gov. Rick Perry doesn't intend to call an earlier special election, a spokeswoman said.

How dare the Governor not call a special election. Senate District 19 deserves representation no matter what the Governor is planning on doing. It reminds me of how Perry delayed and delayed the calling of a special election when Rep. Joe Moreno died.

Pathetic.

Why would Madla leave the lucrative job of Senator that makes $7,200 a year? He says after 33 years, he finally wants to put his family first. OK, worked for Karen Hughes, so why not him. However, I think the early retirement is for a different reason.

It appears Madla's retirement would top $94,000 annually.

So, instead of finishing the job he was initially elected to do, he will leave SD 19 without a Senator (I am sure he knew what Gov. Goodhair would do) and he will start pocketing his $7,833 a month earlier. If he truly cared about his district, he would have made sure the Governor would have called for a special election immediately.

Nice. What a shining example of statesmanship and leadership. I can't wait for Uresti to take that office. Who says good guys finish last?

Postscript: Pinkdome find one more reason to post that picture

 

How to rig a Texas Election

Brought to you via The Lone Star Project:

Chapter 1:  Avoiding a Special Election and Hand Picking Your Candidate              

Situation
You are a powerful but controversial incumbent politician who is embroiled in a bribery scandal and  under indictment for money laundering. You must resign your seat to avoid an embarrassing defeat at the polls and to use your campaign funds to pay legal fees.  However, you want to retain influence in order to hand pick a successor beholden to you.  Follow the simple steps below.

             

Step 1
Remain a candidate until after your party primary has  passed.  If necessary, make bold statements declaring that you will win the race.  This will protect your tough guy image and most importantly keeps campaign contributors on the hook and giving as long as possible.
"I plan to run a very vigorous campaign, and I plan to win it," he [DeLay] said.  (Source: The Associated Press -  March 4, 2006).

             

Step 2
Soon after the primary, announce that you are not going to run after all.  This is tricky. You need to announce quickly following the primary, so you can protect as much campaign cash as possible for your legal bills.  Don’t announce too soon though, because you don’t want to trigger a special election on May 13, a statutory election day in Texas. (Source: Texas Election Code §                   41.001)  An announcement during the first week of April is just about right. 

Step 3

Exploit a loophole in the Texas election law that allows you to be replaced on the ballot if you revoke your Texas residence and agree to move out of state.  Be prepared to take some criticism.                   
Good Lord, are we Texans ever fortunate that Tom DeLay wasn't at the Alamo. If he had been, when Col. William B. Travis drew that line in the sand, Tom would have said, "Are you crazy? I'm moving to Northern Virginia." (Source: John Kelso – Austin American Statesman Friday, April 07, 2006)

             

Step 4
Direct the Governor to not usehis authority under the Texas Election Code Section 41.0011 to call an emergency special election, even if it means voters will be without a Member of Congress for over four months while key votes on congressional appropriations will be taken.

(Tip for first-timers:  This step goes smoother if you have a highly partisan, but very weak, Governor whom you have successfully bullied in the past). 

Step 5
Now, pre-empt the Governor and announce that there will be no special election.  It’s important to make your announcement first.  That way everyone knows who’s really in charge. Ideally, make the announcement in a safe, far right wing venue so you won’t get any tough questions.  It is ok to ignore the widely reported provision that allows the Governor to call an emergency special election on non-uniform election days. (Source: Texas Election Code Section 41.0011, The Houston Chronicle April 7, 2006)

RUSH:But you are going to retire or resign in enough time for there to be a special election so that --

CONGRESSMAN DeLAY: No, there won't be a special election. Texas has a law that there's only two dates that you can have a special election, November and May, and this weekend the deadline for the May special election will have passed.

RUSH: So it's going to be an open seat election in November?

CONGRESSMAN DeLAY: Yes.
(Source: Rush Limbaugh Show, April 5, 2006)

Step 6
Finally, don’t go soft or lose your edge. Keep your “dirty tricks team” in the district working and scheming.  If your old opponent stages a news conference, send a team in to wreck it. You’ll need them sharp when your hand picked candidate is ready to go. "Let's give Lampson a parting shot that wrecks his press conference," read a mass e-mail to supporters by DeLay campaign manager Chris Homan. (Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram, April 7, 2006) Watch the Video

 

Step 7 - Only for use by those under indictment
A State Legislature can be a useful tool to threaten a State prosecutor. You bought the legislature, use it.  Here is how it’s done:
Transcript from Fox News Radio’s Tony Snow Show:
SNOW: Okay, so at this point, you know — are you willing to let bygones be bygones?
DELAY: Absolutely not. Texas should not allow a district attorney from TravisCounty have this kind of power. And they can take his power away from him because there was the Texas legislature that gave him this power. And I think that will happen in the next session of the Texas legislature.
SNOW: Oh, really?
DELAY: Yes.

STOP KINKY ~ New Blog

Do you want to scoop on Kinky Friedman? Want to know said before he wanted to be Governor?

Check out the new blog: Stop Kinky.

They are tracking Kinky's "inconsistent" statements and non-sequiturs during the campaign trail.

Enjoy.