The Swift Boating Of Evan Smith
December 22, 2007 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment
If you haven’t been following the Republican Party of Texas’s attempts to Swift Boat Texas Monthly’s Evan Smith as a result of an error in the Midland newspaper, you missed a lot.
Regrettably, Capitol Annex also missed most of it today due to some holiday chores which needed completed. However, you can catch a good recap at Smith’s blog, which contains pertinent links to everything, and information on GOP Chairwoman Tina (fish) Benkiser’s call for him to resign.
Capitol Annex doesn’t know Evan Smith, but had we seen the MRT report this morning, we’re smart enough to have assumed it was a mistake. Evidently Benkiser isn’t.
The RPT is in such dire need for buzz, hey are swiftboating the mainstream media. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
SCOTX CHIEF: Jim Jordan Announces He’ll Oppose Jefferson
December 21, 2007 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment
State District Judge Jim Jordan (D-Dallas), has announced he will seek the Democratic Party’s nomination for Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court. Jordan will face Wallace Jeferson in the general election:
HD 61: Tison Resigns As Weatherford Mayor, Files For State Rep
December 21, 2007 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment
Joe Tison (R-Weatherford) today resigned as mayor of Weatherford and formally announced his candidacy for Texas House District 61:
“We have made a difference here in Weatherford by putting people before politics,” Tison said. “We have focused on progress, not partisanship.”
“The typical politicians in Austin should come up here and learn something from the way we cooperate to solve problems,” Tison said, looking back over his years as mayor. “If they think the problems of Texas can be solved by the two political parties fighting it out, they should ask themselves, why aren’t they solved?”
“I look forward to using my leadership skills at the Capitol to advocate for Parker and Wise Counties and the people of Texas,” Tison said.
Tison will face Phil King in the March GOP Primary.
TX SEN: John Cornyn Lacks Substance
December 21, 2007 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment
We know John Cornyn is a Bush lap-dog who spouts his party’s line like it was the Lord’s Prayer. We know that John Cornyn was very likely a draft-dodger. And, we know that John Cornyn supported segregationist George Wallace for President. But, what about the real substance behind the man Lt. Col. and State Rep. Rick Noriega will defeat next November.
You can tell a lot about what an elected official thinks and does by the columns they are often privileged to be able to scatter through our state’s newspapers like pepper on mashed potatoes. In John Cornyn’s case, if you read his columns, you might get the impression (and rightfully so) that he has about as much substance as a bag of instant mashed potatoes.
Over the past year, he’s extolled the virtues of Blue Bell Ice Cream, shared his undying (and, we’re sure, completely platonic) love for Big Tex, and even offered a history lesson on the Texas Cowboy.
Oh, the substance! Our nation is mired n the quagmire that is Iraq, the NSA is probably reading this very blog post (as I type it!), children are without healthcare, and Mr. Substance, Jr., delivers messages like this to voters in his weekly columns:
County fairs and rodeos, usually in the winter or spring, are a staple of Texas life. The state fair over three autumn weeks has many similar ingredients, including youth livestock raising competitions. But everything is bigger.
Fairgoers are greeted by Big Tex, a 52-foot inflatable figure that started life as a Santa promoting Christmas shopping in Kerens, Texas. He was redressed in country gear for the 1952 fair, and he began talking a year later. Big Tex was refurbished in 1999 and given his AARP card when he turned 50 three years later.
A group of Dallas civic leaders came up with the idea for a state fair in 1886. After an argument led to two competing fairs, they soon combined operations at what is now Fair Park in East Dallas.
Perhaps, now more than ever, my oft-given moniker of “Senator Corny Dog” is appropriate.
Craddick Offers Disinformation FAQ On Attorney General’s Opinion
December 20, 2007 by Vince Leibowitz · 1 Comment
[We took a short pre-holiday hiatus this week to help out Dale Henry in his race for Texas Railroad Commissioner. We now return in full force.—VL]
It should come as no surprise to Texans everywhere that House Speaker Tom Craddick’s public relations machine is in full force this week giving his version of disinformation relating to last week’s opinion by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on the power of the speaker’s office. On Craddick’s website, he offers a separation of “fact from fiction” concerning the opinion issued last week.
We’re going to put Speaker Craddick’s “mythbusting” to the test with a little fact checking of our own.
According to Craddick:
Myth: The Attorney General agreed with the Speaker’s detractors that the Speaker doesn’t have absolute discretion as it relates to the right of recognition of privileged motions
Fact: The Attorney General rejected opponents’ invitation to arbitrate a House Rules dispute, acknowledging that approval, interpretation and enforcement of the House Rules is the sole province of the members of the House. The speaker acted in accordance with the House Rules, as approved by the members of the legislature.
Not surprisingly, Craddick puts his own spin on reality. Here is what the AG ruled:
Finally, this office will adhere to the Texas Constitution’s separation of powers doctrine and longstanding precedent in declining to answer questions requiring an interpretation of Senate and House Rules or questions regarding legislative parliamentary decisions.
Abbott didn’t “reject opponents’ invitation to arbitrate a House rules dispute,” because Abbott wasn’t asked to arbitrate a rules dispute. Here is the question that Reps. Keffer and Cook actually asked Abbott to answer:
Question 4: If the rules adopted by the Texas House of Representatives give the Speaker of the House unlimited discretion to refuse to recognize members for purposes of presenting any motion whatsoever–be it a motion to impeach the Speaker, a motion to vacate the chair, or any other sort of motion–do those rules effectively give the Speaker unlimited ability to prevent his removal (by simply refusing to recognize members for the required motions)?
Keffer and Cook didn’t ask the AG to arbitrate a rules dispute; they asked Abbott whether or not a Speaker could legally manipulate the rules to prevent his own removal.
Texas Progressive Alliance Weekly Blog Round-Up: December 17, 2007
December 17, 2007 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment
It’s beginning to look a lot like Monday, every where you go. Take a look at the blogs and posts glistening once again with threads and comments aglow. It’s beginning to look a lot like Monday, Round-ups on ev’ry blog, but the prettiest sight to see is the post that will be from your own favorite blog….enjoy this week’s Texas Progressive Alliance Blog Round-Up compiled by Vince from Capitol Annex.
Fred Thompson couldn’t make the ballot in Delaware because of FIVE HUNDRED
SIGNATURES. Mayor McSleaze at McBlogger thinks that’s pretty pathetic. You will as well.
Eddie at Burnt Orange Report writes about a precedent-setting case in the Sixth District Court of Appeals which gives helps a Paris, Texas blogger preserve his or her anonymity.
How I became a “far-left-radical with a socialist agenda” etc. On Bluedaze by TXsharon
While
Choo choo!! That is the sound of cleaner air at The Texas Cloverleaf. 98 new more environmentally friendly trains are running in Texas. But did taxpayers really have to front the money?
Bay Area Houston Wonders why NASA Contractors are limiting their employees constitutional rights while receiving billions of dollars of government funding.
Vince at Capitol Annex notes that AG Greg Abbott has handed Speaker Tom Craddick an early Christmas present in the form of an opinion that hands him cart blanche to do whatever he wants–and even emasculates impeachment.
Muse discovers a list of 300+ women political bloggers! Female bloggers are playing a powerful role in this presidential election cycle – and are increasingly recognized for this. Texas bloggers are on the list. Check it out!
In his piece titled John Cornyn Files for Senate, Hal at Half Empty entertains the notion that the junior senator is really looking for an elusive seat on the US Supreme Court.
Stace at DosCentavos tells us about the newest Pew Center poll! It’s no wonder many Citizen-Latinos (and especially undocumented folks) are feeling like people without a country.
Eye on Williamson, posts on Brian Ruiz, Rep. John Carter’s opponent in TX-31, and two of Carter’s recent votes in Brian Ruiz And Rep. John Carter’s (R-Exxon Mobil) Circle .
An activist action plan for the FISA-with-telecom immunity bill, coming up on Monday in the Senate, is posted by PDiddie at Brains and Eggs.
And, last but not least, don’t forget about Dan Barrett in House District 97, who has been endorsed by the Texas Progressive Alliance in his special election runoff. Matt at Burnt Orange Report has a great post about the race here.
TX SEN: Filing For Re-Election, Cornyn Lies About His Record
December 16, 2007 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment
The complete and total fabrications that continue to come out of John Cornyn’s mouth seem to get more and more outrageous:
Though Cornyn often is criticized by Democrats as the most partisan member of the Senate and an almost unwavering supporter of the Bush Administration, Cornyn said he actually has sought to work in a bipartisan manner.
“I’m as disappointed as most Texans are with what they see happening in Washington, D.C., today. Washington is broken,” Cornyn said.
“I believe it is important that I go to Washington to try to work as much as I can with folks on both sides of the aisle to find real solutions to the problems that face our nation today,” he said.
Jim Dunnam: Ag Opinion Reflects Allegiance To Craddick
December 15, 2007 by Vince Leibowitz · 1 Comment
Texas House Democratic Leader Jim Dunnam issued the following statement today concerning Attorney General Abbott’s opinion in the Speaker’s power saga:
“No one should be surprised by Greg Abbott’s ruling. From the start, many other Texans and I expressed concern that the financial ties between Abbott and Craddick raise serious doubts about the fairness and independence of the opinion process. They are wed at the hip by the same donors, and the public record makes that clear (according to the Ethics Commission, they have taken more than $13.6 million in combined contributions from sources that gave $2,500 or more to each man). Unfortunately, Texas’ current Republican leadership puts allegiance to one another over the fundamentals of democracy. The result is what anyone would expect from the legacy of Tom DeLay politics.
Attorney General Hands Speaker Craddick An Early Christmas Present: Absolute Power & Emasculation Of Impeachment
December 15, 2007 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment
Late last night, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott issued his long-awaited opinion on questions related to the authority and removal of Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick (R-Midland).
Nor surprisingly, Abbott sided with Craddick. In short, Abbott ruled that the Speaker is a statewide officer and is thus subject to impeachment under Article XV, Section 7 of the Texas Constitution.
2007 Texas Progressive Alliance Texans Of The Year: Dunnam, Coleman, Gallego
December 14, 2007 by Vince Leibowitz · Leave a Comment
[Today, the Texas Progressive Alliance honors its 2007 Texan of the Year. This year, the Alliance elected to recognize a number of other Texans who have contributed to Texas politics and the Progressive cause during 2007. This week, leading up to the TOY announcement, we brought you our Texas Progressive Alliance Gold Stars. Thursday, we recognized State Sen. Mario Gallegos. Wednesday, we recognized Molly Ivins. Tuesday, we recognized Denise Davis. Monday, it was Rick & Melissa Noriega. Our Silver Stars, announced last week, may be found here.]
The Texas Progressive Alliance is proud to announce the House Leadership team of State Rep. Jim Dunnam, State Rep. Garnet Coleman, and State Rep. Pete Gallego as our 2007 recipients of the Texan of the Year award.
There may not be another three individuals who have done more for Democrats in the state of Texas over the past four years than Rep. Jim Dunnam, Rep. Pete Gallego. Together, they have led the fight for the resurgence of the Texas Democratic Party. Every day is another story. They fought through the 2006 elections, and then they fought for the months leading up to the first day of session. They led the fight against Speaker Craddick in the final days of the session, and are now poised to add to the Democratic gains in the House as they continue their roles as Co-Chairs of the House Democratic Campaign Committee.
Their work together is imperative to the continued progress of Democrats in Texas, but it’s their individual efforts that really demonstrate how this leadership team makes the best of one another for the good of all Texans. Here is a brief highlight of what each of these leaders did over the past year:
State Rep. Jim Dunnam
In 2003, we had a mere 62 members in the House in 2003. Today, there are 70, including State Rep. Kirk England who announced his intentions to switch parties and run as a Democrat next cycle. In only 5 years, there was full frontal attack on Speaker Craddick’s ability to lead, launched by one question by the Waco Democrat: “Mr. Speaker, what is the process of removing the Speaker of the Texas House?” His mastery of the House rules is incredible to watch.
During the 80th Regular Session, Rep. Jim Dunnam led efforts to clean up the mess Governor Perry and the Republican leadership made at the Texas Youth Commission. He worked with Rep. Coleman and Rep. Gallego to lead the fight against expanding new tax cuts for the richest 10% of Texans at the expense of health care and education opportunities for Texas families. He passed numerous bills for his district, but he will forever be remembered for the efforts he made on the House floor, challenging the absolute power of Speaker Craddick.
State Rep. Garnet Coleman
Rep. Garnet Coleman is one of the most progressive members of the Texas House. Rep. Coleman filed over sixty piece of legislation, including (1) legislation end tuition deregulation, (2) legislation to overturn the ban on gay marriage, (3) legislation to prevent the construction of any new toll roads anywhere in the state of Texas. But beyond these strong policy positions, he successfully passed legislation to expand health care opportunities for former foster children and double the funding for cancer research. He continued his fight to fully restore CHIP — an effort he’s worked for ever since Speaker Craddick and his allies cut hundreds of thousands of kids off of health care since 2003.
Beyond his legislative work, Rep. Coleman is the top fundraiser for Texas Democrats, and is well-known for his non-stop efforts in supporting House Democrats across the state. He chairs the Legislative Study Group, which received a Silver Star award from the TPA for its incredible policy work.
State Rep. Pete Gallego
Rep. Pete Gallego is the chair of of the largest bipartisan legislative caucus in the Texas House– the Mexican American Legislative Caucus. He also sits on the national board of NALEO. He was a top lieutenant for Speaker Pete Laney, and his trust from that better time in the Texas House allows him to remain as one of the most trusted members in the Texas House.
His policy issues are far-reaching, and can range from helping protect our state’s natural resources to preventing those horrid voter ID bills behind the scenes. Rep. Gallego also helped temper some of the more controversial issues of the session, including immigration and security.
Rep. Gallego often makes waves quietly inside the Capitol, but his efforts help thousands of Texans from all walks of life. Together, Rep. Gallego, Rep. Dunnam, and Rep. Coleman are extremely deserving for our 2007 Texan of the Year award.
