The names of two Texans are being floated for positions in a potential Obama administration, should the Illinois Democrat win the presidency Tuesday. According to various reports, former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk is a possible contender for Commerce Secretary, while James Steinberg of the LBJ School of Public Affairs is being mentioned for National Security Advisor.

Our sources tell us those aren’t the only Texans being considered for a cabinet post.

Congressman Chet Edwards (D-Waco) is reportedly a possibility for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs post in an Obama cabinet, but a longshot as him vacating his seat would undoubtedly leave it in Republican Hands. In addition, former Dallas Mayor Laura Miller is reportedly under consideration for an Obama administration post, although what that post might be and whether it is a cabinet-level post is uncertain.

We’ve also heard that Houston Mayor Bill White is “on the list,” for consideration, but for what post remains to be seen.

And, if she doesn’t win on Tuesday, Edinburg appeals court justice Linda Yanez, who has previous White House-level experience, is reportedly one of the Obama team’s top picks for the next open seat on the Fifth District Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

Bobby Ray Inman, the former Interim Dean of the LBJ school who is still there–and who withdrew his nomination for Secretary of Defense in the Clinton administration–is also rumored to be under consideration for an advisory post of some sort in the Obama administration, but nothing cabinet-level.

A McCain campaign volunteer made up a story of being robbed, pinned to the ground and having the letter “B” scratched on her face in a politically inspired attack, police said Friday.

Ashley Todd, 20-year-old college student from College Station, Texas, admitted Friday that the story was false and was being charged with making a false report to police, said Maurita Bryant, the assistant chief of the police department’s investigations division. Police doubted her story from the start, Bryant said.

Todd, who is white, told police she was attacked by a 6-foot-4 black man Wednesday night. She now can’t explain why she invented the story, Bryant said.

What an idiot.

This is a great ad by the DSCC.

Joe Madison from XM Satellite Radio is kicking his ass, for what it is worth.

Oh, and we hear Dan Patrick is all-but-ready to announce after Election Day that he’s going to jump in the 2010 Governor’s Race.

We're liveblogging the third presidential debate.

John McCain is giving his opening statement right now. He’s focusing on a “short term fix” for the economy. Says that Fannie and Freddie were the “catalyst” for the housing crisis.

McCain says that he wants the government to buy up the mortgages.

Obama is opening now. “The financial rescue plan…is an important first step.” Talks about safety provisions (no CEO erichment, etc.) that he worked for. “What we haven’t seen is a rescue package for the middle class.” End tax credits for jobs going over seas, tax credits for new jobs, middle class tax cut, access IRA w/o penalty if in crisis. Says McCain’s plan could be a giveaway to banks.

Long term challenges: energy, healthcare, education.

McCain is given the option to ask a question of Obama. Instead, McCain talks about the “plumber incident.” He sounds like a dottering old man trying to re-tell a story he hear at the coffee shop.

I worry that McCain’s continuted harping on “share the wealth” will give him some traction.

8:14: deficit reduction; what programs will you cut back.

Obama: If the debt rescue package is structured properly, taxpayers get their money back. Net spending cut. Strong proponent of “pay as you go.” Every dollar proposed, an additional cut. Mentions cuts to subsidies to insurance companies as one he’ll target. “We need to eleminate a whole host of programs that don’t work.”

“Once we get through this economic crisis…we’re not going to be able to go back to our profligate ways.”

I wonder if McCain will mention a “spending freeze” again?

McCain: goes back to home ownership. “During the Depression, we had a thing called the Home Loan Ownership Corporation.” Sounds like something you’d overhear at the Dairy Queen at 6:30 on a Thursday morning.

Hatchet, scalpel. “Government spending has gone completely out of control.” Seriously? McCain would eleminate tarrif on sugar cane ethanol imported from Brazil. “Certainly I would veto every earmark porkbarrell bill.”

Jeez, now he’s yapping about Obama’s earmarks, just like in the first debate. Did someone switch Governor Reagan’s Senator McCain’s note cards?

Obama: When Bush came into office, we had a budget surplus…”pursuing the same kind of policies we’ve persued over the last eight years” isn’t going to work.

McCain: “Senator Obama, I’m not President Bush. If you wanted to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago.” Woah, that’s the line from this debate and may have helped McCain significantly.  Score for McCain. Sadly, Obama left himself open for it, but who would have thought McCain would finally separate himself from Bush in this way.

Oh, crap. McCain asks Obama when he stood up to his party on one single issue.

Obama says he stood against Democrats on tort reform and that he supported charter schools and performance pay. How nice, Senator Obama–take the opportunity of the last televised debate to actually aleniate yourself from some of your DEMOCRATIC constituents by dredging this back up. Bad move; I’m sure he could have come up with a better answer.

CRAP! Obama WALKS RIGHT INTO IT AGAIN by mentioning the last eight years and gives McCain the opportunity to say, “I’ve disagreed with President Bush and my Party and have the scars to prove it.”
Did Obama not realize after the first time that if he used it again he’d be setting McCain up again? Senator Obama: DON’T PULL HIS STRING, please.

8:25–words the campaigns have used. “Are each of you willing to say to each other’s face and say what your campaigns have said about each other to your faces”?

McCain: Bitches about town hall meetings. Oh, Christ. He mentioned Barry Goldwater and Jack Kennedy. McCain says he regrets negative aspects of both campaigns. Taken turns he thinks is unacceptable, Congressman John Lewis made allegations that Palin and McCain were racist, etc.

Shit. McCain is beating his ass; this is terrible. When will Obama bring his “A Game?” Aw, Jesus. Now we’re on to public financing. He’s just basically outlining a litany of potential Obama flip-flops.

Obama: “I think we expect presidential campaigns to be tough.” Talking about poll numbers. Nothing near the level of what McCain just delivered. What’s wrong with Obama tonight?

(NEW DRINKING GAME: Every time McCain says “Joe The Plumber,” take a drink.)

Obama is doing a poor job defending himself from the Congressman Lewis situation.

8:33 McCain is sounding all stumbly again defending the people who attend his rallies, but then picks up his game and, aw….hell….Obama is just getting his ass beat and I cannot believe it. I cannot BELIEVE it. I cannot sugar coat it. It’s just too obvious.

8:36: CHRIST! McCain mentions ACORN. AND TERRORISTS. IN THE SAME SENTENCE.

Oh. My. God. Obama is actually EXPLAINING BILL AYERS AND ACORN. Why did he not actually attack McCain and say that he is trying to distract the American people from what the real issues are?

8:40 now they are talking about why their vice presidential picks are the best. Kind of like two guys being asked to defend why their prom dates are hotter than their best friends.

8:43 McCain mentions that Sarah Palin knows all about special needs kids, and mentions Autism–which is not the condition which her youngest child is actually stricken with.

I missed a few minutes of liveblogging due to an air conditioning emergency (don’t ask), but am SO GLAD they discussed Roe v. Wade.

Barrett has some advantages as the incumbent, but not the traditional advantages of an incumbent who has actually served during a time when the Texas Legislature was in session. Having won the election in a lower-turnout election cycle and special election, Barrett could still see significant danger between now and election day.

One disadvantage for Barrett is that Shelton has already proven he’s willing to dwell in the gutter to win a campaign. We fully expect more gutteresque tactics this election cycle. On advantage for Barrett is that Shelton is Tom Craddick’s “guy Friday,” and has already been defeated by Barrett once.

WHAT THE DEMOCRAT HAS TO DO TO WIN: It is tough campaigning for re-election with you don’t have an actual record in the Texas legislature upon which to campaign, but this is the lot Barrett has drawn given the way former State Rep. Anna Mowery (R-Fort Worth) timed her resignation in 2007. However, Barrett can tout his record of constituent services. Too, because he doesn’t have a record of House votes, he’s also at an advantage to some degree because he isn’t forced to defend any arcaine votes that Republicans may decide to bring up in a mail piece. Barrett is going to have to tout a record of reform and tie his opponent to Tom Craddick. Of course, money will be a factor in this race, and Barrett will need to remain competitive with Shelton in this area.

WHAT WILL TIP IT: Again, the presidential race will be key. Barrett can’t afford a large crop of energized GOP voters coming out to vote against Barack Obama. On the other hand, a groundswell of “change” voters voting for Barack Obama will significantly hurt Shelton since he is a Republican and new voters coming out for Obama are unlikely to support a Republican. Gutter tactics like Shelton has been accused of using in the past could tip this race either way. If the tactics work, they give Shelton the advantage. If they backfire, they give Barrett the advantage.

This year, the Obama campaign is essentially pillaging Texas Democratic activists wholesale:

Unemployed and angry but with a strong sense of purpose, Shannon Curtis joined Barack Obama’s volunteer army.

Her first assignment: boot camp in Dallas, where the 27-year-old learned how to walk blocks, operate phone banks and become a precinct captain.

She’s being shipped with other Texans to one of the presidential battle’s western fronts – the crucial swing state of Colorado.

What is worse, the Obama campaign is pillaging volunteers from battleground areas within our state. Dallas County remains a battleground. A high-profile sheriff’s race and countless state legislative races in Dallas County could use the volunteer Obama is hijacking from Texas.

Two points on this: 1.) If the Obama campaign really wanted to be useful to us in Texas, they could offer their training to Texas volunteer to be used in battleground areas in Texas (come to think of it, perhaps the Texas Democratic Party could do that as well). 2.) Texas will never become a Democratic state fully in a presidential election as long as national campaigns simply view us as a breeding ground for exportable volunteers. Perhaps if the Obama campaign would allow the volunteers it is training to remain in Texas, we could boost our numbers. Perhaps, with almost all of the state’s most populous areas alread Democratic or likely to trend that way this election cycle, the campaign could actually carry the state (had they not essentially already abandoned their ground-game here).

We’ll be liveblogging it here, so stay tuned!

8:03 P.M. “Hey, Can I call you Joe?” Sarah Palin just asked Biden this as they shook hands. Oh, Lodry.
The first question was on the economic bailout. “It’s neither the best nor worst of Washington, but evidence that the economic policies of the last eight year have been the worst,” Biden says.

Palin says that a good barometer is going to a kid’s soccer game and asking them how they feel about the economy. She says you’ll hear fear in the parents’ voice. A good answer, but the “I’ll betcha” thrown in with the quirky smile was a bit too “I have overprepared and don’t know what I’m talking about.” She says McCain represents reform, sounded the warning bell on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Typical of Vice Presidential Candidates, Biden is articulating Obama’s economic plan, and doing a good job of that.

8:09 who was at fault in the subprime lending crisis. Palin answers first:

“Darn right it was the predator lenders who thought it was smart to buy a $300,000 house when they could only afford a $100,000 house. Oh, my god. The Alaska “Northern Exposure,” crap is too far. SHE JUST USED THE PHRASE JOE SIX PACK.

Biden says Obama warned about it two years ago, McCain was surprised by it. Points out the flaws of “deregulation” and Wall Street “self regulation.” Says McCain wants to do that for healthcare, too.

Pailn says we need tax relief. Harps on the 42,000 falshood.

Palin: second and THIRD mentions of Mayor of Wasilla.

Palin just scored a decent point by telling viewer that he won’t answer the questions like Biden or the moderator want because she’s speaking to the American people. Interesting, because she’s taking a very “Joe Sixpack” approach to the debate, to use her own phrase.

8:15: Now talking about “selective tax increases”, insurance. Says that middle class families got not a single break under McCain’s plan. Says that nobody making under $250,000 will see an increase under Obama’s plan.

Palin does not sound natural using phrases like “redistribution of wealth.” Hit on small businesses allegedly making higher taxes under Obama’s plan. Palin says paying taxes is not patriotic, and that government is the problem. Calls it the “backwards way to grow our economy.” Defends McCain’s healthcare plan, including the useles 5,000 tax credit for purchasing their own healthcare. Says it is “budget neutral.” She sounds like a game show presenter, not a statesman.

Woah, she just talked about cutting down barriers across state lines to boost the economy. She didn’t do a good job of expressing herself, but it does appear she was talking about interstate commerce, and I doubt anyone could figure out what she was saying.

Biden calls McCain’s health tax credit the “ultimate bridge to nowhere.”

8:21: Asks about promises campaigns won’t be able to keep. Biden says doubling foreign aid.

Palin just addressed Biden like he was an idiot child, and just said she’s only been on the trail five week and hasn’t made many promises that she can’t keep. ARROGANCE.

8:28 talking about bankruptcy bill.

Biden says that bankruptcy courts need to be able to adjust principle and interest rate on home loans. Good point for biden, assuming the audience understands the complexity of bankruptcy litigation and the changes from the bankruptcy bill.

Palin is GOING BACK TO HER RECORD ON ENERGY. IS THIS THE ONLY THING SHE CAN TALK ABOUT?????

8:30: What is true and false about climate change!

Palin says that as the only artic state, Alaska sees it, but that not every activity of man isn’t responsible, it’s more the cyclical temperature changes on it. Doesn’t want to argue about the causes, but wants to “positively impact the effect.” What? that doesn’t work with not admitting it is manmade. Reduce emissions? Why, Governor, if they don’t cause global warming?

Biden says it is clearly manmade. “If you don’t undertand what the cause is, it is virtually impossible to come up with a solution.” HELL YES. Hit one out of the park.

Asks about clean coal tech. OH MY GOD. Palin corrected Biden and says the phrase is, “Drill, Baby, Drill.” As the Pink Lady would say, get off the stage and “go make me a sandwich.”

8:36 asks Biden if he supports benefit for same sex partner. Says yes. No distinction, he says, between the couples in an Obama Biden administration. It is the correct progressive answer, but he just gave the R’s ammo.

8:38 asked if supports gay marriage. Biden says he and Obama don’t support civil redefinition of marriage. Says he take Palin at her word that there should be no civil rights distinction between gay and straight couple.

8:39 Iraq. Bla bla about the surge from Palin, says the oppoed troop funding. She has her jaw set in a very pouty yet confrontational manner. And…that persistent head tilt. Ugh.

BIDEN: With all due respect, I didn’t hear a plan. SCORE for Biden. Even if McCain had a plan, Palin couldn’t articulate it.

Palin: Calls Obama plan a “white flag of surrender.” A good soundbite, but total and complete bullshit.

Palin can do nothing more than take Biden’s statements from the primary and use them.

BIDEN SLAMS HER AGAIN, by noting that McCain voted against M-Wraps that protect PALIN’S OWN SON. Good comeback.

Ok…we’re going to blog the rest of it on Twitter. Check out our Twitter page here.

Drew Shirley, Barr’s attorney, issued the following statement on the ruling:

Obviously, I’m disappointed for a couple of reasons. I think it’s clear that the Secretary of State broke the law by certifying the late nominations of both parties, so I’m disappointed that the petition was denied. I’m also disappointed that the Supreme Court declined to hear oral arguments or even issue an opinion explaining their ruling, so now we’ll never know what convoluted reasoning they used to deny the petition. To paraphrase Ben Bradlee, we may have lost, but that doesn’t mean we were wrong.

No word yet on whether or not Barr will appeal.

Technorati Tags Barack Obama, Bob Barr, Drew Shirley, John McCain, Texas Supreme Court

Paul, an also-ran Presidential candidate, pulled a very maverick move this week (or, perhaps, a batshit crazy move).

He finally, at long last, made a presidential endorsement.

Who did he endorse? Who will carry on the Ron Paul Revolution and actually appear on the ballot? Well, let’s just say that Ron Paul went off and endorsed a guy for president who believes things like this:

If America wishes to remain a free and independent republic, if this nation truly desires future peace and prosperity, and if we genuinely aspire to remain a blessed and protected land, we must quickly throw off this foolish infatuation with multiculturalism, which is nothing more than an attempt to de- Christianize our country, and humbly return to the God of our fathers!

That’s right: Ron Paul endorsed Constitution Party candidate Chuck Baldwin (no, not of the Hollywood Baldwins) for President.

I think it is safe to say that Paul’s “Revolution,” and political career have jumped the shark.

Technorati Tags Bob Barr, Chuck Baldwin, Constitution Party, John McCain, Libertarian Party, Ron Paul, Texas

There is “one state that is most likely to determine who will be the next occupant of the White House. And that state is Colorado.”

Leading political analysts agree - Colorado is a crucial step to victory in November.  The McCain-Palin campaign needs your help!  Thousands of Coloradans will begin casting their ballots in early October.  With upwards of 70% of voters casting their votes early, October is now Election Month in Colorado.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:

* Come to Colorado for a weekend and join our Victory Blitz.  On September 26-28 and October 3-5, we will walk neighborhoods throughout Colorado and hit the phones to deliver our message to early voters.  Your efforts these weekends could decide the election!

* Become a full-time volunteer in one of our many Colorado offices.  There is much work to be done and you can be a tremendous help.

How very interesting. At least Democrats aren’t alone in being exportable commodities.

Technorati Tags Barack Obama, Colorado, John McCain, New Mexico, Sarah Palin

n a Sept. 17 press release, Plano-based Liberty Legal Institute refers to an investigation into Gov. Sarah Palin’s firing of a former Alaska Department of Public Safety commissioner, led by Alaska state senators, as “McCarthy-style.” Hiram Sasser, Liberty Legal’s director of litigation,  is serving as co-counsel to five Alaska state legislators who filed a complaint on Sept. 16 in the Alaska Superior Court in Anchorage. They’re suing two other Alaska state senators, the Alaska Legislative Council, and an investigator working for that permanent interim committee and service agency of the Alaska Legislature. In the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that the defendants are conducting an investigation that is “not related to or derivative of the Legislature’s constitutionally granted powers” but rather is “McCarthyistic.”

Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin will be in Dallas for a fund raiser on Oct. 3.

This may be the first trip back since the 44-year-old Alaska governor — then about eight months pregnant — traveled to Grapevine in April for a Republican Governors Association forum. Before she spoke, she felt her water break. But she gave her speech and then hopped a plane back to Alaska, where her baby was born.

The cost to attend the fund raiser ranges from $1,000 for a guest ticket to $57,000 per couple to chair the event and funds will go to the National Republican Committee.

We’ll see what kind of big-name Texas Republicans this attracts.

Technorati Tags Dallas, John McCain, Sarah Palin, Texas