For those fascinated by Texas politics as we are, Kelly Fero has done an interview with Nate Wilcox for the release of Netroots Rising which is now available online here.
If you are, as we are, a fan of the work of this longtime Democratic strategist, then this interview is a must-read. A great deal of it is dedicated to the 2002 elections and the “Dream Ticket.” In fact, moreso than anything, Kelly’s interview probably demystifies a lot of things about that election cycle, such as the ever-present question, “how did Tony Sanchez decide to run for Governor?”
In honor of that, we thought we’d also share the top five best rumors of all time (all untrue, but all funny) that we’ve heard over the years about how the “Dream Ticket” of 2002 was formed:
Lance Armstrong, who is already being touted for higher office by the media following his success pushing a multi-billion dollar cancer initiative in the recent elections, is himself an infrequent voter, Capitol Annex has learned.
According to voting records, it would appear Armstrong did not register to vote until 2006, unless he was registered in another state.
Over the weekend, major media outlets across Texas were litteredwith stories about Lance Armstrong’s political potential.
Of course, the media proclaims to have no clue about Armstrong’s political party affiliation. Evidently, nobody in the MSM realizes they can just call the elections office of the county in which Armstrong is registered to vote and simply ask them to fax his voting history, which would show if he’d voted in a primary election.
I remember November 5, 2002 like it was yesterday.
I was working in the newspaper business at the time. Watching returns come in from across the state took on an other-worldly atmosphere as Democrat after Democrat–from the statewides on down–fell to Republican candidates.
It was a bloodbath. It was the night the doors were infamously blown off the Texas Legislature, and a swarm of corrupt, religious-right influenced, anti-consumer Republicans swarmed in like a plague of locusts.
The statewide Democratic ticket’s theme that year was, “A New Day For Texas.” It was a new day all right; it just wasn’t the new day we thought it would be.
[Ed. Note: This is the first in a series of four posts set for publication today announcing Capitol Annex's endorsements on each of the 16 ballot propositions before Texas voters on November 6. — VL]
Proposition 1
First, let’s take a look at the language on the ballot:
The constitutional amendment providing for the continuation of the constitutional appropriation for facilities and other capital items at Angelo State University on a change in the governance of the university.
Essentially, this is an amendment that allows certain constitutionally dedicated funds dedicated to Angelo State University to “follow” the university as it transfers from the Texas State University System to the Texas Tech University System.
Capitol Annex Recommends: A “Yes” Vote On Proposition 1.
Pink Dome confirmed, via QR, what I already suspected: James Leininger is financially behind the challenges to GOP incumbents in the Texas House including Tommy Merritt and Carter Casteel.
QR noted:
Here’s yet another example of how the establishment of the Texas Republican Party stands behind specific candidates and, basically, says to hell with neutrality and the rest.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Rick Perry will stump for State Rep. Kent Grusendorf at an upcoming campaign event, along with House Speaker Tom Craddick and Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, in his race against Arlington school board President Diane Patrick for the March 7 GOP Primary.
Do you know that you can 
