Monthly Archives: October 2008

A cornucopia of late night electoral tidbits

Just some bits and pieces for your late Halloween/early Dia de los Muertos perusal… KHOU shines a spotlight on Sherrie Matula and her two opponents in HD129. Former Clear Creek schoolteacher Sherrie Matula is running for the Texas House. She … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on A cornucopia of late night electoral tidbits

RIP, Fred Baron

Fred Baron, one of the prime backstage movers behind the recent resurgence of the Texas Democratic Party, has passed away at the age of 61. Mr. Baron became known as the King of Torts for his more than 30 years … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in The great state of Texas | Comments Off on RIP, Fred Baron

Friday random ten: And now a short break from politics

Just because if I have to sit through one more political ad on TV, I’m gonna go postal. It’s times like these that I’m glad Texas has not achieved swing state status. All songs are from the same group of … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Music | Comments Off on Friday random ten: And now a short break from politics

Early voting: Did I mention today is the last day?

Yes, today is the last day of early voting. Vote today, or wait till Tuesday. Today is likely to be very busy, possibly busier than Tuesday at your usual polling place, but I’d still try to cast my ballot today … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Endorsement watch: The “We just realized there’s only one day of early voting left” edition

I don’t know if the Chronicle was motivated by the end of early voting today or if they just finally broke through a logjam, but we have a veritable cornucopia of endorsements in this edition. First, they go for Loren … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: The “We just realized there’s only one day of early voting left” edition

Prognosticating with the stars

So you think you know what’s going to happen on Election Day? Put your money where your mouth is and take The Roundtable challenge to see if you can do better than the local punditocracy and media moguls. All in … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Prognosticating with the stars

The argument for campaign finance reform in Texas, in a nutshell

Item: Texans for Lawsuit Reform rents a candidate. Texans for Lawsuit Reform, a business group instrumental in winning significant restrictions on civil lawsuits, has endorsed two candidates — Republican Joan Huffman of Southside Place and Democrat Stephanie Simmons of Missouri … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on The argument for campaign finance reform in Texas, in a nutshell

One way to deal with sign stealers

I repeat, sign stealing is lame. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to deal with it. And if you must, it pays to think outside the box. Bravo, sir. And while we’re on the subject, Harold Cook has a … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on One way to deal with sign stealers

One last UT poll

One more poll to consider as we approach the end of early voting. This one is from the University of Texas. The UT poll shows McCain running ahead of Obama statewide, with a 51 percent to 40 percent margin. Cornyn, … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Early voting: Over a half-million served

Here’s your daily EV update. A total of 70,621 in-person votes were cast yesterday, which is a 42.8% gain over 2004’s figure of 49,449. Not quite the Birnberg number, but close enough. The grand total with two days to go … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | 2 Comments

Endorsement watch: Have you always been concerned about that?

Before I get to today’s endorsements, let’s briefly discuss this item from yesterday, in which the Chron gravely intoned of a looming catastrophe. We would respectfully request those considering a straight ticket vote in either party to reconsider their decision. … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

eSlate hate

Just a few thoughts regarding this article about the sSlate machines that Harris County uses. County Clerk Beverly Kaufman, a Republican who administers elections, pointed out that eSlates have had many fewer reported problems than “touch-screen” technology, which has led … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Chron overview of the RRC race

The anachronistically named Texas Railroad Commission is pretty high up there in the power-to-prominence ratio. This year’s race for Railroad Commissioner is pretty typical, modulo the unusual three-way Democratic primary that left the little-known contender Mark Thompson standing. The Chron … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Chron overview of the RRC race

Me on your teevee on Tuesday

My usual modus operandi for election nights is to hit a party or two and mooch all the free food and beer I can celebrate or commiserate with my fellow Democrats in a social environment. This year will be a … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Blog stuff | 8 Comments

Early voting: Still following the pattern

The early vote in Harris County was 66,506 yesterday, the busiest day yet. That matches the pattern from 2004, except at a higher level – the corresponding 2004 number was 46,393, and the nine-day total was 240,846 then and 443,267 … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | 3 Comments

Interview with Larry Joe Doherty

For what will probably be my last interview of this cycle (there’s still a chance I’ll have one more), I bring you a conversation with Larry Joe Doherty, who is running a spirited and closely contested campaign in CD10. Larry … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Interview with Larry Joe Doherty

Endorsement watch: Skelly and Hinojosa

As expected, the Chron gives thumbs up to Michael Skelly in CD07. Michael Skelly for U.S. Representative, District 7: For a diverse range of communities stretching from the Texas Medical Center and West University Place to the far northwest suburbs … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Chron overview of the Commissioners Court race

We have a rarity in Harris County politics this year – an actual Democrat-versus-Republican race for a County Commissioners Court seat. That race is for Precinct 3, where long-term incumbent Steve Radack faces Democrat Dexter Handy. Radack last had a … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

You won’t need to register that bike

Do you own a bicycle? If you do, you’re probably in violation of a city ordinance. Mayor Bill White breaks this law. Thousands of innocent children could be implicated. You, dear reader, may be in violation and not even know … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on You won’t need to register that bike

Eight days out

Some highlights from the eight days out reports, where the real money often gets spent, for Harris County races. HD149: Greg Meyers gets a huge cash injection from a couple of Republican PACs as they try to knock off Rep. … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Eight days out

“Love Boat”, Harris County GOP style

Some days, it’s all about the videos. My apologies for the earworm, and props to whoever found that awesome font. Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on “Love Boat”, Harris County GOP style

Early voting: A little slower, but still strong

I didn’t think the double-the-rate-of-2004 pace for early voting could be maintained all the way through to the end, and the Monday results bear that out, as “only” 62,509 voters showed up at the polls yesterday. That’s a slight drop … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Early voting: A little slower, but still strong

The Katy’s grand re-opening

There will be a ceremony today to mark the official end of the Katy Freeway construction project. Gov. Rick Perry, officials with the Texas Department of Transportation and Harris County Toll Road Authority, as well as local leaders, will celebrate … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on The Katy’s grand re-opening

Candidate Q&A: Robert Schaffer

Note: This entry is part of a series of written Q&As with judicial candidates who will be on the ballot in Harris County. I am also doing recorded interviews with non-judicial candidates. 1. Who are you, and what are you … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Candidate Q&A: Robert Schaffer

Endorsement watch: Opie Cunningham

Best endorsement video ever: See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die Just too bad he didn’t include Mr. and Mrs. C. Anyone know who Tom Bosley and Marian Ross are voting for? For what it’s worth, McCain recently … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: Opie Cunningham

Chron overview of the CCA races

I have three things to say about this story, which gives an overview of the races for the Court of Criminal Appeals. Problems in the criminal justice system, highlighted by a series of exonerations, are the top issue in this … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Texas blog roundup for the week of October 27

Early voting has started, and it’s off the charts. Need I say more? Read all about it in the weekly highlights of the Texas Progressive Alliance. Click on for more. Continue reading

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of October 27

He’s guilty

In honor of Alaska’s soon-to-be-former Sen. Ted “Tubes” Stevens and the jury of his peers that found him guilty today, I present to you the following musical tribute: Gotta love Steven Bochco – even when he failed, he still succeeded. Continue reading

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on He’s guilty

Campaigns respond to Chron polling

I hope you’ve now had a chance to digest the latest poll news from the Chron, because the campaigns for Rep. Nick Lampson and Michael Skelly would like you to hear their side of the story. I have in my … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Campaigns respond to Chron polling

Early voting: Weekend edition

One full week of early voting is in the can, and as you can see, the pace compared to 2004 continues. So far, 314,252 in person votes have been cast, which rises to 359,613 when mail ballots are added in. … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | 2 Comments

Chron polling in Congressional races

After two days of mostly discouraging news for the local GOP, today’s Chron poll of two area Congressional races should make them feel better. Two Houston-area congressmen under political siege likely face opposite fates in the Nov. 4 election, according … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Chron polling in Congressional races

A list of interviews to date

I am almost completely done with my series of candidate interviews for this cycle – I expect to do one more, which should be published by Wednesday, then it’s all over till the 2009 municipal elections. I hope you’ve found … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on A list of interviews to date

Endorsement watch: Still to go

As we enter the last week of early voting, here are the races in which the Chron has not yet made a recommendation: 1. Railroad Commissioner 2. US House, Districts 07 and 10 3. State Senate, District 17 4. State … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Endorsement watch: Still to go

The Republican case against Tom Craddick

State Republican Executive Committee Mark McCaig says something that won’t get him invited to many cocktail parties. What was once a 26-seat Republican majority in 2003 has dwindled down to an eight-seat majority today, and this number will almost certainly … Continue reading Continue reading

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on The Republican case against Tom Craddick