Tag Archives: President

The story of Trump University in Texas

Posted on June 4, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

A fascinating read. Long before Trump University fell in the crosshairs of Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton, one of Donald Trump’s fellow Republicans drew a bead on the now-defunct school: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Abbott, then the state’s attorney general, … Continue reading →

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SCOTUS declines to hear Ted Cruz birther lawsuit

Posted on June 3, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Not that it really matters at this point. The Supreme Court declined Tuesday to hear a lawsuit arguing that Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz is ineligible to be president because his Canadian birth means he is not a “natural born … Continue reading →

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Full DC Circuit Court to review Clean Power Plan

Posted on May 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From ThinkProgress, an update on yet another federal lawsuit involving Texas. The Clean Power Plan will get its day in court, but in September, not June — and by the full en banc D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, not the … Continue reading →

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No indies

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Not in Texas and not for President, anyway. [Last] Monday was the deadline for independent candidates for president to get on the ballot in Texas. Nobody showed up. The Texas Secretary of State’s office, which administers elections, closed its doors … Continue reading →

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SCOTUS punts on birth control lawsuit

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Wow. Zubik v. Burwell was supposed to be an epic showdown over the power of religious objectors to limit the rights of others. A sequel to the Court’s 2014 decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, Zubik involved regulations expanding women’s access … Continue reading →

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Castro says he’s not been vetted for VP

Posted on May 14, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

So much for that, it would seem. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro said Tuesday that, despite all the speculation that he’s being considered to be Hillary Clinton’s running mate, he hasn’t been vetted by the Democratic front-runner’s … Continue reading →

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Cruz says he will run for re-election in 2018

Posted on May 12, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Oh, goody. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is officially running for re-election in 2018. Cruz filed paperwork Wednesday afternoon to seek a second term, adding some clarity to his political future just over a week after he ended his presidential … Continue reading →

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The Donald is spurring people to register to vote

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Just another data point for your consideration. Registration among Hispanic voters is skyrocketing in a presidential election cycle dominated by Donald Trump and loud GOP cries to close the border. Arturo Vargas, executive director of the National Association of Elected … Continue reading →

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Rick Perry must really need a job

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

That’s the most charitable explanation I can think of for this. Former Gov. Rick Perry, who had called Donald Trump a “cancer on conservatism,” is now endorsing the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. Perry, a former candidate who had backed U.S. … Continue reading →

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Keep an eye on 2018, too

Posted on May 8, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From Greg Abbott’s campaign Facebook page: And from the greasy lips of Dan Patrick: There are some who say that they could never vote for Donald Trump — in fact, I was one of those people early on in this … Continue reading →

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Whither Ted?

Posted on May 5, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

he has to go back to the Senate, where nearly everybody hates him. With his concession speech behind him and his multimillion-dollar presidential campaign already winding down, Ted Cruz will soon return to the U.S. Capitol and the job he … Continue reading →

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Another FEC complaint filed against Cruz

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

We’re up to two. The Texas Democrats have filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission alleging presidential contender Sen. Ted Cruz and his associates violated campaign finance laws. The complaint, dated April 22, asserts that Cruz national co-chair, J. … Continue reading →

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Still debating the Trump effect in Texas

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

This time with input from trained professionals. Republicans say it’s just wishful thinking, but Democrats are hoping that Trump’s controversial comments will make some GOP voters stay home in protest and boost the number of Democrats going to the polls … Continue reading →

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Texas-filed birther lawsuit against Ted Cruz dismissed

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

No surprise. A Houston federal judge tossed out a lawsuit Wednesday that challenged Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s eligibility to run for president. U.S. District Judge Gray H. Miller dismissed the suit with prejudice, meaning that Houston lawyer Boris Schwartz cannot … Continue reading →

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More on the possible Trump effect in Texas

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I have three things to say about this. While one should hesitate to feed the megalomania, there is no point in denying that there is a meaningful distinction between pre-Trump and post-Trump politics in the United States. The mogul turned … Continue reading →

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SCOTUS asked to rule on Cruz birther lawsuit

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

What fun. A Utah man became the first to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to take up a “birther” lawsuit against Ted Cruz which challenges the White House hopeful’s eligibility for office. The request by Utah attorney Walter Wagner, who … Continue reading →

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What are the chances that Hillary could carry Texas in November?

Posted on April 3, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

According to the bookies, not as bad as you might think. Speculating that Texas will go blue in the near future has a certain trollish quality. In fact, it’s also been a downright spectacular way to sound like you don’t … Continue reading →

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When are we going to get a general election poll of Texas?

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

As goes Utah… According to a new Deseret News/KSL poll, if Donald Trump becomes the GOP nominee, the voters of Utah would opt for a Democratic candidate for the first time in over 50 years. Poll respondents said they would … Continue reading →

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More on the rush to naturalization

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

The Trib looks at the trend in Texas. Amid a heated presidential election focusing heavily on immigration, a similar uncertainty about the future of immigration policies under a new president appears to be pushing thousands of legal residents in Texas … Continue reading →

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Donald Trump is making more citizens

Posted on March 18, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

He’s good for something. Over all, naturalization applications increased by 11 percent in the 2015 fiscal year over the year before, and jumped 14 percent during the six months ending in January, according to federal figures. The pace is picking … Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: 2016 Republican Presidential primary

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

How did things look on the Republican side, with its record-breaking (though not 2008 level) turnout? Dist Cruz Trump Rubio Cruz% Trump% Rubio% ====================================================== 126 9,206 5,012 3,604 46.45% 25.29% 18.18% 127 13,475 6,585 4,579 49.53% 24.20% 16.83% 128 10,789 … Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: 2016 Democratic Presidential primary

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I love the smell of precinct data in the morning, don’t you? Here’s a breakdown of the Democratic Presidential primary vote for Harris County: Dist Bernie Hillary Bernie% Hill% ====================================== 126 2,315 4,649 33.04% 66.35% 127 2,621 4,905 34.54% 64.64% … Continue reading →

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2016 primary reactions and initial impressions

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

First, a couple of minor notes. Rep. Byron Cook ultimately pulled out a win in his nasty and high-profile primary. That’s good news for Speaker Joe Straus and the general forces of “government that isn’t like a three-year-old coming off … Continue reading →

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2016 Presidential primaries: Clinton and Cruz win in Texas

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

A good night for Hillary Clinton. Once again, Texas delivered for a Clinton. The Texas Tribune projects that Hillary Clinton has easily won a majority of the statewide vote in the Texas Democratic primary, dominating her rival for the party’s … Continue reading →

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Primary Day is today

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: “Visit www.HarrisVotes.com to ensure you go to the correct voting location and to find your personal sample ballot for the Tuesday, March 1, Republican Party and Democratic Party Primary Elections,” said Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart, encouraging … Continue reading →

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SCOTUS to hear HB2 oral arguments

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

It’s the big one. Before Wendy Davis took to the floor of the Texas Senate for an 11-hour filibuster that ultimately failed to stop sweeping new restrictions on abortion, there was Casey. Shorthand for Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the 1992 … Continue reading →

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Day 10 EV totals for 2016 primaries

Posted on February 26, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

One more day left to vote early. Vote tomorrow, or take your chances at a precinct location on Tuesday: Year Dem GOP ======================= 2008 143,169 49,373 2012 30,538 63,817 2016 65,454 98,152 For your reference, the 2016 totals are here, … Continue reading →

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Lots more Texas primary poll results

Posted on February 26, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a veritable plethora, ladies and gentlemen. Let’s start with this one, which looks good for Hillary Clinton and Ted Cruz. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas has a commanding 12-point lead in his home state over businessman Donald Trump … Continue reading →

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Two more primary poll results

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

First we have one from KUHF, though it’s just for the GOP race. One week before Super Tuesday, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz holds a 14-point lead in the Lone Star State, according to a poll released Wednesday by Houston Public … Continue reading →

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Day 8 EV totals for 2016 primaries

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Eight days down, three days to go: Year Dem GOP ======================= 2008 98,980 35,332 2012 22,752 46,769 2016 45,389 66,135 For your reference, the 2016 totals are here, and the 2012 totals are here. I do now finally have a … Continue reading →

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UT/Trib poll: Clinton and Cruz lead in Texas

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

I’d been wondering when we were going to get a fresh poll for the Texas primary races. Hillary Clinton’s lead over Bernie Sanders has narrowed considerably in Texas but remains in the double digits among the state’s likely Democratic primary … Continue reading →

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Cruz moves to dismiss birther lawsuit against him

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

One of them, anyway. Sen. Ted Cruz is striking back against doubters of his eligibility to be president, asking a federal judge Monday to dismiss a Texas lawsuit questioning his natural born citizenship. The suit, filed by Houston attorney Newton … Continue reading →

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Time for the Presidential campaigns to focus on Texas

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

It’s our turn in the spotlight. After spending millions to gain attention and a relative handful of delegates in the first four primary and caucus states, presidential candidates will now train their sights on Super Tuesday and the mother lode … Continue reading →

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Day Three EV totals for 2016 primaries

Posted on February 19, 2016 by Charles Kuffner

Three! Three days of early voting: Year Dem GOP ======================= 2008 28,464 12,092 2012 9,871 21,635 2016 18,398 25,954 For your reference, the 2016 totals are here, and the 2012 totals are here. I don’t have daily EVPA totals from … Continue reading →

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