Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Party like it's 1980

And we're back!

Not since 1980 have we seen such a late collapse as is befalling the McCain campaign. A dead heat going into the last few weeks, Reagan won by 10 points.

And while Carter was largely overtaken by events in Iran (much like the current economic crisis is killing McCain), the difference then was that Reagan stood tall in the debates and showed he could lead. The difference now is that McCain and Palin are showing up to these debates and proving the opposite.

There's nothing more deadly than a self-inflicted wound.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

State Rep. Louis Renault Shocked, Shocked! at Electricity Bills!

Here we go again.

So State Rep. Phil King, Chairman of the House Committee on Regulated Industries, says that the price of electricity is unacceptably high. Of course, every time we go down the supposedly rosy path to deregulation, we all pay more.

Opponents of deregulation warned of higher costs (and poor service) to consumers, while proponents argued that increased competition would drive down costs. It seems to me that the competition argument always wins out, but is never correct.

Airfares (fares are down, so is service, while fees are up, even for checked baggage and even soda). Insurance rates. Electricity. College Tuition.

It seems that "deregulation" has basically become a code word for "more expensive."

Friday, May 30, 2008

State Sen. Louis Renault and Colleagues Shocked, Shocked! at Tuition Increases

Sorry for the infrequent posting lately, but we've just been swamped. And frankly, that makes it kinda tough to think of anything interesting to say. And I don't post when I don't have anything interesting (to me) to say.

So a State Senate panel raked some public university regents over the coals this week for increasing tuition by as much as 50% over the past 5 years.

That is, since they gave them the power to do just that.

They were all Shocked, Shocked! about how expensive an education has gotten in this state and how it's getting more and more out of reach for average Texans at a time when we should be doing more to enhance the competitiveness of our workforce.

Reminds me of Captain Renault, Prefect of Casablanca, who is handed his winnings after declaring his shock to learn that there is gambling going on in Rick's Cafe Americain. Like those members who voted for tuition deregulation, he tolerated it until someone more powerful wanted to shut it down (in his case, Major Strasser of the Luftwaffe, in the case of the Senators, the voters.)

I was lobbying in 2003 when that stinker of a bill passed even though most members had to have been against it. Like a lot of legislation, people held their noses and voted for a bill they didn't like because someone higher up required them to. Same with the budget that year that Pat Haggerty described from the front mic with a big ol' raspberry. I'm gonna miss him.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Runoff, Belated.

I started to write this post last week, then got sidetracked and never finished it. It has been WAY too busy for posting lately, but I'll try to keep up (hear that, muse?)

Congrats to our favorite DeSlayer, Richard Morrison, on his runoff victory for Ft. Bend County Commissioner. Flip side, he won't have Tom Stavinoha to kick around anymore since he lost his primary runoff. What is his problem with guys named Tom, anyway?

By the way, my mom lives in Greatwood; she went to vote in the runoff for Morrison, finally finding the place after some searching. She told me that a card-pusher for a certain candidate for Congress told her that he just KNEW the former Congresswoman could count on her support. Not in this lifetime, she replied. No matter, she wasn't voting in their runoff, anyway.

But now she won't get the chance to vote against her again, which brings me to my next point--we are finally rid of her. I hope she doesn't run for anything again. Did anyone honestly believe she got 42% of the vote as a write-in last time? I read that they were counting as votes obvious slams and variations on her name that were clearly meant as jokes.

Now if we could just end this presidential primary and get on with it.

On to November!

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

April Fool!

OK, this really has nothing to do with April Fool's Day, but I had to get this off my chest: I'm getting bored with the Democratic Presidential Primary.

Ever since the Texas Primary ended, I have paid less and less attention to it. If I have to read one more story or one more blog entry about superdelegates or last Saturday's Senatorial District Conventions, I'm gonna scream.

Yes, Hillary won the popular vote here, keeping her campaign alive to fight another day. Yes, Obama won more Texas delegates based on his strength in urban areas and the dedication of his supporters who showed up to caucus on March 4th and again on Saturday. Blah, blah, blah.

No wonder these people have to come up with such great stories as what Obama's pastor thinks or whether Hillary is paying her bills. THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO TALK ABOUT. Even McCain's having a hard time getting any run, and he's the freakin' Republican nominee for chrissakes, after nearly being out of it in the early-going.

I blame all this on the stupid states around the country that just had to move their primaries up to February 5 or before. Just think, week after week there'd be a contest in one state or another, going all the way to June. Florida and Michigan would have counted for something. Instead, we had a frantic Winter followed by a few big contests in the Spring, separated by a month or more. BORING!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

The Puma Primary; Hillary Surprises

Obama won Monday's Puma Primary, but lost the popular vote yesterday. After the caucus delegates are apportioned, it looks like there will be about an even split of delegates, which means the fight will go on at least to Pennsylvania but probably beyond.

First to the Puma Primary. Starting late last week, I had a strange feeling that Obama had peaked in Texas. The talking heads (of which I am now one, more on that later) last night said the "3 am ringing telephone" ad must have had something to do with late deciders breaking for Clinton, but I felt it coming before.

First, his rise in most polls leveled off. Second, a lot of people I talked to said they were starting to feel uneasy, that the the Obama campaign seemed a little too cult-like for their taste. One even described feeling "creeped out." I still felt optimistic about his chances of winning here, but thought it wouldn't be easy. Then I went shopping on Monday night.

I admit, not a representative sample, but anecdotally speaking, it looked like Obama fever was catching, and especially susceptible were the young. I went to the Puma store at the Galleria to get a new pair of golf shoes (their golf gear is fantastic-looking). A hip store full of young people browsing the selection of jackets and shirts. And everyone who worked there was for Obama. All around college-age, one African American male (who was actually wearing an Obama t-shirt at work), a couple of young Hispanic males and one Hispanic female. To a person they were all for Obama and they all were planning to attend their precinct conventions.

But Hillary esta fuertisima. I wrote before about Hispanic voters in places other than the border area being an important target for Obama; it looks like they either couldn't get traction or dropped the ball. Almost no visible presence in the Houston Hispanic community that I could tell. It was all Hillary.

Driving past my polling place yesterday, one of the largest Hispanic precincts in Harris County, I saw NO Obama signs at all, but several for Hillary, including a hand-painted one that read "Hillary, we got your back." Must have been a result of the hard work and institutional support by all the Hispanic elected officials who endorsed her early on and in the past few weeks. Congratulations are in order for pulling out the big wins yesterday.

By the way, I am now a political pundit. I appeared live from a studio in downtown Houston on a worldwide Al Jazeera news broadcast to talk about the Texas Primary, which was viewed by 70-80 million people; 300,000-400,000 here in the U.S. (making their audience slightly larger than MSNBC, if not as mainstream). Still, it was my first such experience and it was truly an honor, and I hope to do it a lot more often.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

When Politics and Basketball Collide

Just going to make an observation, and let you all figure out if it has any symbolic meaning:

1. Senator Barack Obama spoke to a large crowd on the home court of the Houston Rockets last night. The Rockets, playing at the same time on the road, defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers to keep pace in the NBA Western Conference playoff race.

2. Former President Bill Clinton spoke to a large crowd on the home court of the University of Houston Cougars tonight. The Cougars, playing at the same time on the road, lost to the UAB Blazers, probably blowing an invitation to the NCAA Tournament.

Is this a sign?

Why Obama Will Carry Texas (and with it the Democratic Nomination)

I was in attendance at last night's Obama Rally at Houston's Toyota Center, home the Houston Rockets, who tallied their 9th straight win last night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

T-Mac, Yao and the gang were upstaged last night on their home floor by the Next President of the United States, en route to his own 10-state winning streak.

That's when it dawned on me: Obama will win Texas.

It's not just about "convoluted" delegate selection rules and the segmentation of the primary voting population. It's about excitement. A level of excitement about a candidate running for President that, I have to say, I have not experienced in my lifetime.

It's about people being ready for a change. The only line I wrote down from last night's speech sums up why Democrats will carry the day: "The last thing we need is the same ol' folks doing the same ol' thing and making the same ol' mistakes."

Obama emerged before a crowd of 20,000 cheering admirers just after being declared the winner of the Wisconsin Primary. How ever you want to slice up the pie, he carried it, save older women. Most of all, he is generating a wave of participation among young or inexperienced voters, as well as disaffected Republicans and independents that will propel him all the way.

Seeing how the crowd reacted to his words last night, I was reminded of a feeling I last had when Bill Clinton gave his acceptance speech at the 1992 Democratic Convention. I knew that they were going to win.

Obama will carry Texas because Latinos are giving him a look.

Most observers think of the Rio Grande Valley when they think of the Hispanic voting population in Texas, but that's an antiquated view. There are more Hispanics in the Dallas or Houston areas than there are in the Valley, they just tend to be younger and less likely to vote on average than those along the border.

But this is not your average election. Expect Obama to carry young Hispanic voters, and a higher percentage of Hispanics in the urban areas than in the Valley or Laredo. Expect him to carry White voters.

Expect him to win African-American voters overwhelmingly, who are likely to turn out not just in large numbers in urban areas, but also suburban and more rural East Texas. Expect him to attract large numbers of independent voters to the Democratic Primary. Like in other states, expect Red State Texas to have twice, or four times, as many Democratic Primary voters than Republicans.

On the first day of early voting yesterday in Texas' largest county of Harris (which includes Houston), three times as many people voted in the Democratic Primary as the Republican Primary. And 11 times more people voted yesterday as compared to the first day of early voting in the 2004 Democratic Primary.

Expect Obama's momentum to carry him into the winner's circle in Texas.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

What a Day! February 19, 2008

What else could possibly happen today in the world of politics? I read in this morning's New York Times that Musharraf's party lost big-time in Pakistani elections, and that Fidel Castro resigned.

Wisconsin Primary. Early voting starts today in the Texas Primaries, the big prize on March 4 (along with Ohio.)

Houston ISD State of the Schools luncheon, so big it has to be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Former President Bill Clinton will be here in Houston for a Hillary fundraising event tonight.

A few blocks away, Barack Obama will speak to a "sold out" Toyota Center (tickets were free) for tonight's campaign appearance. When was the last time Bill wasn't the hottest ticket in town?

Apparently, the Rockets aren't the only hot team at Toyota Center. They won their last 8 games going into the All-Star Break.

Obama will be coming onto the Rockets home court with a 8-state winning streak of his own. Assuming all goes well in Wisconsin and Hawaii tonight, he extends it to an even 10-in-a-row.

And I'll be there to see it. Wouldn't it be great if he gave his speech to a packed house in Houston just after being projected the winner in Wisconsin?

Now we just need to keep the Rockets on that kind of pace going into the playoffs. A Rockets championship in June and an Obama acceptance speech in August--that would make for a great summer.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Joe Freakin' Lieberman

What in the hell is the matter with Joe Lieberman? He appeared in a photo in the New York Times today while campaigning with John McCain, who you will remember is a Republican running for President.

But that's not the surprising part. We all know that Sour Grapes Joe endorsed McCain quite a long while ago. And to think I campaigned so hard for the guy in 2000.

(Maybe Connecticut should institute the same rules as Texas, where if you lose your primary you can't run as an independent.)

But what disgusted me most about his appearance with McCain at Faneuil Hall was they guy standing next to him, his apparent soul-mate in McCain adoration.

Phil Gramm. Wow. Does he feel comfortable where he is right now?

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Resignation, Special Election, Prediction

I think they may have finally gotten a district where a Dem might not be able to defeat the Repub in a special election. Of course, I'm talking about Senate District 17, where outgoing Sen. Kyle Janek will leave someone to try to keep the seat.

If you will remember from a previous post, the Repub leadership in Austin has been 0-fer in special elections to retain a legislative seat since the departure of Jack Stick. Donna Howard, Kirk England (after a switch) and Dan Bartlett are all D's who won special elections designed to keep a seat in the Republican column.

Problem is, I the population of SD17 is so grossly skewed to suburban Houston, that I think it will be difficult, though not impossible, for a D win if the election is indeed held in May. However, expect several R's to jump in, dividing up the vote, leaving an opening for a well-financed/popular D to win a runoff if the circumstances are right. I certainly hope they are.

On second thought, I'll save the prediction until after the field emerges. I can tell you one thing, if Gary Polland and Charlie Howard are in, I like our chances already. Hopefully, some also-ran who misses the CD22 runoff won't try to ride in there at the last minute.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Leaving On a Jet Plane

Just my way of saying goodbye to my right-hand woman here at Landslide Victories, who's going North for a stretch. We'll all miss you.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

WWLBJD--A Meaningful Texas Presidential Primary?

For all I know, there hasn't been a meaningful presidential primary in Texas since the party rules changes in 1972. Or maybe ever.

I know that since I've been paying attention to such things (1984 election was my first really active one, when I was 14 years old), the races are pretty much decided by the time our primary rolls around. In fact, I think that's what led to moving our primary from May to March. And then from the second week of March to the first week. And it still didn't matter. Makes me wonder why the bill to move to February 5 never passed last session; didn't our legislators want us to be relevant in this process?

Now, it appears we just may have a couple of fights on our hands, as it seems that both parties still might have a few candidates with some fight left in 'em by March 4th.

So this question, sports fans: who would LBJ support for president if the primary were held today, and why? I guess I'm assuming he'd vote in the Democratic primary, but if you disagree, tell me why.

Monday, January 7, 2008

New Sheriff in Town

I have been encouraging my former client, Council Member Adrian Garcia, to run for Sheriff (or Pct 1 Constable upon Abercia's retirement) for years. With his experience in law enforcement, I think he would be an excellent sheriff for Harris County.

Now for the number one reason we need a change: remember this November 2005 headline from the Chronicle?

Killer Bluffs his Way Out of Jail

That's right. Conditions were such at Baker Street, operated by the Sheriff's Department, that a condemned murderer schmoozed his way out of jail by getting his hands on some khakis, a blue shirt, and a fake ID badge. Then he just walked out the front door to his freedom, claiming to be an investigator.

Wow. That is just inexcusable, and Thomas should lose his job over it. Luckily, Charles Thompson was captured three days later in Shreveport, apparently talking drunk on a pay phone, before he hurt someone else.

Friday, January 4, 2008

Obama It Is

Add me to the list of Obama supporters. I was late coming around, but after seeing him yesterday, I'm joining my wife, who's from Illinois and has been with him from the beginning. I'm going to reprint an email exchange below between me and a friend of ours who now lives in NYC, Stacy Aab. She's a blogger on Huff Post, an author, and a former Clinton White House operative. She described by response as "the best email ever," though I thought hers was a lot more eloquent. My response is below, Stacy's message is below that.


I am convinced. Until yesterday morning, I was basically undecided (though kinda leaning towards Richardson with full knowledge that he was probably running for vice president at this point).

I think Obama represents a dramatic departure from business as usual, and that is very appealing to me at this point. I also haven't been so personally impressed and inspired by a candidate for president since 1992. Even with Gore (with my heart still broken) and certainly with Kerry, it seemed like it was more about "electability", whatever that is.

Then I saw his final speech in Iowa on YouTube before the caucuses, and I was hooked. Then I saw his victory speech last night, and I was convinced that he's what we need now.



To: Matt Emal
From: Stacy Aab <>
Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 10:09:05 -0500
Subject: Before, We Walked in Faith. Now, We Celebrate Fact.

Well, maybe not all of us. But many of us! What an incredible, incredible night....just wanted to share this with you all!

* * *

Before, We Walked in Faith. Now, We Celebrate Fact.

Last night, I wish I could have been an Iowan. I watched the early caucus coverage while at the Harlem NY Sports Club, working the elliptical machine. So many of us in the gym, racing, racing, watching CNN on the individual TVs. Wolf Blitzer cuts away to packed rooms of voters, sitting, waiting, being counted, waiting to stand up (if not literally, figuratively) for their man or woman. I found myself getting choked-up. I try not to be sentimental, because I find it to be a suspect emotion, but I found myself moved by the images of men in women in big sweaters and sweatshirts—just normal folks, like the folks of small towns in Michigan where I grew up, and all across the country. There they were. They were doing it. Each man and woman walked into that high school gym, looked at their neighbors, or didn't look at their neighbors, and prepared to say out loud—to testify, to declare for their whole world to know, who exactly they supported. I was jealous. I wish I could have been there. I wish I too could have made that simple, yet most powerful statement: Obama is my man. I hope he can be yours, too. And then, to look around, and see that other people are doing it with you? Only Spartacus could have felt better than Obama does tonight, knowing that so many people rose for him, and didn't shy away, didn't say oh, we're trying to back a "winner" just like people said in 2004 with that "winner" John Kerry. Last night, Obama was rewarded for dreaming big, and for acting big. So were we.