Posts
September 4, 2010
August 10, 2010
President visits UT!
Check out this video of the President's visit to our great city!
One of our wonderful Precinct 463 neighbors took pictures of the President's motorcade. Okay, quick disclaimer, the neighbor is my sweet honey. More of his photos can be found on Flickr ...look for Colorado Steve.
June 29, 2010
Post-convention news
The Brief: Top Texas News for Jun 28, 2010
by David Muto, The Texas Tribune
June 28, 2010
THE BIG CONVERSATION:
Texas Democrats made a stand this weekend — with tongues planted firmly in cheek.
Gubernatorial candidate Bill Whiteset the state Democratic convention ablaze on Friday night, capping off a rare week of political fortune for the party, which saw the White campaign digging in its heels on political messaging at the same time that Republicans nationwide were pushing back against ApologyGate and a poll showed White and Gov. Rick Perry in a virtual tie.
But at an otherwise fairly low-drama event — in contrast to the Republican convention two weeks ago at which internal strife over the party chairmanship dominated the conversation — Democrats compensated by amping up the shenanigans while taking direct aim at Perry: The double-wide trailer that the AFL-CIO offered to Perry made an appearance, as did "Perry's kill coyote beef" (hopefully not actually coyote) and copious amounts of snark, seen in a number of videos bashing the governor (and at one point comparing him to a certain TV villain also, incidentally, associated with cheerleading). Here's a taste:
And, yes, the chicken suit made an appearance, too. (Revisit all the action on the Tribune's liveblog, where reporters Brandi Grissom, Reeve Hamilton and Ben Philpott saw it all — including multiple chicken sightings, in fact — firsthand.)
But the party did take time to address more serious issues, including the "Texas two-step" primary/caucus voting system, which it voted to retain, and the party chairmanship, which expectedly went to incumbent Boyd Richie.
Though, as with any convention, the takeaway is the party's tweaking of the political narrative. And as The Dallas Morning News' Wayne Slaternotes, the story now goes something like this:
For the GOP: Washington is the problem, Bill White is Washington, Bill White is the problem.
For Democrats: Austin is the problem. Rick Perry is Austin. Rick Perry is the problem.
Not bad odds for Democrats, then, it would seem. But in a post-convention daze and with the political winds perhaps only briefly at their backs, do they have what it takes to win?
CULLED:
- Former Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe Jr., a rancher with a storied political and personal history, died Sunday at 87.
- Bill White wasn't the only rock star at the Democratic convention this weekend.
"Imagine what it will be like to actually have a governor who understands public policy." — Newly re-elected Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie
MUST READ:
Dallas County is point man for Democrats — The Dallas Morning News
Texas Democrats seeing a generational shift — Fort Worth Star-Telegram
FBI Investigating Possible DSHS Hacker — The Texas Tribune
More public money used to attract big events to Texas — Austin American-Statesman
Small-business tax break expiring — San Antonio Express-News
Hearings into border deaths sought — El Paso Times
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at http://trib.it/bv5eba.
June 15, 2010
More about the State Democratic Convention
For all of you who were unable to attend this past Sunday's meeting, here's a brief convention overview from www.txdemocrats.org (via a TCDP email):
Thursday, June 24th:
o At 7:00pm, there is a Kickoff Reception at the Texas State Aquarium, which is very near the Convention Center. This event is an opportunity for Delegates, Alternates, elected officials, and guests to relax, socialize and enjoy our host city before we start the business of the Convention on Friday. This event does not require your attendance but it’s always fun, and this year includes a Silent Auction and a Dolphin Show.
Friday, June 25th: This is the first “main” day of Convention activity.
o The credentials booths will open at 8:00am in Exhibit Hall B. To pick up your credential, you will need an ID such as a driver’s license or any other form of ID prescribed by the Secretary of State.
o From 9:00am-5:00pm on Friday and Saturday, vendors will display their merchandise in Exhibit Hall A (next to the credentials registration). Vendors sell a wide variety of items including jewelry, clothing, political memorabilia, while some booths are informational like those for candidates or organizations.
o From 9:00am-3:00pm, Issue Caucuses and meetings will be taking place at the American Bank Center. These caucuses are an opportunity for like-minded Delegates* to meet and discuss issues they may want to pursue.
o From 3:00-5:00pm, the Senate District caucuses will take place at the American Bank Center, the Omni Bayfront, and the Omni Marina hotels. These meetings are required by the Rules of the Texas Democratic Party. At this meeting, you and your fellow Delegates will nominate your representatives to the permanent committees of the Convention: Credentials, Rules, Resolutions, Nominations, and Platform, as well as choosing your SDEC members.
SD-14 will caucus in the Bayview Ballroom A on the 2nd Floor of the American Bank Center.
SD-25 will caucus in the Corpus Christi Ballroom B on the 3rd floor of the Omni Bayfront.
o At 6:00pm, the Convention is called to order. For the next few hours, all Delegates will participate in some of the required duties of our Party. These activities include: opening ceremonies, electing the Permanent Chair for the Convention and a few other items specified in the Rules of the TDP. We will also hear from our gubernatorial candidate, Bill White. When you go into the Arena, look for your Senate District number signs to find your seating.
o After the Convention breaks for the evening, you should make plans to head to the main Convention hotel, the Omni Bayfront, and attend some free receptions to be held by different groups and individuals.
Saturday, June 26th:
o At 8:30am, the Lady Bird Johnson Breakfast will be held at the American Bank Center. This event will feature Andrea White, wife of Mayor Bill White. This event is always fun and it’s another way to help support the TDP as we aim to host a successful Convention.
o At 9:30am, there will be trainings hosted by the TDP and other organizations in an effort to help educate Delegates on a range of topics including: grassroots organizing, social media, and the VAN (Voter Action Network) to name a few.
o At 11:00am, the Convention will be called back to order. During this session you and your fellow Delegates will have the opportunity to hear from all of our excellent statewide candidates. Elections will also be held for TDP officers for 2010-2012. In addition there are resolutions to be read and voted on as well as Rules changes and more. We anticipate Convention will be over around 5:00pm.
Information about Housing in Corpus Christi may be found Here.
Map of Corpus Christi and Map of the Convention Center
You may contact the TDP Convention Staff at 478-9800 with any questions.
May 23, 2010
CEC Meeting at 6 PM, May 26th
Want to know what's going on with Travis County Democratic Party precinct chairs? Attend this Wednesday's CEC meeting at 6 PM!
Travis County Democratic Party
County Executive Committee Meeting
May 26, 2010 6:00PM
AFL/CIO 1106 Lavaca St
And don't forget about this summer's State Convention! Visit the Texas Democratic Party online for all the dets, including lodging accomodations (the convention is in Corpus Christi) and information on how you can volunteer.
May 5, 2010
New website for TCDP!
When was the last time you visited the Travis County Democratic Party website? Well partner, that's too long! : ) Click on www.traviscountydemocrats.org to view the newly redesigned site!
The new site makes it easier to interact with TCDP activists and find out what about local Democratic Party events and actions!
What else is new? Well...
- "On the Record with Diane Holloway" it's a TCDP blog and if you're like to read via RSS, it's easy to subscribe too!
- Click on the "People" tab to find Democratic Elected Officials, Democratic candidates and precinct chairs. And you can contact them with a click of a button.
- If you're not already signed-up, the new website makes it fast and easy to become a Sustaining Member or Finance Council Member.
April 30, 2010
Gulf Coast Oil Spill - how to help
It's everywhere you turn ...on the radio, on TV, in the papers, and in conversations at the water cooler. The devastating oil spill occurring in the Gulf of Mexico. Visit www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36947751/ to see a timeline of the events.
You know the tragedy, but what can you do to help?
- Greater New Orleans Foundation - donate to the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund.
- Visit the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana online.
- Volunteer with the National Audubon Society by filling out their online volunteer form.
March 17, 2010
Save a founding father from being erased from history!
Last week the Texas State Board of Education, led by Governor Rick Perry’s appointee for chair, Gail Lowe, voted to remove Thomas Jefferson from social studies textbook standards.
Thomas Jefferson was a Founding Father, author of the Declaration of Independence, and a world-renowned scholar who advocated democratic, limited government. He was deleted from a list of historical figures who inspired political change because Governor Rick Perry provided no leadership or voice for mainstream Texans against people who decided to substitute their political agenda for the judgment of professional historians.
Please join me to send an e-mail to Governor Rick Perry today, telling him it’s time to stop playing political games with our kids future.
http://action.billwhitefortexas.com/SBOE
Thanks.
March 13, 2010
Asleep at the Wheel?
The Travis County Democratic Convention, March 20th at the Palmer Events Center on Auditorium Shores, will have music to go with all the political business --including, nine-time Grammy Award-winning "Asleep at the Wheel."After the convention, feel free to stay in the area and see more live music at the free SXSW concert on Auditorium Shores.
The County Convention is open to the public and lots of Travis County Democrats will come and be inspired by the music, the exciting speakers and the promise of victory in November. The program will include a rousing Clean Energy Rally, with special appearances by State Senator Kirk Watson and Mayor Lee Leffingwell, as well as our Congressman Lloyd Doggett and Travis County Delegation of State Representatives Elliott Naishtat, Dawnna Dukes, Eddie Rodriguez, Mark Strama, Donna Howard and Valinda Bolton, as well as other invited special guests. We’ll also have a special photo booth so you can commemorate your time with friends and elected officials at the convention.
Registration for the County Convention is from 8am to 9am on March 20.
P.S. – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for the Convention! CALL the Travis County Democratic Party Office: 477-7500
March 3, 2010
2010 Precinct 463 Convention on 3/2/10
In 2008, precincts across the state were flooded with concerned citizens who wanted to ensure their voices were heard loud and clear. It didn't hurt that 1) it was a presidential primary and 2) the "Texas Two-Step" was publicized wide and far. This year it was a Gubernatorial primary but there was far less public outreach done so that voters knew to participate in the precinct convention.
After the polls closed last night, five voters from Precinct 463 participated in the 2010 Precinct 463 Convention.
But all is not lost!
Our precinct passed five resolutions that will be forwarded to the county party! I'll scan and post those resolutions on our precinct website by tonight. We also chose 3 delegates who will represent out precinct at the County Convention on March 20, 2010 at the Palmer Events Center.
View Larger Map
Didn't get to attend your precinct's convention?
Still interested in representing your precinct at the County Convention later this month, and possibly at the State Convention later this year?
Well, come on by (see map above) on March 20th at 10 AM! There will be live music, food, and lots of fellow Travis County voters who want to be a part of shaping our community and state! :)
For details call the Travis County Democratic Party at 512/477-7500. As more information becomes available, I'll provide updates! For those of you chosen to be delegates for our precinct, I'll contact you directly.
P.S. We actually have 50 (yes, 50) more delegate positions open for our precinct. Soooo, come by on the 20th and help us rep our precinct! :)
And if you follow this blog but belong to another precinct, contact your precinct's chair or the Travis County Democratic Party to find out how many delegate or alternate delegate positions your precinct has vacant.
February 15, 2010
Early Voting: Tuesday, February 16th!
Early voting starts tomorrow -2/16/2010! Here are just some of the early polling locations you can go to. Polling times: Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 7 PM and Sunday from Noon to 6 PM.
- * HEB South Congress - 2400 S. Congress - temp building
- * Randalls on Ben White & Manchaca - 2025 W. Ben White
- * Dan Ruiz Public Library - 1600 Grove Blvd.
- * Fiesta Mart Stassney - 5510 S. IH-35
- * Randalls South Mopac & William Cannon - 6600 South Mopac
- * Randalls Brodie & Slaughter - 9911 Brodie Lane
After you vote on Tuesday, join fellow Democrats for an Early Vote Kickoff Rally at Scholz Garten. This event is sponsored by the Travis County Democratic Party, AFL-CIO and Texans for Obama. February 8, 2010
Vote Rebecca for District 5!
Closing out this blog is a statement from Dr. Bell-Metereau herself.
Want to know more about State Board of Education District 5 -like which counties it encompasses, how many ISDs are included, or more reasons to ensure the reign of idiologues on the SBOE ends with voting for Rebecca? Visit www.voterebecca.com/about-district-5
=============================
Rebecca: The One Democrat Who Can Win In November
Award-Winning Educator, Active Community Leader, Dedicated Wife and Mother
Dr. Bell-Metereau has won praise and honors time and time again for her outstanding work in the classroom at Texas State University, where she is Professor of English and Film. She is the only career educator in the primary contest, and her highly distinguished record of educational leadership, along with her public standing in the district, has no match in this race. In short, hers is the only campaign with the serious credentials and seriously broad support that will be necessary to defeat the far-right Republican machine.
Rebecca taught English and American studies in the Peace Corps and served as an interpreter for U.S. Air Force relief flights in Chad. She was a Fulbright scholar and teacher in Senegal. In San Marcos, she served as Planning and Zoning Commissioner, sat on the Solid Waste and Blue Ribbon Bond Commissions, represented her Neighborhood Council, and was her Homeowners Association President.
Committed to Academic Excellence
- Presidential Award for Excellence in Service
- Faculty Senate Distinguished Teaching Award
- Special Asst. to the President of Texas St. U for 1st-year retention and high school transition
- Alumni Award for Teaching Excellence
=================
Statement from Dr. Rebecca Bell-Metereau for State Board of Education
Texas ranks number one in high-school dropouts, and our State Board of Education isn’t helping. Instead of being leaders in improving public education, they’re busy tearing it down.
Incumbent extremist Ken Mercer’s record includes dumbed-down textbooks, disrespect for teachers, a public endowment placed in the care of cronies, and a curriculum intruding on private matters of belief. Enough is enough!
As a mother of two graduates of Texas public schools and a long-time educator at Texas State University, I want to take our public schools back. Texas students need to learn the most advanced science, technology, literature, and social studies.
The more we learn about what is happening on the Board, the more we see the urgent need for change.
I would appreciate your vote, your donations and your help asking others to vote for me in the Democratic primary, March 2n,d and the General Election on November 2nd.
-Dr. Rebecca Bell-Metereau
January 17, 2010
On the radar: Texas' March Primary
The March primary is a little over a month away! If you know someone who wants to vote but hasn't registered, February 1, 2010 is the last day to take care of business.
Tuesday March 2, 2010 -- Joint Primary Election
- Voter Registration Deadline: Mon., Feb. 1, 2010
- Early In-person Voting Begins: Tues., Feb. 16, 2010
- Early In-person Voting Ends: Fri., Feb. 26, 2010
- Contact Travis County Elections for vote by mail information at 238 VOTE
So you haven't heard much about the candidates other than mud slinging between Perry and Hutchinson, or maybe you're not sure why the other offices are up for election matter much. Normally, I could refer you to the Texas League of Women Voters for a nifty voter's guide, but I haven't seen one for the 2010 primaries on their website yet. Nevertheless, you can see a list of all the offices up for election by visiting the Secretary of State. You can also see a sample ballot on the Travis County Clerk website.
Besides the more publicized races for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and State Representative offices, we've got to decide which candidates are the best fits for a number of justice positions (e.g. Texas Supreme court, Court of Appeals, District Court, and County Court). A critical 2010 race that hasn't received as much air time is that of the State Board of Education. Next time I'll blog on why the race (I should probably say, races because there are several district SBOE positions open) for SBOE matters and what we can do to take our education system out of the hands of fundamentalists and into the hands of education-first leaders!
Have more questions than answers?
Just click on the link that matches the election/voter topic your interested in.
