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Photos: Election day around Waco
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Thursday, February 21, 2008
Hillary campaign swings into gear in Waco
More than 50 Waco-area Hillary Clinton supporters came out Wednesday to organize their get-out-the-votet efforts and plan support events for the former first lady’s bid to return to the White House.
Besides tonight’s debate watch party at Poppa Rollos Pizza, local organizers are planning a “visibility” event Saturday between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m to raise awareness about early voting. Hillary supporters will wave campaign signs on the Eighth Street pedestrian bridge over Interstate 35.
There will also be daily noon gatherings near the Lacy-Lakeview Civic Center and Robinson City Hall voting locations. A Hillary Clinton barbecue rally is planned at 2 p.m. Sunday at Cameron Park’s Redwood Shelter.
Phone banking between 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. will be a daily activity at the Clinton’s campaign’s Waco field office once it is opened. Campaign staff are still in the process of securing a location.
More on the Hillary campaign in Waco later.
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Obama supporters move Monday’s meeting
Waco’s Barack Obama support group has outgrown its planned meeting location. Here’s the press release we just received about the changes:
Due to overwhelming turnout, the Waco Obama supporters Monday night meeting has been moved to a different (much larger) location. The group will meet at 6:00 PM on Monday, Feb. 25 at POPPA ROLLO’S PIZZA (in the Outback building).
Obama supporters should bring their cell phone and $8 for pizza.
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Sibley withdraws support of Craddick
Jonathan Sibley, Republican candidate for McLennan County-based House District 56, announced his withdrawl of support for Tom Craddick, speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.
Sibley initially pledged to support Craddick, R-Midland, in August soon after announcing his intention to challenge incumbent state Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson. But in a letter he sent to Craddick’s office today, Sibley said he has “come to realize that we disagree on many of the most important issues in my district.”
Below is the text of the letter sent to Craddick in its entirety:
Dear Speaker Craddick,
As we discussed many months ago, I do not feel District 56 has been well represented by Charles “Doc” Anderson. I believe that he has made many votes against the best interests of the families in McLennan County. Public education and illegal immigration reform are the most important issues in my district. Unfortunately, on both of these important issues, Anderson has either voted against the district or offered only sound bytes rather than working for solutions. Another issue that has consistently surfaced in my district involves who I plan to support for Speaker of the Texas House. As you know, I strongly disagree with your assertion of absolute authority during last yearÃs legislative session. Mr. Speaker, although I have respect for your long career of service to the state of Texas, I have come to realize that we disagree on many of the most important issues in my district. During this campaign, I have learned about your failure to support our teachers and public schools. I have also been disappointed with your choice to allow illegal immigration reform to continually fail and not even receive a vote on the house floor. After reviewing Rep Anderson’s record, I realized that he has consistently agreed with you on these issues, even when it is not in the best interest of the people of McLennan County. I have come to believe that Rep Anderson would rather have your approval than that of his own constituents.
During his time in the legislature, Rep Anderson has supported taking money out of our public schools to subsidize private school vouchers. An issue which you have repeatedly and unsuccessfully forced on the legislature to appease one of your large contributors from San Antonio. What’s worse, you and Rep. Anderson have increased the regulation of our public schools with unfunded state mandates that place unnecessary burdens on our schools and takes money out of the classroom. In short, Doc Anderson has chosen time and time again, to vote with you and your contributors and against our local public schools.
On illegal immigration, Rep Anderson has followed your failed course of action too. Illegal immigration reform is absolutely necessary to the future of our state. The federal government has failed us on this issue and so has our state legislature. While our borders hemorrhage, our legislature under your Speakership has done nothing. Lack of action on illegal immigration by our legislature is irresponsible and should not be tolerated. It is disingenuous to the people of Texas to fail to act on immigration during the legislative session and then tell voters it is a priority during election season. Because the residents of my district want action, not disingenuous rhetoric, I want a new Republican Speaker of the Texas House.
Throughout this campaign, I have knocked on doors and looked thousands of voters in the eye and told them I will succeed where Rep. Anderson failed. Rep. Anderson failed by voting against McLennan County superintendents and teachers. Rep. Anderson failed by his continuous failure to act on illegal immigration reform. Rep. Anderson also failed by supporting leadership that pushes agendas that are against the best interest of his district. It is time for a change. Because the residents of my district want action, not disingenuous rhetoric, I want a new Republican Speaker of the Texas House and I am working hard to become our new State Representative.
As of February 20, 2008, I formally withdraw my support for your continued service as Speaker of the House. I am committed to supporting a new Republican speaker. I wish you success in your race to maintain your seat and represent Midland and hope we can work together as Republican colleagues under a new Speaker.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Sibley
Waco Democrats hold debate watch parties
Waco will have its own bit of Democratic presidential candidate debate mania tonight at cross-twon gatherings of the Clinton and Obama camps.
Clinton’s backers will meet at 7 p.m. at Poppa Rollos Pizza, 703 N. Valley Mills. Obama’s supporters will meet at 7 p.m. at the Dancing Bear Pub, 1117 Speight Ave., near Baylor University.
Of course the real party will be going on in Austin at the Hyatt Regency hotel, where a capacity crowd of debate watchers will jockey to schmooze with the candidates after the debate at the University of Texas campus.
Reporters got a tour of the debate hall where the invitation-only event will include an audience of about 2,000. Our sister paper, the Austin American Statesman, gives readers a description of the scene here. And here’s a video of what it all looks like.
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