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Friday, February 22, 2008
Sibley attacks Anderson for Perry-hosted fund-raiser
In his bid to take Charles “Doc” Anderson’s seat in the Texas House of Representatives, Jonathan Sibley has found a new bull’s eye to target: Gov. Rick Perry.
In a news release issued late Friday, Sibley attacked Anderson for having Perry host a fund-raiser for him this coming Wednesday in Austin.
The release alleges that Anderson’s support from Perry explains why he is afraid to answer a series of “integrity” questions that “cover issues important to McLennan County, including the Trans Texas Corridor.”
In the release, Sibley said he opposes the Trans Texas Corridor and the selling or leasing of state roads to foreign interests. He also accuses Anderson of refusing to “take a stand on the issue.”
However, during the 2007 legislative session Anderson voted for a two-year moratorium on certain public-private partnership road projects such as the Trans Texas Corridor. He has said he wants to see the future of the project settled by voters in a statewide referendum.
Sibley has said Perry should step aside to let another Republican run for governor in 2010.
The release reads: “Apparently, Doc is content with Governor Rick Perry and his abusive Trans Texas Corridor.”
It also refers to the vetoes Perry issued last year on funding for health insurance for community college employees and eminent domain reform.
“I call on Doc Anderson to answer the question whether he supports a NEW Republican running for governor in 2010,” Sibley said in the release. “I also hope the Governor’s endorsement does for Doc what it did for Rudy Giuliani in Florida.”
Hillary turnout for debate watching outnumbered Barack’s cross-town crowd
Below are some observations on the turnout at local debate watch parties by assistant managing editor Bill Whitaker:
Waco supporters of presidential contender Barack Obama Thursday night seemed a little stymied to explain the small handful that attended the debate party at the Dancing Bear Pub near Baylor University — especially after the overflow crowd of Obama volunteers at Uncle Dan’s Barbecue three days earlier.
The number showing up for an Obama organizational meeting Monday night — easily more than 100 — far exceeded the space available in an Uncle Dan’s meeting room.
One Obama supporter at Thursday night’s low-key party, 21-year-old Baylor student and campaign volunteer Amanda Maxwell, said the Obama debate bash was thrown together hastily and that word didn’t get out to everyone in time.
Attendance may have also been down because you have to be at least 21 to enter the Dancing Bear Pub — a potential hurdle for a presidential campaign that has so many young, enthusiastic followers. A local Obama official tried to arrange an exception for Obama followers 18 and up (assuming they each wore a special bracelet) the night of the debate, but pub management declined.
Word about the small Obama debate party crowd — no more than 15, most sitting at the bar drinking wine and high-priced specialty beers — quickly reached a debate party of about 40 very high-spirited Hillary Clinton supporters across town at Poppa Rollo’s Pizza on busy Valley Mills Drive.
That’s because Mary Darden, who is helping with the local Clinton effort, happened to stop by the Dancing Bear Pub on the way to the Clinton bash to see her stepson, Van Darden, who happened to be tending bar at the Bear.
Mary Duty, who runs Poppa Rollo’s and is part of the local Clinton effort, chuckled when told the Obama supporters didn’t get much of a crowd. I also told Mary how they couldn’t all squeeze into Uncle Dan’s meeting room just a few days earlier.
“Well,” the pizza proprietor quipped, “this really is the best place to meet.”
Obama supporters may be listening. Their next organizational meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, is planned at Poppa Rollo’s.
Texas Republican Party challenges Obama, Clinton on spending
After last night’s Democratic presidential candidate debate in Austin, the Texas Republican Party challenged Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to answer how they would pay for all of the new federal programs they have proposed.
Here’s the press release:
Austin- Today the Republican Party of Texas issued a challenge to both Senator Hilary Clinton and Barak Obama in advance of the potentially tie breaking debate. Texas taxpayers across the state are asking how both candidates plan to pay for all of the new spending programs they have proposed.
“Senators Clinton and Obama have both proposed billions of dollars in new government spending in their quest for the Democrat nomination. Today we challenge them to answer to the taxpayers of this state where is that money going to come from?” questioned Hans Klingler Texas GOP Spokesman.
Senator Clinton has proposed $888.6 billion dollars in new spending proposals since announcing her candidacy, including one billion dollars for intercity rail services over five years and seven billion dollars in new monies for state grants for controversial family leave programs. (Source: Hillaryclinton.com 10/07/07, 11/26/07) Senator Obama has proposed 874 billion dollars in new spending programs since announcing his candidacy including but not limited to a 265 billion dollar nationalized health care scheme. (Source: NYT Article 5/30/07)
“Senators Obama and Clinton should be ready to tell even this liberal audience of supporters, but more importantly hard working taxpayers across Texas, how much all this spending is going to cost and how onerous it will be to the continued and sustained economic development of this state. Simply put level with Texans this evening,” Klingler concluded.
With their nominations hanging in the balance, Senators Clinton and Obama will face off in a nationally televised debate this evening on CNN from the University of Texas campus in Austin, Texas.
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Obama campaign calling all Waco foreign policy wonks
The Obama campaign is bringing a cadre of foreign policy advisers to Waco Saturday as part of a four city Interstate 35 tour starting in Fort Worth.
The stop in Waco will be at the East Waco Library, 901 East Elm St., with doors openin at 3:30 p.m. and the event starting at 4 p.m.
Here’s the press release from the Obama campaign:
Former Clinton White House Officials to Discuss Obama’s Strong Foreign Policy Judgment in a Series of Town Hall Meetings
AUSTIN, TX - The Obama for America campaign announced that a group of his top foreign policy advisors will participate in four town hall meetings taking place in Dallas, Waco, Austin and San Antonio. The town hall meetings will give the people of Texas an opportunity to discuss Senator Obama’s vision for a strong and principled new direction for American foreign policy with his top foreign policy advisors.
“The panelists will answer questions from Texas voters and discuss Senator Obama’s specific plans to end the war in Iraq, renew American diplomacy, pursue aggressive diplomacy with Iran, fight terrorism and extremism, reduce the threat of nuclear weapons, and invest in a 21st century military,” said Josh Earnest, Texas Obama for America Communication Director. “The town halls are part of Senator Obama’s commitment to being open with the American people, and making them a part of the dialogue about America’s foreign policy,” added Earnest.
The following foreign policy experts are participating in the “Judgment To Lead” Town Halls:
General Scott Gration - Retired Major General, United States Air Force Dan Restrepo - Director of The Americas Project at the Center for American Progress Greg Craig - Former Clinton Administration official Denis McDonough - Senior Foreign Policy Advisor, Obama for America
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