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February 2008
Barack Obama speaks to Trib on veterans issues
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama held a town hall meeting in Houston with U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco to discuss veterans issues.
After the meeting, I spoke with Obama in a phone interview about how he would address issues facing veterans health care and benefits. Edwards, chairman of the U.S. House appropriations subcommittee over VA spending, has endorsed Obama.
Below is the full transcript from the conversation:
Tribune-Herald:
What was the message you wanted to get across in your town hall meeting in Houston today?
Barack Obama:
The fact that we have a sacred trust with our veterans. When we decide to send them overseas to fight our battles for us, we’ve got to make sure we are fighting for them and the benefits they have earned when they come home. We have not been doing that over the last several years. We continue to see chronic delays in dissaiblity payments. We continue to see our VA facilities not provide the kind of care that so many of veterans need. We are not doing the screening for post-traumatic stress disorder and mental health services that required. Here in Texas you have veterans in South Texas who are having to drive hours to get to nearest VA hospital. We’ve got a lot of middle income veterans who have been denied access to VA services altogether. And this administration has not provided the resources and the attention that is needed to upgrade the system and that is something that is going to be a top priority of mine when I am president of the United States.
Tribune-Herald:
How has the United States done in providing for the soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan?
Barack Obama:
We know we have not seen the kinds of screenings for post traumatic stress disorder that is one of the signature injuries of this war. The same is true for traumatic brain injury. I have been pushing on both those fronts, making sure that not only the screening is done but also that the mental health services are then provided.
We are seeing a growth in homeless veterans because we have not done that kind of adequate screening. Another major concern is how we are treating our National Guard men and women and reservists, who are being used essentially like active duty soldiers, but are getting the same benefits and the same care when they come home. I think that is something we are going to have to change.
Finally in respect to faciliteis like Walter Reed (Army Medical Center) or (William Beaumont Army Medical Center) here in Texas, what we are seeing is that those facilities don’t have all the upgrades they need despite the scandal at Walter Reed.
We just found out that President Bush has left out $400 million in appropriations for upgrading these facilities that are going to be coming through in a supplemental (bill) that were not included in the original budget. And that I think is typical for an administration that has low-balled the needs for the majority of our returning service men and women and that is something I intend to change when I am president of the United States.
Tribune-Herald:
You have said that as president that you would see to it that Congress passes on-time budgets for the VA. But even last year when Democrats were in control of Congress the VA budget was delayed for three months because of political squabbling. How will you do it any differently?
Barack Obama:
Typically the squabbling results from this administration not providing enough funding and having battles with a Democratic Congress or at least Democratic Senate and House members like Chet Edwards, who want to make sure that funding is in place.
Chet Edwards:
One thing on the timing specifically. One of the challenges was that the administration was threatening to veto the largest increase in VA health care and benefits funding in the history of the Veterans Administration. That delayed the process.
In addition, when Democratic Congress took over in 2007, the previous Congress had not even passed a VA budget, so we started out with a frozen budget for veterans hospitals during a time of war. So we had to catch up from the previous Congress and then fight the White House.
Let me just say why I am so enthusiastically supporting Sen. Obama. After years and years of presidential budgets that have woefully underfunded veterans and benefits, our veterans deserve a change in Washington. And I want a president who is going to propose budgets that truly honor the sacrifice of America’s heroes.
I have seen these inadequate budgets coming out of Democratic and Republican administrations. In all due respect, and I have respect for former president Clinton and Mrs. Clinton, but during the eight years of the Clinton White House, the VA budget was only increased by 38.3 percent. That wasn’t even close to keeping up with health care inflation and the increasing number of veterans needing that care.
In this administration we have seen inadquate VA budgets. In fact, the present budget from president Bush would cut current services for veterans by $20 billion over the next five years. That is just not right. I am convinced that Sen. Obama is going to be a champion for veterans and military families as president just as he has been a champion as a senator and as a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
Tribune-Herald:
What are your thoughts on mandatory funding for the VA, a proposal that many veterans groups have advocated for instead of the discretionary funding process that is used now?
Barack Obama:
I think it is important for us to make sure we have on-time and adequate budgets and whatever is needed to put that in place I want to consider. As president I am going to be reviewing the possibilities of creating a mandatory budget versus the current appropriations process. But my priority is which ever way we do it, we’ve got to have on-time budgets and we have to have adequate budgets.
Tribune-Herald:
One of the complaints we hear most often about the VA is how long it takes for veterans to receive their benefits. We have a major benefits office in Waco, which last year got an influx of funding to hire more case workers. Besides more case workers what else can be done to improve the benefits delivery system?
Barack Obama:
Case workers are critical and we’ve got to make sure those caseworkers are in place and properly trained. One of the things that came up at the town hall meeting here in Houston was the fact that a lot of case workers are trained to think their job is to deny benefits. They end up being a lot like the claims officers at an insurance company, and that, in fact, is not the approrpriate approach. There shouldn’t be a bias against providing benefits, there should be an investigation as to what benefits are needed for these veterans. That would be one area that I would like to see improvements because often times I think that creates delays when their initial rejections are then overturned on appeal.
The second thing that we talked about during the town hall meeting is really doing a better job in making sure that every veteran’s military and service records are in electronic form and are digitally transmittable from the (Department of Defense) to the VA immediatley upon discharge.
I can’t tell you how many veterans I met who have stories about injuries they have received but they don’t know where their medical records are and it turns out they were in a warehouse somewhere and there was a fire in St. Louis and now they don’t know what to do and they get the run around.
It should not be the responsibility of an injured service man or woman to be thinking about their records. Their job should be to get well. They should be able to count on DOD to have those records in electronic form and easily transmittable to cut delays and that is going to be a top priority when I am president of the United States.
Chet Edwards:
What we need is a president who will bring the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the VA together and will say we are going to solve this problem. This problem has been kicked around for years now and I am convinced that as president Barack Obama is going to see that is done. There has been too much talk and too many promises for our veterans and our troops and our military families and he is going to be the president to see that we deliver on the promises that we have made to those who have served our country.
Tribune-Herald:
How would an Obama VA administration differ from a Hillary Clinton VA administration?
Barack Obama:
I don’t want to speak to Sen. Clinton’s plans. They are not ones that I am thoroughly familiar with. I can tell you how they are going to differ from George Bush’s VA and that is we are going to have every service man and woman having records kept that are accurate, that are provided in a timely way. We are going to reduce the backlogs of claims on disability payments. We are going to open up the VA to middle income veterans. We are going to make sure that facilities like Walter Reed are in tip-top shape and are providing the services that are needed. We are going to make sure that national guards men and women and our reservists are treated in a way that reflects the enormous responsibility that has been placed on their shoulders during this conflict.
We are going to make sure that we are upgrading the GI Bill so that when service men and women come home and they are pursuing an education that the benefits that they are provided actually will deliver on the college educations that they need to be successful, and we are going to make sure our budgets are on-time and adequate to accomplish these tasks.
I will be building on the work that I have done since I arrived in the United States Senate on the Veterans Affairs Committees, insisting that we have zero-tolerance for homeless veterans, insisting that we have got screening for post-traumatic stress disorder and insisting that our military family members get the support that they need.
That is something that came up in the town hall meeting that comes up again and again. The spouses and the children of these brave men and women are not getting the support that they need whether it is child care, adequate housing, school facilities that are appropriate. That is something that we’ve really got to work on and I intend to bring together military families from all across the country to meet with me and my secretary of the VA so that we are hearing from them directly because they are heroes just like those who are on the battlefield.
Clinton hits Obama on national security
5:05 p.m.: Sorry I dropped off the blog. Had some technical difficulties. But here’re some of Hillary’s choice words for Sen. Barack Obama, her rival in the fight for the Democratic nomination:
I also understand completely what it means when that phone rings at 3 a.m.
There isn’t any time to convene your advisers or do a survey about what will and what will not be popular.
You have to make a decision. And in the world that we face, with both challenges and opportunities, we need a president who picks up that phone ready to decide.
(large applause)
Sen. Obama says if we talk about national security in this campaign, we are trying to scare people. Well I don’t think people in Texas scare that easily. The American people aren’t afraid of the challenges and dangers that we face in the world. They want a president with the strength and wisdom to take those challenges and dangers head on. Now there is a big difference between giving speeches about national security and giving orders as commander in chief.
There is a big difference between delivering a speech at an anti-war rally as a state candidate and picking up that phone in the White House at 3 a.m. in the morning to deal with an international crisis.
Sen. Obama talks about these issues but when it came time to act he was missing in action. He gave a speech in 2002 against the war in Iraq and I commend him for that speech. By 2004, he was saying he wasn’t sure how he would vote because he has never had to vote. And he basically agreed that the way president Bush was conducting the war. By the time he got to the Senate, he voted exactly as I did.
It’s the difference between making a speech when you have no responsibility and having to step up and take charge.
2:37 p.m.: Gen. Wesley Clark and Hillary Clinton have taken the stage accompanied by thunderous appaulse.
2:32 p.m.: A Clinton press secretary said Hillary is in the building. We should be just a few minutes a way from go time. Fire marshal says there 1,257 people here now.
2:28 p.m.: Almost 30 minutes have passed and still no updates on when Hillary plans to take the stage. Campaign organizers are using the time to distribute information on how to caucus on Tuesday.
2:05 p.m.: No sign of Hillary yet. The crowd is starting to chant “Hillary, Hillary, Hillary. And then it stopped. The music continues on the PA. This time it’s “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
1:58 p.m.: Fire marshal says there are more than 975 people here now with a trickle of people still coming in the doors. Things are starting to fill out now, but there is still room for more.
1:55 p.m.: With about five minutes before the beginning of the rally Lenny Kravitz’s “Are you going to go my way” is playing over the PA system. Isn’t the question all of the candidates are asking?
1:30 p.m.: Minutes before the beginning of the rally about 740 people have arrived at the convention center to welcome Clinton to Waco. There’s still plenty of room on the floor for people to watch and hear Clinton deliver her speech, which is supposed to focus on veterans issues.
Dem county party chair addresses primary, caucus confusion
John Cullar, the McLennan County Democratic Party chairman, sent out the notice below this week to address some of the confusion and misinformation circulating in advance of March 4 primary and caucus elections.
Here’s the message:
Notice of Meeting
What: How to conduct a precinct convention
When: Saturday, March 1, 2008, 10 a.m.
Where: McLennan County Democratic Headquarters, 3400 Bosque Boulevard, Waco, Texas
There is considerable misinformation floating out there about precinct conventions. For instance, some have been told that the doors to the convention will be closed at 7:15 p.m. That is incorrect and will be a violation of Texas Democratic Rules, resulting in the delegates chosen possibly being disqualified. The precinct conventions may not begin until 7:15 p.m. or until the last voter in line to vote at that precinct at 7 p.m. has completed voting, whichever is later. Late-arriving precinct convention attendees may participate even after the percentages, per the sign sheets, have been calculated for each Presidential candidate, and may be elected as a delegate by one of the Presidential caucuses; however, attendees arriving after the calculation of percentages will not change the percentage for either Presidential candidate.
While each precinct will have detailed instructions in the packet we prepare (the packets can be picked up at the precinct location from the Democratic Election Judge after the polls close at 7 p.m. on March 4), we will address the proper procedures and answer all questions concerning precinct conventions on Saturday morning.
By the way, there should be no real contentiousness between supporters of the opposing Presidential candidates at the precinct conventions. The only contest between the two campaigns is over the minute the sign-in sheets are tallied. That is, the only contest is to see which candidate can turn out the most delegates at the precinct convention; this will determine the percentage of delegates each candidate sends to the county convention. Once the percentage is set, the Obama delegates at the precinct convention will caucus to choose their County Convention delegates, and the Clinton delegates at the precinct convention will caucus to choose their County Convention delegates.
Hope to see you Saturday.
John Cullar, Chair, McLennan County Democratic Party
McCain to hold town hall meeting in Waco Monday
Sen. John McCain will hold a townhall meeting in Waco at the Heart O’ Texas fair complex on Monday at 6 p.m., according to the Republican candidate’s presidential campaign Web site.
The event will be held in the creative arts building at the fair grounds, located at 4601 Bosque Boulevard.
Before the townhall meeting, state Sen. Kip Averitt, who is a co-chair for McCain’s campaign, will host a private fund-raiser at his home in Waco.
For more information or to RSVP, click here.
Sam Houston — the Texas Supreme Court candidate — visits Waco Friday
Sam Houston, a Democratic candidate for the place 7 seat on the Texas Supreme Court, will appear at a lunch in Waco on Friday, according to a press release from the McLennan County Democratic Party.
The reception will be held at noon at El Conquistador, 4508 W Waco Drive. To learn more about the candidate check out his campaign Web site here.
Hillary Clinton to attend Waco rally Friday
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will stop in Waco for a rally Friday, according to a posting on the candidate’s Web site.
The Web site says the rally will be held between noon and 3 p.m. at the Waco Convention Center, 100 Washington Ave. However, John Cullar, McLennan County Democratic Party chairman, said he expects Clinton to arrive at the event at about 2 p.m.
Attendees are urged to arrive early to allow time for security checks. There will be some type of music entertainment while attendees wait for the event to start, Cullar said.
Here’s the description of the event on Clinton’s Web site:
“Join Hillary for an Early Vote Rally with Veterans and Flag Officers at the Waco Convention Center in Waco! Hillary has spent the past 35 years fighting for American families and she has real solutions to tackle the tough issues we’re facing. Join Hillary in Waco to learn more about her lifetime record of results.”
For more information about the event, call the Clinton field office at 751-1267.
Former Mississippi governor to stump for Obama in Waco Thursday
Ray Mabus, former governor of Mississippi, will stump in Waco Thursday for Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential bid, campaign staff announced today.
During Mabus’ tenure serving as governor from 1988 to 1992 he implemented “major education reforms,” according to an Obama campaign news release. Prior to being elected Governor, Mabus served as State Auditor from 1983 - 1987.
He won the 1988 gubernatorial race on the slogan “Mississippi will never be last again.” But Mabus lost the governorship in 1992 to a conservative who became the first Republican since Reconstruction to head the state.
Mabus was later appoined by President Bill Clinton to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1994 to 1996.
He will speak at 12:30 p.m. at the Waco campaign field office, 1818 Columbus Ave. For questions, call the campaign office at 714-2008.
He will also be making stops in College Station, Killeen and Abilene on Thursday.
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Huck and Chuck show comes to Waco
More video: Huckabee rally
Actor and martial arts master Chuck Norris will be on hand when former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee stops in Waco Thursday, a campaign staff member said today.
The presidential candidate’s appearance at the Waco Hilton hotel has been moved back to 3:30 p.m. Huckabee will also spend some time in town filming campaign videos, the spokesman said.
Norris, star of the “Walker, Texas Ranger” television series, has been a fixture on the campaign trail with Huckabee. Norris owns a ranch near Navasota.
Oh yeah, and Huckabee is “Chuck Norris Approved.”
Anderson receives $25,000 from Gov. Rick Perry
Texas Gov. Rick Perry gave Charles “Doc” Anderson a $25,000 contribution, according to a special pre-election “telegram” state campaign finance report filed Wednesday.
The contribution, which originated from Perry’s multimillion dollar political warchest, came a day before Perry hosted a fund-raiser in Austin for Anderson. The invitation for the fund-raiser asked attendees to check the following levels of support for Anderson:
- $5,000 — patron
- $1,000 — sponsor
- $500 — host
- $250 — guest
Anderson’s telegram report also included a $5,000 contribution from Louis Beecherl, a Dallas businessman and prominent giver to conservative candidates, and a $1,000 contribution from TexPAC, the Texas Medical Association’s Political Action Committee.
“I am proud to have the support of a number of our state’s leaders including Republican State Chair Tina Benkiser, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, and Comptroller Susan Combs,” Anderson said in a prepared statement. “I am especially pleased that Governor Rick Perry is strongly supporting my campaign for reelection. While Governor Perry and I may disagree on some things, namely the moratorium on the Trans-Texas Corridor, the Pulverized Coal Plants, and the mandatory HPV vaccine, he knows that I am a strong conservative leader and an independent voice for McLennan County. I am proud that my fellow Texas Aggie and our Republican Governor has contributed to my campaign.”
Anderson is one of three state representatives supportive of House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, who received contributions from Perry on Tuesday.
Phil King, R-Weatherford, also received $25,000 and El Paso Republican challenger Dee Margo received $10,000, according to campaign finance reports.
Sibley jabs at Anderson on $50k donation from private-school voucher advocate
Jonathan Sibley’s campaign sent out the following press release yesterday, criticizing Charles “Doc” Anderson for accepting a $50,000 campaign contribution from private-school voucher advocate Jim Leininger.
The donation, given two days after the publication of a Tribune-Herald story in which Sibley criticized Anderson’s support of vouchers, was reported on Anderson’s eight-day out campaign finance report filed on Monday. It’s the largest single contribution Anderson has received during the current election.
Here’s the rest of the release:
The last minute contribution is further proof of Doc Anderson’s support for taking taxpayer money from public schools to fund private school vouchers. Jonathan Sibley adamantly opposes vouchers, and is supported by numerous members of the McLennan County education community including local superintendents and teachers. Dr. Mike Moses, the former Texas Commissioner of Education under George Bush, has also endorsed Jonathan.
“Doc Anderson’s support from wealthy voucher advocate Jim Leininger is further proof that a vote for Doc Anderson is a voted AGAINST our public schools and superintendents,” said Sibley. “Doc has been bought and paid for by the voucher special interests, and cannot possibly expect our families to trust him when it comes to providing sound public education for our children.”
The $50,000 from Leininger was the largest contribution on Doc’s report, and the largest he has received in this election. Doc Anderson also received $10,000 from Texans for Jobs & Opportunity Build a Secure Future, a PAC funded by Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick. Craddick has also used this PAC to contribute money to Democrats throughout the state who are facing primary challenges because of their allegiance to Craddick. Last week, Jonathan withdrew his support for Tom Craddick for Speaker, citing his opposition to Craddick’s assertion of ‘Absolute Authority’, and the fact that Republicans have lost 11 seats in the Texas Legislature under Craddick’s leadership. Doc Anderson has publicly defended Tom Craddick.
“As your state representative, I will put the families of McLennan County first, not the special interests and political power grabs like my opponent,” said Sibley.
UPDATED AGAIN: Clinton campaign to host primary countdown party in Waco today
Hillblazers, as the campaign likes to call them, will celebrate the opening of Hillary Clinton’s Waco campaign field office Thursday at 6 p.m.
The office is located in a strip center with a Carpet One store at 401 Lake Air Dive, about a third of a mile north of Waco Drive. It will serve as the nerve center for Clinton supporters in Waco, providing campaign materials and nightly phone banking sessions.
UPDATE 4 p.m. Wednesday: A Clinton campaign spokesman tells me that a mariachi band and a taco truck will be on hand at the “countdown to primary night” party on Thursday. He said the field office has been open since Tuesday. For those with questions or want to get involved in the campaign, call 751-1267.
UPDATE 10 a.m. Thursday: Bernard Rapoport, the Waco insurance magnate and philanthropist, will attend the party.
Sibley says Anderson should be ‘gone with the wind’ in TV ad
With six days until Texas’ March 4 primary election, Jonathan Sibley has begun a televised ad assault in his attempt to oust state Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson from office.
Beginning Monday, the Sibley campaign started running a new ad accusing Anderson of remaining silent in explaining his votes on issues ranging from drug crimes to the Trans Texas Corridor to “bills benefiting his own business.”
Let’s take a look at the ad and examine a few of its claims. Here’s the audio portion of the script:
Announcer: Why is Doc Anderson afraid of a few questions? Y’know what he said about voting to decriminalize drug crimes?
Sound Effect: HOWLING WIND
Announcer: Nothing… . Supporting the Trans Texas Corridor?
Sound Effect: HOWLING WIND
Announcer: Why he authored more bills benefiting his own business than cracking down on immigration?
Sound Effect: HOWLING WIND
Announcer: Why he voted to take money away from public schools to pay for vouchers?
Sound Effect: HOWLING WIND
Announcer: Why is Doc afraid to tell us? With Doc’s refusal to answer these questions, isn’t it time he was …
Sound Effect: HOWLING WIND
Announcer: Gone with the wind.
So let’s break down the issues:
Decriminalizing drug crimes: This is referring to Anderson’s vote to support HB 2391, which gave law enforcement agencies the authority to issue citations for low-level, non-violent misdemeanor offenses, including possession of four ounces or less of marijuana. Anderson has said he supported the bill because law enforcement agencies requested the discretion to issue citations in certain misdemeanor cases to cut down on jail overcrowding. Anderson has said he was not alone in supporting the legislation. In fact, the Texas House passed the bill with 132 votes in favor, none against and two lawmakers registered as present and not voting. HB 2391 was supported by a number of groups during a committee hearing, including Texans for Public Safety Solutions, Texas Public Policy Foundation - Center for Effective Justice, Travis County Commissioners Court, Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Texas Fair Defense Project, Texas Conference of Urban Counties, ACLU of Texas. No groups registered to oppose the legislation in committee.
Trans Texas Corridor: Sibley has alleged that Anderson once said in a Tribune-Herald article that he might conditionally support the controversial project that would cut through Eastern McLennan County as the eight-lane toll road stretches from Laredo to the the Oklahoma border. During the 2007 legislative session Anderson supported a two-year moratorium on such public-private road building projects. Critics of the moratorium said the temporary moratorium did not go far enough and want to see the project halted completely. Anderson has said he would like the future of the project, pushed by Gov. Rick Perry, to be settled in a statewide voter referendum.
Bills benefiting own business: Sibley has alleged that Anderson, a Waco veterinarian, has authored a number of bills aimed at benefiting vets financially. Anderson, vice chairman of the Texas House’s agriculture committee, has authored several bills related to veterinarians, including HBs 2346, 2850 and 3401 in the 80th legislative session as well as HBs 1426, 2066 and 3311 in the 79th session. However, Anderson says none of these bills would have benefited him financially.
Private-school vouchers: Sibley alleges that Anderson’s 2005 vote to support a pilot voucher program reflects a philosophical difference between how the candidates view public education. Sibley said the vouchers, which would help parents pay for private school education with public funds, would have taken millions of dollars away from public schools across the state to pay for the pilot program. Anderson has said that opponents of the pilot program, designed to be implemented in eight urban school districts, were “defending the status quo” in “chronically poor performing schools.”
Huckabee coming to Waco Thursday
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee will make a campaign stop on Thursday at the Waco Hilton hotel, according to a posting on the presidential candidate’s Web site.
Huckabee spokesman Jim Harris said he could not confirm the visit when reached by phone Monday morning. The posting on the Huckabee Web site says the Republican candidate will be in town at 3 p.m.
“If you live in the Central Texas area come out to hear the Governor!” reads the Web site posting. To read it yourself, click here.
Blake Buchanan, a Baylor University student organizing local Huckabee supporters, said those seeking more info on the event can visit their local Meetup page.
12:20 p.m. UPDATE: Still waiting to here back from campaign staff, but if you are looking for a laugh check out the following clip from Huckabee’s apperance on Saturday Night Live. Can this guy not get a hint or what?
District clerk promotes Hillary, early voting Monday
To promote early voting and her favorite candidate, McLennan County District Clerk Karen Matkin will cast her ballot for presidetial candidate Hillary Clinton today at 1:30 p.m.
Afterward, she will hold a press conference to discuss the importance of early vote and her support for Hillary Clinton’s candidacy.
“I have decided to support Hillary Clinton for President because we need a president who has experience in the solutions business and Hillary has over 35 years,” Matkin said in a news release. “Hillary will run a White House that works for the American people again and I am looking forward to casting my early vote for Hillary tomorrow and encouraging others to do the same.”
Matkin began her career in 1976 where she became an assistant district attorney in McLennan County. She served in that post for five years before working in private practice.
Matkin was selected by Ann Richards to be on the Governor’s Commission on Women where she served from 1991-1993 and was the President of the McLennan County Bar Association from 2002 to 2003.
Grand opening for Obama’s Waco HQ set for Monday
Area Barack Obama supporters are expected to celebrate the opening of their Waco field office on Monday at 5 p.m., according to a news release.
The office, located at 1818 Columbus Ave. next to Waco Montessori School, will serve as the headquarters for Waco area Obama supporters until Texas’ March 4 primary election. It will be the place to go for campaign materials, phone banking sessions and other get-out-the-vote efforts.
The celebration will brief, however, because local volunteers plan to get busy working at their weekly Monday organizational meeting at Poppa Rollo’s Pizza, 703 N. Valley Mills Drive, at 6 p.m. And volunteers want to attend a precinct training meeting can meet at 6:30 p.m. at Antioch Baptist Church, 1001 N. 18th St.
UPDATE: Below is the rest of the news release sent out at noon on Monday:
Today, Barack Obama’s Waco campaign office will hold an official grand opening open house. After the office opening festivities, volunteers will be encouraged to vote early and will then have the opportunity to make phone calls into their neighborhoods to talk about why they think Barack Obama is the one candidate who can about real change we can believe in.
The office opening builds on the momentum generated last week after Congressman Chet Edwards endorsed Obama, saying he “will be a champion for better health care, housing and quality of life for those who have sacrificed so much for the American family.”
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Presidential campaigns continue in Waco over weekend
The presidential campaigns sweeping through Central Texas this weekend used varying strategies to attract Waco voters to their candidates.
The Barack Obama camp focused on foreign policy with a panel discussion at the East Waco library, where organizers hoped to convince undecided voters that the Illinois senator would strengthen the United States’ standing in the world.
On the Hillary Clinton, a small group of volunteers and campaign staffers worked to boost “visibility” for the New York senator and promote early voting by waving signs off the Eighth Street pedestrian bridge over Interstate 35. Erika Alexander, whose credits include the roles of Pam Tucker on “The Cosby Show” and Maxine on the Fox sit-com “Living Single,” briefly joined the sign wavers and attended a Baylor men’s basketball game to woo potential Hillary voters.
More than 40 people packed a small room Saturday at the library for the foreign policy discussion in which campaign advisers extolled the virtues of what they said an Obama presidency would mean for the U.S.
Greg Craig, who has worked in the U.S. State Department in 1997 and 1998 and was Bill Clinton’s lead defense lawyer during his impeachment battle, said he is supporting Obama because of his “enthusiasm for what he can do for foreign relations.”
Craig said he believes that Obama’s judgement and “courage for sticking up for what he believes” has helped him pass legislation to crack down on nuclear weapons proliferation around the world and make accurate assessments of security threats.
He said Afghanistan is where the “bad guys are,” referring to al-Queda and the Taliban. He said that is where U.S. military forces are being strained and need help.
But the United States needs to do more than focus on military force in Afghanistan, he said. It also needs to “develop a political force that institutes and follows the rule of law,” he said.
Retired Air Force Gen. Scott Gration, who has logged 274 aerial combat missions over Iraq and accompanied Obama during a 15-day tour of Africa, said he believes the senator understands how to use military force in the proper way, meaning that all diplomatic options have been exhausted.
“He has the judgement to use our forces correctly and use resources appropriately to solve problems,” he said.
Dan Restrepo, the director of the Americas Project at the Center for American Progress, a liberal public policy think tank, said that an Obama administration would work to repair relationships with countries in Latin America by restoring the United States’ leadership role in the Western Hemisphere.
Restrepo said Obama would focus on advancing common interests with other Latin American countries, lessening the economic inequality that causes immigrants to come to the United States in search of jobs, fixing the U.S.’s “broken” immigration system, and using “smart enforcement” to ensure that employers are complying with U.S. laws.
The U.S. needs to transcend the “ugly debate” that has caused the rate of hate crimes against Hispanics to increase, he said.
“We are not going to solve this in a partisan way,” Restrepo said.
At about 6:30 p.m., Hillary supporter Alexander joined the sign wavers on the bridge after making an appearance in College Station. The actress said she had campaigned for Hillary at Austin Community College, San Antonio College, the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University.
Alexander said she hoped she could use her fame to get people to do a “double take” and create an opening for a conversation about Hillary’s campaign. She said she understands Obama’s popularity among black voters, but she wants them to think about the candidates’ experience and polices in addition to their racial background.
“I’ve done a lot of strong black woman roles and I hope that when people think about that they will vote as an individual and not as a mob,” she said.
About 3,000 Hillary Clinton supporters also showed up for a rally in Killeen, where her husband, former president Bill Clinton, was joined by Waco insurance magnate and philanthropist Bernard Rapoport. Actor Ted Danson was also on hand for the rally.
The Killeen Daily Herald has a series of videos on its Web site of the rally.
Upcoming
Keep checking back at the Trib’s Election ‘08 blog for updates on the opening of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama’s campaign field offices. Both are expected to hold grand opening celebrations this week.
Campaign sources say the Obama office, at 1818 Columbus Ave, next to Waco Montessori School, could officially open Monday. Clinton’s Waco campaign headquarters at 401 Lake Air Drive is expected to open during the middle of the week.
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House District 56 endorsement list
For those who are wanting to know who is backing state Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson for re-election, his campaign has provided a list of endorsements. Challenger Jonathan Sibley has also racked up his own list, which can be found below.
I’ll try to keep this list current as more endorsements are announced.
Charles “Doc” Anderson’s endorsements
Statewide Elected Republican Officials: Texas Gov. Rick Perry; Tina Benkiser, chairwoman of the Republican Party of Texas; Jerry Patterson, Texas Land Commissioner; Susan Combs, Texas Comptroller and former Agricultural Commissioner
Organizations Representing Social Conservatives: The Young Conservatives of Texas, Texas Alliance for Life, Texas Right to Life, National Rifle Association, Texas State Rifle Associations
Organizations: Texas Farm Bureau - Agfund, Texas Association of Realtors, Texas Association of Business, Texas Society of Professional Engineers, Texas Association of Manufactuers, Texas Hospital Association, Texans for Lawsuit Reform, Texas Medical Association, Texas Veterinary Medical Association, Sierra Club Political Committee of Texas
News Media: Waco Tribune-Herald editorial board
Jonathan Sibley’s endorsements
Individuals: Bill Ratliff - former Lt. Gov.; Mike Moses, former Texas Education Agency commissioner
Organizations: Waco Eagle Forum, Waco Police Association
Actress campaigning in Waco for Clinton
Actress Erika Alexander will join Clinton Campaign staff and volunteers at an event in Waco today to rally support for early voting.
Alexander will rally with other Hillary Clinton supporters on the Eighth Street bridge over Interstate 35.
Alexander’s credits include the role of Pam Tucker on “The Cosby Show,” the Fox sitcom “Living Single,” and the civil rights film The Long Walk Home with Whoopi Goldberg.
How about that Bush library limerick?
Tribune-Herald staffer Tim Woods article today on the official announcement of the Bush library going to SMU had a poetic element to it.
Mark Browning, who works in Baylor’s library system, shared the following limerick demonstrating his tongue-in-cheek hopes:
I know it filled you with trauma,
If you followed the daily drama,
Try not to be callous,
George’s papers in Dallas,
Next time we’ll try for Obama.
Do we have any poets out there that can top that?
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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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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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