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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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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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Clinton, Obama to attend Austin party after Thursday debate
Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will make an apperance at a debate watch party at the Hyatt Regency in Austin Thursday night, announced the Texas Democratic Party Wednesday.
The party is expecting to reach maximum capaicty at the watch party for which more than 1,000 people have sent RSVPs to attend. More than 43,000 people applied to be entered in a drawing for 100 tickets to attend the debate. Later party officials said that 100 additional tickets had been given out with the drawing.
Did anybody from the Waco area score any tickets?
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McLennan first-day early vote turnout 3 times higher than 2004
Signs that voter enthusiasm is up significantly in McLennan County since the last presidential election are evident in a comparison of the turnout on the first day of early voting in 2004 and 2008.
Tuesday’s early vote turnout of 1,389 is more than three and half times higher than the first day of early voting in 2004, when President George W. Bush sought a second term and Democrats tried to oust him from office. In 2004, the county’s first-day early vote turnout was 376.
The big difference this year on the Democratic ballot is that there is currently a fierce battle between two candidates at a time when Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry was already deemed the presumed nominee in 2004.
Democrat turnout topped Republican turnout Tuesday 740 to 649, according to county early vote records. In 2004, the opposite was true with 268 Republican voters and 108 Democrats voting on the first day of primary early voting, including mailed in ballots.
Out of the county’s five early vote locations, Democrats bested Republicans in turnout at three locations: the Multipurpose Community Center in East Waco, the Lacy-Lakeview Civic Center and the McLennan County Elections office in downtown Waco. Republican turnout won the day at the First Assembly of God Church in West Waco and Robinson City Hall.
Here’s the breakdown for this year’s first-day early vote totals:
Mailed ballots
D: 126, R: 124
First Assembly of God Church, 6701 Bosque Blvd.
D: 224, R: 314
Multipurpose Community Center, 1020 Elm St.
D: 55, R: 1
Lacy-Lakeview Civic Center, 503 E. Craven Ave.
D: 95, R: 31
McLennan County Elections Administration Office, Records Building, 214 North Fourth St., Suite 300
D: 188, R: 115
Robinson City Hall, 111 W. Lyndale Ave.
D: 52, R: 64
Grand total 2008:
D: 740, R: 649
Grand total 2004:
D: 108, R: 268
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Chet stumping for Obama
A day after endorsing Barack Obama’s bid for the presidency, U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards has hit the campaign trail to support the Illinois senator’s campaign.
On Tuesday, Edwards appeared on MSNBC’s morning show hosted by Andrea Mitchell.
She asked Edwards about a comment made by Michelle Obama, who was quoted Monday by ABC News as saying: “For the first time in my adult lifetime I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change.”
Here’s Edwards response:
“You know, I watched that speech last night on C-SPAN. It was a marvelous speech—talking about her hopes and dreams, the dreams she has for her children and the children of America—and I have to believe what she meant to say was that she is so very, very proud of our country following a leader in Barack Obama who is not playing the politics of the past and not fighting all of the politics of personal destruction, but a leader who wants to bring Americans together and bring about real change in Washington, and I’m sure she’ll have a chance to clarify what she meant by that. To me, Michelle Obama, along with her husband, Barack, are really the personification of the American dream. They have shown us through their lives, if you’re willing to work and exercise personal responsibility, you really can be whatever you want to be in this great land of ours. I know she loves this country and respects it. I think when people see the full context of what she said yesterday, they will understand her values and her love of this country.”
She also asked Edwards if Obama needed to win Wisconsin to keep his momentum going.
Here’s his response:
“I think if anybody had said a few months ago if Hillary Clinton won 1 out of 10 races in states across the country, would that be victory? Everybody would say no, that would be a great defeat. Surely he would like to win every state, but that’s not always possible. But I think a strong sign of what is happening in Wisconsin is what’s happening across the country. Before the Iowa caucuses, Mr. Obama was behind Hillary Clinton by 15 points and, today, it’s going to be a very competitive race. I would hope one of the things that Wisconsin voters would think about is what Texas voters should think about—a new survey “USA Today” poll came out saying in Wisconsin Barack Obama has a ten-point lead over John McCain, but Senator Clinton actually would trail Senator McCain by seven points. That is a 17-point swing. I think the message there is that independent voters and even independent-minded Republican voters, are being attracted to the Barack Obama message of real change in Washington that affects hard-working people’s day-to-day lives. I think you’re seeing that impact in Wisconsin and Texas, and these are going to be competitive races, but, clearly, Senator Obama has the momentum and his message of change is being heard by young people and people of all ages. It’s not just — people of all ages and races and background.”
A video explaining Edwards support for Obama surfaced on the presidential candidate’s Web site Tuesday that can be viewed here.
He plans to attend Obama’s campaign rally in Dallas on Wednesday and the debate watch party hosted by the Texas Democratic Party in Austin on Thursday.
Barack and Barbecue in Waco
Here are some musings on a Monday night Obama event from Tribune-Herald assistant managing editor Bill Whitaker:
Whatever you think of presidential contender Barack Obama’s economic policies, he’s already given a booster shot to Waco’s economy, at least in the barbecue business.
Waco may lie at the heart of “Bush Country,” but an Obama organizational meeting at Uncle Dan’s Barbecue & Catering last night drew not 20 or 30 devoted followers but easily more than 100, all there to learn how to spread Obama’s message of hope and change to Central Texans.
One campaign official, asked to explain such a large gathering in the thick of Bush Country — the president’s ranch is just 20 miles to the west — suggested it had to do with Obama’s reluctance to personally pillory President Bush on the campaign trail.
Two topics of conversation surfaced at last night’s meeting: U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards’ endorsement of Obama earlier in the day and concerns about an e-mail campaign that, Obama supporters tell us, allege that Obama is a Muslim, not a Christian. One supporter proudly touted him as a member of the Church of Christ faith.
Well, not quite. In actuality he belongs to the United Church of Christ. Either way, it’s a long way from being Muslim.
Rep. Edwards’ endorsement of Obama was also a topic of conversation. From what officials with Edwards say, it’s the very first time the longtime Waco Democrat has endorsed anyone for president as early as the primary election season.
Edwards and Obama have reportedly cultivated a friendship in the halls of power in Washington.
Upshot: Obama fever is spreading in Bush Country. When supporter Kim Cowart, 50, was asked if she had felt similar excitement about any other presidential candidate, she said she was pretty excited about John F. Kennedy’s campaign, even though she was just 5 years old.
Beyond that, she experienced great enthusiasm when Ronald Reagan came to Waco to campaign for president in the mid-1970s.
“But I haven’t been excited like this in a long time,” she said.
Correction: As the comment below points out, an earlier version of this post included a comment that inadvertently added to the confusion over Obama’s religious affiliation. Obama actually belongs to the United Church of Christ, which is far different than the Church of Christ denomination. For more information on Obama’s religions background and the e-mail smear campaigns, read about it on his Web site here.
Q&A on Chet Edwards’ Obama endorsement
Below are a few questions and answers with U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards on his endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama for president that didn’t make it into the paper. A few of these questions are from during his press conference in front of Waco’s historic suspension bridge over the Brazos River and a few are from afterward.
Q: Why did you decide it was a good time to make an endorsement?
A: Texas, for a change, is going to have a major voice in the selection of our next president and I just felt it was so terribly important that we have a president who could bring about real change in Washington that could have a direct and positive impact on average families lives. I think that is really what this election is really all about. I thought the timing was right in the sense that Texas is now in play, which we didn’t know a few months ago. But most importantly I believe Barack Obama is the right person at the right time to inspire our country, to lead our country and change Washington and to make life better for average working families who are struggling so much with the high cost of health care and gasoline and education.”
Q: Was it an easy or difficult decision? (This question came from KWTX reporter Eli Ross).
A: Many of you know that know me well know that this is normally not something I do. I’m usually so focused on fighting for our district that I stay out of the national political arena, but as a father of two young sons, I just felt this election was so important for our country’s future and my children’s future and their generation’s future. And I felt that Bararck Obama had the integrity and the leadership and the ability to inspire our country to do better and to be better.
We need change in Washington desperately and I think he is the voice that can bring about that change. And not change for change’s sake. But change that can make health care more affordable, education more accessible to families of middle and low income. For all of those reasons. While I thought very carefully about making this decision I am absolutely confident I have made the right decision.
Q: Did you have any conversations with the senator?
A: I talked to Sen. Obama last week and told him that I was proud to support him for the presidency. I told him that I was impressed by the campaign he has run and the high level of integrity with which he has managed that campaign and I truly felt he would be a leader that could change Washington and change our country for the better.
As two fathers, both of young children, his young daughters are just a few years younger than my two young sons, we shared a few thoughts about our children and their future. And he admitted that it was difficult at times to be away from his family, particularly his beautiful daughters. I said I could empathize with that, but I hope they will know that he is making that sacrifice for the good of his children’s future. It was a good conversation and I expect to see him during this trip to Texas.
The following questions came after the press conference.
Q: Did you get any calls from the Clintons?
A: We got some calls yes. But I feel very comfortable with my decision. As I said, this isn’t normally something I do. I just felt with Texas in play and I deeply care about my children’s future and my country’s future and I just thought I want to be one voice in this process.
There might be some bounce based on the fact that I am (a Democratic) congressman from the most Republican district weighing in on this race and perhaps with the veterans I could have some effect. (Edwards is the chairman of the U.S. House subcommittee over Veterans Affairs spending.)
Q: What about your vote as a superdelegate? Will it be important to decide who wins the nomination?
A: I am convinced that the candidate that wins the most delegates in the primary and caucus will receive the Democratic nomination. Superdelegates are simply not going to overturn the voice of millions of American voters, period. I know that is a big story right now, but I think that will fade away.
Q: So nobody wants to have the nomination decided by the superdelegates?
A: That is not going to happen. I think you are going to see people lining up behind, which ever candidate that wins the most delegates.
Q: What about the endorsements that Hillary Clinton has lined up?
A: She will rack up all of these big name endorsements of people they have known for a long time, but sometimes there is a grassroots movement that is a tidal wave that overwhelms big name endorsements. I think that is what you could see. But anyone that counts her out is making a mistake that others have made before. But while she starts with an advantage here, the real question is will she win enough net delegates above his count in Texas to stop his momentum? That is going to be the challenge.
And here’s a couple questions with Obama spokesman Nick Kimball, who was on hand for Edwards’ endorsement.
Q: Why is this an important endorsement for the Obama campaign?
A: Congressman Edwards represents one of the most conservative districts in the state and the country that are represented by a Democrat. I think an endorsement like this sends a strong statement as to Sen. Obama’s strength at the top of the ticket nationally. Sen. Obama attracts Republicans, Democrats, Independents everywhere he goes and people down the ballot in other races don’t have to be afraid of Sen. Obama in those districts.
Congressman Edwards has a long history of attracting support from across the political spectrum. That is something we need at the top of the ticket to help down-ballot races — congressmen, governors, senators, legislators — across the country. It is something Sen. Obama has proven his ability to do and I think Congressman Edwards’ endorsement is a strong statement to the voters in the Waco area that Sen. Obama can do what he has done for years.
Q: Edwards has long tried to present himself as someone willing to reach across the aisle. Does that make his endorsement important?
A: Going back to Sen. Obama’s speech at the (Democratic National Convention) in 2004, he said ‘There isn’t a liberal America and there isn’t a conservative America. There is the United States of America.’ That’s the kind of country he wants to preside over as president. Just because someone has a different idea, is not a reason to demonize them. It’s important to bring all ideas to the table.
Sen. Obama’s statement on health care is that the insurance companies will get a seat at the table when we are talking about health care but they won’t get to buy every chair. So it’s about bringing in everyone’s ideas and coming up with the best way to move our country forward. It’s something that Sen. Obama understands. It is something that Congressman Edwards has done for many, many years so its an honor frankly for the campaign for someone in a district like this is willing to state that Sen. Obama is the strongest person in the race to be the next leader of our country.
Waco’s Edwards endorses Obama
U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, today endorsed Barack Obama’s bid for the White House, saying the U.S. senator from Illinois would work across party lines to unite the country.
Edwards, who represents Texas’ 17th Congressional District, which includes the ranch home of President George W. Bush, released the following statement with his endorsement announcement:
“As the father of two young sons, I care deeply about the future of our nation, and that is why I am endorsing Sen. Barack Obama for president of the United States,” Edwards said. “I believe Sen. Obama can bring about real change in Washington — change that will make a positive difference for average working Americans struggling to keep up with the high costs of health care, gasoline and education.”
In a news release, Sen. Obama called Edwards a strong advocate for the country’s men and women in uniform and said he was honored to have his support.
“Keeping faith with those who serve must always be a core American value and a cornerstone of American patriotism,” Obama said. “Whether Democrat, Republican, or Independent, we can unite with common purpose around the commitment to our service men and women that begins at enlistment and must never end.”
By voting for Sen. Obama, the country can “say it is time to turn away from the divisive partisan politics of the past and work together for a brighter future for our children and our grandchildren,” Edwards said.
“Now more than ever, we need a leader who can inspire us to do better, to be better. Barack Obama is that leader,” he said.
As chairman of the U.S. House subcommittee over military construction and veterans affairs, Edwards worked on a bipartisan basis to pass the largest increase in veterans’ funding in the 77-year history of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. On March 4, he will receive the Veterans of Foreign Wars highest award given annually to only one member of Congress.
“As someone who has spent most of my adult life fighting for veterans and for military troops and their families, I am convinced that Sen. Obama will be a champion for better health care, housing and quality of life for those who have sacrificed so much for the American family,” Edwards said. “He knows that standing up for our troops, our veterans and their families is the right thing to do — for them and for our nation’s security.”
Edwards’s district is the most Republican district in the nation represented in Congress, according to political analyst Charlie Cook. Edwards has earned national praise for his leadership on nuclear non-proliferation and religious liberty issues.
Edwards is the second most senior member of Texas congressional delegation and the third ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee and has served in Congress since 1991.
Rapoport backing a Clinton, again
While some Demorats are feeling torn about their choices between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, Waco’s own insurance magnate and philanthropist Bernard Rapoport doesn’t have that problem.
His ties to the Clintons go back to 1972, when Bill Clinton served as a co-director for George McGovern’s presidential campaign in Texas. Rapoport was a fund-raiser for the anti-war candidate’s failed bid for the White House.
He was also a prominent campaign contributor to Bill Clinton’s 1992 and 1996 presidential races.
In an Tribune-Herald interview from earlier this week, Rapoport shared his thoguhts on the current race.
Rapoport has given money to several Democratic presidential candidates, including Obama. But that was before Clinton entered the race. Once she became a candidate, Rapoport said he was “unequivocally” behind her.
“We are just very close friends of them so we are obviously supporting them,” said Rapoport, referring to he and his wife. “We have a lot of friends supporting Obama and I respect their choice as they respect mine. It is going to be a very close election in my view.”
Rapoport described Hillary Clinton as a “relentless” and energetic campaigner.
Despite his preference, Rapoport said the race is too hard to read to attempt to project a winner at this point.
“I think we all have a sense that we want to be in the limelight and the way you do that is you say you think this or that is going to happen, but I have had enough of the limelight,” he said. “I really think it is going to be a very tight election.”
Rapoport said he is just glad to see Texas Democrats fired up for the presidential race.
“I think the Democrats are organized like they haven’t been organized in a long time,” he said. “Texas will have a large impact.”
Sibley hits TV airwaves with campaign ad
Jonathan Sibley and his wife Suzanne will soon become familiar faces on local television ads to support his bid to oust two-term state Rep. Charles “Doc” Andeson from his House District 56 seat in the Texas Legislature.
The ad shows Suzanne and Jonathan, Midway High graduates and high school sweethearts, discussing ideas for his upcoming TV commercial.
Actually, all of the ideas are coming from Suzanne, a public school teacher who is currently working as a teacher’s aide after the couple moved back to Waco this summer after a brief stint for both of them in the Austin area.
The ad premieres today and will air through election day, said Sibley’s campaign manager Zach Vaughn.
Here’s a transcript of the ad’s dialogue:
Suzanne: Jonathan, I have some ideas for your commercial.
Jonathan: OK. Great.
Suzanne: You should talk about graduating from local public schools and Baylor.
Jonathan: Good.
Suzanne: How you are not going to take tax money out of local public schools to pay for vouchers.
Jonathan: I like it.
Suzanne: Tougher laws on drugs and illegal immigration.
Jonathan: Right.
Suzanne: And putting families first.
Jonathan: Great idea.
Suzanne: Tell them you are a straight shooter and you are willing to work hard and get results.
Jonathan: I don’t have to.
Suzanne: Why?
Jonathan: You just did.
(laughter ensues)
Hillary unveils list with more than 100 South Texas supporters
Hillary Clinton’s campaign flexed the candidate’s political muscle today as it released a list with more than 100 Rio Grande Valley elected officials who have endorsed the presidential candidate
Here’s what Clinton supporter U.S. Rep. Ruben Hinojosa had to say in a news release:
“The people of the Rio Grande Valley know Hillary Clinton, view her as an adopted Texan, and have witnessed first-hand her commitment to improve their quality of life. They know that she is the best candidate to deliver solutions in the future, because she has been delivering needed change to their lives for over 30 years.”
“Hillary will work to fix our economy, expand access to affordable health care, and protecting our nation’s soldiers. We stand with Hillary because she has and will continue to stand with us. They know she did not have to discover South Texas on a map when it came time to run for President. I think South Texas will play a big part in helping her carry Texas on March 4th.”
The following names are the state federal elected officials included on the list:
U.S. Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, State Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., State Rep. Juan Escobar, State Rep. Veronica Gonzales, State Rep. Ryan Guillen, State Rep. Ismael “Kino” Flores, State Rep. Armando Martinez, State Rep. Rene Oliveira, State Rep. Aaron Pena
100 tickets to be raffled off for Obama-Clinton debate
One hundred lucky Democrats dying for a good debate have a chance to score tickets to see Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton square off in Austin on Thursday.
Responding to an outcry of potential voters who wanted to watch the debate in person, the Texas Democratic Party has secured 100 tickets to watch the show. But to be eligible to have a chance at winning a ticket, people will have to enter an online drawing by 5 p.m. on Monday. Winners of the tickets, who must be registered Texas voters, will be notified Tuesday morning.
The drawing sign-up page is on the TDP Web site.
For those that don’t score tickets or would prefer to hobnob with other Democrats, including Obama and Clinton, people can purchase tickets to attend a debate watch party from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Austin. Tickets can be purchased here.
The Austin American-Statesman, our sister paper, has compiled a Q&A for those with questions.
Here’s more from the Texas Democratic Party Web site:
Democrats across Texas are excited by the upcoming historic debate between Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton. At a time when so many people have lost faith in our government thanks to the failed Republican policies of the Bush administration, our two outstanding candidates are ready to provide the change that Texas and America desperately need.
While seating at the debate is limited, the TDP has secured 100 debate tickets, which will be made available to the general public through a random drawing. The tickets will be evenly distributed between supporters of Senator Clinton and Senator Obama, with a number of tickets going to undecided voters.
In order to be eligible for tickets, you must be a registered voter in the State of Texas. Names may be submitted for the drawing until 5pm on Monday, February 18th, and the winners will be notified the next morning. To enter your name in the drawing, please use the form below.
Don’t forget that you can be part of the debate excitement at the TDP Debate Watch Party, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Tursday at the Hyatt Regency Austin. Senator Obama and Senator Clinton have both been invited. You can learn more and purchase your ticket here.
Friends and relatives who do not have access to email may enter by calling the TDP at (512) 478-9800. Please only submit one entry per person. Multiple entries from the same person will be disqualified.
Dunnam endorses Obama for president
After first supporting former Sen. John Edwards, Jim Dunnam, D-Waco, endorsed Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential bid today.
“It gives me great pride to endorse Barack Obama for president,” said Dunnam in a news release.” The constituents I serve, and all the people of Texas, are tired of politics as usual. In Texas — and across the rest of the country — we want a president who will finally put doing what is right above corporate special interests and radical partisan agendas. We want change we can believe in, not the same old Washington-style promises made and promises broken.
“Texas House Democrats are fighting hard to improve our public schools and bring health coverage to the uninsured,” said Dunnam, chairman of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. “With Barack Obama as president, we will have a remarkable ally in achieving those vital goals and many more.”
State Sen. Kip Averitt, R-Waco, has supported Arizona Sen. John McCain’s candidacy for president. State Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson, R-Waco, has not yet announced who he is supporting in the race for the White House.
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Anderson picks up second endorsement this week
Texans for Lawsuit Reform’s political action committee announced its endorsement of state Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson in the March 4 Republican primary.
TLR made a name for itself in 2003 when the group successfully lobbied the Texas Legislature to pass restrictions on lawsuits, including medical malpractice cases.
“Doc Anderson has stood up to the powerful personal injury trial lawyers who are committed to rolling back lawsuit reforms in Texas,” said TLR PAC director Justin Unruh in a news release. “Rep. Anderson has supported lawsuit reforms that are strengthening the economy of his district in Waco and the entire state, restoring faith in our courts and improving patient access to doctors and health care throughout Texas.”
First elected in 2004, Anderson, a Waco veternarian, is running for his third term in the Texas House, representing the McLennan County-based House District 56.
On Tuesday, Tina Benkiser, Republican Party of Texas chairwoman, came to Waco to endorse Anderson.
Jonathan Sibley, a lawyer specializing in insurance, is challenging Anderson in the battle for the Republican nomination. No Democrat has filed to run so the winner of the Republican primary will likely win the general election in November.
‘Dr. Politics’ gives diagnosis for Texas presidential nomination battle
As Texans begin to catch political fever in the battles for the Democratic and Republican presidential nomination battles, Steffen Schmidt, who goes by “Dr. Politics” paid a house call to Waco this week.
Schmidt, an Iowa State University political science professor and frequent political commentator on major media outlets, spoke to two groups of students at McLennan Community College students on Tuesday, giving his analysis of how the presidential battle will play out in Texas.
Schmidt said Clinton’s focus in Texas needs to be maintaining her base, with Hispanics and women on her side. Obama, on the other hand, must make inroads with working class Texas voters and hold the student and young voters. He also must make inroads with Hispanic voters, Schmidt said.
He offered the following observations in an interview with Tribune-Herald reporter Tim Woods on Tuesday before his presentation:
On the democratic race and Texas’ role:
“(The Democratic candidates) definitely are so tight that Texas and Ohio could produce enough delegates and something could happen and that’s exciting. But remember, we keep getting excited about who’s winning a state and that’s fun and that’s great, but the Texas primary system is very complicated.”
“And so, the real important thing we’re looking for is delegates and I’m not sure that the Texas primary is going to produce magic delegate numbers so it’s all over. Texas is going to be very important, but if Obama and Clinton stay close to each other, we’re going to have to wait a little bit to see … how many delegates they actually end up with.”
McCain vs. Huckabee:
Schmidt said that he thinks it’s very important for Huckabee to remain in the race for a couple reasons. “No. 1, it forces (McCain) to come to Texas. If he had the nomination wrapped up, why would he come to Texas? No. 2, Huckabee staying in the race keeps McCain’s face out there. Every night on the news, every morning in the paper, there’s John McCain. If McCain had the nomination wrapped up, Clinton and Obama would get all the attention, and that’s never good.”
Hillary, Obama and the Texas Hispanic vote:
“The Hispanic vote is a huge piece of this puzzle … but they’re not turning out to vote in the numbers that they should. What we’re asking is Are Texas Hispanic voters going to vote for (Clinton) like thay have in other states, or does Obama have now a better chance of getting more (Hispanic votes) because he’s been winning so much? Hispanics, they want to support a winner and Obama has been sweeping the latest primaries and caucuses. He’s been in the news a lot.”
On health care and how it might matter in Texas:
“Health care is a big issue. Hillary Clinton has the reputation for having gotten the health care thing when her husband was president, so she’s got an advantage on that. So, Obama in Texas, like everywhere else, has to lay out what he’s doing and what his plans are if he becomes president.”
On superdelegates:
“One thing your readers should never forget, superdelegates don’t have to get elected. They’re already there. They can vote for whoever they want, even Edwards.”
“You look at the Clinton stuff and listen to Clinton and what you get is ‘Oh well, Obama was going to win those anyway.’ Well, not four months ago. four months ago, Obama wasn’t going to win any of that. So he has put the fear of the Lord into the Clinton campaign because he is doing so well.
“The superdelegates in the Democratic Party, they’re out there watching all this and they’re going, ‘What’s going on here?’ I mean Clinton went from this big of a lead to nothing. Obama passed her in delegates (Tuesday). It looks as though he’s ahead.
So what does that mean?:
“Well, it means that if that trend continues in Texas and Texas gives Obama some more good news, he doesn’t have to win Texas. He has to do really well, stay really tight and pick up some delegates at the end of the process. then, if nobody gets enough of them, they go to the convention. those superdelegates could make the difference and that’s the end of the game, if they swing it to Obama.”
YouTube election ‘08
One of the x-factors of the ongoing race for the White House will be how viral campaigning and user-produced internet content helps swing the election, especially among the internet savvy youth vote.
The early exampls so far have been a video produced by Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas that has caught fire on YouTube. The hip-hop artist has said the video was inspired by Barack Obama’s speech following his primary loss in New Hampshire. Now the Obama campaign has included a link to the video on their Web site.
A week later, a parody video of sorts came out making fun of John McCain on the stump.
And now the Hillary Clinton campaign has tried to get on the bandwagon with their own attempt at video humor.
What’s your take on the power of internet to attract voters? Does this work or is just another gimmick?
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Former TEA head endorses Sibley
Jonathan Sibley, running to oust state Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson from his seat in the Texas Legislature, got the backing of former Texas Education Agency head Mike Moses in Waco Thursday.
Moses, who was appointed by then-Gov. George W. Bush in 1995 to head the TEA, stumped for Sibley, who he called a “common-sense conservative” at a fund-raiser at George’s Too Banquet Hall attended by about 25 Sibley friends, family and other supporters.
He said he has watched Jonathan, 28, grow up over the last 13 years since first meeting his father David Sibley, who represented the Waco area as a state senator from 1991 to 2002.
“I’ve watched him become, I think, a great leader,” Moses said. “I think he is tremendously well qualified. I’m so happy to see people who want to see progress towards finding solutions to problems.”
Moses, who now advocates for public school reforms after leaving the TEA and serving as Superintendent of the Dallas school district, praised Jonathan Sibley’s stances on education issues.
“I think we need people who really want the best for Texas … who want common sense conservative values, who want good schools, who don’t want teachers and principals to be unfairly punished, who want to challenge our educators, challenge our kids,” he said.
Throughout the Republican primary battle for House District 56, Sibley has criticized Anderson’s 2005 for a pilot private school voucher program. Sibley has said that the program would have reduced funding for public schools to pay for the vouchers.
“We don’t need to be taking money away from our neediest students,” Moses said.
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