Tom Daley Endorses Linda Magid For SD 8 SDEC

Barbara Oldenburg, who has served on the Texas State Democratic Executive Committee as one of the two Senate District 8 Representatives for several years, has resigned effective January 1, 2010. (SD 8. Map PDF) The State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC) is a special body created by the Texas Democratic Party (TDP) to effectively serve as the TDP governing body. As specified in the Rules of the Texas Democratic Party:

"When a vacancy occurs on the SDEC, the vacancy shall be filled by the majority vote of the members of the SDEC. The new member shall be an eligible person of the same sex and from the same senatorial district as the vacating member. The Senatorial District Committee of the affected district shall meet to nominate a person for such position."

The following letter was release by Tom Daley, 2008 candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, supporting Linda Magid's candidacy to fill Ms. Oldenburg's SD 8 Democratic Executive Committee vacancy. Ms. Magid served as Mr. Daley's campaign manager during his 2008 run for the Texas 3rd Congressional District Seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. Daley's letter:

By Tom Daley 2008 Democratic candidate U.S. House of Representatives, TX 3th Congressional District January 4, 2010 I am writing regarding the now-vacant position on the State Democratic Executive Committee that Barb Oldenburg so capably filled. It is important that battlegrounds such as SD-8 be represented by active and committed Democrats who have the time and energy to represent our area in SDEC proceedings. When I ran for US Congress in 2008, I soon found myself in need of a campaign manager. That presented me with two challenges: First, I wasn’t sure what a campaign manager should be doing. Second, I didn’t know where to find one. What I did know was that I needed an energetic person who was willing to take on an ill-defined job, for less than minimal pay, and work extensively with a candidate who was not very experienced. Fortunately, I didn’t look long. Linda Magid met my wife at a TDWCC meeting. Linda told Ava that she heard I was running for Congress and that she wanted to be part of the fight to bring energetic, effective representation to the Third Congressional District of Texas. Linda quickly identified what needed to be done, worked tirelessly to set measurable goals and helped me focus on meeting those goals. She worked hard to do whatever task needed doing, whenever it needed doing, and helped keep our campaign on track. She didn’t just execute—she was also an important source of ideas and never let her enthusiasm be overcome by the challenges of the day. Democrats in Texas are nearing a tipping point. We are poised to become the majority party and thereby bring good governance to the people of the state of Texas. But this won’t happen by fiat, luck, or wishful thinking. It will happen because we continue to work together doing the right things the right way. I believe Linda Magid is the perfect person to represent us on the SDEC. Her combination of drive, organizational skills, and willingness to roll up her sleeves and do the hard work required to help us be all that we imagine we can be is exactly what we need today. Please share my endorsement of Linda Magid with those who will vote in the election. Wishing us all success in 2010, Tom Daley, Attorney at Law

Letter To The Editor From Linda Magid

Barbara Oldenburg, who has served on the Texas State Democratic Executive Committee as one of the two Senate District 8 Representatives for several years, has resigned effective January 1, 2010. (Dist. Map PDF) As specified in the Rules of the Texas Democratic Party, "When a vacancy occurs on the SDEC, the vacancy shall be filled by the majority vote of the members of the SDEC. The new member shall be an eligible person of the same sex and from the same senatorial district as the vacating member. The Senatorial District Committee of the affected district shall meet to nominate a person for such position." The following letter to the editor of the DBCC is from Linda Magid, who has announce her candidacy to fill Ms. Oldenburg's vacancy:

Letter To The Editor by Linda Magid The State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC) is a special body created by the Texas Democratic Party (TDP) and effectively serves as the TDP governing body. The State Democratic Executive Committee's mission is to: "Carry on the activities of the Party between State Conventions in compliance with the law and with the directives of the Convention." The SDEC is composed of elected TDP officers, one female and one male representative from each of the 31 Senate Districts currently defined in Texas. Rather than voting during a Texas Democratic State Convention, as normally happens, SD8 precinct chairs in Dallas and Collin County will vote for one precinct chair each to serve on a committee that will then recommend one person to the SDEC to fill the vacancy left by Ms. Oldenburg's resignation. With the current vacancy of the Senate District 8 female SDEC member, I am asking SD-8 Precinct Chairs in Collin County to support my candidacy for this position. As Campaign Manager for Tom Daley, the Democratic Congressional Candidate running against Sam Johnson in 2008, I understand the challenges we Democrats face in Collin County. I am by no means deterred by those challenges; in fact, I am only bolstered by them, ready to take on more responsibility and leadership to elect Democrats to county and state office. I see this SDEC position as not just an opportunity to participate in the TDP leadership but as an opening for bringing knowledge, ideas and experience from around the state to our work here. Our Collin County Democratic Party Chair, Shawn Stevens, has shared that the State Party sees Collin County as an important ingredient in winning in 2010. I want to work with Shawn to remind the State Party of our growing numbers, our needs and our determination. Three months after I moved to Texas in 2007, I joined the Texas Democratic Women of Collin County and almost immediately joined the Board of Directors as Events Chair. I successfully organized (with the North Dallas Texas Democratic Women) bringing Arianna Huffington to Collin County, a speaking engagement the Dallas Morning News said would be a flop. The event raised $2000 for each women's group. When the Primary Caucus came, I had the privilege of running Precint 135's caucus and was elected a Delegate to our County Convention and served on the Resolutions Committee. By the State Convention, I was already Tom Daley's Campaign Manager and was elected as an alternate delegate to the State convention. Once the election was over, I was elected Vice Chair to the Democratic Campaign Development Coalition (DCDC), a group committed to creating a pipeline of Democratic leadership in Collin County. Shortly after that I was promoted to Chair, which I serve as today. When the former Collin County Democratic Party Chair stepped down, the DCDC organized a successful County Chair Candidate Forum, providing a platform for Precinct Chairs to hear what the three candidates had to offer. Recently, the DCDC organized a seven session campaign training program to jump start possible candidates and campaign workers. Out of 44 unique attendees, we have 3 new Precinct Chairs and 4 new candidates for 2010, with more people considering a run in 2012. I believe my experience, my effort and my passion are evidence that I will fulfill this SDEC position with the County in mind. I want us to win. I want you, the precinct chairs, to win. Vote for me, and I promise to do all I can to make that happen.

Disclosures: Ms. Magid is a guest author for this blog. The editor of this blog is an active member of the Democratic Campaign Development Coalition, which Ms. Magid chairs.

Bill White Files For Texas Governors Race

Official press release from the White campaign: Today, after listening to thousands of Texans from all backgrounds, Bill White filed to run for Governor, pledging to fight for Texas' future. "I am proud of the people of Texas, and as Governor I will move us forward as America's great state of opportunity," White said. "I'll be a Governor who challenges Texans to lead, not leave, the United States."

White highlighted ways of creating new jobs with businesses small and large across the state. He emphasized that Texas could not be its best with skyrocketing insurance and electric rates and college tuition that increases faster than the incomes of Texans.

The son of San Antonio school teachers, White vowed to focus on improving educational achievement in K-12 grade levels, improving high school graduation rates, and reducing the costs of college.

White, a successful businessman, was first elected as Houston Mayor in 2003 and was twice re-elected with margins averaging 88%. He has been hailed as a strong leader and a problem-solver, with the Houston Chronicle noting that he has "deftly steered Houston through fiscal and tropical storms."

During White's administration, Houston led the nation's cities in job growth, adding more jobs than 16 states combined. At the same time, he cut property tax rates five years in a row. After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike, Bill White mobilized an effective disaster response including first responders, businesses and churches.

"I don't have the polish of career politicians. But as a businessman and Mayor I know how to be accountable for results, not just rhetoric. I have a track record of bringing people together to get things done," White said. "That's what Texas needs now."

Last December, White launched a U.S. Senate campaign that in 11 months attracted more than 1500 volunteers, more than 5500 contributors, and more than $6.5 million. He has visited 70 Texas counties to date.

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Hank Gilbert

With Bill White entering the gubernatorial race, Hank Gilbert today announced he is dropping his gubernatorial bid and has instead filed to run for Agricultural Commissioner.

Hank Gilbert (picture right) ran for Agricultural Commissioner in the 2006 election cycle and received the most votes of any Democratic statewide candidate in that election year.

Farouk Shami

As part of his announcement that he is dropping his gubernatorial bid, Gilbert endorsed Houston hair care magnate Farouk Shami (picture right) for governor.

Conservative Sam Johnson Files For 10th Term In U.S. House

Conservative Republican U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson today announced through a press release that he plans to run for a tenth full term in the Texas 3rd U.S. Congressional District. (Shaded in yellow on map - Your Congressional District Number can be found on your Voter's Registration Card)

Johnson, who is 79 years old, first won his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election on May 8, 1991. Johnson has been reelected to the 3rd district seat in nine regular elections since 1992.

The Texas 3rd District House Seat has arguably been one of the deepest red Republican districts in Texas, or any other state, since 1968 when the Republican Party first took control of the 3rd district House Seat. Johnson ran for re-election unopposed by a Democratic candidate in the 1992, 1994, 1998 and 2004 elections.

Maybe Sam Johnson will snag an endorsement from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin when she drops by Plano to sign her book, "Going Rogue," at Legacy Books on Friday Dec. 4th. Get-R-Done Sam!

Johnson was opposed by Democratic challenger Daniel Dodd and Libertarian challenger Christopher Clayton in the 2006 election.

Candidate	Party	Votes	Percent
Sam Johnson	(R)	88,634	63%
Dan Dodd	(D)	49,488	35%
Christopher Claytor	(L)	3,656	3%

In the 2008 election Johnson was opposed again by Libertarian challenger Christopher Clayton and a new Democratic challenger, Tom Daley. In 2008 Johnson's margin of victory was trimmed to 59 percent of the vote with Tom Daley receiving 38 percent, even as Daley ran a modest "budget campaign" as compared to Johnson's campaign war chest of money.

Candidate	Party	Votes	Percent
Sam Johnson	(R)	169,557	59.8%
Tom Daley	(D)	107,679	38.0%
Christopher Claytor	(L)	6,300	2.2%

So far, a Democratic challenger to Johnson has not appeared for the 2010 election cycle, but the month long filing period has only just opened.

Johnson has voted against tax incentives for energy conservation, clean/alternative energy development and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Johnson also voted to eliminate "critical habitat" for endangered species and to reduce liability for hazardous waste dumping and clean up. Johnson opposes health insurance reform, supports the privatization of social security, has voted against regulating the home mortgage industry and opposes any repeal of the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999. That "Modernization Act" lifted Glass-Steagall regulations that prohibited any one financial institution from acting as a home mortgage company, investment bank, a commercial bank, and/or an insurance company. That single piece of banking deregulation is a root cause of the near collapse of the American financial system in 2008.

Gov. Perry: Federal Government Protecting The General Welfare Of Americans Is Socialist

On the issue of Texans who have lost their jobs; Gov. Perry, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Senator John Cornyn, Congressman Sam Johnson and every Republican elected official in Texas made headlines for months pronouncing that President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) "socialist" economic stimulus plan was unneeded and unwelcome in Texas.

On the issue of health insurance reform; Texas has the most expensive health care markets in the country, and the least number of people insured and Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) raise his 10th Amendment argument again over federal health insurance reform. [Star-Telegram] Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Senator John Cornyn, Congressman Sam Johnson and every Republican elected official in Texas again line up with Gov. Perry to reject the idea that Texans need health insurance reform.

To review Johnson's conservative positions all on the issues plus his U.S. House of Representatives voting record, click here.

picture of Ms. Van Auken used with her kind permission

On Monday August 31st of this year Texas G.O.P. Reps. Sam Johnson, Joe Barton of Arlington, Jeb Hensarling and Pete Sessions of Dallas hosted a town hall at the Eisemann Center in Richardson, TX.

During the meeting Barton said. "We do believe the president's proposal is a radicalization and some would say socialization." He said the best option would be to defeat the current plans.

Kelley van Auken (pictured above) attended the Eisemann Center town hall to voice her support for Health Insurance reform.

"Most people [who oppose health insurance reform] were actually quite nice, but there's an abundance of misinformation," said Ms. van Auken. She said that one opponent of health insurance reform told her that she doesn't need health insurance, rather, she just needs to go to church for help with health care costs. Ms. van Auken, who is confined to a wheelchair, commented that opponents of health insurance reform believe, "there are churches that will cover my $72k/year drug costs and other medical expenses." In a CBS 11 news interview Ms. van Auken said, "I've been disabled my whole life and I've been fortunate to have access to healthcare, unfortunately there are a lot of people like me or with less ailments who don't have it and really do need it."

A Texas Monthly Article Featuring Bill White

Houston Mayor Bill White, pictured left, has been in the running for Kay Bailey Hutchison's U.S. Senate seat -- when, and if, she ever resigns her U.S. Senate seat to run for governor -- during most of 2009.

Mayor Bill White is strongly considering a run for the governor's office now that it is looking far less likely that Kay Bailey Hutchison will resign her senate seat.

A Texas Monthly article featuring Bill White hit the news stands last week. The article presents both a picture of Bill the Mayor and Bill the man:

The Great White Hope

Democrats haven’t won a statewide race since 1994, so why does this middle-aged guy with a bald head and big ears think he's the fresh face of the party? Because outgoing Houston mayor Bill White has a record that makes some Republicans envious, he can raise a ton of money, and he will kiss as many babies as it takes (whether they want him to or not).

Click here to read the rest of the story

Conservatives Find No Sympathy For Tiny Tim Cratchit

At a town hall held by Rep. Lipinski (D-Ill.) on November 14th, Dan and Midge Hough spoke about the death of their daughter-in-law and her unborn child:

Twenty-four-year old Jennifer was not receiving regular prenatal care and she did not receive immediate medical care when she first got sick -- because she was uninsured. Jennifer's illness worsened and she eventually went to a hospital emergency room.

By then, Jennifer's illness had turned into double pneumonia. Complications from the pneumonia then resulted in septic shock. That further complication caused a heart attack, a brain bleed and then a stroke. Jennifer lost the baby and she died a few weeks later.

As the grieving Midge Hough told her story she was heckled by conservatives attending the town hall to protest against health insurance reform. Ms. Hough told the conservatives, "You can laugh at me, that's okay," she said, crying, "But I lost two people, and I know you think that's funny, that's okay." Catherina Wojtowicz, an organizer for the conservative Chicago Tea Party Patriots, who oppose health insurance reform, said the audience was exasperated by stories of these "isolated tragedies" that cloud debate about health insurance reform.

Clearly, conservatives can find no sympathy for the "isolated tragedy" of A Christmas Carol's Tiny Tim Cratchit. Can conservatives find any fault at all with Ebenezer Scrooge's character - before his spiritual reclamation?

About 44 million people in this country have no health insurance, and another 38 million have inadequate health insurance. This means that nearly one-third of Americans face each day without the security of medical care for them and their families, if and when they need it.

Research released in the American Journal of Public Health in September 2009 estimates that 45,000 deaths per year in the United States are associated with the lack of health insurance. [reference one and two]

Many of those who feel satisfied with their health insurance coverage and who reject the need for health insurance reform, in fact, aren’t “insured” from the financial burdens of rising health care costs or an unexpected high cost illness.

“Under-insurance is the great hidden risk of the American health care system,” says Elizabeth Warren, a Harvard law professor who has analyzed medical bankruptcies. “People do not realize they are one diagnosis away from financial collapse.”

A national study released this year found that while medical debt contributed to 62 percent of the bankruptcies in 2007, 78 percent of those bankruptcy filers had health insurance but “still were overwhelmed by their medical debt.” No government agency keeps an official count of the under insured.

LATIMES: The public and employers are staggering under the cost of the present system -- rising at more than twice the rate of inflation and expected to surpass $2.2 trillion this year.

[From Rep. Lipinski's town hall] HuffPost Editor Roy Sekoff Discusses The Heckling Of Hough Family On MSNBC's 'The Ed Show'

Schieffer Drops Out And White (Maybe) Switches To Govenors Race

Two Democratic candidates have been in the running for Kay Bailey Hutchison's U.S. Senate seat -- when, and if, she ever resigns her U.S. Senate seat to run for governor -- during most of 2009. Those Democrats are Houston Mayor Bill White, pictured left, and former State Comptroller John Sharp, pictured right.

Hank Gilbert Mark Thompson Tom Schieffer

Democrats previously lined up for the 2010 Governor's race included Hank Gilbert, right, Mark Thompson, middle right, Tom Schieffer, bottom right. Former Independent, Kinky Friedman, has also announced plans to have his name added to the Governor's position on the Democratic primary ballot.

Democratic candidates for the Senate and Governor races are quickly lining up differently after news broke a week ago that Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison had flip-flopped on her promise to resign from the U.S. Senate to focus on her gubernatorial campaign against Gov. Rick Perry.

Hutchison officially announced last Sunday that she won't resign her U.S. Senate seat until after the March 2010 Republican primary election. Hutchison's announcement strongly implies she will not resign from the U.S. Senate if Perry defeats her in the March primary.

Hutchison backed away from her commitment to resign from the Senate after a new Rasmussen poll of Texas GOP Primary voters showed Perry with 46% while Hutchison trails with only 35% of the Republican primary vote.

So, today, the Texas Tribune reports that the Tom Schieffer is dropping out of the race. A bit later in the day the Houston Chronicle breaks a story that Houston Mayor Bill White is going to switch races and make a run for the Governer's office rather that wait for a now very uncertain chance to run for KBH's Senate seat.

In remarks last June to an audience of Collin and Denton county Democrats, Mayor White made the point that, "TX needs leadership that is more interested in seeing the state succeed, rather than scoring partisan points and constantly looking for wedge issues - leadership who is more interested in the educating Texas children than in seceding from the union."

Here's a statement from Bill White, posted Monday Nov. 23rd on his campaign website:

"Since Friday a week ago Texans from all backgrounds and all regions have asked me to consider running to be our next Governor of Texas. Today I agree to consider running for Governor, and shall make a decision by Friday, December 4th.

Before then I invite the citizens of Texas to weigh in on this decision by visiting this page and emailing me at billwhite@billwhitefortexas.com."

Mark Thompson dropped out of the Texas governors race in early November and endorsed Hank Gilbert.

Last week Houston hair care magnate Farouk Shami (picture right) also announced for the Texas governors race. Shami has stated he will spend $10 million of his own money before the March 2 primary, plus he has hired veteran Democratic political consultants. Shami is on record saying he is a "Democrat all the way to the bone."

Fort Worth teacher Felix Alvarado has also announced for the Texas Democratic primary governors race.

Any Legal Status Identical Or Similar To Marriage Can't Be Recognized By Texas

Remember the so called "same-sex-marriage" amendment (PDF) to the Texas State Constitution approved by voters in November 2005? The wording of that amendment may have effectively nullified all marriage in Texas!

That amendment to the Texas Bill Of Rights said, "SECTION 1. Article I, Texas Constitution, is amended by adding "Section 32 MARRIAGE" to read as follows:

1. Marriage in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one woman.
2. This state or a political subdivision of this state may not create or recognize any legal status identical or similar to marriage.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that, Barbara Ann Radnofsky, a Houston lawyer and Democratic candidate for attorney general, is saying that section (b) effectively “eliminates marriage in Texas”:

She calls it a “massive mistake” and blames the current attorney general, Republican Greg Abbott, for allowing the language to become part of the Texas Constitution. Radnofsky called on Abbott to acknowledge the wording as an error and consider an apology. She also said that another constitutional amendment may be necessary to reverse the problem.

“You do not have to have a fancy law degree to read this and understand what it plainly says,” said Radnofsky.

This isn’t the first time the reach of the second section has been questioned. Before the amendment passed, a group called Save Texas Marriage warned that a judge could potentially void all marriages in the state if the language became part of the Texas Constitution.

Star-Telegram story continues: Radnofsky acknowledged that the clause is not likely to result in an overnight dismantling of marriages in Texas. But she said the wording opens the door to legal claims involving spousal rights, insurance claims, inheritance and a host other marriage-related issues.

"This breeds unneeded arguments, lawsuits and expense which could have been avoided by good lawyering," Radnofsky said. "Yes, I believe the clear language of B bans all marriages, and this is indeed a huge mistake."

In October, Dallas District Judge Tena Callahan ruled that the same-sex-marriage ban is unconstitutional because it stands in the way of gay divorce. Abbott is appealing the ruling, which came in a divorce petition involving two men who were married in Massachusetts in 2006.

KBH Flip-Flops On Resigning From The Senate

A new Rasmussen poll of Texas GOP Primary voters finds Perry with 46% of the vote while Hutchison has 35%. Four percent (4%) support Debra Medina, a tea-party activist who joined the GOP race a few months ago, and 14% are undecided.

The Rasmussen poll also finds that 60 percent of those surveyed responded the KBH should stay in the Senate while she runs against Perry.

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison on Rasmussen poll and resigning to run against Gov. Rick Perry in the GOP primary.

News broke late Friday afternoon that Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison has flip-flopped on her publicly announced timetable for resigning from the Senate. Now Hutchison says she won't quit until after the March gubernatorial primary.

Hutchison told a Dallas WBAP radio talk show host host Mark Davis in July that she would resign her Senate seat in October or November. Hutchison told Davis in that interview that she would like to stay in office while running for governor, but she cannot so long as fellow Republican Gov. Rick Perry remains in the contest. [Transcript of the WBAP Interview at Houston Chronicle ]

Texas Tribune's Ross Ramsey reports that Hutchison's announcement is expected by the end of the day, and that she "began calling other Republicans Friday afternoon to tell them to make other plans." A resignation in March would still mean a May special election to fill her senate seat.

Fox News Pulls The Plug On Progressive Bloggers

The Raw Story: Liberal bloggers are accusing Fox News of launching an Internet war against them in a campaign to selectively remove Fox clips from YouTube.

On Wednesday, YouTube shut down the popular News1News channel, which featured news clips that many progressive bloggers and news sites would add to their stories. On the rare occasion, Raw Story also embedded News1News clips in stories having to do with media coverage. The channel provided clips from all news networks, but often focused on Fox's controversial commentators.

The decision to shut down News1News came after Fox News issued 150 take-down notices to the channel, which they are entitled to do under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, reports Adrian Chen at Gawker. YouTube's policy is to shut down any accounts that receive three or more take-down notices, so News1News was immediately pulled offline.

But Fox News' move appears to be limited to News1News, while other YouTube channels -- those viewed as having conservative leanings -- remain untouched. Chen points out that the Glenn Beck Daily Clips channel continues to operate, although it features 614 clips, as of last count, of Glenn Beck's Fox show. The Conservative Nation channel, with close to 200 clips, is also still online.

Thus, Fox's move will mostly affect stories posted on progressive-leaning blogs, such as Gawker, the Huffington Post and Truthdig, while leaving intact YouTube clips embedded at conservative Web sites. Instead of embedded video, visitors to those sites will now see a notice stating that the video in question is "no longer available."

Queerty blog reported Friday that News1News' creator, identified only as "Jon," has experienced this before. This past summer, Fox shut down his NewsPoliticsNews channel on similar copyright grounds, but the channel was reinstated after YouTube lawyers disagreed with Fox's basis for the take-down notice.

Because there's no limit to how many YouTube accounts someone can create, Jon's news channel is now back online, under the name NewsPoliticsAmerica (See "Top News of the Day" block in the right sidebar of this blog). Bloggers will no doubt be watching closely to see if and when the channel is once again shut down.