United Republicans of Harris County Announces Endorsements in Run-off Races

The Board of Directors of United Republicans of Harris County announces their slate of endorsed candidates in contested primary run-off races.

Endorsement List United Republicans of Harris County PAC United Republicans of Harris County is pleased to announce the 2014 Republican Primary Runoff  Endorsements In Contested Races    United States Representative, District 36 Brian Babin Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst Attorney General Ken Paxton Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton State Representative, District 129 Dennis Paul State Representative, District 132 Ann Hodge District Judge, 247th Judicial District M.L. Walker Judge, County Criminal Court No. 10 Tonya Rolland McLaughlin Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Place 2 Laryssa Korduba * No funds were accepted from candidates in contested races.

Special Election in FL-13 Offers Playbook for GOP in 2014

David Jolly won the Special Election in Florida's 13th District this week and Republicans across the country rejoiced.  Many paint it as a victory against Obamacare and the Democrats in Washington, D.C.  We are better served, however, to look a bit closer and understand exactly how and why Jolly won.

This district in Florida has been in GOP hands for 50 years, as Democrats were quick to point out as the reason for the Republican victory.  Some Democrats claim that, in fact, that the Republican candidate underperformed in this race. Even the Washington Post gives this reasoning three Pinocchio's.  The race was close - 48.43% to 46.55% - and conventional wisdom was that it would likely be a Democrat pick-up, as the district had been re-districted and leaned more heavily Democratic.  

But how of much a true picture do these results show? For years, Democrats—and analysts–had said that once Young leaves office, it would flip to the other party. That’s because in races when Young was not on the ballot, Democrats consistently were winners.In the same district, President Obama, for instance, beat both Mitt Romney in 2012 and John McCain in 2008. Alex Sink, when she unsuccessfully sought the governorship in 2010, won the congressional district even while losing the state. Sink also won the district when she was elected Florida’s chief financial officer in 2006.The Cook Political Report’s Partisan Voting Index identifies the district as one of the more competitive districts in the nation—Republican plus 1 percent. (The PVI is based on how the district presidential vote compares to the overall national race.) Florida’s 13th congressional district ranked 230 on a list of 435 districts, with 1 being the most Republican and 435 the most Democratic.

This is an important victory, to be sure.  Here is how he won the votes of Republicans and also the very important votes of Independents, too:  he spoke with common sense and from a place of reality. He didn't dwell in the world of "no", but in offering real world solutions, especially when it came to the topic of Obamacare.  He spoke about reforms to the law, not just repeal and no alternative.  He spoke about private market solutions and purchasing insurance across state lines.

He stayed on offense and didn't allow the traditional attacks against Republicans by Democrats to fester:

Equally important, the Republican side went on offense against the growing roster of Democratic campaign themes. The party has used them to great effect in any number of recent elections, including most recently in the Virginia governor's race. The difference this time is that the GOP had answers.Ms. Sink, for instance, rolled out the GOP-Wants-To-Throw-Granny-Off-The-Cliff line. Democrats beat on Mr. Jolly on seniors' issues, claiming he wanted to privatize Social Security and cut Medicare. Rather than run from that debate, the Republican reassured voters that he supported honoring current benefits for those in, at or remotely near retirement.Yet he also made the case for long-term reforms to entitlement programs—insisting that, yes, Social Security privatization needs to be among the options considered. He pointed out that the only folks who have done serious recent damage to Medicare are Democrats who robbed the program to pay for ObamaCare. The district's large senior-citizen voting population knew this to be true.Democrats also unfurled the "war against women" theme, claiming that Mr. Jolly opposed "equal pay for equal work" for women and abortion rights. He responded that wage discrimination based on gender should be illegal, and in fact already is. He laid out a straightforward pro-life position, highlighting standard exceptions for rape, incest, life of the mother—and didn't waver from it. The Democrats couldn't get much traction.

He worked hard and had solutions to offer.

Most importantly, Jolly is a man who comes to Washington with intentions of doing the hard work of legislating with all willing partners.  He acknowledged that the time is over for party members to be battling each other. He was sworn-in Thursday by Speaker Boehner.

Receiving a standing ovation and applause from Republicans and Democrats, Jolly said in his initial remarks that he believes "in this institution, the people's house. ... I believe in civility." He stood in the well of the House, surrounded by members of Florida's congressional delegation.Jolly said the fight is for the country, "not a fight against each other."

Civility and working with each other.  What a concept.  It's a winner.

United Republicans of Harris County Presented Senator Cornyn

United Republicans of Harris County held another standing room only event Saturday as they presented the senior senator from Texas, Senator John Cornyn, Senate Minority Whip.  The PAC endorsed Senator Cornyn for re-election and he spoke on the importance of getting out the vote and electing Republicans.

Ed Hubbard introduced Senator Cornyn.  He spoke of the philosophy of United Republicans of Harris County.  While those like Ronald Reagan speak of the Republican party using an analogy of a three legged stool, some groups focus on one or two "legs" of party philosophy.  The three legs of fiscal conservatism, strong foreign policy, and social conservatism can all work together when willing hearts and minds come together among those who vote as Republicans.  Unfortunately, this is a time of division within the party. The legs of that stool work together, yet some believe one issue or the other outweighs the rest.   

United Republicans of Harris County focuses on fiscal conservatism.  As stated on the website:

United Republicans of Harris County represents the economic conservative Republicans of this community and advocates the traditional Republican philosophies of:

• Fiscal Conservatism
• Strong National Defense
• Lower Taxes
• Safer Communities
• Better Education
• Less Government Intervention
• Individual Freedoms With Responsibility
• Accountability by Our Elected Officials

Hubbard encouraged those present to consider joining United Republicans of Harris County as members, as the PAC's modest dues support the organization as speakers and programs are developed throughout the year.

Senator Cornyn was warmly welcomed.  He spoke of the failed years of the Obama administration and the importance of Republicans taking back the Senate.  It is crucial for Republican voters from all quarters to work together with respect and diligence. This is not a time for apathy.  This is not a time to sit an election out.  He encouraged the audience to get out the vote with family and friends. 

Speaking of the true Republican values as presented by the likes of President Ronald Reagan, he said, "What do you call someone that I agree with 80% of the time?  I call you a friend, not a 20% traitor".  Too many are focusing on a vote that may have made them unhappy with an elected official instead of the big picture - which is to get Republicans elected.  If Republicans don't win elections, Republicans will not govern.  It really is as simple as that.

Senator Cornyn was accompanied by his wife of 34 years, Sandy, and he said while he agrees with her 100% of the time, she doesn't agree with him 100% of the time and that works out just fine for them. "Agreeing 100% of the time is an impossible standard", he said.  As Republicans, that is a good example to set.  That is how a party must work to flourish and be successful.

If you would like to join United Republicans of Harris County, go to the website and fill out a membership form.  The public is welcome to the events and regular events are held to keep voters informed on timely issues.

Texas Tribune and Pay for Play Journalism

The topic of pay for play is hot in political circles in Harris county as early voting begins for the March 4 primary election.  It appears that pay for play is alive and well in the not for profit journalism world, too.  An excellent four part piece is up written by James Moore.  I encourage you to take a little time and read all of it.  It is quite an eye-opening look at some real ethical questions begging for answers.  

 http://www.dontgrowtexas.com/the-trouble-with-the-trib/

The opening:

The Texas Tribune was supposed to be the best new idea to save journalism. Instead, it is destroying it. What believers hoped was going to be a watchdog has turned into a lapdog by taking big dollars from lobbyists and corporations.

You may remember that the Texas Tribune began with much fanfare.  It was a non-profit organization, to be supported by loyal readers and cool people all around Texas.  Evan Smith, the editor of Texas Monthly, was recruited to be CEO and executive editor of the Texas Tribune.  

As time has progressed, from that beginning in 2009, it seems the whole not for profit thing was harder than expected.  The answer to a need for a bigger cash flow?  Advertisement dollars.  Sponsorships, too.

If the readership of the Texas Tribune were to ever put together all of the relationships and fundraising and money making functionalities of the operation, they could be forgiven for their skepticism about the credibility of the journalism. The Trib is, by almost any definition, a pay for play operation, a digital protection racket where donations and sponsorships will prevent scrutiny of your issues and operations. And readers will never know what’s missing.

Mr. Moore, a seasoned political and media consultant, gives example after example of a descent into a pay for play system for journalism.  Whether it is round table discussions to promote a lobbyist's pet project or a panel discussion at their annual event -  Texas Tribune Festival - the deck appears to be stacked in favor of those writing the advertising and sponsorship checks.  

It is not unusual in conservative circles for the Texas Tribune to be called a liberal publication.  The question is why the journalists in Austin, in particular, allow this to continue.  Why haven't there been stories about this before Mr. Moore put the pieces together?  Are ethics in journalism dead?

No one has written about the Tribune’s hypocrisies and contradictions with any detail simply because they feared sounding petty or self-serving. Texas newspapers, some of which use the Tribune’s stories, can hardly be expected to criticize an editorial service they use or to publicly whine about unfair competition. The Quorum Report and Capitol Inside could expect its lobby and legislative information sources to go quiet because they, too, must function in a culture of cooperation that is implicit in the way business is conducted by the Texas Tribune. Politics is a cruel game. Journalism is not supposed to play it, though. Reporters are expected to cast little lights into dark corners and illuminate the way government works and who has influenced its decisions. The Texas Tribune rarely lives up to that mandate and, instead, takes big cash from the people and institutions it is supposed to hold accountable. Money is coming in the door as fast as integrity and credibility are running out. 

A conservative alternative to the Texas Tribune is now in play in Texas.  Rather quietly, Breitbart News launched Breitbart Texas.  Reading the list of contributors, it looks to be a mix of a couple of true reporters along with a couple of political bloggers and gadflys, a filmmaker, and a lobbyist who 'scores' the votes of the Austin crowd in hopes of getting his message out to voters.  What could go wrong?

Lots. Maybe their fate will not be the same as that now of the Texas Tribune. Keep your eyes open and pay attention to who is writing about what topic.

Simpson and Woodfill Spar Over Pay for Play Endorsements

A couple of interesting political events this week have brought about even more interesting results. The hot topic remains the issue of the pay for play endorsement slates in the Harris County Republican primary.

On Tuesday, February 11, 2014, the Harris County Republican Party Executive Committee met and a resolution was passed condemning the pay for play endorsement slate system. The resolution is the product of a conservative blogger.  As written in Big Jolly Politics:

Precinct Chair Greg Aydt, who started working on the resolution a couple of weeks ago and gathered six co-sponsors to help passage, deserves major kudos for making this happen. Greg also happens to be a prolific conservative blogger at RhymesWithRight ...

Here is the resolution:

WHEREAS the Republican Party has long taken the lead in fighting for the integrity of the electoral process, andWHEREAS the 2012 Republican Party of Texas platform opposes conflicts of interest in the form of attempting to influence votes by appointed or elected officials on behalf of paying clients, and
WHEREAS the 2012 Republican Party Platform calls upon "every citizen. . . to preserve the integrity of the vote", and
WHEREAS we recognize that the appearance of impropriety is itself a form of impropriety, and such appearances in campaign and electoral practices undermine the confidence of voters in the integrity of our electoral system,
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Harris County Republican Party condemns the practice of "pay to play" endorsements, in which supposedly independent individuals, groups, or organizations request, solicit or require any fee, payment, or contribution as a condition of making or publicizing said endorsement;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Harris County Republican Party opposes the practice of groups, clubs, or organizations requiring candidates for office to pay a sum of money as a condition of being placed on the ballot for any straw poll, whether this is called a fee, contribution, sponsorship, or any other name;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Harris County Republican Party urges all elected or appointed officials of the Harris County Republican Party, Republican Party of Texas, Republican National Committee and any affiliated or associated club or organization to refrain from offering endorsements of any primary candidate when the candidate is a paying client;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Harris County Republican Party opposes the practice of providing money to "politiqueras" or other paid agents of campaigns so that they may provide money or any other thing of value to a voter in return for casting a ballot for a candidate;
AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT the text of this resolution shall be posted under the "Voter Info" section of the Harris County Republican Party website within 48 hours of its adoption by the Executive Committee. Furthermore, within one week of its adoption a copy of this resolution shall be distributed to all candidates currently seeking a contested or uncontested nomination in the Republican primary and that it shall be distributed to all candidates at the time of filing for office in all future Republican primaries.
Greg Aydt -- Precinct 333
Rudy Balciunas -- Precinct 473
Cyndi Lawrence -- Precinct 804
Dee Carroll -- Precinct 728
Ed Sarlls -- Precinct 644
Jeff Larson -- Precinct 349
David Wilson -- Precinct 923

Pretty straightforward, right?  As you can imagine, the small group of men who profit off this corrupt system are not pleased.  You will note that in the last of the resolution, a call to post the resolution on the Harris County Republican Party (HCRP) website is made, as well as distribution to all candidates currently seeking the party's nomination in the Republican primary.  That has now brought about a threat of legal action should the chairman move on it.

Meanwhile, the Houston Chronicle has published an interview with Greg, the conservative blogger, and his resolution.  That's right.  Greg is a school teacher on the east side of town.  He's a regular guy teaching the next generation a course in Government.  Leading by example, he is participating in local politics and working for ethical change.

Wednesday night, February 12, 2014, the Texas Asian Republican Club (TARC) held a forum for the two Republican candidates in the Tx District 149 race and for two Republicans on the ballot for Harris County Republican Party chairman.  Current chairman Jared Woodfill and challenger Paul Simpson participated.   Woodfill, while explaining payments to those who endorse in mailers or a newsletter, brought in the name of a party activist who challenged Woodfill in a past race for HCRP chairman. In the case of this person, he used his former challenger's name as an example of one who ran for the office and when he wasn't successful, continued to work with the party and for the benefit of the party, unlike how he characterized Simpson, who is now challenging Woodfill for the third time.  Simpson has his own questions to answer on participating in the pay for play system, as he did give money to one of the big three participants in this corrupt practice.  If a candidate is to speak out about a system while it is a popular topic of conversation, yet then participate in that system, however limited, questions arise.  The only way to kill off the system is for all candidates to refuse to participate.  As long as some do, others will see the real challenge of ignoring the system in place.

Thursday, February 13, 2014, the Texas Conservative Review went out via email.  Along with updates on endorsements, the piece went on the attack against those speaking up against pay for play slates.  Just like clockwork.  And, conveniently, the author also drags in the name of a former challenger of Mr. Woodfill in a previous race.  The author of this email claims it is those who are not endorsed by the system that are now coming out against it.  That is a shallow explanation.  Those who have run for elected office and have spoken with the men who endorse with the payment system see first hand how it works.  Who better to speak against it?  What the author doesn't tell the reader is that the corrupt pay for play slates system discourages good men and women from running for office - especially is the slates are predisposed to endorse others in the race.  Cronyism is alive and well with little room for fresh faces and ideas to keep the Republican party healthy in Harris County.

The fact of the matter is that Harris County is the only county in Texas to be in this mess.  Harris County is one of a very few counties in the whole country to allow the corruption of pay to play come in and take over.  It is not the norm, no matter how the men in charge of this system try to justify it.  That is just lipstick on a pig.

It's big money, don't kid yourself.  It is not thousands of dollars at play here.  It is hundreds of thousands of dollars.  There is already an action in play to take this act on the road - some involved want to take their system statewide.  It has to be stopped.  Texas is on the brink of some really ugly times for Republicans.  There is no time to waste.

HCRP should have condemned this process long ago.  Thanks to a conservative blogger who wrote the resolution and organized support for it,  HCRP is now on record against the pay for play endorsement system.  Now the candidates must step up and say no.  They must go back to campaigning and meeting the voters.

Harless Smacks Scofield in Tx District 132 Race

A hot topic in political circles recently is the explanation of and criticism of the corrupt pay for play system that has consumed Harris County Republican politics for far too long.  A small group of men set the prices for candidates to pay them for endorsements in Republican primary races.

This issue has been spoken of in the past and even during some recent election cycles, with little being done to end the practice that is having the effect of turning Harris county from a 'red' county to a 'blue' county.  The system stifles good, viable candidates from running for office.  The system produces a very lazy way of governing - candidates feel obliged to take part in the system to win an election and the voters simply take the slate of their choice to the polls when voting day rolls around.

The latest criticism has come from a different source - not a blogger or a reporter - but an elected official currently serving in the Texas House of Representatives. Rep Patricia Harless first exposed a chain of emails that named names and exposed some nasty plotting of some of the people leading the politics of Texas Senate District 7.  I wrote about it HERE.  Others did, too, and the buzz generated around political circles and meetings.

Thursday, Texas Representative Patricia Harless (Tx Dist 126) came out with another swing at the corrupt Harris County Republican Party's pay for play system with THIS interview.  In specific, she addressed a Republican primary race in the Katy area - District 132.  She spoke about one candidate in particular, as his is a story of shopping for a district in which to run for elected office. I know he shopped for the district because the man was a resident of my own district - my own subdivision, in fact - in his last foray into seeking an elected political office.  He was unsuccessful in that election cycle running in his home district and it is no secret he wasted no time shopping around for another district which might present an opportunity for him.  He has the support of the pay for play slates.  Surprise, surprise.

I would like to take this opportunity - while the topic is hot - to point out that there is an established group who has taken on this corruption since the early 1990's.  The group is United Republicans of Harris County.  I have written about this political action committee (PAC) in previous posts, the last one is HERE.

Full disclosure:  I am a member of the Board of Directors of United Republicans of Harris County.

So, there is a vehicle in place to fight the corrupt pay for play system, if only enough people would pay attention and support United Republicans of Harris County.  Each primary election, except in citywide races, United Republicans of Harris County puts out a list of endorsements in contested Republican primary races.  Candidates are interviewed and questionnaires are studied.  It is a long and tedious process, but it is necessary to be an informed voter.  The Board of Directors then votes on endorsements.  Sometimes no endorsement is made.  Occasionally a double endorsement is made.  There is no easy way out here.

Your vote is valuable.  Your vote is your contribution to our democratic system.  Voting participation is at an all time low.  You can make a difference.

I encourage everyone concerned about the corrupt pay for play system in place in Harris County - that should be every voter except maybe that handful of men living comfortably off the candidates - to get active.  One way to start is to attend events hosted by United Republicans of Harris County and also to contribute financial support so that the endorsements can reach the maximum number of Republican voters possible.

For more than two decades now, United Republicans of Harris County has toiled away, doing the work necessary to make a better Republican party in the county and electing the most qualified candidates to elected office.  It is time for all to step up and show support with a presence at events and financial donations, too.  I encourage you to do so sooner rather than later.  There is no more time to waste.

Do the right thing.  Make a difference.  As Harris county goes, so goes Texas.

United Republicans of Harris County Endorsements Announced

After many long hours of research and meetings with candidates, the process of issuing endorsements is now complete for United Republicans of Harris County.  The Board of Directors have issued the following endorsements in contested races in the Republican primary:

U.S. Senator                                                              John Cornyn
U.S. Representative, District 8                                   Kevin Brady
U.S. Representative, District 36                                 Brian Babin  and Chuck Meyer
Governor                                                                  Greg Abbott
Lieutenant Governor                                                 David Dewhurst and Jerry Patterson
Attorney General                                                       Ken Paxton
Comptroller                                                              Harvey Hilderbran
Land Commissioner                                                  George P. Bush
Agriculture Commissioner                                         Eric Opiela
Railroad Commissioner                                             Becky Berger
Chief Justice Supreme Court                                     Nathan Hecht
Justice Supreme Court, Place 6                                 Jeff Brown
Justice Supreme Court, Place 8                                 Phil Johnson
Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3                             Barbara Walther
Court of Criminal Appeals Place 4                             Jani Jo Wood
Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9                            W.C. "Bud" Kirkendall
State Senator, District 17                                            Joan Huffman
State Representative, Dist 129                                    Chuck Maricle
State Representative, Dist 132                                    Ann Hodge
State Representative, Dist 134                                    Sarah Davis
State Representative, Dist 149                                    Nghi T. Ho
Justice, 1st Court of Appeals, Place 3                        Russell Lloyd
District Judge, 246th District                                     Angelina D.A. Gooden
District Judge, 247th District                                     Melanie Flowers and M. L. Walker
District Judge, 263rd District                                     Robert Summerlin
District Judge, 269th District                                     Dan Hinde
Family District Judge, 311th District                         Donna Detamore and Anthony Magdaleno
County Criminal Court at Law No. 10                       Tonya Rolland McLaughlin
District Clerk                                                             Chris Daniel
County Treasurer                                                       Orlando Sanchez
County School Trustee at Large, Place 5                   Mike Wolfe
Justice of the Peace Precinct 4, Place 2                      Laryssa Korduba
Justice of the Peace Precinct 5, Place 2                      Jeff Williams
Harris County Republican Party Chairman               Paul Simpson

United Republicans of Harris County Proceed with Endorsements Process

A funny thing happened as United Republicans of Harris County moved through its candidate endorsement process this primary season - the corrupt pay for play system in our county has finally begun to garner the attention from the general voting public needed to make change.  Is it the beginning of the end of pay for play slates - political endorsements in Republican primary races provided in exchange for money? Maybe.  We know it will take time to rid Harris County of the now entrenched business as usual in Republican politics.  The good news - it has to start somewhere and it has now started to capture the attention of the voter.

Are you looking for an alternative as you begin to think about the upcoming Republican primary? Are you looking for a group that provides recommendations to voters using research and actual face to face interviews?  Are you looking for a group that leads by example?  There is one such group in Harris County - United Republicans of Harris County.

Who are United Republicans of Harris County?  

United Republicans of Harris County represents the economic conservative Republicans of this community and advocates the traditional Republican philosophies of:

• Fiscal Conservatism
• Strong National Defense
• Lower Taxes
• Safer Communities
• Better Education
• Less Government Intervention
• Individual Freedoms With Responsibility
• Accountability by Our Elected Officials

Our organization is unique among the endorsing vehicles in Harris County because we are the ONLY group to have board members and a general membership.  We are comprised of grassroots activists and business and community leaders with extensive campaign involvement.

No money is exchanged for an endorsement.  We are the anti-pay for play group.  United Republicans of Harris County was formed in 1992 to counter a then-developing pay for play endorsement slate system.  This group of forward looking activists are committed to continuing today to work to turn around the descent into the demise of the county Republican party. 

The pay for play system produces lazy candidates and a lazy voting public.  It's easy for a candidate to write a check to one of the three main groups who will endorse in exchange for that check.  These groups will send out a newsletter or a mailer proclaiming their endorsements, as though a true vetting process has occurred.  It hasn't.  It is simply meeting the demand for the price set by the endorser.  The voters receiving these mailers take one to the poll.  Easy, peasy, right?

United Republicans does it differently. 

United Republicans has been a much recognized part of the Republican Primary with our extensive endorsement process.  In the hope of providing ethical and well qualified nominees for our Party, our endorsements are much sought after by candidates running for office.  Our hands on process of interviewing candidates in person and providing them with questionnaires regarding their qualifications makes us unique to the political process.  We are the ONLY such organization in Harris County that has continually and consistently provided a venue for candidates to be considered fairly based on merit, qualifications, and participation in the Republican Party.  We are the ONLY organization in Harris County to interview candidates in person as part of our selection process.  Our Board Members literally spend hours researching candidates before endorsements are issued in order to provide you the voter with the best possible recommendations.  We are proud of our accomplishment of being the only endorsing entity in Harris County to have chosen the Winning Congressional Candidate in all of the open Congressional seats in our greater Houston region.

There is no substitute for researching and questioning candidates.  The voter deserves a process that holds candidates to the highest standards of personal and professional ethics.  It is a tedious and time consuming process but there is no substitute.

There is nothing more precious than your vote in our political process.  Demand better of your county's politics.  Hold the handful of men made wealthy off the backs of candidates accountable and tell them it will stop.  

United Republicans has now finished the interviewing process for those who asked for an interview.  We provide questionnaires and ask for a biography of the candidate.  Then the candidate comes in for a brief interview.  You might be surprised who comes in and honors the process and who doesn't bother to participate.  Think your favorite candidate is all about "liberty" and "grass roots activism" to promote change?  Maybe not so much.

Endorsements will be announced soon.  Stay tuned.

Wendy Davis Life Story Unravels on Campaign Trail

You know Wendy Davis, candidate for Texas Governor, has messed up when even the Texas Monthly comes out with a big pop to burst her bubble.  While the Davis campaign was presenting some fuzzy math as they boasted about her campaign fundraising success, a funny thing happened.  Reality struck.

Wendy Davis is a female Democrat, which means she counts on a good victim's story to get her elected.  She has painted herself as a survivor of her earlier life of a young, divorced, single mom raising her daughters as she just barely scrapped by.  Come to find out, her second husband (father of daughter number 2) spoke with a reporter from the Dallas News and blew it all out of the water. To make it a little more interesting, the article was written by Wayne Slater, not exactly known as a friend to conservatives in Texas.

Davis was 21, not 19, when she was divorced. She lived only a few months in the family mobile home while separated from her husband before moving into an apartment with her daughter.A single mother working two jobs, she met Jeff Davis, a lawyer 13 years older than her, married him and had a second daughter. He paid for her last two years at Texas Christian University and her time at Harvard Law School, and kept their two daughters while she was in Boston. When they divorced in 2005, he was granted parental custody, and the girls stayed with him. Wendy Davis was directed to pay child support.

Oops.

So, she embellished, you are thinking.  Don't all politicians try to run as just regular people with real world life experiences?  Sure.  But in this case, as a woman, it smacks of manipulation and emotional exploitation.  She was hoping she'd be receiving the votes of women who are, in fact, single women struggling to raise children as they work two jobs.  Wendy Davis is an attractive, well educated politician who dresses well.  She is someone women can relate to as she tells her story.  It's just not an accurate story.

Husband number two cashed in his 401(k) and also took out a loan to pay for that Harvard law school education. He already paid for her last 2 years of her undergrad college. Wendy Davis left her husband and children behind and led the life of a law school student.  Then, as the last student loan was paid off, she left her husband.  And he kept the girls.

So, she was single from age 21, not 19, and began dating her second husband some time before marrying him at age 24.  He paid for her college after she put herself through community college with scholarships and pell grants.  Later, her husband even opened doors for her after she expressed a desire to run for office, as he had served on the Fort Worth city council.  She voted Republican and supported Tx Congressional candidate Kay Granger in the U.S. House.

After she graduated from Harvard in 1993, Wendy Davis started her own law practice and worked with her husband at the title company he founded. They enrolled their younger daughter, Dru, at Fort Worth Country Day School, a prestigious private school.Jeff Davis had once served on the Fort Worth City Council, and Wendy Davis expressed interest in running for a seat in 1996.“I opened some doors for her with people, knew how bright she was and knew she’d do a good job,” he said.She lost in 1996 but ran again two years later and won. The council seats were nonpartisan but in terms of voting, she was a Republican. Davis said she voted in GOP primaries because she supported mayor and congressional candidate Kay Granger, a Republican, and as a lawyer, she wanted to have a say in selecting judicial nominees in a county where the judges were often Republicans.

I must have missed that whole "I used to vote Republican" in her campaign stump speeches.

The response of Wendy Davis was this:

“My language should be tighter,” she said. “I’m learning about using broader, looser language. I need to be more focused on the detail.”

You know what would make her language "tighter"?  The truth.  Skip the bogus embellishment.

On Addressing the Health Care Needs Of Women

When will Republican men learn to let Republican women speak to the needs of women, especially when it comes to health care issues?  This poor man is clueless.  Clearly, gentlemen, there is a real difference between the general gynecological services and those of an Obstetrician, to which this man must have been referring.  No, a 50 year old woman doesn't need an OB, but she surely does still need a GYN.



Women vote.  Women voters are now the voting majority.  Encourage your male elected officials to remember that before another remark like this is plastered on every liberal website and Facebook page on the Internet.

Texas Representative Harless Leads With Courage

Today all Harris County Republican voters should thank Texas State Representative Patricia Harless, (TX Dist 126), for exhibiting true political courage and real leadership as she shines the light on the corruption that is killing off our party in Harris County.  Yesterday Harless published a chain of emails on Facebook that expose another behind-the-scenes deal for an endorsement in our current primary season.  Not just any race - it is the race for Harris County Republican Party chairman.

The emails have been published in more than one place by now, as more and more readers are tuning in, but you can read them HERE, at Big Jolly Politics, along with thoughts from the publisher.

You will note that not only do the email authors smack around Harris County Republican Party chairman candidate Paul Simpson, they also take swings at a woman working to establish a local chapter of a socially conservative national organization and the state party chairman. They take aim, too, at a local Republican group - United Republicans of Harris County - that began back in the 1990's with the mission to fight this very corruption in the county party.

Disclaimer:  I am a Republican Woman with a federated Republican Women's club and on its executive board, an elected officeholder with TFRW, and a member of the Board of Directors of United Republicans of Harris County.  I speak only for myself here and not for any organization.

Ethics and integrity matter to me.  Politics is a tough business but abandoning all measures of integrity is like losing your soul.  Easy to lose, very difficult to recover.  Is it any wonder that the average voter, the regular Joe and Jill in Harris County, has grown weary of participating in the political process?  What is the motivation for anyone to research candidates, attend forums and debates, listen to interviews, etc, in order to get to know something about them?

As the regular voter begins to realize that so many races in the GOP primary are a done deal - that a handful of men are living quite comfortably off a corrupt endorsement system known as a pay for play system - he or she rightfully feels shut out of the process.  We know that for many offices in Harris County the winner of a Republican primary race will be the winner in November against a Democrat opponent.  Is it any wonder that this corruption continues to provide diminishing numbers in turn out on election day?

The corrupt pay for play system of candidates paying a small group of men for endorsements in the Republican primary discourages talented, capable quality potential candidates from coming forward to run for office.  This iron grip on the power base of county politics is destroying the Republican party in Harris County.  This is not the norm in other parts of the country - or even in other parts of Texas - and it is wrong.

The county Republican party exists to support and help elect Republicans into offices, not for the candidates to support the local party with campaign monies.  It is past time for candidates to rise up and show some spine.  While it is easy to write a check and not have to campaign so hard if the paid endorsement slates get out the word for a candidate, it is lazy and dumbs down the electorate. Voters have grown lazy, too, by relying on the opinions of paid endorsers instead of doing the research on candidates.  Until we recruit and run candidates who will not participate in the current system, the Republican party will continue to die in Harris County.

The political climate is tough enough now without the constant divisions this corruption produces.  Do the right thing.  Say no to going to the polls and voting for slate of candidates on the recommendation of a paid endorser.  Say no to candidates who pay the endorsers.  Demand candidates earn your vote the old fashioned way - one on one and through public exposure.

Thank you, Rep Harless, for rising up and standing as a strong Republican Woman.

Stardig Speaks to Memorial West Republican Women PAC

Memorial West Republican Women PAC held the first of its 2014 meetings on Monday, January 13, 2014 at Carmelo's on Memorial. New officers were installed and the guest speaker was Houston City Council member Brenda Stardig.

Full Disclosure:  I am a member of Memorial West Republican Women PAC.  I am a former president of the club as well as a current member of the Executive Board.

A little history:

Memorial West Republican Women PAC, a member of Texas Federation of Republican Women and National Federation of Republican Women, was organized on November 6, 1961, as Republican Women's Club of Precinct 265.   In 2001, Memorial West decided to take a more active role promoting issues and legislation.  Because of this, the club's logo was changed to reflect the new goals. A forward moving elephant and the logo "On the Move" were adopted.  The club's name has gone through several changes over the years and in 2003, when the club became a PAC, the name changed to Memorial West Republican Women PAC.

Many guests and candidates seeking votes in the March Republican primary were in attendance.  Houston City Council member Brenda Stardig, a member of the club, spoke about her ideas for the upcoming year.  Stardig spoke about the importance of running the city as a business - using common sense and ethical practices.  She spoke of the importance of being able to work with others on the Council though she does not agree with some in political philosophy - her first responsibility is to her district and working on solutions of its problems.

I was honored to then perform the installation of the new officers.  The following women now serve: 
Mary Sergesketter, President; Jane Bock, President-Elect/Chaplain; Blanche Aguilar, V.P Campaign Activities; Martha Wong, V.P. Legislative Affairs; Ann Tanner, Recording Secretary; Amy Teufel, Corresponding Secretary and Barbara Thomas, PAC Treasurer.  I am serving as V.P. Programs.

I was given the opportunity to thank the club for its support in my recent election as District Director for SD7 in TFRW.  I spoke of the importance of Republican Women rising above the usual cliques in politics formed to keep control of agendas, as I saw as a candidate, and focus on empowering women, not encouraging conflict.

Mary Sergesketter, the new President, spoke of upcoming events and educated members briefly on the pitfalls of the pay for play system of candidate endorsements currently in force at the local party level as well as encouraging voter education.  It was noted that several candidates present stated decisions to not take part in the system which has so corrupted our county politics.  Harris County is only one of three counties nationwide that has fallen prey to pay for play. It is the exception in Republican politics, not the norm.

The next meeting will be February 3, 2014 at Carmelo's.  The public is always welcome to attend meetings.  Some come and listen to the featured speaker but are unable to stay for lunch after the meeting adjourns.  That is perfectly acceptable.  If you want to have lunch with us, we ask that you RSVP so that Carmelo's has a head count.  Email Barbara Thomas at bltjayhawk@juno.com or call 713-465-6945.  Speakers invited for our February meeting are the candidates for SD7 - James Wilson and Paul Bettencourt.

Rep Scott Turner Files for Texas Speaker Race

Tx State Rep Scott Turner was a last minute substitute for a football legend, Mike Ditka, at Texas Public Policy Foundation's (TPPF) Policy Orientation 2014 in Austin Thursday.  His speech given at the luncheon was all that anyone could hope for in a motivational speech.  What a treat it must have been after the initial disappointment those attending certainly experienced as they heard of Ditka's cancellation due to the winter storms in Chicago.

Turner is a former NFL player.  He is a businessman and a conservative. He is all about changing hearts and minds.

Here it is:



After watching the video, I looked the guy up.  I wanted to know what he worked on and get a feel for his concerns.
Here is where you can scan the legislation Rep Turner authored or co-authored in the last Texas legislative session.

Rep Turner's record looks good for us fiscal conservatives, as far as legislation goes.
He understands the importance of growing conservative voters to keep Texas strong and America on a better path.  He said, "As we go, so goes Texas.  As Texas goes, so goes America. We've got to be all in."

Rep Turner has now filed to run for the position of Speaker of the House in the Texas House of Representatives.

He said, "The chains of complacency and the shackles of status quo have got to be destroyed".  I don't know that this quote applies to the Speaker's race but I do know that it applies to Harris County Republican politics.  How much longer will our party survive in the nation's largest Republican county, in the largest Republican state, if we continue to allow a corrupt pay for play system to decide who will and will not be elected to office?  How long will the party survive with this corrupt system taking away choices for voters and thwarting good people from running for office?

What is the incentive for a solid Republican concerned about his or her community and state to run for office if the handful of those running the pay for play slate endorsement schemes have already made the backroom deals to put in place the favored candidates?  How much longer will the descent into a Democratic takeover statewide take if Harris County continues on its current path?

Not long.

While the Tea Party and the Libertarians and the professional purists continue to pick away at candidates over single votes or single social issues, the Democrats are plodding along.  They are registering voters and bringing in money into Texas as we haven't seen in a couple of decades.  They are emboldened and the division within my own party is a welcome help for them.  The petty "establishment" vs "liberty minded" arguments is inane.  Who built the Republican party?  Regular people, grassroots activist, concerned women, business leaders, and so on.  Back in the beginning of today's Republican party, Barry Goldwater and William F Buckley and George HW Bush and later Ronald Reagan and then those like Newt Gingrich stepped forward and asked us all to come together to work for a common goal - victory at the ballot box for Republicans.  All would be labeled "establishment" today yet today's purists do not understand history.  Bringing new voters into politics is a much desired objective and those of us who have been working all these years to advance the Republican party must educate and mentor the newcomers.

All Republicans, by our very natures, are liberty minded. It has always been so.  Remember Abe Lincoln?

Do not allow your friends and family to fall into the trap of conservative talk radio and television - these folks are paid to divide.  Avoid the pleas from those sending letters for donations to fight the RINOs and "the establishment".  They are living quite comfortably while they destroy the party.

First we must win elections.  Then we can govern.

Do not give up.

A Very Republican New Year

Happy New Year.

I am putting forth a challenge to you, my fellow Republicans.  I'm including everyone who considers himself/herself a conservative voter in this challenge.  I challenge us all to pull together this year and win some elections.  

"2014 is a time for victory not defeat." This is a bit of a piece written by Roger L. Simon, a former liberal in the true 1960's form and a committed common sense conservative today:

As Roger Kimball pointed out, the New York Times (the very model of that propagandistic veneer) already knows their bread is buttered with Hillary, not Obama. They demonstrated that Saturday with their revisionist article on Benghazi, bent on taking that scandal (Hillary’s Achilles’ heel) off the table for the coming elections or at least seriously defusing it. Republicans would do well to redouble their efforts to make sure this particular obfuscation does not succeed by doing the proper research and communicating the results to the public — succinctly and repeatedly.But to do this our group must concentrate on the principal enemy and not upon each other. My inbox is filled with emails on both sides of the inter-right wars (the Tea Partiers and the so-called RINOs) excoriating each other. What unmitigated idiocy — as if Lindsey Graham or Ted Cruz was the principal enemy and not Hillary Clinton. It’s a war between those who favor cutting government by seventy percent versus those who favor cutting it by fifty or sixty, ignoring those who want to expand it by a hundred. Although not nearly as violent, it’s in some weird way reminiscent of the party rectification campaigns practiced by Stalinists back in the 1940s.Sensible? Obviously not. And monumentally self-defeating. It has the word “loser” written all over it — and at a time when the opposition is reeling. 2014 is a time for victory not defeat. We shouldn’t be wasting our ammunition on each other. Nobody has unlimited quantities. Concentrate on principal enemy Hillary. Even though she is a well-documented liar, she is still “most admired.” Tell the truth (well) and end this. And end the hostility toward each other before you destroy all of us and our children’s future.

I suggest that you read the whole piece.

Are you sick and tired of those among us who are taking far more pleasure in attacking our own instead of the other side?  Are you aware of the money made and power taken by groups who thrive on dividing us instead of uniting us for victory?  Whether it is talk radio, opinion television, or well known groups like Freedomworks and Heritage Action PAC, they all are doing a huge disservice to the Republican party.  The people who are not political junkies, which would be the vast majority of American voters, are subjected to an endless stream of those proclaiming to be the voice of conservative voters.  Here's a news flash - no one died and left any of them in charge.  

Only in this twisted world would a candidate with an A+ rating from the NRA, or a perfect score with National Right to Life or over 95% career rating from American Conservative Union (ACA) be challenged in a primary election as a candidate not conservative enough.  .But, that is where we are now as a party. Is it any wonder that recruiting good, intelligent, worthy candidates is so difficult?  Who wants to be held to such ridiculously rigid purity tests, where a single vote that some find objectionable will find a politician defending a strategic vote?  Politics is all about strategy and the art of persuasion.  If a politician can't persuade the other side to come on board for a vote, then strategy is used with votes.  Bombastic rhetoric and temper tantrums are not winning strategies.

We need some statesmen and stateswomen.  We need some adults in the room.  We need to educate voters and do some old-fashioned hard work during primary election season.  Do the research and put a candidate's history out there for voters to read or hear.  Demand viable candidates.  Shun the unserious who proclaim that standing for principle is not the same as winning elections.  We have all heard the "I'll stay home before I go out and vote for ____." argument. Actually, that is not an argument. That's surrender to the Democrats. When you pull the lever for a candidate running as a Republican, you are supporting that party's principles.  

Without winning elections, a party cannot govern.  I firmly believe that any Republican candidate that makes it to a general election is always going to be a better choice than a Democrat candidate.  

This year, 2014, is ripe for Republican victories.  We must maintain control of the House of Representatives and wrestle control back from the Democrats in the U.S. Senate.  In Texas, we must stunt the growth of Battleground Texas and keep Texas as the nation's largest red state.  Without Texas, a Republican running for President cannot win.

None of us get the candidate of our choice all the time.  None of us has all the answers.  And, most importantly, none of us are the sole voice of all the rest of us. Do not fall for the rhetoric of the professional dividers - just think for yourself. Lots of people are making a whole lot of money at the expense of the Republican party and it has to stop.  Let's stop it in 2014 and celebrate some victories.   

A Little Campaign Hypocrisy via Email

Today I received an email plea for a campaign donation.  This is a daily occurrence for me so that is not the surprising part.  The surprising part was the suggestion from this campaign - a Republican candidate for a statewide office - to talk to my friends and family this holiday season about the candidate and ask for their vote.  

"Can you help by making a contribution of $50, $100 or $200 to us today?  And over the holidays, as you visit with friends and family, will you consider sharing with them about our campaign and asking them to be sure to vote for  (insert candidate name here) in the March 4 Republican Primary?"

Does that sound familiar?

Of course it does.  This is the same suggestion made by Team Obama to talk up the virtues of Obamacare and encourage everyone to sign up for it as you sit around with family and friends this holiday season.  

Those who do not support the government take-over of 1/6 of our national economy and the determination of this Presidential administration to put private health insurance companies out of business in favor of a single payer system mocked and jeered this action from Team Obama.  

Pot/kettle, people.

Let's leave the politics out of the holidays.  Let friends and family gather and give it all a rest.

Justine Sacco Apologizes for Tweet

The communications executive fired for tweeting really ignorant and racist remarks as she flew to Africa mentioned in my last post has now apologized.  I offer this as an update.

Justine Sacco, formerly a PR executive for the Internet giant InterActive Corp., which owns popular websites like Match.com, Dictionary.com, and Vimeo, was fired over a tweet that came from her account on Friday that read: "Going to Africa. Hope I don't get AIDS. Just kidding. I'm white!"

Here is her apology:

"Words cannot express how sorry I am, and how necessary it is for me to apologize to the people of South Africa, who I have offended due to a needless and careless tweet," Sacco said. "There is an AIDS crisis taking place in this country, that we read about in America, but do not live with or face on a continuous basis. Unfortunately, it is terribly easy to be cavalier about an epidemic that one has never witnessed firsthand."For being insensitive to this crisis -- which does not discriminate by race, gender or sexual orientation, but which terrifies us all uniformly -- and to the millions of people living with the virus, I am ashamed."This is my father's country, and I was born here. I cherish my ties to South Africa and my frequent visits, but I am in anguish knowing that my remarks have caused pain to so many people here; my family, friends and fellow South Africans. I am very sorry for the pain I caused." 

Did you see that?  Her father is South African and she was born there.  Wow. That adds a whole new level of disgusting depth to the remarks.

I give her this, though.  She issued a real apology.  It seems apologizing is a lost art today.  How many times have we seen an apology that consisted of the words "I'm sorry is anyone was offended"?  That is not an apology.  That is someone caught in a dumb remark and acting as though he/she recognizes it was a mistake.  

It would be far more honest to admit remorse for being caught.

So, kudos to this woman for doing a decent apology that at least sounds as though some thought was put into her words.  It seems heartfelt.

She is a communications specialist, though, so we can only hope it is sincere.

Mayor Parker Steps Into Duck Dynasty Controversy

Sometimes our words get us into trouble.  The non-stop chatter on social media is a landmine for potential displays of ugly and/or ignorant statements.  When a person in public office or a big corporate position misbehaves on social media, the consequences are apparent quickly and publicly.

I've chosen to not write about the whole Duck Dynasty patriarch's GQ magazine interview and the conflict with A&E channel executives because so much of it is overwrought and mislabeled as a violation of the man's First Amendment right to free speech.  I see it as a business decision.  I also think A&E knew that the man has spoken less than graciously about gays using biblical beliefs as his guide - I saw a video of him in 2010 doing that - and so it could not have been a surprise.  This is a big, corporate entertainment channel, owned by Disney, with lawyers and contracts and script ideas at their disposal.  Enough already.  There are real problems in the world.

So, along comes Ms. Justine Sacco, a PR executive employed by  InterActive Corp (IAC) and the tweet that stunned the world.  IAC  "  which owns popular websites like OkCupid, Match.com, CollegeHumor, The Daily Beast and Vimeo", according to this piece, is reported to have now fired Ms. Sacco.  Here is the tweet:

"Going to Africa. Hope I don't get AIDS. Just kidding. I'm white!"

So, yeah, that didn't go over so well.  Somehow this public relations executive managed to sound both ignorant and racist in just four short sentences.  It is such an offensive mish mash that local news broadcast anchors would only put the tweet up on the screen and refused to read the whole thing outloud.  

Her employer put out a quick response:

This is an outrageous, offensive comment that does not reflect the views and values of IAC. Unfortunately, the employee in question is unreachable on an international flight, but this is a very serious matter and we are taking appropriate action.

Ms. Sacco now finds herself among the unemployed.

A public relations executive for the prominent New York-based Internet media company IAC lost her job on Saturday after she posted a message joking about AIDS in Africa and race on her Twitter account, sparking an online furor. 

Her Twitter account?  Deleted.  Long flight home from Africa, I'm guessing.

Then, from the elected officials arena, the mayor of my own city decided to weigh in on the Duck Dynasty brouhaha with her own bit of gracelessness.  

Houston Mayor Annise Parker on Saturday took a shot at "Duck Dynasty" patriarch Phil Robertson, calling the backwood baron of duck calls and reality TV star a "redneck wingnut" in relation to his views on homosexuality.Parker, in a midday tweet, called Robertson's views "completely irrelevant," following on a remark she made to John Wright, publisher of Lone Star Q, a Texas-based blog focused on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues."I've been a gay community activist since the mid-70s," Wright quoted Parker as saying. "It was a very different time. We were fighting to keep people out of jails and mental hospitals. What some redneck wingnut has to say about the GLBT community is completely irrelevant."Parker followed the Friday quip with a tweet Saturday. "I was serious. Who cares?" Parker wrote on her official mayoral Twitter account, followed by nearly 25,000.

"Who cares?"  Kinda puts Hillary Clinton's infamous "What does it really matter?" tone deaf and flippant remark back into a person's mind, doesn't it?  We need better from the mayor of our nation's fourth largest city.  As an elected official, working for all of the people of the City of Houston, not just the ones she chooses to work for, she would do well to remember to act as a professional.  We deserve better dialogue than "redneck wingnut".

We need respectful dialogue brought back into politics.  The recent election cycles here in Houston have been hideous, frankly, with far more personal destruction attacks used in campaigns than arguments on policy and issues.  Some politicians now sound little better than common street thugs. Disagree with the candidate on his/her qualifications or rhetoric? That candidate and surrogates will go after the dissenter personally and publicly.

Politics 101 teaches that politics is the art of persuasion.  Who is persuaded with this comment?

Be worthy of the office or position you hold.  Lead by example.