Campaign Bizzaro

I tweeted this the other day because it did happen:

#Campaign protocols: Never show up at your opponent’s fundraiser and rant and rave and cause a scene.

It happened here locally with a candidate running in this year’s elections.  I have no idea what the candidate was thinking.

The Chron has a story today on the Mayoral race.  The story is only available to those that buy the hard copy or subscribe.  The story focuses on Ben Hall’s TV buy strategy or lack of strategy.  Respected political scientists think it is odd for Hall to pull back ads this late in the game.  We will see.

On the other hand, I still have not seen a positive ad for The Mayor.  We will also see.

The NLCS begins tonight with the Dodgers in San Luis.  Name the first two teams to ever play in the NLCS?

The Chron E-Board rolled out two more endorsements today:  Challenger David Robinson in At-Large 2 and incumbent CM Al Hoang in District F.

I’m thinking At-Large 2 CM Andrew Burks isn’t too happy this morning.

Here is the Hoang endorsement.

Here is the Hoang endorsement.

You know who doesn’t read the Chronicle these days?  Matt Schaub.

Commentary just learned “digin.”

Commentary also just learned what the fox says.

In 1969 the Mets swept The ATL in three to win the first ever NLCS of course.

I’m thinking MLB likes the fact that the Red Sox, San Luis, and Dodgers are still in the hunt.  It is good for the ratings.  I am sure they would love a Dodger/Red Sox Serious.  I have nothing against Detroit.

The Yard is quiet today.

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Houston Politics,Houston Mayoral race,Houston City Counil Races

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More Endorsements and the First Declared

The Chron E-Board continues to roll out their endorsements.  Today’s nods go to At-Large 1 CM Stephen Costello and former CM Brenda Stardig in District A.  Commentary is not surprised.

Here is the Costello endorsement.

Here is the Stardig endorsement.

The most interesting part of the Costello endorsement is this:

Costello readily acknowledges he plans to run for mayor following his council service. We would recommend that the best way for someone in his position to reach the big office on the third floor at City Hall is to be the best at-large councilman he can be if elected to a third two-year term.

I guess CM Costello becomes the first declared 2015 Mayoral candidate.  He better start voting in Dem Party primaries.

San Luis punched their ticket to the NLCS last night.  Last year San Luis retired the Numero 10.  Who wore the Numero 10?

Here is another exercise in exercising.  RNC Hispanics and AG Abbott and former State Rep.  Errant Pena are putting together a GOP outreach to Latinos voters – YAWN! 

Here is the Tribune story on the outreach that is going nowhere.

It is about issues.  It is about immigration reform.  It is about health care.  It is about voting rights. 

Commentary received a Zeph Capo for HCC mailer yesterday.

Forty years ago today Vice-President Spiro Agnew resigned.

Tony La Russa of course wore the Numero 10 for San Luis.

Here is from the ‘Stros website:

Astros owner Jim Crane said last week the team would be in position to increase its payroll next year, and on Tuesday he provided the first indication of just how much money could be spent on players in 2014.

Crane said the Astros’ payroll, which was at about $13 million to end the season, could be between $50-60 million next year regardless of whether the club is able to settle its dispute with television partner Comcast.

We will see.

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Houston Elections,Houston City Council Elections,Houston Astros,Major League Basball,Illegal Immigration Reform

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One More E-Board For

Today’s Chron E-Board endorsement goes to District B CM Jerry Davis.  That is expected.

Check it out here.

In Sunday’s Chron there was a story written by the SA Express News’ David Saleh Rauf and Peggy Fikac on South Texas turnout being key to a Sen. Wendy Davis victory.  I don’t have a problem with that.  It would be nice though to see a piece about Houston area Latinos also being a key.  Stay tuned!

The Dodgers advanced to the NLCS last night after beating The ATL in four.  The Dodgers last won the World Serious in 1988, taking the A’s in five.  Name the 1988 World Serious MVP.

A shout out goes to Laura and John Arnold for plunking down $10 mil of their own dough to help keep Head Start running during the GOP federal government shutdown.

Here is the Chron story.

Graci Garces led District I candidates in money raised during the last reporting period.

Ben Hall gave money to Gary Polland  and his Texas Conservative Review which means Hall will be getting Polland’s endorsement. 

Dodger pitcher Orel Hershiser of course won the 1988 World Serious MVP.

The ‘Stros hired a new pitching coach yesterday so now they have to go get them some bullpen pitching

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Houston Elections,Houston Politics,Graci Garces Campaign,Houston Mayoral Election,Texas Politics,State Senator Wendy Davis

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More For from E-Board

Yesterday the Chron E-Board endorsed Bill Frazer for Controller.  Commentary is not really surprised considering the stories the Chron has written in the past about Controller Ron Green.

Check out the Frazer endorsement here.

On Saturday the Chron E-Board endorsed Anthony Robinson for H-Town City Council District D.  That was kind of surprising.

Here is the Robinson endorsement.

Name the stadium the Pirates called home from 1909 – 1970?

Yesterday my friend Bill King wrote about doing away with H-Town Mayoral, Controller, and City Council term limits because the current governance structure doesn’t encourage council to deal with long term financial issues.   Blah, blah, blah…….   I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  If you want to do away with term limits get out there and put together a serious grass roots campaign and get signatures on a petition.

Here is Bill’s column,

Also yesterday H-Town CM C.O. Bradford and HCC Trustee Carroll Robinson co-wrote an Op-Ed calling for a City Charter Review Commission to look at how city government is run.  They want the Commission appointed right after the election so they can have recommendations ready to the November 2014 election.  I don’t know about that.  I think we need to have a good discussion first as to why we need a Review Commission.  I am also thinking that Trustee Robinson should maybe focus on putting together an HCC Review Commission.

http://www.chron.com/opinion/outlook/article/Bradford-Robinson-Houston-s-governance-process-4872142.php

The “SNL” spoof Saturday night on Speaker Boehner, Michelle Bachman, and the GOP federal government shutdown was deservedly brutal. 

Commentary was impressed by “SNL” guest host and musical act Miley Cyrus’ performance.  She is an entertainer for sure and currently owns the number one song on the charts.

I don’t think the Texans will go 13-3.  We are definitely not prime time material. 

Forbes Field of course is where the Pirates played from 1909 – 1970.

No that wasn’t the ‘Stros playing in Candlestick last night.

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Houston City Hall,Houston City Council Elections,Houston Politics,Texas Politics,Houston Elections

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On Votes and Polls

Here they go again.  Some folks at H-Town City Hall want to change the City run-off election day from Saturday to Tuesday to save some dough.  That’s cool if you want voter turnout to go from 8% to 4 % or something like that.  Let’s get voter turnout up first before we start talking about moving dates of the election.  I’m thinking it would have the effect of keeping lower salaried folks away from the polls if you ask me but again they didn’t ask me.  Bad idea!

Here is the Chron.com piece.

Seriously, I think the folks at the City ought to be talking to the folks that run the campaigns and not just the folks that run the elections. There is a big difference.

Kuffer talks about the poll that was released a couple of days ago.

Check it out.

To runoff or not to runoff.

Everybody knows that Blummer is now part of the ‘Stros TV crew and everybody knows that he was on the White Sox team that swept us in the 2005 World Serious.  How many Serious games did Blummer get into in 2005?

Now we have us a poll on Save the Dome.  There are more folks undecided in the Mayor’s race than in the Save the Dome race.

Check out the story on this poll here.

I have to hand it to Sen. Ted Cruz for lasting this long. 

Here is from the  ‘Stros website on this Sunday’s tribute to Mariano Rivera at The Yard:

To honor one of the most respected and lauded closers in MLB history, the Astros will hold a special pregame ceremony on Sunday, September 29 with scheduled appearances by former Yankees teammate and current Astros Special Assistant to the General Manager Roger Clemens, former manager and current Executive VP of Baseball Operations for MLB Joe Torre, Astros President Reid Ryan, and emceed by Astros Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton. The Astros will also present Rivera with a special gift commemorating his career.

Be there!

Blummer only got into Game 3 of the 2005 World Serious and in one at-bat smacked a dinger of course at The Yard.

I really don’t want to talk about 107 losses and counting.  The Yankees are out of the playoffs so this weekend is just about……….I don’t know!

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Houston City Hall,Houston Mayoral Race,Houston elections,Houston Politics,Houston Astrodome Controversey,Houston Astros,Major League Baseball,Ted Cruz,Mayor Annisse Parker,Ben Hall

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The Wizard in IMAX and 3D

Seeing that “The Wizard of Oz” is my third best flick of all time, I plunked down $14 Saturday night to go check it out on the IMAX screen and in 3D.  They didn’t need to do that.  The 1939 classic was never intended to be in 3D.  3D flicks are supposed to make you react to stuff.  There were not any flying monkeys coming at you or trees throwing apples at you or stuff like that.  The only real cool 3D moment was the snow falling on the poppy fields.  What you do get on the big screen and in 3D is a closer look of the makeup on the witch and on the Munchkins.  It is kind of a garish look.  It also didn’t need to be on IMAX.

Name the MLB club with the worse team batting average and it ain’t the ‘Stros?

Commentary put out a tweet Saturday about Team Parker leaving a bilingual door hanger with H-Town CMs James Rodriguez and Ed Gonzalez on my door knob and someone with Team Parker retweeting it and calling me out as a #Haters.  What is up with that?

A lot of folks were bummed out yesterday afternoon after the Texans got their arses whipped.  Hey, on any given Sunday!

The ‘Stros said the other day that they haven’t decided which coaches will return with the Skipper.  The Skipper then said he would handle base running coaching next season.  First base coach Dave Clark currently handles base running coaching so I’m thinking he won’t be coming back.

Jeff Daniel picked up an Emmy last night for playing Will MacAvoy on “The Newsroom.”  Take that!  I think everyone was surprised.

The Fish of course have the worse team batting average with a measly .231.

The Rangers are lucky we will be in Arlington for three.  Of course, it would be nice if we ended out nine game losing streak this evening and thwarted the Rangers’ wild card hopes.

The Yankees are on life support so I don’t know  if this weekend series will mean anything. 

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Houston Mayoral Race,Mayor Annisse Parker,Ben Hall,Houston Politics,Houston Elections,Texas Politics,Council Member James Rodriguez

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Not Surprising

The following is on Chron.com.  Nobody made this up. The Rev. Bill Lawson letter referenced was apparently floating around the past couple of days.  This really doesn’t come as a surprise.  Here it is:

Eastside city council candidate Ben Mendez’s campaign claims he is being smeared by rumors and innuendos, and denied Mendez blamed a gang rape of an 11-year-old girl on the clothes she was wearing.

Campaign manager Joaquin Martinez confirmed community leader Bill Lawson has withdrawn his support for Mendez in the District I race. Lawson, a respected former pastor, wrote a letter saying he had “serious problems” with Mendez remarks on the sexual attack, as well as what he called negative campaigning against candidate Graci Garces.

“There have been people saying Ben made insensitive remarks, but Ben didn’t make any,” said Martinez. “Throughout the campaign we’ve had several people who have tried to smear Ben Mendez as a candidate, because he is the frontrunner right now.”

In the letter, Lawson wrote that he admired Mendez as a civic leader, businessman and a friend, adding he would make a good city representative for the council district. “I simply cannot continue to take a stand for underclasses and give public endorsement for someone who would ignore them,” Lawson wrote.

Here is the link in case you don’t believe me.

There is really not anything else you can say about this.  It is no wonder that this campaign has to resort to juvenile tactics and steal campaign signs. 

When was the last time a ‘Stro led the NL in RBIs?

I don’t know if the ‘Stros will be much better next season.  They have to shed bonehead thinking like last night when pinch runner Jake Elmore got picked off at second in a close game.

The Dodgers and Red Sox have clinched playoff spots.  The Yankees barely have a pulse.

The Big Puma of course led the NL with 128 RBIs in 2002. 

We have to go 4-5 the rest of the way to avoid setting another club record for most losses in a season.  Good luck!

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Houston Astros,Graci Garces Campaign,Houston City Council Races,Major League Baseball,Ben Mendez,Houston Politics,Houston Elections

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That’s How We Run

Some countries have civil wars and thousands of their citizens die.  Some countries suffer natural disasters and thousands of their citizens dies.  Sound countries use chemical weapons on their citizens and thousands die.  Thousands die in some countries because of disease.  Thousands die in some countries due to starvation.  Thousands die in our country because of gun violence and we call it the Second Amendment and freedom.  Go figure.

There are a number of stories online today about renewing gun control efforts.  I didn’t bother to read them.  What’s the point?  If we didn’t act last December when 20 children were murdered why should we act when twelve adults die?  It will happen soon enough again at a different venue or coming soon to a theater near you.

Last night’s game between The ATL and Nats was postponed due to gun violence – only in America!

Name the MLB pitcher who has walked the most batters this season?

This is from Patti Hart’s piece in on the debate involving the four candidates running for Lite Guv.  The article is only available to subscribers and hard copy owners:

(State Sen. Dan) Patrick claimed that Democrats have been allowed to block legislation on sanctuary cities and school choice, largely because (Lt. Gov. David) Dewhurst has given them too much power.

"I will not appoint half of the Democrats as chairman of committees," he said.

Dewhurst responded that Democrats led only 5 of 17 Senate committees, and assured the crowd that none of them was important.

Now that ought to make The Dean feel pretty special this morning.

According to the ratings only 1000 folks in the H-Town market watched the ‘Stros on TV Saturday night.  Commentary was one of the 1000. 

Our own Lucas Harrell of course leads all MLB pitchers with 86 walks.

There are now only five home games left this season.  We have now lost 99 games.  We’re fixing to hit 100 or more losses for the third straight season.  Woe is us!

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Texas Politics,Texas Elections,Houston Politics,Houston Elections,Houston Astros,Major League Baseball,Dan Patrick,David Dewhurst

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Round Up

Breaking News:  Another mass shooting in the home of the free to carry a piece.  This time the shooting is in DC.  What else is new!

Start off your Diez y Seis by listening to the Graci Garces interview with Off the Kuff here.

Yesterday the ‘Stros handed out Jose Cruz posters to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month.  The poster was sponsored by Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes – they’re grrrreat!  The poster also included a brief bilingual narrative on Latinos in MLB.

Name the first Dominican player to make it into the MLB Hall of Fame?

Commentary and around 21,000 and change were at The Yard yesterday and a lot of us were glued to our phone screens getting the latest from Reliant.   The 21,000 doesn’t include a number of dogs in attendance.

It is mid-September and best I can tell there are no mayoral campaign political ads running.  What is up with that?  Early Voting in Person starts in five weeks.  Oh, well.

The Texas Tribune has a piece today about how voter turnout in H-Town will impact Prop 6 – the State Water Implementation Fund.  The article refers to the mayoral race and the New Dome Experience.  I don’t know about the Dome.  Initially I thought that folks would come out to have their say about the Dome.  I don’t think folks really give a rat’s arse.  I think more folks are interested in tonight’s episode of “Under the Dome.”

I wonder when the Chron E-Board will start interviewing the candidates and handing out endorsements.  The sooner the better if you ask me.

I don’t care how you slice it or dice it or mince it.  A win is a win and we’re 2 and 0.

To Ranger fans:  Look at the bright side.  You get us for three at your crib next week.

Juan Marichal of course was the first Dominican player to enter the Hall of Fame.

As of this morning all of our remaining 13 games are with contenders.  I wonder how many folks will show up this evening to check out the Reds.  We’re part of the playoff race so why not drop by? 

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Houston Astros,Major League Baseball,Houston Texans,NFL,Houston Mayoral Race,Mayor Annisse Parker,Ben Hall,Graci Garces Campaign,Houston Politics,Houston Elections,Houston Astrodome,Texas Politics

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Parker says city should pass anti-discrimination ordinance

That’s the headline for the Chron story today for subscribers only.  Here is the headline on the front page of the hard copy: Parker favors law to forbid gay bias.

Go get you a copy right now!

Here is how the Texas Tribune starts the story:

The gay rights debate that sparked a bitter fight in San Antonio this summer may soon be moving to Houston.

Officials in the state’s biggest city appear willing to follow the lead of San Antonio, which last week — after nearly a month of heated protests — approved an ordinance that added sexual orientation and gender identity to the city’s nondiscrimination policy.

Houston Mayor Annise Parker, who in 2009 became the first openly gay leader of a major U.S. city, told the Houston Chronicle that the vote in San Antonio "upped the ante."

"It is absolutely something we should do, and the majority of council members have publicly stated they are in support of a nondiscrimination ordinance," Parker said. "But this is an issue that requires all of council to be engaged and agree it is time to move it forward. When it happens, we will do that."

Here is from the Chron:

"We would have to either accommodate the prohibitions in the charter or, to effectuate it as San Antonio did, we would have to put an amendment on the ballot," (City Attorney Dan) Feldman said. "The cleanest thing would be to take it the voters."

Here is the Tribune article.

Name the MLB pitcher with the most innings pitched this season?

Bonus:  Name the ‘Stro pitcher with the most innings pitched this season?

Five years ago tonight we were Iked and 13 miserable days followed and the ‘Stros played two home games on the road and I lost a tree.

Back to the nondiscrimination ordinance.  Expect all the GOP statewide candidates to come to H-Town next year to make their right wing bones so to speak.  This will probably help the effort.  I think we can prevail if you ask me. Stay tuned!

Here is a reprint of what I put out back on July 23:

Twelve years ago and back in 2001, on the H-Town city ballot, Proposition Two read as follows:

SHALL THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON BE AMENDED TO DENY HEALTH CARE AND OTHER EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS TO SAME SEX DOMESTIC PARTNERS OF CITY EMPLOYEES AND TO ADDRESS OTHER MATTERS OF CITY EMPLOYMENT AND CONTRACTING PRACTTICES BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION?

On election night of Tuesday, November 6, 2001, the scoreboard read FOR 130,310 (51%) and AGAINST 123,592 (49%).

Dave Wilson and crew got the measure on the ballot and prevailed.

According to the Chron’s quickie analysis, the following neighborhoods supported the ban:

Acres Home (50.9%), Cana/Navigation/Magnolia (51.1%), Clear Lake (59.6%), Denver Harbor (56.7%), Fifth Ward (53.5%), Hobby/Glenbrook Valley (52.2%), Kingwood (68.6%), Memorial Westchester (65.6%), Outer Westheimer (61.9%), Sagemont (64%), Spring Branch (61.8%), Tanglewood/River Oaks (57.2%), and Westbury (50.45).

The following neighborhoods opposed the ban:

Astrodome/OST (59.9%), Clark/South Main/ Windsor Village (56.3%), Garden Oaks/Oak Forest (52.6%), Heights (66.9%), Kashmere/Scenic Woods/ Settegast (52%), Meyerland (56.1%), Montrose (77.4%), Near North Side (51.4%), Rice/Braeswood (61.3%), Riverside/MacGregor (59%), Sunnyside/MLK (56.5%), and Third Ward (56.3%).

The Chron also did a quickie analysis by group:

For the ban: Low-income Anglo/Hispanic (55.8%), Upper-income Anglo (51.2%), and Mexican-American (51.5%).

Against the ban: Middle-income Anglo (52.2%), Low-income Black (51.7%), and Middle-income Black (59.5%).

I mention this because I have had my ear to the ground if you know what I mean. The electorate has changed somewhat over the past twelve years. You have to think we have become a little more forward thinking these days.

Clayton Kershaw of course of the Dodgers leads MLB with 216 innings pitched and Lucas Harrell leads the ‘Stros with 140 2/3 innings pitched. 

Commentary is rooting for the Yankees to keep winning and stay in contention so our season ending series will have some drama, significance, and meaning. Just think about having A-Roid in our crib and watching Mariano Rivera close out his regular season career.  It would be real special if we beat them and prevented them from making the playoffs. Who says it can’t happen?  We just swept the Mariners after all! 

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Houston Astros,Major League Baseball,Houston City Hall,Mayor Annisse Parker,Houston City Council,Gay Rights in Houston

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