Anatomy of a Tweet

This past Saturday I checked my mailbox and I found a mailer that included skeletons and it was an attack mailer on Ben Hall.  I don’t have a problem with this because that is the name of the game.  I thought the skeletons were kind of creative it being 17 days from trick or treat and the skeletons referenced Ben Hall’s closet.

I checked the disclaimer and it said Houston Turnout Project.  I could not find them on the City’s political action committee list or with the Texas Ethics Commission so I put them in the google run and found a not so fresh website.  On one page was a generic message to vote in the 2009 elections and on another was touting the H-Town Mayor running for Mayor before she became a Mayor back in 2009.  I just made the assumption that this was one of those so called independent expenditures not so aligned – wink-wink – with The Mayor’s campaign.  According to the website, it certainly didn’t look like the IE had been doing a whole lot of turning out voters since 2009.

Here is what I tweeted:

@anniseparker to @Benhallforall: “Dem bones, Dem bones, Dem dry bones!”. pic.twitter.com/sLwYxY26yF

The “Dem bones” was a reference to the song “the foot bone connected to the ankle bone” tune to kind of inject a little humor into the mailer and tweet.

If Commentary had seen or heard of Houston Turnout Project activity over the past four years, my tweet probably would have looked different.

Name the Red Sox with the most dingers in a season?

Let’s get back to my Saturday night tweet.  The Chron and a few others retweeted my tweet and called it a negative mailer and it brought a quick denial and pushback from The Mayor’s Campaign.  They said to check out the disclaimer.  The Chron immediately tweeted a correction and Commentary kind of clarified a correction via tweet.

I guess the Mayor’s Campaign had to point out the disclaimer on the attack. Of course all they have done on TV is go negative so stay tuned.

The Chron E-Board as expected endorsed The Mayor yesterday.  They also had a lengthy piece on her.

I would hope that Dems would have enough sense to make sure The Kinkhole isn’t on next year’s ticket.

Some of the Texans players were not happy with some fans booing Matt Schaub when he went down yesterday.  I don’t want to defend the fans that booed but you have to expect this when a whole frenzy is created over a football team and just about everyone in H-Town contributes to the frenzy.

In 2006, Big Papi hit 54 dingers and is the top Red Sox of course for most dingers in a season.

Big Papi hit a game tying grand salami last night as the Red Sox went on to beat the Tigers in Game 2 of the ALCS at Fenway.  It was a Salty and Papi night.

The only thing to say about the Texans is scoreboard.  I wonder when the ‘Stros report to training camp?

 

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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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For Anna Eastman

The Chron E-Board candidate endorsements continue to be rolled out.  Today they endorsed HISD trustee candidates including District 1 Trustee and Board President Anna Eastman.  Check out this laurel and hearty endorsement:

District 1: Anna Eastman, the board president, has been a thoughtful leader and a strong advocate for tightening the board’s ethics policy. We heartily endorse her re-election.

Eastman, an HISD parent, joined the board four years ago. She believes that the turnover among the district’s best principals and teachers is too high, and that HISD needs to pay more attention to retaining and developing its staff, and not focus only on non-renewal of low performers: "You can’t fire your way to excellence."

She argues that openness is the best way to fight graft. "Corruption isn’t overt," she says. "You don’t see bad people lurking in the corners. It’s far more subtle, an assumption about the way that influence works. The best way to fight it is to make as much as possible accessible to outside third parties."

About Apollo 20, she says, "The program has noble, worthy origins, and I think it’s done an incredible job at changing school cultures. But it’s very, very expensive. The analysis that we’ve done to date shows that its biggest impact comes from the math tutors, which are the expensive part, but we haven’t seen whether their effects last beyond a year. Are there sustained performance gains?"

Way to go Anna!

Check out the rest of today’s HISD endorsements here.

The ATL got beat by the Dodgers in the NLDS opener last night.  How many World Serious titles does The ATL have?

Talk about running scared.  This is from an AP story on AG Greg Abbott saying Wendy Davis supporters worshipped the devil during her filibuster:

"It was a spectacle. There were people walking around the Capitol chanting ‘Hail Satan,’" Abbott said. "I don’t think that’s representative of where mainstream Texas is."

Don’t forget they were also carrying out bags of doo-doo.

Here is the story on the devil worshippers,

Quite a few TV stations across the state covered the Davis announcement live during their 5 pm newscast yesterday.  Perception is going to count a lot in this election.  Stay tuned and stay engaged!

I think someone over at the nonpartisan local League of Women Voters office forgot they were nonpartisan when they sent out the following tweet right before Sen. Wendy Davis announced:

LeagueOfWomenVotersH‏@LWVHouston

I’m with Wendy! Join me and support @WendyDavisTexas for the next Governor of TX! http://www.wendydavistexas.com #TXGov #TeamWendy

Oops!

The ATL has three World Serious titles of course:  1995 in The ATL, 1957 in Milwaukee, and 1914 in Boston.

The ‘Stros sent us a note yesterday saying things would be better next season.

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Anna Eastman Campaign,Houston Politics,Texas Politics,State Senator Wendy Davis

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For Adriana Tamez

The Chron E-Board started rolling out their candidate endorsements today.  The HCC Board of Trustee candidates are first up including Commentary’s client Adriana Tamez for HCC District 3.  Check this:

District 3: To finish the remaining two years of an unexpired term, we recommend Adriana Tamez. The Denver Harbor native combines intimate familiarity with the southeast Houston district and strong credentials as an education professional. We believe her presence would be a particular help in changing the board tone and direction.

Way to go, Adriana!

Check out all the Chron E-Board HCC endorsements here.

Name the only numero 53 jersey to be retired in MLB?

Tea Party Sen. Ted Cruz is getting blasted big time by his GOP colleagues.  Check this from Politico from a closed door meeting of GOP senators yesterday:

“It was very evident to everyone in the room that Cruz doesn’t have a strategy – he never had a strategy, and could never answer a question about what the end-game was,” said one senator who attended the meeting. “I just wish the 35 House members that have bought the snake oil that was sold could witness what was witnessed today at lunch.”

And:

“He kept trying to change the subject because he never could answer the question,” the senator said. “It’s pretty evident it’s never been about a strategy – it’s been about him. That’s unfortunate. I think he’s done our country a major disservice. I think he’s done Republicans a major disservice.”

Here is the entire Politico piece on the Cruz-out-of-control.

Don Drysdale of course had his numero 53 retired by the Dodgers.

The Tribe are out of the playoffs and nothing of importance to report from The Yard.

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Adriana Tamez Campaign,Senator Ted Cruz,Houston Astros,Major League Baseball,Tea Party of Texas,Houston Politics,Texas Politics

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Feeling the Heat

The Tea Party members of Congress are feeling the heat for sure and they are scrambling to get out of the kitchen.  Now they want to piecemeal their way out of a shutdown by trying to open up some popular parts of the federal government.  It is not going to work.  Like I said, it’s your GOP federal government shutdown so own it.

Meet Team Davis according to the Texas Tribune here.

The Tribe returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2007 when they won the AL Central.  When was the last time the Tribe won the World Serious?

I just got back from a well-attended Anna Eastman for HISD Trustee 8 am gathering for parents in Garden Oaks.  Nice job, Anna!

The author who created Jack Ryan is no longer with us.  I liked reading the Tom Clancy series of books on Ryan.

To Guv Dude:  You don’t need to try to clarify what the First Lady said.  We understand English.

I’m thinking that Democrats across the state will be whistling a different tune tomorrow afternoon.

I am also thinking that after yesterday’s Obamacare rollout, the Obamacare haters will be in the minority sometime next year.

I really don’t think we are going to hear any positive messages coming from the Mayoral candidates any time soon.

The Tribe last won the World Serious in 1948 beating the Boston Braves in 6.

Commentary mentioned last week that ‘Stros first base coach Dave Clark would be looking for a job after the season.  I was right. 

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Anna Eastman Campaign,Houston Politics,Houston Astros,Major League Baseball,President Obama,Governor Rick Perry,Houston Mayoral Race

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It’s Your Shutdown, Own It!

The Tea Party consultants have sent out the talking points trying put the blame on anybody but themselves on their federal government shutdown. It isn’t working.  Here are the talking points:

· Obamacare is a job killer.

· It’s Harry Reid’s fault.

· The President won’t negotiate.

· Tip O’Neill shutdown the federal government seven times.

America isn’t buying it and are calling it the GOP shutdown.  You asked for the GOP shutdown so stop the cowardly act and own it!

Name the MLB team that had the most base runners caught stealing this past season?

Check out the New Dome PAC here.

Commentary received a mailer from the Rogene Calvert for At-Large 3 yesterday.

It was actually nice to see a local candidate get decent coverage on their announcement for a change.   The Chron and some local TVs were there to cover Kim Ogg’s announcement for DA. 

The Rangers lost in a playoff to try to get into the playoffs.  Got it!

The ‘Stros of course got caught stealing the most this year with 61.

The ‘Stros owner says things will get better next year. 

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Houston Politics,Houston Elections,Tea Party of Texas,President Obama,Houston Astros,Major League Baseball

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UNNECESSARY REMOVAL

In Saturday’s Chron there were punches being thrown in the Mayoral contest.  I think that is going to be the norm over the next few weeks so don’t even bother to stay tuned.

Check out Kuffer’s interview of HISD Board Prez Anna Eastman here.

Kuffer also mentions that Kim Ogg will be running for Harris County DA as a Dem. I am all in for that and think she will be an outstanding candidate.

Check it out here.

As expected the Chron E-Board endorsed saving the Dome.

Check it out here.

The ‘Stros set the MLB record for most strikeouts in a season.  Guess how many?

The ‘Stros announced yesterday that our two preseason games at The Yard next season will be against Rojos del Aguila from Veracruz from the Mexican Baseball League.  I’m OK with that.  We have had puny crowds the last few seasons for the two exhibition games.  I’m thinking folks of the Mexican persuasion will show up at The Yard to check out the games.  We should have good crowds.

A couple of weeks or so ago I got an anonymous email about the letter to District I candidate Ben Mendez from Rev. Bill Lawson letting Mendez know  that Lawson was pulling his support from Mendez’s campaign.  It turned out the letter was true.  The same anonymous source sent me and others an email Saturday with a copy of a letter from former District I council member Ben Reyes to Mendez telling Mendez to stop saying that Reyes is supporting Mendez.  We will see if the Reyes letter is genuine.

Commentary has heard that Reyes is playing in a few local campaigns this campaign season.

Commentary watched Sen. Ted Cruz yesterday lamely try to put the government shutdown blame on Majority Leader Harry Reid.  Nobody’s buying it.

Over 100,000 showed up for the weekend with Yankees.  We got to see Andy Pettitte pitch a complete game Saturday night.  We got an apology from Mariano Rivera yesterday saying he wanted his last time on the mound to be at Yankee Stadium.  Some folks booed The Rocket.  The ‘Stros set the strikeout record yesterday, and yesterday’s game went into extra innings.  We got swept and a lot of Yankee fans were there.

Saturday night I tweeted this:

Got run out of my seats for interfering with ball hit down the line. #MLBReplay.

Here is what happened.  Robinson Cano smashed one down the right field line.  I thought it hit foul and I thought the umpire called it foul.  I reached over hoping to snag my seventh of the year. It zipped in and out of my lid.  The ball was fair and the ump called interference so the security folks escorted me out of my seat.  I was met on the concourse by six or seven security folks and they wrote me up on some MLB form so now I’m on some sort of MLB offenders data base. 

I was then escorted by a security guy to the fan accommodations booth where I was handed off to another security pair. After a few awkward seconds they asked me what I there for.  I told them that I was there to pick up my two Insperity Club tickets for Sunday’s game.  They looked perplexed and I walked off.  What a joke!

Yesterday when I showed up one of the security guys that wasn’t involved Saturday night told me that the play was reviewed after the game and it turns out that the Yankee fan sitting next to me reached over me and touched the ball first so there was no reason for me to be removed.  Of course they didn’t offer to apologize.

The ‘Stros now own the MLB strikeout record of course with 1,535 Ks thanks in large part to Chris Carter 212.

Well we ended the miserable season on a 15 game losing streak.  It was awful, awful, awful!   They better get them some better players.  I feel good about our future starting rotation but we need better bullpen arms.  I don’t feel so good about the position players.  Other than Jason Castro and Jose Altuve, I really can’t tell you who deserves to be in MLB.  We still have a long way to go.

I was presented with a cool looking baseball bat yesterday for being a loyal fan.  I am. 

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Houston Elections,Houston Politics,Anna Eastman Campaign,Texas Politics

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Good Sport

I don’t know if I have anything political to mention as we will spend the weekend watching the Tea Party GOP members of Congress try to shut down the federal government.  Some folks will be talking about next week’s big announcement from Sen. Wendy Davis.

The Mayoral contest is getting a bit lively as both campaigns are throwing punches.

Check it out here.

This one is in today’s Chron.  Mariano Rivera has never pitched at The Yard in the regular season.  He pitched an inning here in the 2004 MLB All Star Classic.  He has faced us six times and all in New York.   Only one ‘Stro has ever gotten a hit off of Rivera.  Name him?

Rockets CEO Tad predicts all 41 home games will be sold out this year. That would be cool and would also be good for some eateries and bars Downtown.   It might also get the TV done deal.

This Sunday the Texans QB will have the opportunity to silence his critics and he has a bunch these days.  Of course in three games the Texans have yet to cover the spread and are three point underdogs against the Seahawks.

The MLB Commish Bud Selig says he retiring in in January of 2015.  He will probably most be remembered to expanding the playoffs and instituting the Wild Card. 

I think he went too far on the current Wild Card format.  Each league now gets two Wild Card teams that play in a one game playoff and then the loser goes home.  I don’t think that is right.

We still have the NL Central and Wild Card order to sort out this weekend and the Rays, Tribe, and Rangers go for the two AL Wild Card slots.

Brandon Barnes of course got a ninth inning single off of Mariano Rivera back on May 1 in Yankee Stadium

90,000 plus will make it to The Yard this weekend to see the 108 loss ‘Stros take on the not-playoff bound Yankees.  Andy Pettitte will get honored this evening.  Tomorrow is Latino Heritage Day and Pettitte will start for the Yankees.  Sunday is the tribute to the best closer of all time – Mariano Rivera.  The Rocket and former Yankee skipper Joe Torre will be there.  There is a rumor that Rivera might get some time in center field.

BTW:  On Sunday Commentary and a few other fans will be given token gifts for being loyal fans and they are supposed to put us on El Grande – cool.

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Houston Mayoral Race,Houston Politics,Houston Elections,Texas Politics,Houston Astros,Major League Baseball,Houston Texans

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The Tea Party Twerker

You have to hand it to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz for having stones.  He gets to move up quite a few slots on the GOP 2016 ladder with his talkathon.  He’s twerking the GOP establishment and loving every minute.  Commentary doesn’t agree with any of Sen. Cruz’s position but I will say that his act is the real deal.  In the process he’s making his colleague, Sen. John Cornyn, look like a real wuss. 

Only four ‘Stros have 100 plus base hits this season.  Name the four?

Ben Hall will be airing attack ads against The Mayor starting today.  I don’t know how long the ads will air and I don’t know how much they are spending on the ad buy.  I also don’t know if the ads will be effective.

Check it out here.

Will the ‘Stros be better next season?  I don’t know.  I really don’t know.  The team is high on Jonathan Villar even though he does not have a whole lot between his ears.  What do they say about part of the game being mental?  Earlier in the season the Skipper was high on Chris Carter if he could only cut down on striking out – not gonna happen.

You can place the 108 losses to date on the Crane-Luhnow strategy.  They thunk it up or should I say stunk it up.

KC is now out of the playoff hunt.  Cinncy can’t win the NL Central and San Luis can if they win one of their last three or the Pirates lose one of their last three.  Thanks to the Crane-Luhnow strategy the Rangers are hanging in.

Jose Altuve (175), Matt Dominguez (130), Jason Castro (120), and Chris Carter (112) of course are the only ‘Stros with 100 plus base hits.

The ‘Stros are expecting 90,000 plus for this weekend’s series against the Yankees that means nothing. 

 

Technorati Tags: Marc Campos,Campos Communications,Houston Mayoral Race,Mayor Annisse Parker,Ben Hall,Houston Politics,Houston Elections,Ted CruzHouston Astros,Major League Baseball,Texas Politics

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