A Rice Take

Here is from the Rice University website:

 Mark P. Jones, Ph.D., is the fellow in political science at the Baker Institute and the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies at Rice University. He also currently serves as the chair of Rice’s Department of Political Science. His research focuses on the effect of electoral laws and other political institutions on governance, representation and voting.

 Dr. Jones had an Op-Ed in yesterday’s Chron on the Voter ID law and here is how it ended:

Upon reflection, SB 14 appears to have less to do with safeguarding elections and more to do with appeasing portions of the Republican party base and potentially, if the law is eventually enforced, reducing the vote share of Democratic Party candidates in many races across Texas by perhaps a few percentage points.

 Here is the entire Op-Ed.

  A good read, don’t you think?

 Thanks to my pal Robert Miller, Commentary had the honor of sitting with Dr. Jones on a panel on the 2012 elections a few months ago.  I think Dr. Jones is the one that came up with the terms “movement” and “establishment” conservatives. 

 Holy futility!  Sadly, the ‘Stros are on pace for another 100 plus loss season!  Name the last team to suffer back-to-back 100 plus loss seasons?

 Check out the Chron story by Chris Moran and Ericka Mellon this past weekend on bonds, bonds, everywhere here.

 Peggy Fikac has one of those “what if” columns today about the Lite Guv considering an option of resigning if he wins in 15 days.  That would let Lone Star State voters pick the next Lite Guv in November.  Check out Fikac’s column here.

 The Lite Guv’ s handlers say they haven’t even given that idea much thought.  They better not be if you know what I mean!

 Early Voting in person starts next week and it is kind of quiet in my ‘hood these days.

 The Nationals of course had back-to-back 100 plus loss seasons in 2008 (103) AND 2009 (102).

 There is already buzz about the ‘Stros Skipper being replaced after the season.  He’ll probably be a goner but he really wasn’t given the players to do a good job.  Two years ago we traded Roy O. and The Big Puma.  Last year we said adios to Michael Bourn, Jeff Keppinger, and Hunter Pence. Numero 45 was dealt away a couple of weeks ago.  Jason Castro and Jed Lowrie are now on the DL. 

 What do I know?  I know we’re a paltry 9-35 on the road with the next four in San Diego!

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“Establishment” Conservatives Ousted?

Here is from Patricia Kilday Hart’s column today:

“This ain’t your father’s Republican Party,” said (Vice President Joe) Biden, to appreciative laughter.

Here is her column on the VP’s NAACP appearance yesterday.

 My pal Robert Miller ended his take on June 5 with this:

 I am betting that Dewhurst wins the runoff. 

 Yesterday Robert ended with this:

 Although this remains a close and competitive race, Lt. Gov. Dewhurst clearly has his work cut out for him.

 Here is Burkablog’s latest:

Buy or sell? I’m buying. The Dewhurst camp ran a lackluster campaign, the fatal decision of which was delivering him into the hands of Rick Perry’s consultants. Nor was it smart to attack Tom Leppert just before the primary. Dewhurst should have won this campaign easily. At a time when no one knew who Ted Cruz was, Dewhurst went on the attack and raised Cruz’s name identification.  Now Perry’s neck is on the line as well. If Cruz wins the race, every story will say that Perry endorsed Dewhurst.

* * * *

I’m sure that many readers will recall that I have written repeatedly that Dewhurst would win this race. Maybe he will yet, but that’s not where the smart money is right now.

 Commentary is certainly not an expert on Lone Star State GOP politics but I’ll certainly give a take.  Let’s see now, the Lite Guv has been endorsed by Guv. Dude, all but one of his GOP State Senators is supporting him, he’s the candidate of the “establishment” conservatives, a host of organizations and PACs are backing him, and yet he very well could get his arse handed to him on July 31 – 18 days away.

 Oh, and let’s not forget that Hutch decided not to seek reelection because she knew she couldn’t get her own party’s nomination.

 A Cruz upset victory would mean that the “establishment” conservatives are no longer in charge of the Lone Star State GOP.  The Tea Baggers would be in control – period!  This could be a godsend for Lone Star State Dem candidates up and down the ballot. 

 Bud Kennedy from the Star Telegram has a column today on the impact of a Cruz win.  Here is a bit:

 If East Texas lawyer Paul Sadler can win his party’s July 31 runoff, he stands ready to pick up support from the 20 percent of Republicans who consider themselves too moderate for Tea.

 “There is such a culture of fear in that party, I don’t think any Republican could ever publicly support a Democrat,” Sadler said on his way to raise money in Dallas.

 But privately? “More than one” of Sadler’s former fellow Texas House lawmakers has promised to cross party lines and support him, he said.

 “I don’t want this to come out as ‘Sadler has a chance if Cruz wins’ because I think I have a good chance anyway,” he said.

 No you don’t Representative Sadler.  You only have a shot if Cruz is their nominee and the folks running the Lone Star State Dem Party get off their arses and mount a very strategic effort.  Here is Kennedy’s entire column. 

 Of course none of this matters if Dems can’t even get Sadler elected in 18 days.  I’m going to make sure all my friends and family are voting for Paul Sadler.

 I’m also going to hope that the folks running the Lone Star State Dem Party are working on a contingency plan just in case.  Stay tuned!

 Three Hall of Fame great pitchers share the record for MLB All Star Game starts with five each.  Name the three pitching greats?  Sadly, none are still around.

 Pasadena CM Ornaldo Ybarra wasn’t able to get another Latino appointed to the Pasadena City Council.  Read about it here.

 Nice try, CM Ybarra.

 Commentary really doesn’t have a lot of respect for the NCAA.  It is all about $$$$$ for them.  So I really don’t expect them to hand the death penalty to Penn State over the Freeh Report.   It would be too much of an inconvenience for Big Ten Schedulers.

 Hall of Fame greats Don Drysdale, Lefty Gomez, and Robin Roberts of course each started five MLB All Star games. 

 Check out a Chron interview with the new ‘Stros owner here.

   I hope they don’t trade Wandy, Brett Myers, J.D. Martinez, Altuve, Justin Maxwell, Lucas Harrell, Bud Norris, Jordan Lyles, Scott Moore, Jed Lowrie, or Chris Johnson.   We have to build on something as the ten game roadie begins this evening at AT&T Park.

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Consolation Prize

Lone Star State Dems got a consolation prize of sorts when a Travis County jury convicted DeLay.  I wonder if DeLay thinks it was all worth it.  I wonder if he thinks it is worth jail time. 

 The Chron’s E-Board would like to do away with straight ticket voting.  I don’t know about that.  It is what it is.  If a bunch of voters like to do it, then why do away with it.  Check out what the Chron says:  http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/7311700.html.

 Sen. Rodney Ellis wants a state holiday for Election Day.  Yesterday was a holiday and a whole lot of people still had to work at grocery stores, at some restaurants, at bars, at gas stations, at convenience stores, and even at some malls.   I don’t know if having an Election Day holiday will make voters more aware or more participatory.

 My pal Bill King has his Chron column today on the likelihood of a Voter ID law here in the Lone Star State.  Check it out: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/7311705.html.

 On September 28, 2005, DeLay was indicted by a Travis County grand jury and the ‘Stros played their last regular season game ever at old Busch Stadium that evening, beating San Luis 7-6.  What ‘Stro knocked in his 100^th RBI of the season that evening? 

 The only political decisions of interest remaining are the HISD Trustee District VIII run-off and the state legislative race out in the Seguin area.

 Happy Birthday today to My Best Friend!  Happy Birthday to Big Al Luna!

 Happy Birthday tomorrow to Pam-In-Charge who still has the Best View in town from her office.  She also has the best job in town if you ask me.   My Brown Eyed Girl don’t need touching up.

 Earlier this week, H-Town CM James Rodriguez endorsed HISD Trustee District VIII candidate Judith Cruz.   Here is what CM Rodriguez had to say:  “I ask the voters in District VIII to join me in supporting Judith Cruz in the run-off election. Judith will make sure every student is held to high standards, work for strong schools in every community, and fight for an effective teacher in every classroom. Judith will put ALL of our children’s interests above the special interests. Judith is ready to challenge the status quo.”

 Commentary had turducken yesterday for the first time ever. 

 Morgan Ensberg of course knocked in his 100^th RBI on September 28, 2005.

 It looks like lefty reliever Tim Byrdak won’t be with us next year and that’s all I have to report from The Yard.

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No Vacancy Fellas

Now that The President gets to make a Supreme Appointment, White Males probably need not apply. National Latino leaders and organizations are mobilizing right now trying to get the first Latino/Latina appointed to the Supreme Bench. Women’s organizations will also be making the push for a female appointment. Sorry White Dudes, no se puede this time.

H-Town Council Member Toni Lawrence created a bit of a stir that has the potential to go national when she commented at this week’s Council meeting on the child that died of the H1M1 bug the other day at the Medical Center. She’s probably thinking right now that she should not have said anything. The Chron has two articles on her comments. Check them out:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6402327.html And: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/casey/6402170.html. 

Here’s a statement that H-Town CM James Rodriguez is putting out this morning on the remarks:

“During our City Council meeting this week, my colleague, Council Member Toni Lawrence made reference to the 23 month old child who died of Swine Flu in a local hospital. She emphasized that ‘The child was not a United States citizen’ and added that ‘we need to do things for Houston and not for anybody else.’  Consequently, those comments have negatively alarmed many residents throughout the city.

“Now is not the time for rhetoric that could potentially have a negative impact on public health.  Now is not the time to inject a person’s immigration status in this very critical issue.  If an individual is showing symptoms, we want them to seek immediate medical treatment without fear of being questioned of their status. If we do not alleviate these concerns quickly, people will not seek treatment.  Unfortunately, they will not restrict their contact with neighbors either.  At this time, the treatment of all cases is more imperative than any discussion on immigration status. 

“I want to urge everyone, regardless of their background, to see their physician if they feel ill.  If they do not have a physician, they can visit a Federally Qualified Health Clinic, such as El Centro de Corazon, which has clinics at 412 Telephone and 7037 Capitol.

“My deepest condolences go out to the family of the deceased child.”

Nice job James.

CM Lawrence’s remarks have the potential of driving paperless folks further away from the system.  They may be fearful of going to a local clinic if they feel a little woozy, but they’ll stand there next to you and me at the local Fiesta loading up on milk, bread, hamburger meat, and Corn Flakes.  It also has a decidedly negative impact when trying to get these folks to participate in next year’s Census.

Speaking of, don’t forget to attend tomorrow’s H-Town Census 2010 Meeting at 1 pm at the George R. Brown Convention Center.  This is an important gathering for sure.

After four days of Early Voting in the H-Town City Council District H Election, 29 Downtown voters, 265 at Moody Park, and 52 at Ripley House.

Congrats go the Rockets for advancing.

‘Stros closer Joe Green Valley is still out for a while. The Big Puma is batting a buck sixty-two.  We go with Hampton, Roy O, and Wandy this weekend in the ATL so I feel OK about things.

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