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February 20, 2008

UPDATED - In which we endorse candidates (Travis County and Statewide)

This is the mega list... every race in which we wanted to endorse in Travis County. I hope you're happy since it took us literally hours of thinking and many, many bottles of scotch to get through this. The Presidential endorsement was obviously contentious which is why Captain Kroc is now in hospital having a bit of a bottle removed from his, well from various part of him. However, he did help contribute to this despite his near constant pain.

I've never been one to shy away from cutting a motherfucker.

County Court at Law 8

This was an easy decision for us. While we like Mr. Berrera and find him clearly qualified, we feel that Mr. Lipscombe is the better choice. Our recommendation is based on one simple factor. During the endorsement meetings where we've seen both candidates, it's been clear that Lipscombe has a vision for what he'd like to do with the court and the work he'd put into to keep non-violent offenders from being put into the black hole that is the Texas Department of Corrections system. We have confidence in the ability of Lipscombe to be an excellent judge.

District Attorney

First, all of the candidates meet the baseline qualification for this job. They are all extremely competent and seem quite earnest about their desire to serve. However, we have to pick one and our endorsement goes to Rosemary Lehmberg. We've been consistently most impressed with her at endorsement meetings and it's clear she has the broadest base of knowledge and experience from which to draw. In many ways, she is a continuation of the fantastic job that Ronnie Earle has done in the office.

98th District Court

We've damn near had night sweats over this one. Both of the candidates are overqualified for this position. Both would do an excellent job. Both are amazing and wonderful people.

This race has reminded us of Eric Shepherd vs. Elena Diaz in 2006. Two amazing people, one choice. On this race, we decided to go with the person, not the attorney, we knew best. That would be Andy Hathcock.

353rd District Court

Scott Ozmun. Seriously, you have to ask?

427th District Court
This was an extremely difficult decision to make and our endorsement goes to Karyl Anderson Krug.

We kid, kid...we're joking with you! We're totally endorsing Jim Coronado. Despite the best efforts of Krug, we know that Coronado is qualified for the job. We also know that he is a judge. And frankly, we're sick to DEATH of Krug's sniping. Our only regret is that we can't vote for JUDGE Coronado twice.

HD 46

Brian Thompson. No contest. He's extremely qualified and very energetic about the opportunity to serve the people of 46. His stand on the privatization of schools and infrastructure is the right one and diametrically opposed to that of Dukes who, contrary to her advertising, IS more of the same. The candidate of change, of renewal and prosperity for East Austin and Travis County is Brian Thompson. Dukes is a remnant of an inglorious past when Democrats were on the sidelines. It's time to elect someone who cares more for the people in the district than their own success. Not to mention this piece of news which pretty much seals the deal on the need to retire Dukes.

Tax Assessor-Collector

First, let's just state that when it comes to the basic function of this job, tax collection, both candidates are evenly matched. However, when it comes to actually helping people affected by dramatically escalating value and commensurately higher taxes, Nelda has been abysmal. Glen has promised to do a better job of that and we're willing to give him a shot since no similar commitment has been made by Spears. On voter registration, we've been very disappointed with Spears' deficiencies and her unwillingness to correct them.

It's time for a change and that change is Glen Maxey.

US Senate

Rick Noriega. I mean, really. We're written a ton about him. Feel free to click here if you need a reason to vote for him. Chances are, whoever you are, he's voted for YOU at point while in the Lege.

A word about Ray McMurrey... he seems like a genuine and very earnest person. We thought he did fairly well in the debate vs. Noriega. We may find ourselves one day supporting him. That day is not likely to come soon. Too much bad blood and frankly, we've been disgusted at his focus on tearing apart Noriega. Having been involved in statewide campaigns, not to mention all the smaller ones we've advised and worked on, this is a case study in what to do if you want to piss off voters, especially the people whose support you claim to want.

CD10

Dan Grant. There are many reasons why, but this is just one. McCaul is going to be out of office this year and of the two candidates in the Democratic Primary, we're most confident in Dan's ability to offer thoughtful and equitable leadership.

Texas SC, Place 7

Sam Houston is well qualified and the best campaigner.

Texas SC, Place 8

Both candidates are well qualified and here, we decide to stick to our roots. We're going with Judge Susan Criss due to her solid progressive credentials and her ability to fight and win this seat. She is, of the two candidates, the best chance Democrats have in Place 8.

Travis County Commission, PCT 3

Karen Huber gets our endorsement as the candidate with the strongest chance to take on pustule Gerald Daugherty. Huber is staunchly anti-toll and her environmental credentials are impeccable. She's exactly the type of person who has occasionally voted for Republicans and should have been voting for Democrats the entire time.

Travis County Constable, PCT 1

We honestly don't know a damn thing about this race other than that Danny Thomas is running. We urge voters in precinct 1 to vote for anyone other than Danny Thomas. There's been enough bigotry and it's time to put an end to it.

Travis County Constable, PCT 2

Paul Labuda and not just because of the issues Ballesteros will have in the general election. Paul is extremely intelligent, hard working and capable of performing the duties of Constable. In point of fact, he's just as experienced as Bruce Elfant was during his first run for Constable. And we love us some Bruce.

Travis County Constable, Precinct 3

Richard McCain. Duh, Of course. Frankly, we're surprised we even have to announce this since Constable McCain is over and above his Keel-inspired opponent. We're sure he'll glide to easy victory but we want to make clear... if you live in Precinct 3, you need to go vote for the best Constable you've had in decades.

Travis County Constable, PCT 4

Alonzo "Al" Reyes. Seriously, we're tired of the conflict and infighting between certain Constables in this county. If you don't know what we're talking about then don't worry... just go vote for the extremely competent and very reasonable Reyes.

Texas Railroad Commission

Dale Henry is over and above his opponent in terms of competence and general knowledge of the Commission and the industry it regulates. Dale's run a very strong campaign so far and it's certain he'll continue on to beat Republican Michael Williams in November.

Posted by mcblogger at February 20, 2008 11:20 AM

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Comments

McMurrey is tearing Noriega apart? How, by asking him to debate? By calling on him to release his military records, like he should have done months ago? By asking Noriega to commit to a timetable on Iraq, or to single-payer health care, which he won't? These aren't attacks, they're simply part of campaigning. Calling someone a plagiarist, now that's an (extremely weak) attack. McMurrey is just trying to get the issues on the table, and trying to get Noriega to talk about them instead of droning on and on about his military experience all the time.




Speaking of the issues, why was it that you cut the debate short, without explanation? We were supposed to have 15-20 minutes of audience questions, but you and that UDems girl ran on stage after the closing statements and didn't give the audience a chance. Did you get tired of watching Noriega try to wriggle out of the tough questions?

Posted by: Jeff Versteeg at February 20, 2008 11:06 AM

Nah... it ran long. We had an agreement going into it that if the moderators were still going at nine then we'd have to cut it. Just didn't have enough time.

Posted by: mcblogger at February 20, 2008 11:20 AM

Was there someone in the auditorium after us? Did the moderators have somewhere to be?

Posted by: Jeff Versteeg at February 20, 2008 11:22 AM

Nah, we trying to hold it to an hour as agreed... it just ran longer than we anticipated. When the moderators changed the format (with two rebuttals) it stretched out the time. I wasn't upset by it since it gave the audience a better chance to understand the positions.

Posted by: mcblogger at February 20, 2008 12:40 PM

Ah, I see. The two rebuttals did make the first part last a lot longer than it otherwise would have, but I think that was a good call. That was a great format for candidate interaction.

Posted by: Jeff Versteeg at February 20, 2008 01:01 PM

Thanks for the nod to Paul Labuda in Constable Pct. 2. He's got his work cut out for him, but is ready for the challenge.

For Pct. 1, I would highly recommend that folks vote for Willie Joe Madison. He's the current Chief Deputy, and has been endorsed by the retiring Constable, Luke Mercer.

Posted by: sccs at February 21, 2008 01:04 AM

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