Thoughts on Viernes…06012012

Posted on June 1, 2012 | Leave a comment

Birthday Week!

That’s right, #41 I will celebrate for a week, instead of just one day. Why? Why the hell not?

Today, if you want an option, instead of getting me a gift next week, you can make a contribution to my friend Jamaal Smith for HD-137 since today is his birthday. Then, Saturday, I will be at the Accordion Kings and Queens Festival at Miller Outdoor Theatre where they will feature one of my fave groups, Los Texmaniacs. Next Wednesday, and another gift option for you, I’ll celebrate my b-day by supporting Cindy Vara-Leija at her fundraiser. Give her my gift!

Then, next Thursday, come on over and support my friend  Julia Maldonado, candidate for 14th Court of Appeals as the TDP convention gets kicked-off. Yes, another option in which I will forgo your b-day gift to ensure Julia has some gas money to travel all 10 counties and get out the vote.

And speaking of the TDP Convention, DosCentavos.net will be out in full-force, so expect some interviews, live-blogging, photos, and a whole bunch of other stuff. It will be an exciting time to pump some energy in to 2012.

Short Thoughts…

With the busy weekend, that’s my only thought of the day. Sure, there are some things that have shown up on e-mail or a blog here and there that I’d love to comment on, especially for CD-7, but I’ll let the campaigns fight it out. I know who’s getting my vote in this one.

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Posted in Thoughts on Viernes

Dude, This Election Makes No Sense

Posted on May 30, 2012 | 3 Comments

The title, I stole from a good friend who provided that initial analysis. The pic, well, let’s just say i was feeling creative as we waited for the numbers to be updated.

The Run-Offs

Well, I’m not surprised by the outcome in CD-7; although, I was thinking “run-off” from Day 1 given the lack of name recognition of all involved, especially James Cargas who had only joined the race in December versus two who had been working Party faithful for months and a couple years (Andrews and Squiers, respectvely). The fact that 18% of voters (I was loftier in internally predicting 25%) didn’t pick a candidate points to the lack of money (or earned attention) in the race, but now that 8500 voters have been ID’d in Round 1, whomever raises more cash (or creates resources) to contact these folks may have the upper hand.  Then again, the lack of money and resources could be the reason for a lack of excitement during these next two months, which then probably leaves us in an e-mail war…again. The question is:  Is there money to be raised in CD-7? And, whether there is or isn’t, which campaign will make  the first 500 calls today?

Ultimately, though, if fundraising for whomever gets on the November ballot doesn’t pick up, I don’t foresee any competition for a bad fundraiser like Culberson. Whether it is the establishment not caring enough to support Dems, or funders not willing to write a check against a piece of furniture like Culberson, that’s up for discussion.

Well, it looks like my friend Jamaal Smith will be in a run-off with Gene Wu in HD-137. Less than 1900 votes were involved, but with only 96 undervotes, it would seem that people had made their decisions based on shaking their favorite candidate’s hand or getting a knock on the door. The almost 700 voters that didn’t vote for these two is definitely up for grabs, although I would hope any excitement generated would actually bring out more voters than round one.

For Constable Precinct 1, my friend Cindy Vara-Leija had an upswing at the end of the night to place her in the run-off with Alan Rosen. Although Rosen did very well early-on, Vara-Leija had a strong Primary day, which goes to show that both have some strong teams at the ready. I expect this race to be lively, energetic, and hopefully, exciting enough for voters to arrive at polling places in droves.

And in HCDE Position 6 (Pct. 1), Erica S. Lee squeaked into a run-off against former City Councilman Jarvis Johnson. Johnson, with obvious and recent name recognition, didn’t need much campaigning, but Lee ran a strong and determined grassroots campaign. With most other races decided in districts within Pct. 1, interest will probably wane, so, an energetic campaign like Lee’s has a renewed opportunity to come out the winner.

The Big Winner

Congrats to Traci Jensen on a huge win last night as our nominee for State Board of Education. This was one race in which I listened to all in the race early-on, and it was evident that Traci had the knowledge and the progressive-bent to be an effective November candidate. Against a right-winger, we need a candidate who will not be all over map and Jensen will be consistent.

The Heartbreakers

It’s just not right to see an accomplished jurist like Judge Steven Kirkland defeated by an opponent bought-and-paid for by a sour grapes lawyer with a vendetta. Along with a 19% undervote, the final tally left me gasping for air at the end of the night. If an attack on someone’s personal life caused that many Democratic minds to decide for whom to vote, despite Kirkland’s opponent’s lack of anything good to offer and Kirkland’s life of service, then I’m disappointed in Democrats in this county. I could bloviate and overanalyze now, but I’ll wait for the canvass.

I can’t say it was a total heartbreak in the County Trustee At-Large race, since both David Rosen and Diane Trautman are good friends and good people. But I am proud of David Rosen for running a classy and clean campaign from start to finish. Diane, on the other hand, worked hard and showed up, and I know she’ll work as hard as she did in this round to defeat the GOP incumbent in November.

Watching Zack Fertitta lose his race for District Attorney was quite the disappointment; in fact, it is one in which Democratic voters truly disappointed me (again!). We knew Lykos would be defeated and we needed a candidate who was the complete opposite of what the GOP offered. Now, we are left with a perennial candidate, oft-cited for his legal issues (Lloyd Oliver) versus a real right-winger. I’ll never vote for a Republican, much less a right-winger. I really don’t know what to expect from Oliver, though, or whether he’ll earn my vote for November.

RELIEF

One race many of us worried about was HCDP Chair, but according to the outcome, we shouldn’t have worried so much about losing Chair Lane Lewis. Oft-compared to the Kirkland-Palmer race to a certain extent, some are at a loss as to the difference in results for both races. Although the threat was real, it was not as tight as some expected. What it does show is consistency in mail, early, and election day results, which is probably a testament to Lewis and his message.

Frankly, despite the anti-GLBT nature of a flyer going around, a contributing factor to Douglas’ undoing was likely Democratic voters finding out she took money from a right-wing Republican. Her defense  that “everyone does it,” didn’t really fly since she was running to be the Party Chair and was not going to be on the November ballot against a Republican (like everyone else on the ballot). Loyalty is a must when one is the Party leader. Congrats to Chair Lewis on a decisive victory.

Oh Yeah, The Senate Race

The U.S. Senate race turned out to be quite the cluster. What seemed like a race between Dem insiders and Dem activists turned out to be about which name voters seemed to like more (my opinion). When it comes down to it, there was no money in this race, and in a state as big as Texas, you can only shake so many hands who will remember who you are. Sadler gets a couple more months to shake a few more hands; and, he’s the one that actually will do that.

Other Observerations

For all the panic in Austin over Lloyd Doggett being placed in a heavily Latino district, he cruised to victory, just as I predicted he would. Perhaps the original Castro vs Doggett race may have left few survivors, but Doggett had incumbent money, and ultimately, seasoned and new voters/constituents who like what he’s about. The district is still a bit screwy, but I have no doubt that Doggett will be effective and on top of things once he defeats his GOP challenger.

And in CD-23, Ciro Rodriguez still has the name recognition; although, he’s in a run-off with Pete Gallego, now. Rodriguez won handily in some of the smaller counties in the district, which speaks to the name rec, but also to his good record of constituent services when he served previously in this seat. Gallego gets two more months to finish the job, though, and he is a good campaigner. I’m just wondering what the silver bullet may be, ultimately.

The run-off in CD-33 will be interesting, and probably loud. Taking a turn for the negative during the “fishing for endorsements” phase and staying that way ’til the end, I wonder if voters will re-energize or if they will be fatigued by it all? It will be interesting to watch Veasey vs Garcia.

In HD-144, Mary Ann Perez defeated two opponents, including one who is an up and comer, Ornaldo Ybarra. Perez enjoyed on-the-ground establishment support from the get-go. Ultimately, the race was won on who was best financed, worked hardest and best connected with the voters–the way it should be. Congrats to Perez, and here’s hoping Ybarra stays in the trenches.

And Then I’m Not Disappointed

Kudos to Harris County Democrats, though, who supported the DREAM Act referendum at 85%. But Dems in Montgomery County were closer to 90%, so kudos to them, too.

Finally…

Well, there you have it. Take them for what they are worth and leave your two cents on my paypal account.

Update:  P.S. – A thought rant on CD-22

Wow! If one of my fellow bloggers doesn’t buy up MoonColonyDemocrats.com anytime soon, I just might. Kesha Rogers won the nomination again for CD-22 against a sincere individual like KP George who had his heart in the right place, as well as the support of activist Dems. Much like some of us are wondering what the hell happened in a few Harris County races, many of my friends are doing the same in CD-22. Is it a disconnection between the Party and Dem-leaning voters? What is it??? It is hard to believe that a little over half of CD-22 Dems would become members of MoonColonyDemocrats.com, but I guess it is possible.

And is it too late for TDP to start a Moon Colony Caucus for the convention?

Update:  Kuff has some links to others, as well as a good post about the importance of money, communications, and other stuff.

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Posted in Houston Dems '12, Houston Politica, LatinoVote '12, TDP Convention 2012, Texas Dems 2012

Three Primary Day Messages

Posted on May 29, 2012 | Leave a comment

The first is from State Rep. Rafael Anchia of Dallas titled TERROR BABIES!:

The second is from me:

Remember that today, you must vote in your neighborhood polling location. Polls opened at 7am and close at 7pm. Here’s a link to get yourself a sample ballot and the address of your location.

And the third is just a reminder. VOTE THE STACE SLATE!

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Posted in 2012 Profiles, Chicano Politics, DREAM Act, Houston Dems '12, Houston Politica, Immigration, LatinoVote '12, President 2012, TDP Convention 2012, Texas Dems 2012

CAP’s Top 10 About Texas Demographics and Immigration Politics

Posted on May 29, 2012 | 1 Comment

The Center for American Progress put this Top 10 list together about Texas, which includes links to the facts and pertinent info to back it up.

Read it, feel it, then go out and vote in the Democratic Primary!

A Look at the State’s Emerging Communities of Color

Washington, D.C.—On today’s Texas’s Republican primary, the Center for American Progress released 10 important facts about immigrants and people of color in the state that display their significant economic, cultural, and electoral power.

1. Communities of color are driving population growth in Texas. Texas is one of five states in the country where people of color make up the majority of the population. Between 2000 and 2009 Hispanic population growth accounted for 63.1 percent of all growth in the state. Texas’s black and Asian populations—2.8 million people and 850,000 people, respectively—were the third largest in the country in 2010.

2. The majority of children in Texas are children of color. For children under age 5 in the state, children of color outnumbered non-Hispanic white children 2.2-to-1 in 2011. According to the Children’s Defense Fund, in 2009, 64 percent of the state’s children were of color.

3. Houston is the most racially and ethnically diverse metropolitan area in the country. According to a report from Rice University, the percentage of Latinos in the region increased dramatically from 20.8 percentin 1990 to more than one-third at 35.5 percent in 2010. This thriving racial and ethnic diversity places Houston at the head of the state’s rapid demographic changes.

4. Nearly a third of immigrants in Texas are naturalized—meaning they are eligible to vote. In 2010 immigrants comprised 16.4 percent of the state’s total population. That year there were 1.3 million naturalized U.S. citizens in Texas, approximately 32 percent of immigrants in the state.

5. Voters of color make up a growing portion of the Texas electorate. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Latinos accounted for 20.1 percent of Texas voters in the 2008 elections. African Americans and Asians comprised 14.2 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively, of the state’s voters that same year.

6. Even more Latinos are eligible to vote but are currently unregistered. According to the political opinion research group Latino Decisions, there are 2.1 million unregistered Latino voters in Texas in 2012. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that there are an additional 880,000 legal permanent residents (green card holders) in Texas who are eligible to naturalize and vote for the first time. Put together, this means Texas has close to an extra 3 million potential voters this fall.

7. The Department of Justice blocked a Texas voter ID law that threatened to disenfranchise Hispanics. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, far fewer non-Hispanic voters—4.3 percent, compared with 6.3 percent of Latino voters—lack a proper photo ID, which voters would have been required to show under the law. Texas’s own state data listed 174,866 registered Latino voters without an ID.

8. Communities of color add billions of dollars and tens of thousands of jobs to Texas’s economy through entrepreneurship and spending. The purchasing power of Latinos in Texas increased more than 400 percent from 1990 to 2010, reaching a total of $176.3 billion. Asian buying power increased by more than 650 percent in the same period to a total of $34.4 billion. And in 2007 Texas’s nearly 450,000 Latino-ownedbusinesses had close to 400,000 employees, and sales and receipts of $61.9 billion.

9. Immigrants are essential to the economy as workers. In 2010 immigrants comprised 20.9 percent of Texas’s workforce. As of 2007, 21 percent of Houston’s total economic output and 16 percent of Dallas’s economic output was derived from immigrants.

10. Immigrants contribute to the state economy through state and local taxes. In 2010, according to the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, undocumented immigrants in Texas paid $1.6 billion in state and local taxes.

Vanessa Cárdenas is Director of Progress 2050 and Angela Maria Kelley is Vice President for Immigration Policy and Advocacy at the Center for American Progress.

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Posted in 2012 Profiles, Bigots and Liars, LatinoVote '12, President 2012, Republinutiness, TDP Convention 2012, Texas Dems 2012

Keryl Douglas’ Divide and Conquer Strategy

Posted on May 26, 2012 | Leave a comment

It angered folks when Manuel Rodriguez tried it, and Democrats all over the county have had the same reaction to Keryl Douglas’ disingenuous flyer. In what is not only a personal attack on HCDP Chair Lane Lewis, but an affront to the GLBT community and all other communities who fight for civil rights, Keryl Douglas has definitely hit a new low.

Douglas shows her hypocrisy in the flyer when she states she “worked across ALL communities,” but chooses to attack one in particular. Well, I’ll repeat an oft-stated civil rights mantra:  When one of us is attacked, we are all attacked. So, we must not only rise in defense of the GLBT community, we must ensure our Harris County Democratic Party is led by someone who doesn’t talk it (or puts it on a flyer), but walks it, and that’s Lane Lewis.

What is scarier than losing in November to right-wing Republicans is having a Party led by someone who would attempt to divide Democrats from within. Early voting is done, but Tuesday is Democratic Primary Day. VOTE!

Or, if Keryl Douglas doesn’t “get it,” I agree with Kuff.

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Posted in Bigots and Liars, Houston Dems '12, LatinoVote '12, President 2012, TDP Convention 2012, Texas Dems 2012

Updated DC Virtual Slate Card

Posted on May 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

Reblogged from :

Click to visit the original post

I had gotten some emails from concerned folks wondering if I was supporting President Obama, since he wasn’t on the first slate card. Then I figured, I may as well seek out some more complaints and add a few more DC-nods. So, here goes.

Apologies for running out of room, but I think I resolved the situation. Click to enlarge.

Here's the Stace Slate...again!

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Posted in Uncategorized

Thoughts on Viernes…05252012

Posted on May 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

Houston Latinos on TV?

I’ve always said that Latinos must be the storytellers of our history. Too often, we want to rely on mainstream media to give us two minutes of their own interpretation and then we complain when they fall way too short. Well, when I heard a friend of mine was working on a TV show, I got excited. Last night, in front of a live audience at Paco Joe’s on the Gulf Freeway, auditions were held for a co-host of this new show and, let me tell you, Houston has some talent. The auditions continue next Thursday evening at Paco Joe’s, so come on out and support the creation of this new show. More details soon.

It was great meeting some of the VIP Judges who participated in the auditions, including the guys from ESPN Deportes and one of the founders of the local GLBT LULAC and all-around awesome guy Edward Sanchez. A new friend made was Chelsea Coffey, a local image consultant, fellow blogger, and the Executive Director of Mia’s Closet.

Mia’s Closet provides new and gently used clothing to Houston area girls in dire need of clothing, emotional support, and constructive planning for the future. Our events are designed to give them a boost in self-esteem and an opportunity to think about their personal futures via Mia’s Closet Boutique Shopping Days.

Last Day of Early Voting…Make it Count!

Today is the last day of early voting. It’s been a quiet Democratic Primary for lots of reasons, especially the fact that our usual early March vote turned into a later May vote (with a run-off in July). So, find an early voting location–any early voting location–and cast your vote TODAY.

And if you need help choosing a candidate, check out my slate.

Dewhurst and Cruz – Anti-Immigrant Zealots, Both of ‘em!

Looks like Cruz started it with his my dad is an immigrant so “I hate non-Cuban immigrants” ad, and now Dewhurst is pegging him as supporting “amnesty.” Nothing new, right? Hate is hate and it mostly comes from the Republican Party.

The GOP might have a shot a some Latino votes if they just kept the anti-Latino vitriol out. But if they want to rile up their basest base voters, then, it’s a must to hate on Latinos. Oh, well, right?

The Dome

When you have a beautiful stadium and facilities like Reliant and an old relic of the past right next door, it just doesn’t seem to match. At some point the Dome was an architectural marvel–the 8th wonder and all that.  But the question about raising taxes to spend 1/2 a billion dollars to make the dome “livable” for no one in particular needs to be answered with another question:  Do we need it?

I like the idea of the plaza, frankly.

Public Comment for Family Unity

Reform Immigration For America is asking for public comment on a proposal by the Obama Administration.

This rule change could prevent parents from missing a decade of their children’s lives, and spouses from facing years without the support of their partners. Now, we need your help to move this proposal forward.

Leave a public comment now to support the change in the rules that would help keep families together.

In order for this change to go into effect, we need major public support from activists like you, standing up for families separated by the 3 and 10-year bars. We will deliver your messages of support for the change to Alejandro Mayorkas, Director of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Taking a few minutes to write your comment today could make a difference for thousands of families.

Enjoy the long Memorial Day weekend. Remember the fallen and appreciate the rights we have–even when some try to limit them.

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Posted in Thoughts on Viernes

NALEO Releases Electoral Profile of Texas

Posted on May 24, 2012 | Leave a comment

The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials has released their 2012 Primary Election Profile of the State of Texas. If you like stats, this is your report.

Here are some of the highlights:

ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES: 38
TOTAL POPULATION (2010): 25,145,561
LATINO POPULATION (2010): 9,460,921
PROJECTED LATINO VOTE IN 2012: 1,987,000
PROJECTED LATINO SHARE OF TEXAS VOTE: 21.3%

The report reminds us that, historically, Texas has voted for a Republican Presidential nominee; however, 2008 saw a marked change when John McCain only managed 55%. In this case, Latinos gave nominee Barack Obama 63% of their vote.

Of particular interest to me was the number of Latino voters that are registered. Although there are organizations out there trying to increase the number of registrations, it’s always good to know what you’ve got.

Texas’ Registered Voters (May 2012)

Nearly one of every four Texas registered voters (24%) is Latino.

Latino voter turnout in Texas’ Presidential elections grew from 1.3 million in 2000 to 1.7 million in 2008, an increase of 31%.

Ultimately, these stats tell us that population growth is not our strength as much as registered voters. If 1 in 4 registered voters in Texas is Latino, then we can move an election. Heck, Latinos can effect monumental change.

And if in eight years, we have only managed to increase voting by a few hundred thousand voters, then something is very wrong, but I would venture to say it is well-funded campaigns and their minions (same old consultants) who have little idea of how to energize the Latino electorate. As I’ve said many times, you can’t just translate without making your literature and your positions culturally relevant.

Thanks to NALEO for the report.

Bottom line:  There’s a lot of work to do. The Democratic Primary is just about done and turnout is dismal. November must be in our sights.

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Posted in 2012 Profiles, DC Ojo, DREAM Act, Houston Dems '12, Immigration, LatinoVote '12, President 2012, Wise Latinas

City and Southwest Agree on Hobby Expansion

Posted on May 24, 2012 | Leave a comment

Well, congrats to all those involved, especially Council Member James Rodriguez, for leading on this particular issue. Although the vast majority of Houstonians agree that a 2nd international airport would be good for Houston, there is still some strong opposition in the form of United lobbyists and future PAC money. Although the Council still has to approve the deal, this is a huge step forward, for sure.

So, what was agreed upon? It was agreed that Southwest Airlines would be paying for the international expansion.

Mayor Annise Parker today announced her support for international service at Hobby Airport and released details of a proposed agreement under which Southwest Airlines (SWA) will cover all costs related to the $100 million expansion. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) requires SWA to design and build the five new gates and customs facility to the City’s specifications.  When finished, the City will own the improvements debt free.  In return for its investment, SWA will have preferential scheduling rights and pay no rent for its use of four of the five new international gates, and will also pay no rent for its use of the customs facility.  The fifth additional gate and the customs facility will be available for use by all other airlines at Hobby, but unlike SWA, the other airlines will pay rent.

“This will be financed with no City debt and no Passenger Facility Charges (PFC),” said Mayor Parker.  “SWA will bear all the risk.  “They will also have to abide by our minority and small business contracting requirements and Hire Houston First policy.  That helps guarantee our local workers get a chance at the construction jobs.  From the beginning, I have said that my decision would be based not on what is best for one or another airline, but rather on what is best for the City, the local business community and the traveling public.  There is no question we have done that.”

But like I said, there is still more to come–more lobbying and more debate. If you support the expansion, then call your Council Member.

The proposed MOA is subject to approval by Houston City Council and SWA management.  City Council consideration is expected May 30, 2012.  Construction is planned for the spring of 2013.  In the interim, the City will work closely with SWA and Washington to obtain the necessary federal approvals as well as a commitment for an adequate number of customs and border patrol agents at both of our airports.

“Again, this is not about one airline over another,” said Mayor Parker.  “My goal is to ensure the millions of international travelers who pass through Houston receive adequate customs services no matter which airport they use.”

Sounds like a good deal to me. Let’s move forward.

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Posted in City of Houston, Houston Votes '13, Mayor Parker, Your Wallet

In Case You Missed Tacos and Votes [Video]

Posted on May 23, 2012 | Leave a comment

Our friends, The Parra Brothers, produced a short highlight film of this past Saturday’s Tacos and Votes voter engagement program. Enjoy and/or be amazed!

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Posted in 2012 Profiles, Houston Votes '13, La Familia, LatinoVote '12