As a consultant for campaigns in Texas and across the country, I have conceded elections on live TV. Republicans have held press conferences to denounce my hiring, and their lawyers have second-guessed my decisions under oath in a deposition. But none of these trials has struck me quite as strangely as reading about myself getting fired by a campaign.
State Government
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Posted inState Government
Kinky on Getting Out
After announcing he’ll drop his bid for governor and run for agriculture commissioner, Kinky Friedman talked with Ben Philpott (reporting for KUT News and the Tribune) about his decision to change races — and his unsuccessful attempt to get rival candidate Farouk Shami to seek a different office as well.
Posted in
State Government
Never Can Say Goodbye
Texas voters won’t be offered a real chance at change in the Legislature and Congress next year. Four out of five state and federal lawmakers face no real competition in their primary or general elections.
Posted inState Government
Dan Patrick on Rick vs. Kay
The state senator from Houston and radio talk show host explains why he’s for Governor Perry in the Republican primary but not against Senator Hutchison.
Posted inState Government
Ads Infinitum: Topic of Debate
Say what you will about Republican gubernatorial candidate Debra Medina — she delivers (on commercials, at least).
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State Government
Kinky Exits Governor’s Race
Humorist and author Kinky Friedman is setting his sights on a new prize: the agriculture commissioner post.
Posted in
Public Education
Does Texas Pre-K work?
One education model — with unproven results — serves almost a third of pre-kindergarteners in Texas. Its grade? Incomplete.
Posted inState Government
An Interview with Dan Patrick
The full twenty minutes with the Republican state senator from Houston, who talks power, politics and why he loves life in the Lege.
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Criminal Justice
Mapmaker, Mapmaker
Think like the political pros and your mind will go to the long game instead of the short one. The short game is the elections of 2010. The long game is redistricting in 2011, when maps are drawn that corral the voters into the districts that will elect legislators for the next ten years.