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October 27, 2006
Return Of A Has-Been
It seems like just yesterday.
Remember two years ago, when a certain Houston representative, a man who represented himself as a Christian, moral public servant found himself in big legal trouble? No, we're not talking about the recently retired Tom DeLay. Remember Talmadge Heflin?
That's right folks, Talmadge Helfin. He, a former state representative from the Alief area. Good ol' Talmadge with the Jabba the Hut-like visage and physique. Our pal Heflin who tried to steal something that didn't belong to him -- namely, his African housekeeper's young baby.
Baby-stealing Talmadge Heflin is back! He's dropped a few lbs (maybe even enough to actually walk a block without passing out) and is ready to rumble. The venerable Mr. Heflin, now reduced to grasping for the voters who rejected him and his illegal behavior two years ago, is trying mightily to get back what he lost.
After all, Talmadge knows best. All those minorities who reside in his district (about two-thirds of the population) need a kindly white father figure to make the right decisions for them, right? Just like that little black boy he took needed a proper upbringing to avoid falling into the life of crime that befalls most black men.
Talmadge knew with such certainty that he was the right one to have that child, that went to court a second time to try and get what he deserved. That the judge didn't see things his way shouldn't stop him doing what's right, right?
Never mind that the man voters chose to replace Heflin as state representative has done just fine (and he's not even white!), District 149 belongs to Talmadge Heflin, right?
So Talmadge will do what he has to do to get back what is rightfully his. A little racism here, gay-baiting there, lying... it's all in the name of a greater good. After all, Talmadge Heflin belongs back in the Texas House of Representatives, right? And he won't be deterred by little opposition, least of all some immigrant, right?
That the world has passed Talmadge Heflin by shouldn't matter, right? If he could just get his seat back, it would be the good old days onace again. And putting Osama Bin Laden's picture on a mail piece is just what's got to be done.
Remember Talmadge Heflin?
Some things are better left forgotten.
Posted by houtopia at 05:51 PM
October 24, 2006
The Rumor Mill Is Running Wild
Two weeks before Election Day, we pause for a brief respite from the campaign trail to feed a rumor mill that is churning full-force. If the whispers are true, it would appear we do indeed have a real governor's race down the stretch.
Word is, the Dallas Morning News will report tomorrow on a statewide poll conducted by Brian Epstein for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. The poll will show Rick Perry is in deep trouble -- garnering just 32% support of those sampled -- with Chris Bell nipping at his heels at 27%, Carole Strayhorn trailing with 20%, and Kinky Friedman cratering in single digits. This is huge news, folks.
The most important number in the Governor's race (to us) has always been Rick Perry's. We figured that if Perry looked vulnerable down the stretch, the anti-guv vote would begin to coalesce around a single candidate. We also figured that candidate was likely to be Bell, considering he has a solid base of about one-third of the electorate. Well, Perry's in deep doo-doo. If he runs at 32% on Election Day he will likely be retired from his current position.
Not unrelated, there was also word flying around late this afternoon that uber-trial lawyer John O'Quinn has pumped another $2 million into the Bell campaign. This flamboyant, successful attorney is serving as a one-man IV for Team Bell. Can you imagine the kingmaker's bragging rights if his bet pays off?
Finally, Governor Perry has apparently bought a staggering $6 million worth of television for the final two weeks. Question: since apparently no one has been buying his message these last few months, why will things be any different now? Perry obviously senses he is in danger of losing this election. Look for him to go savagely negative against Bell.
The 2006 midterm is playing out as one of the most interesting elections in recent history. No one really knows what is going to happen on November 7th, either nationally or here in Texas, but it's going to be one helluva finish.
Posted by houtopia at 08:06 PM
October 10, 2006
Four Weeks And Counting
Again, we must apologize for the woefully infrequent posting of late. Rest assured, after November 7th we will return full force.
Here we sit, just 28 days from the November 2006 midterm election. How does the land lay?
The GOP has had a rough ten days, to say the least. After beginning to make some progress with voters shifting the focus of the election back to national security and the war on terrorism (fabulously successful issues on which Republicans have pounded Democrats in recent cycles), Bob Woodward's new book landed and then Hurricane Foley roared ashore, washing those gains away.
Though dwarfed by Foley coverage in recent days, Woodward's new turncoat kiss and tell-all (Part III is not the love letter the first two were) struck the administration at the heart of its credibility on competently prosecuting the War in Iraq and larger struggle against terrorism. The access to insiders that only Woodward can get was quite damaging this time around, as former Bush 43 officials confirmed suspicions many Americans had long held -- that the White House is not effectively devising or implementing prudent foreign policy. In other words, these guys don't know what the hell they are doing.
Next came L'Affaire Foley, a crippling blow to the GOP on its other political sea leg - values and morality. A homosexual Republican Congressman who had headed the Congressional Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children preying on underage boys? A House GOP leadership team that looked the other way for months or even years? Ouch. As revolting and sad as Mr. Foley's actions are, politically the Democrats couldn't have pulled such a rabbit out of a hat if their lives depended on it. With the balance of power in the U.S. House (and possibly the Senate) so close to the tipping point, the GOP can ill-afford such a demoralizing event to its religious conservative base.
While increased tensions with North Korea over its (possible) nuclear test could impact the existing political dynamic, so far that doesn't seem to be the case. After all, why would the Bush administration choose to highlight a foreign policy problem it has largely ignored for six years? Also, given that North Korea may now be a nuclear power, not to mention its imposing neighbor to the north (China), there are no easy, decisive policy options to rally Americans around the flag.
28 days can be an eternity in politics, and Team Rove should never be underestimated for its ability to do what needs to be done to hang on. But the GOP is holding some pretty lousy political cards right now, and it won't be easy to win this hand. We shall see.
Keep your eye on those U.S. Navy ships steaming towards Iran.
Posted by houtopia at 05:27 PM