the black list

Our friends at The Texas Cloverleaf have compiled a list of those in North Texas who felt the need to help legislate hate this election season. The Cloverleaf's info shows that such bigwigs as the CEO of Cinemark Theaters spent thousands of dollars to help pass California's Proposition 8, which denied the rights of gays and lesbians to marry there.

Check out the full list and make sure you aren't a patron of any of these businesses.

attorney general collapses during speech

The Washington Post has breaking news about U.S. Attorney General Mukasey:

Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey collapsed last evening while delivering a speech to a prominent legal group and was rushed to George Washington University Hospital.

Mukasey remained at the hospital overnight for observation but a Justice Department spokesman said Mukasey had strong vital signs and was "in good spirits" after the incident, which occurred at an annual Federalist Society gathering. A person who attended the dinner said Mukasey was visibly shaking and perhaps slurring his words before he fell to the floor.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Mukasey and his family tonight. We're hoping for a speedy recovery.

the trashing of a former president (throwing bill clinton under the bus)

It began during the Democratic primary, when detractors began accusing former President Bill Clinton of being a racist.

Since then, people have blamed Clinton for sinking his wife Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential ambitions. People, especially the pundits, have been chattering since before the New York senator even conceded about the former president's role on the campaign trail.

After his wife's concession and endorsement of Barack Obama for president, they continued to denigrate Bill Clinton by saying that he wasn't fully on board, he wasn't doing what was asked of him by the Obama campaign, that he didn't really want Obama to be elected, and that he and Hillary would likely vote for John McCain so she could run for president again in four years.

Now, as reports abound that Hillary has been offered the secretary of state position in the incoming Obama administration, the networks can't stop discussing whether or not Bill will cost her the cabinet post.

I think it's high time that we take a step back and remember the 1990s. Under President Clinton's purview, economic growth was positive. And when Clinton left office, armed conflict around the world was at an all-time low. We truly were experiencing a time of peace and prosperity.

And even though the Clintons lost the health care battle in their day, their hard work on introducing the issue on the national stage will make it that much easier for the Obama administration to assemble and pass a national health care plan.

Let's stop attempting to tarnish President Clinton's legacy, and instead honor and respect the great work that was accomplished in the Clinton years. The Republicans have done enough to try and bring down the Clintons-- we don't need good Democrats following their lead.

democrats take alaskan senate seat

Last week, we told you about three Senate races to watch, as Democrats continued to fight in different parts of the country in too-close-to-call election bids.

At least one of them is going to have a happy ending.

While we wait for the runoff in Georgia and the recount in Minnesota, the tallies are nearly complete in Alaska and it appears that Sen. Ted Stevens, the long-standing Alaskan Republican known in his state as "Uncle Ted", will lose his seat to Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich.

Sen. Ted Stevens, the longest serving Republican in Senate history, narrowly lost his re-election bid Tuesday, marking the downfall of a pillar of the U.S. Senate and Alaska icon who apparently couldn't survive his conviction on federal corruption charges. His defeat to Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich moves Senate Democrats closer to a filibuster-proof 60-vote majority.

Stevens' ouster on his 85th birthday marks an abrupt realignment in Alaska politics and will alter the power structure in the Senate, where he has served since the days of the Johnson administration while holding seats on some of the most influential committees in Congress.

The slim margin by which Begich has prevailed may trigger a recount, but reports say that the remaining ballots to be counted come from Anchorage, where Begich is the mayor.

Stevens' downfall was being indicted and found guilty of seven charges of making false statements. The lame duck senator could face up to five years of prison for each count.

Things are looking up on Sarah Palin's cold frontier.

vice president cheney indicted

In the waning days of the Bush administration, we've come to not expect a lot of action from the lame ducks. But a Federal grand jury doesn't think we should forget about what's happened over the last eight years.

A grand jury in south Texas indicted Vice President Dick Cheney and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on separate charges related to alleged prisoner abuse in federal detention centers, Willacy County District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra told CNN Tuesday.

On the southern tip of Texas, Willacy County is on the United States-Mexico border.

Democratic state Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. is also charged in the indictment. Michael R. Cowen, an attorney for Lucio, issued a statement calling Guerra a "one man circus."

Cheney is the first vice president to be indicted by a Federal grand jury since Aaron Burr in 1803. We're going to be following this story closely, as the outcome could be very, very interesting. What do you think should happen to the outgoing vice president?

All we can say is, "Wow!"

protesting prop 8 in washington, dc

We hope you were able to attend one of the more than 300 protests around the country today in opposition to California's Proposition 8 which reversed marriage equality.

We were able to attend the march on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and were happy to join with thousands of others in support of equal rights for all families. There was very little resistance and lots of those on the roads were honking and waving in support, including a Metro bus driver. The march began at the Reflecting Pool in front of the U.S. Capitol and ended at the White House, where a helicopter could be seen landing toward the end of the march. Wonder if President Bush witnessed our demonstration?


Throughout the march, protesters chanted: "What do we want? EQUAL RIGHTS. When do we want it? NOW!" It was an invigorating experience for those involved as they marched on Washington, many for the first time. Signs read, "Hate is not a family value," "Let's vote on your marriage," among hundreds of other creative slogans against hate.

People were fired up for marriage equality. Even pouring rain didn't end our march for rights!


If you have pictures and stories from protests in North Texas, send us a note at northtexasliberal@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you about your experience.

We've already heard that over 2,000 people attended the rally in Austin. We're proud of our fellow Texans for standing up for equality!

UPDATE: Pictures from the Houston rally can be found here and pictures from Austin here. Thanks for the tips!

secretary of state clinton?

All of the hard work that Sen. Hillary Clinton put in by hitting the campaign trail and making eloquent and passionate speeches on behalf of Barack Obama was paid off on Election Day, but she may be in for yet another reward.

Rumor has it that President-Elect Obama is not interested in the names that are vying for the Secretary of State slot in his new administration, such as Sen. John Kerry and Gov. Bill Richardson.

Two Obama advisers have told NBC News that Hillary Clinton is under consideration to be secretary of state. Would she be interested? Those who know Clinton say possibly. But her office says that any decisions about the transition are up to the president-elect and his team.

Speculation increased after Clinton boarded a flight to Chicago today, though an adviser claimed it was for personal business.

UPDATE: ABC News has a a knowledgeable source calling talks of Clinton being tapped "very serious" and Politico reports Obama sources calling her "the favorite."

grandma returns (strayhorn to run for austin mayor)

Remember One Tough Grandma?

Carole Keeton Strayhorn, former State Comptroller and Austin mayor, is ready to jump back into the political scene after a failed bid for governor in 2006.

Burnt Orange Report says that Strayhorn has appointed a treasurer and filed necessary paperwork to run for mayor of Austin.

This should be interesting!

Strayhorn served as Austin's mayor for three terms, from 1977 to 1983. Her resume also includes several other notable accomplishments:

She is the first woman elected as mayor of Austin and the first Austin mayor elected to three consecutive terms. She was the first woman elected to the Texas Railroad Commission and the first woman elected as comptroller. She also was the first woman to serve as president of the Austin school board and as president of the Austin Community College board.

Throughout Strayhorn's lengthy career in Texas politics, she has been a Democrat, a Republican, and most recently an independent. We hear that the mayor position in Austin is supposed to be non-partisan, but we still wonder what she'll be this time!

it's not over (dems fight on in three states)

You may have thought that the elections were over and done with as soon as you heard the words "President-Elect," but three Democrats across the country are fighting on for Senate seats as their races are still too close to call.

In Minnesota, comedian-turned-politician Al Franken is trying to unseat Republican Sen. Norm Coleman. The state is undertaking what appears to be a recount as only about 200 votes separate the two candidates.

Down in Georgia, Democratic candidate Jim Martin has forced Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss into a runoff election. We'll know the fate of that Senate seat after the results come in from the Dec. 2 contest. (By the way, Chambliss seems to think that he's in a runoff because so many black people voted in Georgia.)

And finally, there's a showdown taking place in Sarah Palin's stomping grounds of Alaska! It seems that voters, even those that are traditonally Republican, don't take kindly to their senator being convicted of three felonies during a re-election campaign. Alaskan officials are still counting the votes, which at last count showed Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich ahead by a razor-thin margin of only three votes. The state Democratic Party is "cautiously optimistic."

It's going to take hard work, but Democrats could win these three seats. And if that were to happen, they would be entering the next session of Congress with a filibuster-proof supermajority of 60 solid Democratic votes, with or without Joe Lieberman in the caucus.

We can't wait to see the results of these exciting races! We'll keep you posted on the outcomes. In the meantime, please consider making contributions to Jim Martin's runoff campaign in Georgia.

stop the hate, defeat prop 8

This weekend, thousands upon thousands of people of all stripes will gather at designated sites across the nation in order to protest the inevitable passage of California's Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment that will likely repeal the legal marriages of thousands of gay couples in that state.

There are two events of this kind in North Texas, so take your pick and show up to one or the other. The time for silence is over. It's time to stand up and fight for our rights and the rights of our family, friends, and neighbors.

PROP 8 PROTESTS

Dallas
WHEN: Saturday Nov. 15, 2008 @ 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Dallas City Hall @ 1500 Marilla Dr.
FACEBOOK PAGE

Denton
WHEN: Saturday Nov. 15, 2008 @ 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Courthouse on the Square @ 110 W. Hickory St.
FACEBOOK PAGE

honoring our veterans

stop the hate - dallas protest tomorrow

Stop the hate in Dallas!

Here's your chance to speak out against bigotry and hate in our hometown.

Tomorrow morning, a local church called First Baptist Dallas plans to give a hateful sermon preaching about why it's not okay to be gay. If you disagree with this assessment and think that it's okay, in your eyes and God's, to be who you are, please attend tomorrow's protest.

Please be at 1707 San Jacinto in Dallas tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. for the protest.

brimer not letting go

Apparently, Kim Brimer isn't ready to let go.

PoliTex says that this afternoon, the Wendy Davis campaign had yet to receive a congratulatory call, and no concession statement had been made from the state senator, a Tarrant County Republican.

Brimer, who lost by about 7,000 votes to the former Fort Worth City Councilwoman, was unavailable for comment when called Tuesday night by the Star-Telegram. His campaign spokesman, Jarod Cox, said they were waiting for more complete results before commenting.

When 100 percent of the precincts were reported by Tarrant County elections officials late Tuesday night, Brimer still did not call with a comment.

Let's no be quick to judge this is a poor sportsmanship- after all, it's a definite possibility that Brimer really isn't ready to let go and that he'll continue to challenge Davis' eligibility even after her election.

tie game (dems make gains in texas house)

Texas Democrats may have failed to elect any of their statewide slate yesterday, but they did make inroads in the Texas Legislature.

With most of the races completed, Democrats have picked up a net gain of three seats in the 150-member House. They flipped six seats that had been held by Republicans and lost three of their own seats. And there's an Irving seat where GOP incumbent Linda Harper-Brown has eeked by with a 25-vote margin (out of 40,700 votes cast), but there are still provisional ballots to count and a recount in the race is almost certain.

If the Democrats are able to flip Harper-Brown's seat in a recount, then the Texas House would be tied with 75 Republican members and 75 Democrats. That could mean that a speaker race which could end with a Democrat as Speaker of the Texas House.

As we head into redistricting, it's more important than ever to have Democrats in control of the state legislature. And it's looking more and more like a real possibility after yesterday.

wendy wins! (davis defeats brimer in sd10)

After a grueling campaign in which her opponent continuously plagued the campaign with legal battles, former Ft. Worth city councilwoman Wendy Davis is the winner in Senate District 10.

Tarrant County voters chose to send change to Austin, rejecting the same old divisive Republican tricks offered by Kim Brimer.

Congratulations, Wendy! You endured a hard-fought campaign and we hope you're enjoying this moment- we can't wait for you to get to work in Austin to continue your tradition of making Tarrant County and Texas better with your service. Thank you, and way to go!

OBAMA ELECTED PRESIDENT

Sen. Barack Obama, an Illinois Democrat, has been elected president of the United States, according to major network projections.

real-time election results on twitter

North Texas Liberal will keep you updated on real-time election results at our Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/nortexlib

vote vote vote vote vote vote vote

this is it

It seemed like this day would never come, but it's finally here.

Today is Election Day 2008. Hopefully, by tonight we'll know who'll be our next president.

With your help and your vote, we can usher in a new progressive era of hope and change. We can elect Democrats up and down the ballot that will help make the necessary reforms that will get our country headed back in the right direction. The results of this most consequential election will determine the future of our country. No less hangs in the balance.

Many have speculated what this country would look like if Al Gore had become the president eight years ago instead of George W. Bush. Let's not spend the next eight years wondering what might have been. Let's make our hopes and dreams a reality. Let's vote for real progress, instead of divisive Washington politics that's gotten us nowhere.

Let our vote be a resounding demand to end the war in Iraq, work toward universal health care, end tax cuts for corporations outsourcing our jobs, and become independent from foreign oil by investing in new and alternative forms of energy. Let our vote tell the government that we will no longer accept it prying into our bedrooms and doctor's offices, but will instead send it where it's most needed- our schools.

Most of all, let our vote tell the youth of this country that we care about their future. That we want them to inherit an earth better than that which we received.

We hope you'll take the time to vote today, if you haven't already. Vote for your future. And vote for ours.

North Texas Liberal endorses Barack Obama for president of the United States.

miller, kirk being considered for obama cabinet

If Barack Obama wins the presidency tomorrow, one of his first and most important tasks will be deciding on the members of his cabinet. Rumors abound that some prominent Texans may be on the shortlist to become key players in an Obama administration- including two former Dallas mayors, Laura Miller and Ron Kirk.

Once again, Vince Leibowitz Capitol Annex has the scoop.

Congressman Chet Edwards (D-Waco) is reportedly a possibility for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs post in an Obama cabinet, but a longshot as him vacating his seat would undoubtedly leave it in Republican Hands. In addition, former Dallas Mayor Laura Miller is reportedly under consideration for an Obama administration post, although what that post might be and whether it is a cabinet-level post is uncertain.

We’ve also heard that Houston Mayor Bill White is “on the list,” for consideration, but for what post remains to be seen.

Leibowitz also notes that former Dallas mayor Ron Kirk may be up for Secretary of Commerce.

We've got our fingers crossed for both of our hometown candidates!

could alaska go blue?

Of course it's a long shot, but new polling suggests that the conservative bastion of Alaska may be in play in tomorrow's presidential election.

Yes, the same Alaska whose governor, Sarah Palin, is the vice-presidential candidate on the GOP ticket.

A Hays Research statewide survey in Alaska taken yesterday gave John McCain 46.6% of the vote, while Barack Obama garnered 43.9%. Factoring in those that were leaning one way or the other, the numbers are 48-45. That would mean that the Democrats are only down in Alaska by a mere three points, which is within the margin of error of the poll.

According to RealClearPolitics, however, an average of October polling puts the Republican ticket more than 15 points ahead of Obama in the state.

While it would be a total rejection of the Republican Party if the Democrats were to prevail in Palin's home state, we think it's much more likely for Obama to carry McCain's state, Arizona.

palin continues desperate "terrorist" talk

John McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, may have been going "rogue" again, but on the eve of tomorrow's historic election she continued a desperate line of attack against her opponents.

In the process, she's helping to confirm in people's minds how sad the back-to-the-wall Republican campaign has become.

At a rally in Missouri today, Palin asked:

"What do they think? Do they think the terrorists have all the sudden become the good guys and changed their minds? No, the terrorists still seek to destroy America and her allies and all that it is that we stand for: freedom, tolerance, and equality. The terrorists have not changed their minds."

You can watch a video of her remarks below.



We hope that the American people will repudiate this despicable style of negative campaign when they head to the polls tomorrow to elect a president. We don't need more dirty politics in Washington- we need change. Real change.

madelyn dunham, obama's grandmother, dies at 86

Just hours before the election in which her grandson is the first major party black candidate for president, Barack Obama's grandmother Madelyn Dunham has died from cancer.

"She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances. She was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and left this world with the knowledge that her impact on all of us was meaningful and enduring. Our debt to her is beyond measure."

Obama and [sister Maya] Soetoro-Ng asked that donations be made for the search for a cure for cancer in lieu of flowers. A small private ceremony will be held "at a later date."

Dunham passed away peacefully at her home shortly before midnight Sunday night (5 a.m. ET), campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki told CNN. She said Obama learned of her death around 8 a.m.

The Democratic presidential candidate left the campaign trail on October 23 and flew to Honolulu, Hawaii, to spend the day with Dunham, whose health deteriorated after she suffered a broken hip.

His wife, Michelle Obama, filled in for him at events in Columbus and Akron, Ohio, on October 24.

Obama said in an interview taped for that day's "Good Morning America" that Dunham had been "inundated" with flowers and messages from strangers who read about her in Obama's 1995 book, "Dreams From My Father."

"Maybe she is getting a sense of long-deserved recognition toward the end of her life," he said.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Obama family as they face this tragedy on the eve of the election. No matter who you're voting for tomorrow, please keep the Obamas in mind tonight.

twitter the vote!

Texas Blog Roundup: November 3, 2008

It is Monday, November 3, 2008. In less than 24 hours, the United States will have elected a new President and Texas will--hopefully--send Rick Noriega to the U.S. Senate and a host of new State Representatives and Senators to Austin.

In the meantime, here is your Election Eve edition of the Texas Progressive Alliance's weekly roundup.

Bradley from North Texas Liberal lets us know that you should be careful not to lose your vote if you have to use an electronic voting machine, like TV personality Oprah Winfrey almost did.

jobsanger believes an avalanche of new voters could produce some surprises on election day, including the possibility that Georgia will turn blue, and even though an amazing 23% of Texans think Obama is muslim, a huge turnout in the urban areas and South Texas could produce some surprises in Texas, and early voting totals show this is happening.

Justin at AAA-Fund Blog is glad that 60% of Asian Americans polled in Harris County support the Democrats. He also is glad that voting this year was not a chore as it often feels. Justinurges everyone to support AAA-Fund's five Texas endorsees: Rick Noriega, Al Green, Nick Lampson, Hubert Vo, and Sandra VuLe.

It's been an exciting week for Democrats. First up was Hank Gilbert asking a Cornyn staffer to take a walk from a Rick Noriega event. Then there was Texas Blogger (and current TPA Chair) Vince Leibowitz spanking the Mike McCaul campaign for their amateurish content theft. Finally, we at McBlogger received word that Dr. Dobson had traveled to the future and didn't like what he saw. Which is something you'll probably love.

Vince at Capitol Annex tells us how State Rep. John Davis (R-Clear Lake) is sending out his wife to attack Netroots backed candidate Sherrie Matula (D-Houston). In return, he opens John Davis' own personal Pandora's Box and tells the world about Davis' record.

The Texas Cloverleaf notes that Barack Obama leads John McCain in fundraising in Denton County of all places! In nonpartisan news, while Obama is raising money, Ron Natinsky is spending it. The Dallas City Councilmember is spending your tax dollars on trinkets bearing his name. In shocking news, a 9 year old is electrocuted by a McCain-Palin yard sign. No, we couldn't make this stuff up if we wanted to.

After record breaking early voting in Williamson County, Eye On Williamson is ready for the general election. The HD-52 race has been the focus of attention this election cycle. The issues concerning voters in HD-52 include the Trans-Texas Corridor, insurance reform, and the economy. No matter the issue Diana Maldonado is the best choice in HD-52.

WhosPlayin looks at the early voting turnout in Texas' 26th Congressional District, and thinks Ken Leach just might be able to upset incumbent Michael Burgess. WhosPlayin asks you to guess whether this incident of political suppression happened in Liberia or Texas. (Hint: It was Harris County, Texas.) Most of all, WhosPlayin wants Denton County residents to get to the polls and VOTE!

Off the Kuff takes his last looks at early voting, and makes fun of some whining by Republican enablers Texans for Lawsuit Reform.

El Paso is going Democratic in a big way. As El Paso goes so should South Texas. CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme is looking for a blue, blue Thanksgiving!

BossKitty at TruthHugger is laments pre-election jitters, Oh The Stress Of It All - Op Ed, and how many years will it take to recover because, Divided We Fall.

Neil at Texas Liberal says think about the future when you vote. Don't be like Galveston voters who in 1886, 14 years before the 1900 hurricane, voted no on building a seawall. Texas Liberal also offers up a post on how Texans have voted for President since 1948, and, finally, submits for your review some election predictions.

Over at TexasKaos, TxSharon tells us that somebody is finally looking at the Barnett Shale Gas Wells . Its called accountability and its about time. Boadicea provides some excellent resources/talking points on the ACORN non-story. Give a look. TxSharon kicks off a lively debate on the the training of 4000 troops in the use of non-lethal weapons for possible domestic use.

Texas politics is screwed up for at least two obvious reasons this week: because Tom Craddick has his debates sponsored by AT&T -- complete with a lobbyist on the panel, and because 23% of all Texans think Barack Obama is a Muslim. The sad details at Brains and Eggs.

At Three Wise Men, Nat-Wu discusses the long tradition in the Republican of crying wolf about voter fraud in an effort to minorities from legitimately exercising their right to vote, and Xanthippas rips into anti-woman bloggers for brewing up a faux controversy over their DART bus ads.

oprah almost loses her vote!

On a live show Friday, Oprah Winfrey said that she participated in early voting but was shocked when reviewing her ballot that the voting machine did not record her presidential choice on the first try. Luckily, she reviewed the ballot and was able to change it, but some people might not have given the ballot a second look.

"When I voted yesterday electronically, the first vote that you vote for on the ballot is the presidential candidate. It was my first time doing electronic, so I didn't mark the X strong enough, or I held down too long. Because then when I went back to check it, it had not recorded my presidential vote," she said.

She then simulated her meltdown, shaking and breathing heavily while stuttering out the words, "It didn't record my presidential vote."

It was a close call, but she could have lost her vote. Don't let it happen to you. If using a voting machine, be very careful to review your ballot and report any irregularities.

Otherwise, have fun and rock the vote!

can ken leach win in denton county?

Our friends over at WhosPlayin have broken down the statistics to show that a victory for Democrat Ken Leach, who's running to unseat Rep. Michael Burgess, a CD-26 Republican, is not out of the question.

Can Democrats really pull off an upset in conservative Denton County?

Well, there's only one way it can happen. YOU have to get out the vote! When you go vote, take a friend, a sibling, a parent, a cousin, a neighbor. Make sure that every progressive voter you know makes it to the polls on Tuesday. This election is so important, and with so much within our grasp we can't afford any missed opportunities.