What Governor Perry is Saying About Herman Cain December 3, 2011

By now you know that GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain has suspended his campaign following allegations that he had a thirteen year affair with a Georgia woman.

Gov. Rick Perry today released the following statement regarding Cain’s announcement:

“I know this was a difficult decision for Herman Cain, his family and his supporters. He helped invigorate conservative voters and our nation with a discussion of major tax reform. Anita and I wish him and his entire family all the best.”

Some experts are speculating that Perry could benefit from Cain’s political problems.

Astronaut and Political Fundraiser September 22, 2011

Astronaut Mark Kelly, husband of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, is scheduled to be the star attraction of a political fundraiser in November. 

Commander Kelly will appear in Houston on behalf of the Balance PAC, http://www.balancepac.com/

The event will help raise money to re-elect Harris County democratic party incumbents in 2012.

More details will be released at a later date.

Congresswoman Giffords is still recovering from the gunshot wound to the head she suffered in January 2011 at the hands of  suspected shooter Jared Loughner.

After spending several months in a Houston rehabilitation hospital, she has returned to her home district and is well enough to participate in votes and policy discussions critical to her constituents.

Commander Kelly was mentioned as a possible replacement for his wife in the event her medical condition prevented her from seeking re-election, however, Congresswoman Giffords is seeking another term.

Perry Watch: What Gov. Perry Has to Say About Pres. Obama’s Jobs Speech September 8, 2011

(News Release)

Statement by Texas Gov. Rick Perry on President Obama’s Speech

Gov. Rick Perry today released the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s speech to Congress:

“President Obama’s call for nearly a half-trillion dollars in more government stimulus when America has more than $14 trillion in debt is guided by his mistaken belief that we can spend our way to prosperity.

“Like the president’s earlier $800 billion stimulus program, this proposal offers little hope for millions of Americans who have lost jobs on his watch, and taxpayers who are rightly concerned that their children will inherit a mountain of debt.

“America needs jobs, smaller government, less spending and a president with the courage to offer more than yet another speech.”

Rate Gov. Perry As A Presidential Candidate August 22, 2011

Governor Rick Perry returned from the presidential primary campaign trail and received a warm homecoming in Austin Saturday.

His campaign office scheduled a “meet and greet” at Abel’s Restaurant on Lake Austin.

The enthusiastic crowd consisted of long time supporters and staff members of the Governor’s state office.

I asked a couple of people in the crowd to rate the governor’s performance during his first week.

“He’a telling it like it is,” said one supporter.
“He’s always been outspoken and that’s what sets him apart from the other candidates,” said another.

Perry dominated most of the political headlines after he launched his campaign in South Carolina on the same day that other GOP candidates were participating in the Ames, Iowa Straw Poll. Following his national political debut, the governor drew mixed reaction for his controversial comments about the federal reserve chair and global warming.

After some down time in Austin. Perry is scheduled to return to the campaigning in Iowa, South Carolina and New Hampshire.

Donna Brazile Headlines Annie’s List Fundraiser In Houston April 8, 2011

Hundreds of politically minded Houstonians gathered Thursday to hear from democratic  strategist and television commentator Donna Brazile.

Brazile was in town to serve as keynote speaker for Annie’s List, an organization founded to elect progressive Democratic women to legislative and statewide offices.

The day before she appeared in Houston, Brazile she was tapped by the Democratic National Committee to serve as the interim chairwoman. 

She will serve in that role until May 4,  when DNC members are expected to approve President Obama’s selection of  Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the first woman in history,  to lead the national party.  Brazile assured the lunch crowd that  Wasserman Schultz’s leadership will get President Obama re-elected in 2012 and help democrats regain positions lost in the 2010 election. 

Brazile’s  timely visit  also gave her an opportunity to share her opinion about the looming federal government shutdown. “So much posturing is going on. The two big issues are funding for the EPA and Planned Parenthood,” noted Brazile. “An all out assault is going on and in the name of cutting the budget, they are (republicans) swinging an ax at women’s healthcare.”

A frequent guest on the Sunday morning political talk shows, Brazile is also a commentator for CNN. In 2000, she made history as the first African-American woman to lead a major presidential  campaign team when she served as campaign manager for Gore-Lieberman. 

While speaking to the crowd of  mostly women with a handful of men sprinkled in, Brazile encouraged Houstonians to become more engaged in the political process.  “This is our moment to speak up and get into the arena to fight,” she said.

Senator John Whitmire and Planned Parenthood March 21, 2009

Texas Monthly has an interesting post about  Texas Senator John Whitmire (D-Houston) and his fight to save funding for Planned Parenthood.

http://www.texasmonthly.com/blogs/burkablog/?p=3219

Regardless of how you personally feel about Planned Parenthood it does provides more than funding for abortion services.

Unfortunately, a lot of people can’t see past that controversial issue.

Lot’s of women go there for low cost or free  services:  annual exams, contraception and to seek help after becoming a victim of  a sexual assault.

Gas Prices and Politics September 7, 2008

 

What do you think your congressional leaders can, and should do, about reducing the United State’s dependence on foreign oil?

After a five week recess, the U.S. Congress will reconvene on Monday

Before flying back to Washington,  some members of the Houston Republican Congressional delegation will hold a news conference to urge  the Speaker of the U.S. House Nancy Pelosi (a democrat), to “listen to the American people and call for a vote on American made energy immediately.”

Congressmen Kevin Brady and Michael McCaul, who will speak at the news conference, say that congress needs to do more to deal with the punishing prices at the pump.

Right now a gallon of regular gas is averaging anywhere from $3.50 to $3.68.

Republicans and Democrats are deeply divided over the need to open up more domestic off-shore areas to oil drilling. 

This is campaign season, and both sides are sure to do a lot of grandstanding, but let’s hope congress can agree on some type of plan that will provide relief to Americans who are fed up with high energy prices.

The Cure for Post-Convention Blues September 5, 2008

Feeling a little blue because The Republicans and Democrats  have wrapped up their conventions?

Are you daydreaming about Senator Barack Obama’s historic speech?  Still awed by Senator John McCain’s life of service? 

Haven’t decided whether  Senator Joe Biden or Governor Sarah Palin should win the “the most negative attack on your opponent while accepting the vice presidential nomination” award?

2 on the Beat has some suggestions to help you beat the symptoms of  post-convention withdrawal.

#1 – On Saturday, September 6, the Harris County Democratic Party will open is newest campaign office located at 4018 Fairmont. The event begins at 1:00pm. 

The chairman of the party will be joined by Congressman Nick Lampson, County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia and a number of democratic candidates.

#2 –   The Harris County Republican Party has just received the first shipment of  McCain/Palin signs hot off the presses, according to chairman Jared Woodfill. 

The signs can be picked up at the party’s headquarters located at 3311 Richmond Avenue, during the hours of  9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m, Monday – Friday.

Political Debates – Is one Enough? September 4, 2008

Pete Olson (R) Candidate for Congress

Congressman Nick Lampson (D) 22nd Congressional District

 

 

 

 

The race for the 22nd congressional district is getting a little testy.

The campaigns of Republican Pete Olson and Democratic Congressman Nick Lampson are fighting a war of words over how many debates should be scheduled before election day.

Representative Lampson has agreed to debate once on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at the Hilton Houston-Nasa Clear Lake. 

The Olson campaign sent an email to local media blasting Lampson for refusing to participate in a debate in Fort Bend County on October 20th, and accusing him of  trying to dodge  more debates.

Lampson spokesman Trevor Kincaid told 2 on the Beat that they have received more than 30 invitations, and can’t accept all of them due to his busy schedule “working in Washington D.C for the people in the district.”

But as Olson spokeswoman Amy Goldstein pointed out, congress will recess in a few weeks and their opponent should have plenty of time.

The 22nd Congressional seat is a BIG district, and it would be nice for voters to get  more than one opportunity to see the candidates spar over their proposed policies and vision for the future.

On the other hand, Vice Presidential candidates Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin will face-off only once before election day.

Is one debate enough?

A Home Run or a Strikeout? September 3, 2008

Republican Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin has finished her speech at the convention.

Most political pundits are giving Palin high marks for exceeding expectations and delivering  an effective speech.

What did you think of her message?

Was it a home run or a strikeout, and why?