Tag Archives: Texas Politics

Steve Stockman Still Sits in Slammer

Former Republican Congressman Stephen E. Stockman (TP -Texas) has been denied compassionate release by U.S. Dist. Court Judge Lee Rosenthal. Stockman will be serving the rest of his well-deserved 10-year sentence at FCI Beaumont Low where he has been locked up for almost 2 years. Stockman also asked to have his sentence reduced to time served based on the high number of COVID-19 infections at federal slammer located in the East Texas district that the disgraced former representative used to serve. As Judge Rosenthal noted, Stockman’s case was not helped by the fact that he had already caught the virus and recovered from it after filing his motion.

Courts have found that an increased risk of COVID-19 infection or severe symptoms or effects because of an inmate’s underlying conditions shows the ‘extraordinary and compelling reasons’ necessary for a sentencing reduction under § 3582(c)(1)(A). But when, as here, an inmate is infected and recovers, courts have found that those risks change and diminish.”

For those who don’t remember or would like to forget – the former political darling of the Tea Party was a firebrand staunch, law and order conservative. But Stockman was convicted in April 2018 by a federal jury of using charitable contributions to fund his political campaign and pay for personal expenses. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison after the jury found he fraudulently solicited about $1.25 million in supposedly charitable contributions.  In Trump’s America that makes him a very modest grifter.

Big John, Big Bad John Looking Vulnerable

Sen. John Cornyn (TP-Texas) is not the most likeable guy under normal circumstances.  He has largely benefited from have the “R” next to his name on the ballot and being tall, distinguished looking and silver-haired.  Red is hard pressed to point to any real accomplishments of the senior senator that have actually helped any average Texans.  All of this seems to be catching up with Big John as the nation spirals into recession and pandemic and he steadfastly stands by the primary agent of doom (that would be Trump for those of you not paying attention).   Current polling has him underwater on job approval.   The poll from the University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll shows Big John as being vulnerable less than four months out from election day.  His less than stellar approval rating and the Trump effect could pull him down.  In short, there is a chance – maybe a small one – that Cornyn will be the former senator from Texas come January.  That would be a glorious day.

Texas Democratic Party is Actually Raising Money!

The Texas Democratic Party is coming off of a successful (for it anyway) fund raising effort during its annual convention held in early June.   The TDP raised nearly $2 million during its week-long virtual convention, breaking the party’s digital daily and monthly fundraising record during the event.  The majority of the funds came from almost 39,000 individual donors with about $600,000 coming from corporate sponsorships.   The record haul pales in comparison to Texas GOP efforts, but with polls showing that Biden is within striking distance of the Reality TV Show Joke of a President expect the TDP to redouble its efforts between now and November.

If you are of a mind to make a difference Red suggests that you send some money to the Democratic candidates running for the Texas House in districts that could be flipped.  If the Democrats gain just 9 seats they will control the House and be able to keep the Texas Senate from continuing its incredibly successful and anti-democratic partisan gerrymandering of both State House and Senate districts and Congressional districts.

The GOP’s gerrymandering is so severe that even with 51% of the total congressional vote, it is estimated that Democrats would win only 13 of Texas’ 36 congressional seats. This still gives Tom Delay a hard-on.  The Texas GOP has two main strategies – try to make as hard as legally possible to vote and gerrymander the Democrats into permanent minority status.  This has to stop.

You can find the targeted districts here.   Even a small donation to the Democratic candidate in a state house race will be appreciated.

 

Quote for the Day

“Folks this is not a protest. It is a well orchestrated attack on America’s major cities with plans to attack the police, riot, loot, and burn buildings. The so-called ‘protestors’ are, in fact, domestic terrorists who were organized and paid for by George Soros to further divide our country. These terrorists were bused into these large cities. We must repel this attack and hold those responsible for their actions. This must be brought to a stop now or we will lose control of our country!”

Sid Miller – Texas Agriculture Commissioner

Yes, ladies and gentlemen – this is a quote from an elected official.  At one point in our history  it would have been remarkable and noteworthy to have such a concoction of lies, slander, fear-mongering and utter stupidity put together all in one paragraph.  However, thanks to the Reality TV Show Joke of a President, such nonsense barely gets a mention.  But for all of you out there protesting, keep in mind what your elected GOP officials think of you.

Cornyn Giving New Meaning to the Term Toadie

Sen. John Cornyn’s utter spinelessness in the face of another Trumpian stunt was on full display today.  Cornyn defended the use of tear gas and truncheons to clear the peaceful protesters in front of the White House yesterday so that Donald “Bunker Boy” Trump could have his photo op with “a Bible” in front of a church whose priest and bishop later denounced his actions.

Claiming that it was “for security purposes” Cornyn argued that BBT had the right to order tear gassing and forcible removal of protesters.  Cornyn claims that the protesters were asked to clear “but refused to do so.”   Notably, the 7 pm curfew was to kick in just a few minutes after Bunker Boy unleashed his shock troops on American citizens exercising their right to peaceably assemble.  But Trump is too important to wait a couple of minutes.

Cornyn then played the ultimate Trump card – going after the press.  According to Cornyn, the media is “never going to find any good or any positive development in anything.”  Well  Sen. Cornyn (Scumbag – TX), Red is looking hard to find the positive in using violent methods against peaceful protesters so that Bunker Boy can try to shed his cowardly image by walking across the street under an absurd amount of security to waive “a Bible” in front of the cameras.  A Bible that he probably could not quote a single word from and surely has never read unless forced to.

It is painfully obvious that Bunker Boy prefers groveling bootlicks and Cornyn is willing to lick long and hard.  How is the taste of leather John?   Please vote this embarrassment out of office in November.

Texas Declared a Battleground State

Biden campaign ramps up staffing, focus on battleground states ...

Biden for President put out its preliminary game plan map showing Texas as a Battleground State in November.   Biden does not need to win Texas to get to 270.  The same is not true for Trump.  There is almost no path to an electoral college win for the Reality TV Show Joke of a President if he loses Texas.

Red doubts that Texas is really in play.  But if Trump has to divert resources early in the game to Texas, then he is weaker everywhere else where the fight is on.

Right now Red’s best prediction from the map above is:

Biden wins Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, N. Carolina, New Hampshire,  Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Trump wins Georgia, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin.

Maine gets split.

Red is probably wrong about N. Carolina and possibly Iowa.

You could knock Red over with an AK-47

Current polling indicates that the Lone Star State is in play for November.  As reported by the Dallas Morning News – not exactly a bastion of left-wing reporting – Trumph – the Insult Comic President and Joe Biden are in a statistical deadheat.

A new Dallas Morning News/University of Texas at Tyler poll shows that Trump and Biden are backed by 43% of poll respondents, with 5% opting for “other” candidates and only 9% undecided. Trump’s overall approval rating was 45%.

Red really will have to engage in some willing suspension of disbelief before he buys into the notion that Uncle Joe has a chance to carry Texas.  But if that well-below 50% approval rating holds, Trump’s reality TV show joke of a Presidency is in serious trouble.  If this polling is accurate and holds through the summer, then Trump absolutely must  divert some of his massive campaign war chest to Texas – a state he must win to prevail in 2020.  The result will be less time and resources to devote to the other “Battleground States” that are also critical to Trump being able to stay in office and out of the pokey.

Typhoid Louie Leads Children Through US Capitol

Texas Congressman and alleged human being Louie Gohmert (TP-Crazyville) decided against a self-quarantine after being exposed to the coronavirus at the Conservative Political Action Conference last week.  Other Republican lawmakers including Ted Cruz, Mark Meadows, Matt Gaetz, and Doug Collins acted responsibly in deciding to self-quarantine.  But not fearless Louie.  Claiming that he was cleared to work by a “physician” while probably wondering if his lips would be just a bit too far from Trump’s behind if he actually acted prudently, Gohmert has returned to the halls of Congress.

That would be bad enough, but rather than make any attempt to limit exposure to others Gohmert chose instead to lead a group of over 100 children around the Capitol.  Gohmert did claim that he would not shake hands with any of the kids.  His overlord and protector Trump is surely happy.

Is that a real Poncho, or is that a Sears Poncho?

With apologies to Frank Zappa, Red reports on the sad demise of State Rep. Poncho Nevarez (D – Eagle Pass).  A warrant for his arrest on felony drug charges was issued on Thursday.  Nevárez was apparently caught on surveillance footage at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport dropping an envelope filled with cocaine as he was leaving the airport.  It is unclear if the drop was intentional or accidental but unfortunately for Poncho, the envelope had his official House seal on it and contained about 2 ounces of coke.

On September 6, two Texas Department of Transportation employees found the envelope outside the special entrance to the airport that is used by state officials.  Who knew?  After DPS got involved, they reviewed the CCTV footage showing Poncho leaving the airport getting into the car of his chief of staff and dropping the envelope.

Frighteningly, Poncho chairs the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee.  Soothingly, he announced last week he was retiring from the House.  And at least he has the cojones to admit he screwed up – big time.  According to  a statement released by Poncho, the news is correct.  “I do not have anyone to blame but myself. I accept this because it is true and it will help me get better.”

 

Former Texas Judge Jumps Republican Ship

Former Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge and long time Republican office-holder, Elsa Alcala, has finally had enough.  Alcala who says she typically stays out of political discussion on social media apparently felt compelled to speak out regarding Trumph – the Insult Comic President’s latest racist rant.  On Facebook, Alcala denounced Trump as
“the worst president in the history of this country.”  Not holding back, the former judge indicated that Trump has an ideology of racism.

In an interview with Texas Lawyer, Alcala, who chose not to seek re-election in 2018, noted, “I have been thinking about this for years and I hoped things would get better but they never did. I did not want an ‘R’ next to my name anymore.”

Alcala also indicated that she would be voting in the Democratic primary in 2020 for the first time.