Tag Archives: Hillary Clinton

Texas Politics

Texoblogosphere: Week of October 12th

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The Texas Progressive Alliance is ready for some real Presidential candidates to take the stage and have some debates as it brings you this week’s roundup.

Off the Kuff examined two polls of the Houston Mayor’s race and HERO referendum.

Libby Shaw at Texas Kaos and contributing to Daily Kos shared an article she read in the Houston Chronicle. It seems that a certain group is determined to white wash U.S. and Texas history. The Texas Textbook Fiasco.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme objects to police chiefs wanting to stir up trouble with ‘in your face’ declarations of their religion which is the opposite of community policing. Police are hired by the public to promote the general welfare, not the chief’s animus to diversity.

Socratic Gadfly takes a Washington Post columnist to the woodshed for using tortured logic to claim Hillary is actually more progressive than Bernie..

Ahead of the first Democratic candidates debate, PDiddie at Brains and Eggs heard the Clinton machine finally rumbling to life. He also listened to more dripping about her email, and mused on her policy pronouncements regarding the TPP and Glass-Steagall.

At the 4th anniversary of Occupy Houston, Neil at All People Have Value recalled the accomplishments of the Occupy protests. APHV is part of NeilAquino.com.

Texas Leftist wants you to meet Texas’ Next great urban masterpiece. With national press and praise for its grand opening, Houston’s Buffalo Bayou Park is well on the way to becoming a world-class tourist destination.

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And here are some posts of interest from other Texas blogs.

D Magazine has an in-depth look at the troubled story of Dallas County DA Susan Hawk.

Paradise in Hell ponders redistricting.

Austin On Your Feet documents the problems of homelessness.

Kevin Barton argues against state Proposition 7, one of the constitutional amendments that will be on your November ballot.

Jenny Dial Creech shares what it’s like to be a female sportswriter.

The TSTA Blog wishes there was a STAAR test for legislators.

The Texas Election Law Blog analyzes the seven constitutional amendments on the November ballot.

 

 

Texas Politics

Texoblogosphere: Week of June 8th

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The Texas Progressive Alliance is happy there’s no hint of any special sessions to come as it brings you this week’s roundup.

Off the Kuff notes that while Travis County is ready for the Supreme Court to legalize same-sex marriage, there’s likely to be no small amount of chaos in the state once they do.

Letters from Texas explains how a recent ruling in a North Carolina redistricting case may bode well for Texas’ plaintiffs.

LightSeeker at Texas Kaos calls “ethics reform” in Texas for what it is. Government is for, by and of the highest bidder. Texas leads the pack. Texas Ethical Reform – DOA.

SocraticGadfly, reading about a new study that claims classical psychological conditioning during sleep can reduce racist tendencies, has two thoughts: it’s either too good to be true, or, if it has real and lasting change, it’s probably got an element of Clockwork Orange.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme is glad McAllen ISD and others are taking care to feed children during the summer.

Do you think Greg Abbott’s first legislative session as governor was a success or a failure? PDiddie at Brains and Eggs wants to know.

From WCNews at Eye on Williamson, the threat was enough for the clandestine video scheme that may have changed the game on the budget and taxes in 84th Texas Legislature, Timing Is Everything.

Neil at All People Have Value offered a framework about how to live our lives. APHV is part of NeilAquino.com.

Nonsequiteuse missed the Houston Mayoral Candidates Arts and Culture Forum, but it got her thinking about getting arts organizations out of their silos and engaged as advocates for progressive change.

On her long road seeking the Presidency, one of Hillary Clinton’s greatest challenges will be to re-create the infamous Coalition of 2008. This week at Houston’s Texas Southern University, she worked hard to mend some fences, and shared some important views on Voting Rights.

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And here are some posts of interest from other Texas blogs.

Texas Watch celebrated its victories from the legislative session.

Grits can’t wait to see if the state’s new junk science writ will be interpreted broadly or not.

The Texas Election Law Blog asks if our government is supposed to represent everyone, or just everyone who is allowed to vote.

The Texas Living Waters Project warns of a new environmental danger to the Brazos River.

Molly Cox bemoans low voter turnout in San Antonio.

Keep Austin Wonky explains how percentage-based homestead exemptions help fuel inequality.

Paradise in Hell is not impressed by Rick Perry 2016.

Texans for Public Justice and Public Citizen call Greg Abbott “just plain wrong” on the matter of dark money and disclosure.

Texas Vox managed to find a few small rays of hope from the legislative session.

Equality Texas produced its report card for the 84th Legislature.

Politics

Hillary Clinton Talks Voting Rights In Houston

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Speaking on the campus of Texas Southern University, Former First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton caused something of a firestorm in Houston Thursday.

The storied politician was at TSU to receive a first of its kind award… the Barbara Jordan Public Private Leadership medal, which was established to honor the monumental legacy of Texas’ first African-American female elected to the Texas Senate and to Congress.  Barbara Jordan was also the first African-American woman to deliver the keynote address at major party’s National Convention.

With Jordan’s storied legacy before her, Clinton took to the podium to further her own achievements, and speak on the issue of Voting Rights.  Here’s more on the speech from CNN…

Hillary Clinton accused four potential GOP presidential rivals by name of being “scared of letting citizens have their say” as she called Thursday for every American to automatically be registered to vote.

Clinton told an audience at the historically black Texas Southern University that she supports the concept of signing every American up to vote as soon as they’re eligible at age 18, unless they specifically opt out. She called for expanded access to polling places, keeping them open for at least 20 days and offering voting hours on evenings and weekends.

For the first time in her campaign, she attacked her likely opponents by name as she laid into four GOP governors — Texas’s Rick Perry, Wisconsin’s Scott Walker, Florida’s Jeb Bush and New Jersey’s Chris Christie — telling them to “stop fear-mongering about a phantom epidemic of voter fraud.”

“All of these problems voting just didn’t happen by accident,” she said. “And it is just wrong — it’s wrong — to try to prevent, undermine and inhibit Americans’ right to vote.”

The candidate’s remarks were an important shift to the Left on the whole Voting Rights conversation, which has long been dominated by the policies in place in Republican-controlled states seeking to do anything but ensure the rights of every citizen to vote.  As Clinton pointed out, Texas is one of the nation’s worst offenders when it comes to Voting Rights discrimination.

After lambasting her competitors, Clinton went on to talk about how communities must work together to create a successful prosperous nation.

“America was built by people that knew that our common interests are more important than our self interests.”

Beyond her concern for Voting Rights, Clinton definitely had a complex agenda for today’s speech. For one, she’s working hard to put the infamous “Obama coalition” back together from 2008. Talking about the erosion of voting abilities is a sure fire way to get noticed in the minority community.

But as an added bonus, Clinton’s big speech happened to be on the same day as former Texas Governor Rick Perry’s announcement that he too is running for President, amongst a slew of other Republican candidates.  Whether by accident or not, it’s fair to say that Clinton’s appearance was well-timed to steal a little Texas thunder on Perry’s big day.

Whatever the additional factors at play, Thursday’s event was an indication that Hillary Clinton is off to a very good start in rebuilding the historic coalition that put Obama into office seven years ago.  For sure, she now has some friends at Texas Southern University, but there’s still more consensus building to do.

Monica Rojas of The Daily Cougar has more on the event.

Hillz4

Hillary Rodham Clinton speaking at Texas Southern University. June 4th, 2015.

Politics

Like Summer, Democratic Presidential Race Heating Up

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Admittedly, it has been much fun watching the Survivor-themed Cicus that is the 2016 Republican Presidential field.  At present, any one of 20 notable contenders are criss-crossing the nation to share in what will ultimately be a very bright spotlight.  But at the end of the day, there can still only be one.

For Democrats however, much of the 2015 season has appeared to be a foregone conclusion, as Hillary Clinton continues to dominate all conversations, even as a precious few challengers like Senator Bernie Sanders are trying to gain some traction on the Left.

At this point, it’s highly unlikely that the number of Democratic contenders will suddenly swell to some huge number like the GOP.  But in the coming weeks, it could become a lot more interesting.  And today, those that care about a more robust Primary season got some hope for just that.  Enter an interesting new video from former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley…

We have to talk music for just a second.  As O’Malley shares about his Irish and German forebears, a very slick gospel-style arrangement of O Danny Boy is playing in the background. It’s the perfect timbre and tone for an encouraging political message. Taking the Irish tune and blending it into a very traditional American setting is hugely effective… like a little American story in itself.

Best of all, that music fits perfectly into the not-yet but most likely very soon to declare non-candidate’s message…

My parent’s grand-parents were immigrants, and the dreams they had were deeply American. As Mayor and as Governor, I always kept a sign on my desk that said “No Irish Need Apply.” It served as a reminder that we were all once strangers in a strange land.

Again, nothing’s official yet, but let’s just say that most people don’t produce videos like this to tell others they are not running.  But more important is that this video signals for O’Malley that nothing about his presumed campaign will be for practice.  When he does decide to run for President, he’ll be in it to win it.

The Democratic side of the house is about to have lots more to talk about.

 

Texas Politics

Texoblogosphere: Week of April 13th

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The Texas Progressive Alliance revels in the start of another baseball season as it brings you this week’s roundup.

Off the Kuff looks at the case to pass a state law that would enable “rideshare” services like Uber and Lyft to operate in Texas cities.

Libby Shaw writing for Texas Kaos and contributing to Daily Kos cautions Latino voters to beware slowly starving Republican wolves that are dressed in sheep’s clothing. GOP Woos Latino Voters While Punishing Immigrants.

From WCNews at Eye on Williamson. As GOP Texas House passes it’s budget, taxes take center stage, The Texas Way – The More You Make The Less You Pay, The Less You Make The More You Pay.

SocraticGadfly thinks that creating a national Appomattox Day could be part of dealing with all the political problems that unreconstructed Southerners have caused for America.

To quote Emperor Palpatine: “It is inevitable.” To quote the Borg: “Resistance is futile.” And to quote Yogi Berra: “It ain’t over ’til it’s over.” PDiddie at Brains and Eggs dissects the ‘inexorable’ meme that surrounds Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid.

Nonsequiteuse says it is time to wear orange and head to Austin (or the internet) to rally against HB 723 as the Texas House of Representatives Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence committee considers little word with constitutional consequences for minors who need access to safe, legal abortion services.

Neil at All People Have Value said that the Houston/Galveston National Weather Service offers useful instruction about life. APHV is part of NeilAquino.com.

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And here are some posts of interest from other Texas blogs.

Juanita coins a new word for our culture war-infused times.

Dwight Silverman answers your burning questions about cable cord-cutting.

The Lunch Tray explores the ethics of sneaking vegetables into school food.

Better Texas Blog calls for raising the minimum wage.

Texas Clean Air Matters points out that promoting the use of clean energy is a great strategy for conserving water.

The Texas Election Law Blog decries “indignities and tyrannies” in local elections.

 

And no… your eyes are not deceived.  Texas Leftist is indeed obsessed with Hillvetica… the new font-rage that was spawned from Hillary Clinton’s unique and somewhat confusing logo.

Texas Leftist Hillvetica

 

Houston Politics

Is Obama Hunting for Huntsman as Secretary of State?

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This may be out on a limb, but I think there’s still a very good chance the President will pick Jon Huntsman to be Secretary of State. Though few in the main-stream media seem to focused on Susan Rice to explore this option, but Lisa Riley Roche of Utah’s Deseret News believes the former governor is a viable option.

Sure, he’s a Republican. And yes he ran for President in the GOP primaries, actually hoping to take on Barack Obama for his job. But here’s why Governor Huntsman is possibly the best choice for the Obama Administration, and for this time in American history…

Huntsman’s experience lines up with Obama’s priorities. Lest we forget… This President’s number one foreign policy priority is to re-establish the United States as a Pacific Power. Obama has conducted three large-scale visits throughout the South Pacific during his term, and has also had extensive dealings with China. Virtually any trip that he has elected to take (outside of a summit or other special meeting) has been to Asia. Governor Huntsman is one of the foremost diplomats to Asia… having served as the American Ambassador to both China and Singapore. He is fluent in Chinese, and has a real grasp on the sensitive political issues of the Continent. As the delicate relationship between China and the United States grows in importance, it’s clear that Governor Huntsman is best qualified to handle this aspect of being the nation’s top diplomat.

Huntsman has a background rooted strongly in both business and government. In 2012, we all recently suffered through several Republican candidates that claimed to have an equal share of both… most evidenced by Republican nominee Mitt Romney. But unlike Mr. Romney, who didn’t even attempt to run for a second term in his state, Huntsman was reelected with a “landslide” 77.7 percent of the vote. Romney’s decision not to run was a pure admission that he would likely be unsuccessful. Of course Mr. Huntsman didn’t complete much of his second term before accepting the position of US Ambassador to China, but the re-election effort in itself is a significant credit to his character and dedication.

In second term, President Obama is free from the concerns of election. Unlike 2008, the President can choose the person he feels will best suit the job, without concern for political consequences. Obama picked Huntsman as Ambassador to China during his first term, and that is critically important. Anyone chosen to be America’s face to the largest country on earth is being set up for greater duties down the line. Susan Rice’s prominence as Ambassador to the UN would be the only other person that was chosen for such a critical post. But as is par in the world of politics, the reaction outside our shores is just as important. The elevation of Huntsman to Secretary of State would be a major signal to China that the United States is serious about building on the progress the two nations have made. Susan Rice’s prior field experience as Ambassador was in Africa. So in either case, the President’s decision will of top diplomat will reveal which foreign relations he chooses to prioritize.

And finally….

President Obama likes diverse opinions. If you’re able to read this, then you probably remember 2007 and 2008… you know, when then Senators Obama and Clinton didn’t get along so well. But once all was said and done, he still chose Clinton for his most senior cabinet position. The relationship between Obama and Huntsman hasn’t been nearly as contentious, but most have been willing to discard him as a possibility simply because of party.

Clearly, this is not how the President sees it. Check out this video from 2011… Obama not only indicates that he admires Huntsman’s work as Ambassador to China, but that he has not been ruled out for future endeavors.

Until a decision is announced, no one can be sure. But looking at all of the objective information, I’m ready to place my bet. Obama is hunting for Huntsman.