Burnt Orange Report

that's great! except the following people have a better chance of beating rick perry than chris bell:

-- john sharp
-- paul hobby
-- jim turner
-- pete laney
-- charles stenholm
-- that blue alien from muppet babies

Feel free to write any of those guys in on your ballot, but, as of right now, none of those those guys are running.

I think you're way off Lonestar Liberal. Gonzo (the blue Alien you're referring to), as you know, is really a Republican in Democrat's clothing. It kills me that half of you people are cautious about Bell because he's not "liberal enough" and the other half think he's "too conservative." I ask you to defend this statement by Gonzo "I don't think a man and a man should be together, I don't think a woman and a woman should be together, I don't think a FROG and a PIG should be together."

And, though Gonzo is a celebrity, being famous doesn't mean you're going to be a good leader. As Rick Perry has proven, being elected doesn't mean you're going to be a good leader. We have to look past November and ask ourselves, do we really want Gonzo as our governor?

I need more coffee. I read Matt's post and thought, "I don't remember Kinky ever being on the Muppet Show."

Please read over that Desi endorsement and look for the facts or logic. First of all Chris Bell, a friend of mine who I have worked for and against in different races over the last decade, got beat out of the general election for Mayor of Houston.

He did not decide out of the run-off out of the goodness of heart to save the city money. That's silly writing from whoever put that together. He would have liked to have been in the run-off w/ Lee Brown but was stuck in the middle and only endorsed Lee Brown to get the promise for Congress.

Redistricting, the marginal redistricting, added the 90 percent black precincts to what what was a marginal Republican CD-25 in 2001 making it marginally Democrat. The deal was he endorse Brown in the run-off with Sanchez and he'd get the endorsement from Brown for Congress over Carroll G. Robinson.

Then in the real redistricting in 2003 Mission Bend, Alief and 35 percent of Missouri City (the east black areas) and other minority areas were added to make the 9th for an Al Green while all the Caucasian areas of the 25th were somehow stretched to connect w/ John Culberson's 7th. Congressman Bell was created b/c of redistricting and he was killed b/c of redistricting.

No Democrat will be elected statewide in Texas for at least the rest of the decade but I applaud you for fighting. It gives me something fun to read when I'm bored.

Dear Mr. Levine,

Thanks for your comments regarding our Chris Bell endorsement. I will begin by saying that I completely disagree with you about the prospects of a Democrat being elected to office within the next decade, so perhaps you and I are already thinking so significantly differently that it is no surprise that we come to different conclusions.

You suggest that our endorsement for Congressman Bell has precious little to do with facts or logic, which I think is not only an unsubtle, but flatly specious interpretation of our 'blog announcement. While the internal deliberations of the endorsement committee remain private, I will say that we were all impressed by Mr. Bell's efforts to increase government transparency, accountability and ethical standards, we were all impressed by Mr. Bell's involvement in the issues pertinent to our South Asian communities, we were all impressed by Mr. Bell's prescience on the issue of port security and finally, his character.
Being a leader is more than merely possessing a slew of policy positions - any man may have that. What separates a policy wonk from a statesman is character and gravitas, which Mr. Bell possesses in spades. These all seem like facts that were acted upon logically.

Having not been an insider in the Houston mayoral elections, I will say that your perspective on the internal strategy discussions may shed some light, but recall that the nattering nabobs that are Houston's pundit class were all shocked by Mr. Bell's decision to get out of the race and back Lee Brown. Whether or not this was motivated by quid pro quo is irrelevant to the fact that he chose to step out of a three-way run-off that a lot of people thought that he could win. He could have remained in the race and given Brown a close run, but was smart enough not to, and spared the city a massive run-off after a particularly onerous campaign, not to mention that he maintained his good relations and good name with the Houston electorate.

Whether or not the 25th district's birth and demise were the product of redistricting is immaterial to both how Congressman Bell represented and responded to his constituents and his actions as a Congressman. Not only was he completely available to his diverse district, he was on the right side of the issues on almost every vote, so far as we are concerned. Until recently, South Asian voters have been a politically marginal force, and while we hope to change that, Mr. Bell stood to gain very little by joining the Congressional India Caucus, visiting Mumbai and taking strong stances on issues pertaining to the region.

Ultimately, Mr. Levine, we represent the interests and values of South Asian Americans, and we cannot think of a better candidate to lead our state than Congressman Bell. We are not a party affiliated PAC. Our concerns are not the same as the Texas Democratic Party's or the same as any of the local parties'. While I personally am a Democrat, I would have no problems voting to endorse a Republican candidate whom I deemed to be better for my community than a Democrat running against him. That, quite frankly, is my job.

Perhaps this is where you and I think differently. When I surveilled the range of candidates, my thought was not party affiliations, but positions and character. This is the ethos of The New Mainstream to which I alluded in our 'blog announcement. We think that solutions to problems are far more important than who authored or co-sponsored a bill and far more important than gamesmanship. We think that our interests and concerns require deliberate, complex solutions and a willingness to go beyond conventional wisdom. We think that there is not only room, but a necessity for bipartisan consultation on solutions. Mr. Bell not only has similar views on issues to our own, but is the kind of man whom we wish to have leading us.

I thank you for your comments, and suggest that you visit our PAC website, http://www.desisfortexas.org.

Thank you,

Dheeraj Chand

"Redistricting, the marginal redistricting, added the 90 percent black precincts to what what was a marginal Republican CD-25 in 2001 making it marginally Democrat."

I wonder if how many people realize that? Seems most don't.

"Congressman Bell was created b/c of redistricting and he was killed b/c of redistricting."

That assumes that all the voters in Meyerland and Bellaire and West U and Southampton and River Oaks would have voted for him a second time. Some of us would not have. And never will again.

I could list a thousand reasons why but they are pretty much summed up by the letter Mr. Bell received from the very committee he filed the complaint against Tom DeLay with. Suffice it to say to be careful what you throw at someone. Some of it may come back and hit you in the face.

Okay, okay, we get it, you hate Chris Bell. That man didn't do anything to you, or did he? He was a pretty successful Member of Congress, bringing home millions of dollars in infrastructure funds for the 25th and Houston. He was appointed Senior Whip by the leadership and they gave him awesome committee assignments. They do that when Members do a good job. So ... he did well in Congress, he was great on Council, and he's a great guy. You slam him and his wife (whose recovering from cancer) every time someone posts anything about him, like you're hunting for reasons to tell people you hate him. Then you say you have a million reasons, and then you don't say what those are, either. Is everything okay at home, Baby Snooks, where ever home may be? You say you have homes all across the country. All I can gather is 1) you are rich and crazy, and should support your candidate with money so we can look up campaign finance reports and figure out who you are or 2) you are a homeless drifter and crazy and are using the public library in whatever city you happen to be in at the moment. It's not Houston, because bad body odor would prevent you from using the library computers or washing up in the restrooms.

One thing I might point out is that your attitude in many ways reflects his. You react with personal attacks, innuendo, and smart-ass responses to legitimate questions.

His campaign primarily has been about ethics. I find it interesting that everyone overlooks the fact that his were were called into question by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.

A committee that was composed of five Democrats as well as five Republicans. Are you next going to suggest that those committee members are not Democrats either because they called him on the carpet along with Tom DeLay?

Here's a different recollection of Chris Bell as a member of Houston City Council:

http://www.houstonpress.com/issues/2001-02-08/news/feature_8.html

"He looked at me and said, 'You vote against this and you'll pay for it later.' " I said, 'Is that a threat?' and he said, 'Take it any way you want to take it.' Just hissing at me." Parker then voted no.

"He makes ugly, tacky remarks," says Parker, "and then expects the next day for it to all be over with."

No doubt Annise Parker would deny having told the Houston Press that. But it's a little late.

As for his ethics:

http://www.houstonpress.com/issues/2000-01-20/news/news.html

"Councilman Chris Bell, an attorney who helped craft recent city ethics legislation, seemed strangely unaware that Hassan's gifts violated state law."

Past, as they say, is often prologue.

Those are really good articles, Brenda Flores Jr.

Since you brought Brenda Flores up, she was one of many victims of this self-proclaimed "poster boy" for ethical behavior who in this case was traded off for a cheap political stunt as far as quite a few are concerned in order to garner some support for the "esteemed congressman" within the the Bill White camp although he alienated quite a few people in District 9 in the process who remembered it in the primary. He followed this little stunt with the infamous "ethics" complaint he filed against Al Green. He may have friends. But not many. He lost District 9 because they didn't like him and the way he does business. Two strikes and he was out. They weren't willing to wait for strike three. And just called the game.

Sylvester Turner may have let it pass. Quite a few have not. Your candidate leaves much to be desired. And all the paid campaign consultants and all their posts on the blogs and all the smart-mouthed supporters will not change the reality. The majority of Democrats in Texas simply will not vote for him.

Could you all keep it down? You're taking attention away from what I thought was a fairly clever joke.

BS is a provocateur whose aim is to sew dissension and spread disinformation.

Perhaps BS really is a Kinky supporter. More likely, BS supports some other Democrat who is contemplating a run for Governor and is trying to keep the train from leaving the station without him.

By responding to BS, you're making her, or his, day.

Having not been an insider in the Houston mayoral elections, I will say that your perspective on the internal strategy discussions may shed some light, but recall that the nattering nabobs that are Houston's pundit class were all shocked by Mr. Bell's decision to get out of the race and back Lee Brown.

Decision to get out of the race?

Is that what we call failing to make the runoff? :)

Nobody was shocked that he endorsed Lee Brown. There was perfect logic to it, as the earlier commenter laid out.

glad to know I'm not the only one who feels that way about baby snookems....she dominates these threads with her opinions and then attempts to belittle anyone who holds a different perspective. it would seem to me that snookems has some kind of personal beef with chris bell and is so blinded by it that she believes four more years of rick perry would be preferable to a Bell win. snookems has no credibility with me.

If you're going to discuss the viability of a candidate, Matt, you assess the bad with the good. And then decide. Some would just prefer to overlook the bad in this case and have the rest of us do the same. We refuse to.

And how dare anyone suggest Alison Bell is "hands-off" because she is recovering from cancer. Brenda Flores was dying of cancer. That didn't stop Chris Bell from using her as a political pawn. What really happened? Who knows. But "Mr. Ethics" should have been paying attention to the politics in Washington instead of the politics in Houston.

He not only ruined the reputation of Brenda Flores but the reputation of Doris Hubbard. Who took the high road as did Sylvester Turner. Everyone else took a good look at Chris Bell and decided he should just hit the road. And they sent that message during the primary. Apparently he didn't "get it."

I'm looking forward to eight years of Kinky Friedman since the Democrats don't seem able to find a viable candidate.

BS, Whisky's right, I'm not responding to your lunacies anymore. You're a nut. My bad for bringing up the other nut and keeping you going on your "I hate Chris" rant.

Matt, Gonzo was shot out a cannon last week, and in a sense, his words and legacy will govern over us all for years to come.

"One thing I might point out is that your attitude in many ways reflects his. You react with personal attacks, innuendo, and smart-ass responses to legitimate questions."

Mr or Mrs Snooks, as the case may be,

You are entitled to your opinion on Mr. Bell whatever that may be. However, I have warned you once about personal attacks and I WILL NOT tolerate them. The fact of the matter is that Mr. Bell arranged a meeting between Ms. Flores and Mr. White, no more. In fact, Mr. Bell has expiated Ms. Flores's treatment at MD Anderson on may occasions. To say that Mr. Bell took advantage of Ms. Flores any matter is irresponsible.

If you want to talk politics, that's one thing, if you have an ax to grind, kindly take it elsewhere.

You apparently just simply don't want legitimate questions raised either. BOR obviously has decided to endorse Chris Bell. It should just state that and ask that those who don't, and won't, support him as a candidate simply keep their opinions, political or otherwise, to themselves.

As for Chris Bell expediting treatment for Brenda Flores, if he did, he hasn't done so since June of last year when she passed away. You used present tense as if to say he is still doing so.

You might want to use spellcheck as well as watching your tenses. Your emotions are showing.

And you might want to disclose that Jason Stanford is a paid consultant to Chris Bell. Not merely a supporter.

See you at the polls next November. If Chris Bell survives the primary. Rumor is there will be another Democratic candidate announcing after Labor Day. A viable one.

Thanks for the heads up on the spelling Mr. or Mrs. Snooks. I typed it out in a hurry and didn't spell check, my apologies.

Wow. I've been outed as a paid consultant to Chris Bell, a fact that's been in newspapers all around Texas. I feel so vulnerable. I'm going to go home and hug my kids real tight and wait till this feeling goes away.

Oh. My. God. Jason, say it isn't so. You're a Paid Political CONSULTANT! Everyone knows that renders you incapable of having an opinion. And, BOR shame on you for endorsing Chris Bell. (Though, admittedly, I must have missed that one.) Look guys, everyone should be aware that snookems is the supreme overlord of all knowledge, for she has told us so. All hail Queen Snook. By the way, when I looked up "snook" in a dictionary, I saw a picture of a small, smelly fish. (Yes, Snookems, my resource was a scratch and sniff dictionary.) Swim away, little fiddie, right over the dam.

hey, everyone. listen up. i just got a call from snooks' mother and she asked that we try to cut snookems a little slack. seems she was dropped really hard on her head when she was a baby, had pretty severe brain damage, and the only living animal available to offer a donor brain was a fish. thus, the name baby snooks. Her mom also gently suggested that we should remind snookems that it's okay to have a different opinion. but it's not okay to berate others for not sharing your opinion. smart mom. she knows what blogs are all about.

There is no such thing as a three way run-off!!!!! I have taught government for 20 years and there is no such animal!!!!

Bell is good, but if anyone will be taking Perry out in the election, it'll be Kinky Friedman, the independent from Kerville. He's got a huge base, and its growing every day. Perry hasn't even won the Republican primary -- he's going to have to fight for the nomination with Strayhorn, the state comptroller.

Friedman, on the other hand, is a guy that Texans will vote for. I interviewed him the other day, and his platform is more than compelling. Take a look ...

(short version) - http://www.binaryculture.net/blogs/2005/WebsterS/EEkyyFAFFlOtcayomC.php

(long version) - http://www.binaryculture.net/blogs/2005/WebsterS/EEkyVVVEpkLlnBkejG.php

Read more about him on http://www.KinkyFriedman.com.

Bell is good, but if anyone will be taking Perry out in the election, it'll be Kinky Friedman, the independent from Kerville. He's got a huge base, and its growing every day. Perry hasn't even won the Republican primary -- he's going to have to fight for the nomination with Strayhorn, the state comptroller.

Friedman, on the other hand, is a guy that Texans will vote for. I interviewed him the other day, and his platform is more than compelling. Take a look ...

(short version) - http://www.binaryculture.net/blogs/2005/WebsterS/EEkyyFAFFlOtcayomC.php

(long version) - http://www.binaryculture.net/blogs/2005/WebsterS/EEkyVVVEpkLlnBkejG.php

Read more about him on http://www.KinkyFriedman.com.