Monthly Archives: October 2008

(Community Matters) Prop 8 – California. Debates around the country.

I don’t get it. Part of who I am is I love Steven Tomlinson. Most people think that’s a good thing. Everyone who knows Steven sees that as a wonderful thing.

(Community Matters) The girls were a little shocked when I pulled into a trailer park for dinner, especially since they’d dressed nicely in new duds for an evening at the theater. Though, comfort, casual friendliness and good food soon won out. Dinner at Torchy’s on S. 1st. It’s a must in our invigorating fall weather.

Zach Scott’s Caroline, or Change. They and Steven loved the show. I liked it a lot, especially Shavanna Calder who STOOD OUT as Emmie Thibodeaux. Tiffany Mann as Radio/the Moon and Frank Viveros as the Dryer/Bus Driver too. All the cast did a terrific job. Wish I’d seen the show on Broadway, because I’d love to talk about the improvements Dave Steakley made as director. I can’t compare but I just know there are many. It was well staged and directed. Knowing how much Michael Raiford adds in additional to set design, kudos to him for his obvious & not-so-obvious contributions. Tony Kushner certainly one of America’s most important contemporary playwrights.

(Community Matters) Disturbing observations from Nate Silver at fivethirtyeight.com:

John McCain has once again improved his position in the national tracking polls, having gained ground in 4 of the 5 6 trackers that published today (Rasmussen and IBD/TIPP were the exceptions).** Our model now perceives that Obama has come somewhat off his peak numbers, which were realized perhaps 5-7 days ago.

Though, perhaps explained by:

At the same time, McCain’s improved position in the trackers is a little bit difficult to reconcile with certain other pieces of evidence. In the Research 2000 tracking poll, for instance, while McCain has gained 5 points worth of ground in 48 hours in the topline numbers, the candidates’ approval ratings over that period are completely unmoved. In the Gallup tracker, while McCain has gained ground among likely voters since the debate, he has lost ground among registered voters. Lastly, every poll conducted on the debate itself suggested that Obama won the event.

What I think we may be seeing are some improvements in Republican enthusiasm. Prior to the debate, McCain was having a very rough go of things in the media, as the only stories seemed to be the ineffectiveness of his attacks on Bill Ayers, and the nonresponsiveness of his campaign to the economy. In the polls that measured these things, there was evidence that enthusaism was very low among McCain supporters. A conservative voter, having little real message to latch on to, and seeing McCain far behind in the polls, might have been telling pollsters that he wasn’t sure if he was going to bother to vote, and therefore might have been screened out by likely voter models, which all of the tracking polls are now using.

The McCain/Sarah Palin campaign, the RNC and several 527’s are unleashing millions of dollars and tens of thousands of volunteers with misleading messages, dishonest robocalls and political flyers that would make Jesse Helms blush.

Please, please consider:

1. Volunteering to make calls into battleground states,
2. Traveling to a battleground state to campaign and/or
3. Making one more financial contribution here

To volunteer here or email: snolan@barackobama.com

(Community Matters) Ben Smith, Politico.com: Barack Obama apparently attracted more people to his rally today in St. Louis than to his August acceptance speech at Invesco Field in Denver.

Lt. Samuel Dotson of the St. Louis Police Department placed the crowd count at 100,000 people, according to the campaign.

“All I can say is, ‘Wow,'” Obama said just after taking the stage underneath the Gatway Arch.
Politico called Dotson to confirm the crowd figure but has not yet heard back.

If the number is verified, it would be Obama’s largest American crowd, second only to the 200,000 people who turned out for his speech in Berlin, Germany, and more than the 80,000 people who attended his Democratic National Convention speech.
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(Community Matters) Much fun with the girls last night. We enjoyed the symphony, especially Anton’s performance. And, they were impressed with our new performing arts center, immediately noting how cool for a dance party on the City Terrace.

After, we stopped in to see the indie band, Ethos for which my young friend James Marshall plays the drums. The girls seemed to enjoy the scene. Ethos’ first CD is due out any day. They had a warm following of young 20-something fans/friends.

This morning, the Farmer’s Market, 2nd St and Jo’s where we ran into Lisa, Xchel & Langston. They’re off with Uncle Steven for S. Congress, 1st St & the Drag shopping (who knew Urban Outfitters and American something were the rage?), then we’ll hit Torchy’s and Zach’s Caroline or Change this evening.
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(Community Matters) One of my favorite regular readers who I affectionately acknowledge in hat tips as stud muffin sent me a note suggesting I read the Rolling Stone article on McCain before continuing with my acknowledgement of him as a former hero. Earlier this morning, I stopped by a neighborhood store and the clerk had saved a Rolling Stone for me and wanted me to read the article. So, I’m headed out to the pool house with the hard copy and a cigar to get caught up. Nieces still doing homework, then I think we’ll check out the HBO movie (Gabby
Villarreal’s Temple Grandin starring Claire Danes) being filmed (at least partially) in our neighborhood.

(Community Matters) Our nieces arrived this afternoon from Tulsa. First time they’ve flown by themselves. They did great, not a bit rattled. Hilary is 16; Hanah is 14. We toured just a bit on way from airport. They’re catching up on homework now so we can play rest of the weekend. Headed to the Long Center tonight to hear Anton Nel play and the Austin Symphony – at the girls’ request. They’re both gifted musically. Uncle Steven not home from Toronto until tomorrow. I’m sure we’ll get some shopping in prior.

(Community Matters) Conference call with the campaign this morning. We’ve registered over 1,700,000 new voters since the primary. Consider 252 electoral states solidly ours (former Kerry states) and another 12 quite confident (New Mexico & Iowa). We feel very good about Florida, Georgia, Colorado and Nevada, though statistically tied in the latter two. Also tied in Indiana and North Carolina. Early voting started yesterday in Georgia and voters lined up, wrapping around the block in Atlanta.

(Community Matters) Steven and I were out of town so unable to attend the East Austin Economic Summit this weekend. Fortunately, Capital One Bank sponsored a mini-presentation yesterday over lunch in the Long Center’s Kodosky Lounge.

(Community Matters)

(Community Matters) Wow, did I really miss a day of blogging.  Well, it was another busy day.  Hosted a fun fundraiser at our home last night, the Obama Debate Watch Party. Tuesday’s and last night’s events brought in a total +or- $200k.  Not a bad take for our very last round of fundraisers.  

(Community Matters) Big day in Austin. Barack’s senior adviser and very close friend, Valerie Jarret plus Paul Tewes, DNC General Election Campaign Director, were in for 3 fundraisers this afternoon. About 60 supporters gathered at the Headliners for an extended campaign update. A brief happy hour for Generation Obama and Texans for Obama with Paul. Then, a dinner for 30ish with Valerie & Paul at Kirk & Amy Rudy’s home.

I had a few chances to talk with Valerie and Paul separately. Most memorable conversation with Valerie about how extraordinarily bright Barack is and how Warren Buffet, Robert Rubin, Paul Volcker and other economic heavy weights have all confided in her astonishment with Barack’s ability to grasp the facts and help them assimilate their, sometimes, competing ideas on how to address current economic challenges.

With Paul, discussed his recent visits to battle ground states, especially his observation of unstoppable momentum in Florida, where he spent the last week.

It’s late. Trying to wait up for Steven who’s returning from Phoenix and flying to Toronto in the morning. Busy morning of EF meetings, then getting ready for our debate watch fundraiser. good night,