Daily Archives: 11/04/2009

(Community Matters) from my friend David Gail about NY-23:

Let’s remember: we beat two Republicans in that race. Not a bad night. We had bad candidates in NJ and VA. The Republican candidates ran as moderates (McDonnell didn’t even use the word “Republican” on his website or yard signs). The only race where a “true conservative” ran was NY-23. The only candidate Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck got behind was Doug Hoffman in NY-23. We won NY-23. Civil war in the Republican party starts soon.

(Community Matters) The Texas Tribune launched today – their site here. Please note, it is .org, not .com. That’s another story . . .

They held a launch party at the Belmont. Can’t even begin to list who all was there, easier to list who wasn’t. Though, admittedly, I never got upstairs and never did find Julie and Amy.

Texas Tribune founder, CEO & Publisher Evan Smith & Blaine Wesner

The buzz nationally is huge. That Evan Smith is launching this property with philanthropist/venture capitalist John Thornton is huge, huge, huge. That they’ve put together a rock star team is why. The team includes: Ross Ramsey as Managing Editor, Brandi Grissom, Reeve Hamilton, Elise Hu, HO Maycotte, Abby Rapoport, Emily Ramshaw, Alisha Ring, Glenn Smith Morgan Smith and Matt Stiles.

TT board member Steve Adler, Diane Land, John Thornton, Jeanne & Mickey Klein

I’ve seen JT proud of many things he and Julie have launched, created, hosted and otherwise supported. And, this has gotta be one of his top 2. I’d say #1 but cutting something else a bit of slack. Great vision and tenacity, JT.

Marc & Suzanne Winkelman and Doug Ulman

An example of the caliber of journalism we’ll get from the Texas Tribune. Glenn does more than reshuffle words from a press release. Good gosh, he actually asks questions about how they arrived at conclusions and explains.

Nancy Scanlon & former Texas Speaker Pete Laney

Great seeing Pete after many years. Loved hearing that our good friend Johnny Gantt is still minting millions!

Lisa Owens & TT GM, Alisha Ring

Mayor ProTem Mike Martinez & Lara Wendler

check out the site, enjoy the deep-dive investigative journalism on state politics. A great compliment to the AAS, Fort Worth Star Telegram, Houston Chronicle & the Dallas Morning News. I’m proud as hell to be on their advisory board.

snuck out a bit early for a quiet dinner with Margaret Keys. Just the two of us, what a treat