Daily Archives: 11/27/2011

(Community Matters) Important article in the NYTimes about philanthropy and advocacy – important because such prominent feature in one of the papers of record.  Provoking perspective – whether lesser transparency, more influence from the affluent is less democratic. I’m proud the KDK-Harman Foundation has been a leader in using philanthropy as advocacy re: public education.

When we first talked about the foundation founders’ education lobby day, it originated from a belief that the wealthy might also the most influential with electeds. And, since so many successful men & women cared so much about Texas education funding, they could be more persuasive with the electeds

There’s also the approach of teaching nonprofit leaders to use advocacy and organizing, in a broader sense.

(Community Matters) For real . . . . BROMANCE

Hat Tip: Towelroad

(Community Matters) Appears HRC has been working w/ several Jewish organizations to create an LGBT equality index for Jewish organizations. “The work also will include an assessment of organizations’ cultural competency in delivering services to the LGBT community, such as whether the agency has inclusive language and messaging for LGBT clients, members, students, campers, youth, or parents. ”

Hat Tip: Towelroad

(Community Matters) Over the telephone, Joaquin told me about the call from Charlie Gonzalez, his decision to retire, and Joaquin’s decision to switch his race to the 20th congressional district. The Castros and the Gonzalez’ go back decades. Joaquin grew up in the 20th (which a Gonzalez has held since before Joaquin & Julian were born). The 20th district is the crown jewel of the San Antonio delegation.  San Antonio Express News story

This leaves CD-35 up for grabs. Reports of various SAT Dems considering. Of course, Tx Attorney General Abbott expected to appeal court drawn redistricting maps to US Supreme Court this week – appeal not expected to succeed. The court maps were drawn by 3 federal judges – 2 Republican and 1 Democrat; 2 Hispanic. We’re talking violations of the Voting Rights Act. Texas chose which path to take by appealing directly to the DC judicial panel which instructed these judges to draw new maps. Interesting chatter about potential CD-25 competition.

(Community Matters)  Newt Gingrich?

“This newspaper (Manchester Union Leader) endorses Newt Gingrich in the New Hampshire Presidential Primary.  America is at a crucial crossroads. It is not going to be enough to merely replace Barack Obama next year. We are in critical need of the innovative, forward-looking strategy and positive leadership that Gingrich has shown he is capable of providing. He did so with the Contract with America. He did it in bringing in the first Republican House in 40 years and by forging balanced budgets and even a surplus despite the political challenge of dealing with a Democratic President.

“A lot of candidates say they’re going to improve Washington. Newt Gingrich has actually done that, and in this race he offers the best shot of doing it again. … Truth be known, many in the liberal media are belittling the Republican candidates because they don’t want any of them to be taken as a serious challenger to their man, Obama. … Newt Gingrich is by no means the perfect candidate. But Republican primary voters too often make the mistake of preferring an unattainable ideal to the best candidate who is actually running. In this incredibly important election, that candidate is Newt Gingrich.”

I love the idea of our race against the former House Speaker.

Hat Tip: Politico’s Playbook