Category Archives: Uncategorized

(Community Matters)  More on dirty tricks. I’m reading an email saying the Texas Secretary of State has aribitrarily decided counties can reject voter registration cards that don’t include drivers’ license numbers, unless they’ve checked a box declaring not to have one. Am being told this has never been required before.  Of course, this true here in the final days of voter registration after Ds have registered tens of thousands (hundreds of thousands?) of new voters.

(Community Matters) A friend recently received the following letter. He’s only given financially to two politically oriented organizations. He checked with the other and their donor lists are confidential. He believes his name was obtained from public records of Obama donors.

Americans For Limited Government Foundation http://www.getliberty.org 9900 Main Street Fairfax, VA 22031
Phone: 703.383.0880
Fax: 703.383.5288
info@getliberty.org

Dear Mr. [redacted],

Recently a new left-wing organization announed that it would be targeting donors to conservative, free-market organizations. The major press announcement stated that the organization intended to engage in such activities as “public exposure,” having “watchdog groups digging through the lives” of these individuals, and “possible legal trouble.”

As someone who has been put through that abuse over the years, I can tell you from first-hand experience that it is not fun and not something to take lightly. I have supported groups and efforts that I believe will push back against the radical agenda of the Left. And, I have paid the price for it, in attacks, slurs and threats.

As a donor to one or more of these organizations and efforts, you have been able to engage in these activities without notice, operating in relative obscurity. I am writing to inform you that this will no longer be the case.

Your name has been put in our database. We are monitoring all reports of a wide variety of leftist organizations. As your name appears in subsequent reports, it is our intent to publicize you involvement in your local community. Should any of these organizations be found to be engaged in illegal or questionable activity, it is our intent to publicize your involvement with those activities. You should know that instances of coordinated voter fraud are surfacing all across America and investigations into possible criminal coordination are underway.

For your review, I have enclosed a memorandum from our legal counsel.

Sincerely,
Howard Rich
Chariman

the memorandum evidently a legal brief that prattles on about interfering with elections.

Reminding me of the letters being sent by Virginia Republicans misleadingly threatening university students against registering in Virginia rather than their parent’s home state. Those letters containing ridiculous statements about parental income tax deductions and college scholarship eligibility. Suppose the nastiness is well underway.

(Community Matters) my comment on another blog

I like seeing this through others’ eyes and appreciate the enthusiasm and optimism on both sides

Personally, I think Biden won (the polls think by a substantial margin, I wouldn’t have said by such, however), though don’t consider it a game changer. And, we don’t want a game changer. We like exactly where things are today and our momentum.

Contrary to Mr Abear’s perspective, the momentum hasn’t swung both ways; it’s been consistent since Obama’s 2006 Austin visit. Yes of course, there was a GOP convention bounce – that’s a well-documented, recurring phenomenon. The lasting effect of the convention and Sarah Palin nomination is the bump to McCain/Sarah Palin ticket enthusiasm to 60% from 41%’; it’s still 20pts lower than Obama’s ticket.

Since 2006, every single week more and more Americans decide to vote for Barack Obama.

If we count by national polls, it’s a 6pt advantage. Counted state by state & electoral votes, it’s a 12pt advantage. Absolutely, the margin is going to narrow. We’re about to see the most negative, take-no-prisoners GOP & 527 media campaigns in the history of USA politics. We’re ready for it. We have the most significant field operations every launched in USA history and will get out more new voters than ever before.

(Community Matters) Debate: Biden scored more points overall so he wins, though not any big margin. No game changer. That’s a win for Obama. Momentum and metrics on our side.

9:32 Closing arguments: the are very different and appeal to different people. yawn.

9:28 Wow, not nearly as interesting the last four minutes. yawn

9:24 “He has not been a maverick . . . on healthcare . . . on education . . . on war . . . on virtually on anything that people talk about around the kitchen table.”

9:18 She is of the people. Whether some think high level or lower denominator, that’s an individual perspective. Biden just nailed it connecting with Americans, connecting as a father, connecting as a middle American. Game change!

9:14 On being vice president. Other than “tapping.” Pretty much a draw. Well, I take it back. Biden nailed Cheney

9:09 What about those winks? She’s becoming too familiar. Biden is sticking with it. How has McCain voted any differently than George Bush. What did she just say about who going to Heaven? Joe +1

9:07 Already. Until foreign affairs, they were pretty equal, no one had really scored. But, her naivete is overwhelming, as is Biden’s knowledge. At this point, Joe +2

(Community Matters) She’s back. Didn’t get another picture of her as she was roosting on the railing of our deck, within 4 feet or so of the back door. Unfortunately, as we were coming back to the window, she flew off. I’m hoping she’s adopting us. I’ve temporarily named her Kilpatrick; we’ll see if it sticks.

Hey, wait. She wouldn’t be eyeing my koi would she?

(Community Matters) While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75-yo Texas rancher whose hand was caught in a gate while working cattle, the doctor sturck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Sarah Palin and her bid to be a heartbeat away from the President.

The old rancher said, “Well, ya know, Palin is a post turtle.”

Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a post turtle was.

The old rancher said, “When you’re driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that’s a post turtle.”

The old rancher saw a puzzled look on the doctor’s face, so he continued. “You know she didn’t get up there by herself, she doesn’t belong up there, she doesn’t know what to do while she is up there, and you just wonder what kind of dumb ass put her there to begin with.”

(Community Matters) Well, first from 538:

As of this morning before today’s polls update, we project Obama victories in Virginia (4.4%), New Hampshire (3.4%), Ohio (2.4%), Florida (2.4%), and Nevada (2.1%), with Indiana a tie. Give all these states to McCain, it’s 269-269 and an Obama presidency.

Allocated by lead, it’s Obama 338, McCain 189, 11 tossup. McCain also projects precarious wins in North Carolina (0.1%) and Missouri (0.4%). . . . A major caveat. The fact that the race can swing this dramatically in this short a time reflects the truth that a few days in presidential politics can be a lifetime. We are both close to the end and yet nowhere near.

I’ve been on several conference calls with campaign staffers this week including David Axelrod, Marygrace Galston, Michael Pratt and Juan Sepulveda.

Tonight’s debate: Sarah’s sandbagging. The GOP is adept at lowering expectations. A review of her Alaskan debate tapes shows she can debate. We shouldn’t launch with any other expectations or allow the McCain campaign to lower the bar among our supporters and independents.

The final election: it’s about the ground operation, and we have undertaken the largest field operation ever.

We’ve always known the battleground states would be won because of new voters.

In Virginia alone, we’ve added 303,000 new voters – only 900,000 total Virginians voted in the Democratic and Republican primaries.

In Colorado, we’ve registered over 250,000 new voters.

We have 60 offices in Ohio, dozens in Nevada and far outnumber the McCain/Sarah Palin campaign in every battleground state. We have more offices, more staff and more volunteers. An unbelieveable number of people are volunteering and we still need more! Register to be a deputy field organizer or to volunteer in a battle ground state here.

It’s the last week of voter registration in lots of states. Citizens are already voting in WA and OR.

We have people on the ground in all the states defending against voter repression. It even happens in Houston regularly where we’ll be defending voters’ rights against an egregious, faux conservative, Harris County Republican Tax Assessor/Collector. Our people have been preparing for this all around the country since June. If you’re an attorney and interested in helping, check out here.

FiveThirtyEight.com estimates an 85% probability Obama will win. And, we know the the radical fringe of the Republican party has substantial power within the McCain/Sarah Palin campaign. We’ve seen it in their not-even-based-on-reality commercials and candidate messages just a couple of weeks ago. It’s going to get nasty. Expect special interests to pour millions into 527’s protecting their interests and the philosophy of “voluntary regulation.” They will make a difference in the polls, so we cannot become complacent.

Please volunteer. And, please give one more time here.

Obviously, in this case, the future of the world really does rest in the outcome of this election.

Eugene

(Community Matters) We’re hosting an Oct 15 Debate Watch Party benefiting the Obama campaign. Please join us!

(Community Matters) Congressman Doggett’s response to a letter I sent earlier this week and to a note in a posting accusing him of grandstanding instead of participating in the solution.

Eugene, Last week on Monday, you wrote me stating: “Lloyd, I couldn’t be prouder of you guys finally pushing back on the administration and requiring oversight, taxpayer protections and equity kickers in the bailout package. Please don’t shy from this. Many thanks.”

I wrote you back on Tuesday, noting my strong concerns with the bill and my work to find a more responsible solution. I specifically noted that it’s the responsibility of the “bailout supporters to outline the revenue measures to pay for it,” among other concerns.

I heard nothing from you further until Sunday evening, at a time when many, many constituents were also writing me; you asked a specific question about the then-pending bill. The next day, on Monday, you were already complaining on your blog that you hadn’t heard back from me. Tuesday – less than 48 hours from your original inquiry — you ask on your blog: “Where’s Lloyd Doggett during all this? Grandstanding instead of offering a better solution?” You may call my opposition the President’s $700 billion bailout “grandstanding,” but I call it standing up for taxpayers.

Yesterday, you asked why I voted against it. To begin with, there is considerable question about whether this approach represents an effective way to recapitalize our financial system. As usual with President Bush, this was presented as a “my way or no way” approach with no consideration of alternatives. Negotiations centered exclusively on how to make an unsatisfactory proposal slightly better. My speech during the floor debate in the House attached below reflects additional reasons.

As for your specific question regarding 20% profits being used for mortgage assistance, assuming there are any profits, this provision was not included in the bill. Your speculation about that impacting my vote is unwarranted, though there could have been other ways to approach the current problems that would have done more for both homeowners and the banking system. I continue working with my colleagues to address the challenges to our financial system and welcome any constructive advice that you or any of our neighbors may have to offer.

Sincerely,
Lloyd

(Community Matters) A healthcare kinda day.

Super breakfast hosted by ACF and United Way where Ann Kitchen and Clark Heidrick spoke about the small employer insurance program. They are hoping to launch in January. This is a bold and worthy program.

Meeting at Dell’s Childrens Hospital to talk about development and the possibility of an EF grant for their Medical Center Neurosciences Center

Finally, a meeting with Seton SVP Greg Hartman at University Medical Center at Brackenridge (former Brackenridge) to talk about the technology, faculty and research concentrated on their campus and the value of these assets to Austin’s life sciences entrepreneurs.

(Community Matters) The polls could hardly be better for Barack.

Florida, up by 6 – 8pts
Ohio, up by 7-8pts
Penn, as high as 15pts
Virginia by 6

Michigan is Obama likely (+6) nevertheless, we’re headed up there to knock on doors and help get the vote out.

Kirk Rudy’s daughter, Hailey, has been organizing in Grand Rapids for a couple of months. We’re joining the Rudy’s in joining her. Meeting some of our NFC friends from Dallas there as well, then to Chicago for an election night party.

(Community Matters) Steven noticed this hawk in the courtyard when the bluejays were obviously agitated.