Community Matters

(Community Matters) Largest turnout ever. Extraordinay energy. Senator Kirk Watson gave an outstanding speech – and isn’t he looking quite dapper?.

Houston Congressman Al Green introducing Rick Noriega now. Al – wow!

Rick came out to a rousing welcome. Impressive man.

Nico and I mostly hung with Judge Lora Livingston at the general. He’s so blase about it all. I remember introducing him to Judge Stephen Yelenosky in Marfa. Nico’s first comment to me was – I already know a judge, Lora. Same as when I asked him if he wanted to go with me to NYC to see Steven’s play – “I’ve already been to NYC and I’ve already seen Steven’s play.”

Ran into State Rep. Juan Garcia earlier. You watch, the man may be the first Hispanic Governor. Can’t believe he’s having a tough race. We all need to give him money! interesting tid bit, Juan went to law school with Senator Obama. I believe Juan also dated Michelle before the Senator and she met.

State Rep. Mark Strama was his usual mensch self today, at one point Nico and I separated. Mark found him, held him and called me.

Ian Davis and Amy Everhart working hard all day.

State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez will graduate from law school in Dec (way to go Eddie!); he, Councilmember Mike Martinez and I chatted a bit and now have a plan to work for Obama together.

Former State Senator Gonzalo Barrientos still his same ol’ self, aka the Hispanic Caucus a la Slate Rock and Gravel Company.

Running into Rep. Donna Howard all over the place. She’s also a mensch. Her son-in-law just graduated from the Acton School of Business. And, reading Burnt Orange, Donna hung until the very end. You go Donna! Steven and I are committed to hosting a fundraiser for Donna in Sept.

New Travis County D Chair, Andy Brown presiding and complimented by JR Gonzales who has it down 🙂

I didn’t realize David Mauro (who’s blogging for AAS and Burnt Orange) was Garry’s son. Good gosh, I still see David as an 8 yo. Obviously David hung until the end. I’m impressed with his commitment to reporting on the convention.

Cousins Juan Sepulveda and Teresa Nino knocking it out on behalf of Obama Campaign. Good gosh, I envy their energy and knowledge. Hope Juan was elected a national delegate in SD-26 last night.

(Community Matters) I was just speaking with a Hillary supporter, asking her why her unbridled enthusiasm for Hillary and not Obama despite the fact that Obama has won the primary and Hillary has asked her supporters to back the Senator. She says Hillary hasn’t conceded and hasn’t asked for the transfer of her support.

Rick Noriega now speaking. He’s doing well, moving it away from Obama and Hillary toward healthcare, education, public safety. good

Garry Mauro now speaking. People around me saying, sit down, he’s not even Hispanic. He’s saying how President Clinton, Hillary Clinton and Chelsea know and will always remember this. Hmm, didn’t the African American community believe this too until S. Carolina and Jessie Jackson comments.

(Community Matters) “When driving a car, you put it in D to go forward; put it in R to go backward. It’s like that in politics too.”

(Community Matters) Not pretty. Hillary supporters are angry and not letting it go. One of the caucus chairs just walked in and has no idea what’s going on. He was asking about why the orange wrist bands. Silly extra layer of credentialing without any safeguards. Conflicting instructions from the podium. This group’s anger on the edge.

(Community Matters) Just reading that Brian Cooper (formerly CEO Lombari and Affiniscape) has been hired by Philip & Donna Berber as the new CEO for their foundation, Glimmer of Hope. Brian’s a catch, congrats!

(Community Matters) There are hundreds, if not thousands of jobs that will be filled for the campaign during the next two months. The campaign is seeking men, women and youth of all ages, nationalities, religions and sexual orientations for placement all around the country. Long hours, extraordinary passion required. To submit a resume, go here

(Community Matters) Hope the ban against federal lobbyist dollars to the Democratic National Committee imposed by Senator Obama just yesterday isn’t lost in all the news. This is huge. Of course there will always be a role for lobbyists. Availability of actionable, reliable information is critical to the men and women we’ve asked to vote on new laws. However, their over reliance on lobbyists for the hard dollars necessary to run campaigns has upset the balance of information, influence and constituent responsibility. The day after becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee and Barack Obama has already signaled a major change in how they’ll do business in Washington. Perhaps Senator McCain and the GOP will meet this challenge.

(Community Matters) Democrats are coming together. Outstanding progress among Clinton and Obama supporters coming together to ensure a D victory in November. Spent most of the drive back from Houston in conference calls, updates on the progress of Hispanic leadership coalescing and national fundraising. Henry Cisneros & Chelsea Clinton to address this weekend’s Texas Democratic Convention. Next week’s Obama fundraiser featuring chief strategist David Axelrod has nearly sold to capacity – we might relocate to accommodate more.

(Community Matters) Wonder what Devlin (Nathan’s bf) had to say 🙂

(Community Matters) Looks as if former Human Rights Campaign board colleague, Mark Leno, has just been elected to the CA Senate

Mark Leno just won the D primary in SF

Congrats Mark!

Now, let’s just hope (& help!) Oklahoma Corporate Commissioner Jim Roth also wins reelection.

(Community Matters) 63% of Americans now believe same-sex marriage is a private decision. Only 33% now believe the government has a right to prohibit marriage. here

(Community Matters) Michael, Robert and I are back in Houston, currently in a waiting room at MD Anderson, about to be given the results of last week’s tests.