Politics and Dharma

Observations on Texas Politics and Grassroots Action

Archive for the 'Democratic Party' Category


The Other Side of the Coin

Sunday, June 15th, 2008
Current Events, Democratic Party, Politics, Texas Politics | 3 Comments »

Folks will probably think I’ve been snacking on the crazy cake, but I’ve got a strong feeling that Texas goes blue this year. Here are some select quotes from delegates to this year’s Texas GOP convention:

But, Etzel said, “I don’t think anybody is all that enthusiastic” about McCain’s candidacy. “McCain is not a [...]

The Democratic Surge

Monday, June 9th, 2008
Convention Politics, Current Events, Democratic Party, Politics | 1 Comment »

This interactive election guide from NYT is a great resource because they also show the relative results of the last eight presidential contests for each state. I like to think that the way to read this as the effects of having a particularly charismatic figure running for office. The effect of having a Reagan or [...]

Foreshadowing

Saturday, June 7th, 2008
Democratic Party, Politics Action, Texas Politics | No Comments »

By way of addendum, I need to note here a contact made in the TDP booth at the vendor ghetto. I gave my card to a woman who claimed to be the volunteer organizer for the state party. I told her to call me early in the process so I could be more helpful throughout [...]

Getting Hit By a Truck

Saturday, June 7th, 2008
Convention Politics, Current Events, Democratic Party, Politics Action, Texas Politics | No Comments »

After arriving home a couple of hours earlier than expected this afternoon, I showered and relaxed into my office chair to catch up on the world. Fifteen minutes later, when I stood up again, I felt like I had been hit by a truck. Every muscle is sore from tip to tail. Even those little [...]

My Day in the Circus (pt. 1)

Friday, June 6th, 2008
Convention Politics, Current Events, Democratic Party, Politics Action, Texas Politics | No Comments »

Ugh! These dogs are tired. And my feet hurt, too.
Caucusing is a long and painful process in the best of worlds. What we’re seeing in the Democratic State Convention this weekend is the party for the first time actually having to function on the scale at which it was intended. For several decades, the party [...]

Preparations for Madness

Wednesday, June 4th, 2008
Convention Politics, Democratic Party, Politics Action, Texas Politics | No Comments »

Although I did not garner the expected state convention delegate seat this year, I am still going to be there. The party had to go to a raffle system to determine who would be guests — and who would be volunteers! They’re expecting 15,000-18,000 attendees this weekend at the convention center. I had signed up [...]

Now the Circus Begins

Friday, December 14th, 2007
Current Events, Democratic Party, Politics, Texas Politics | No Comments »

In an announcement breathlessly awaited for well over a decade, long-time Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle announced his retirement. Now the floodgates open for what stands to be a vigerous and crowded race.
Several prominent Democratic lawyers and judges have been suggesting that they would put their names in the hat for DA, would Earle [...]

Are there no Democratic lawyers?

Tuesday, December 4th, 2007
Blogs, Current Events, Democratic Party, Politics Action, Texas Politics | No Comments »

Scott Henson at Grits for Breakfast has repeated his cry of woe that the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals will remain in Republican hands — simply for lack of any Democratic candidates signing up for the contest. I’m baffled whenever there is an uncontested contest during a major, presidential election year. How could such major [...]

Self-defeating Management

Saturday, December 1st, 2007
Current Events, Democratic Party, History, Politics | No Comments »

There has been a great deal of conflict within the respective major political parties about how the presidential primaries are scheduled. A number of states have broken with the national parties and have scheduled their primaries earlier than they were allowed to do so. For these transgressions, these states have symbolically lost their representation in [...]

Additional Delegate Training Offered

Saturday, December 1st, 2007
Convention Politics, Current Events, Democratic Party | No Comments »

I recently mentioned that the Texas Democratic Party is hosting a delegate training class today, from 2-4pm at the ACC Riverside Campus, building G lecture hall.
Gluttons for punishment that they are, they are offering a second chance at the same material, Wednesday night, from 7-9pm, at the AFL-CIO Building downtown, 1106 Lavaca St.
See the party [...]