My Friend, Joe Jaworski!

Joe Jaworski is running for Texas Senate in District 11 and I encourage you to support him with your dollars on this last day of the second quarter fundraising period (I just did). Here's why Joe is running: Yet again, the Texas Legislature has failed to get the job done. Despite the best efforts of a few who were unwilling to simply rubberstamp the Austin leadership, the Legislature still said “No!” to making our communities stronger, “No!” to helping our families stay healthier, “No!” to guaranteeing that our air is cleaner — and “No!” to demanding that our elected officials be more accountable. That’s why I’m running for the Texas Senate from District 11 — because the last thing we need is more of the same in Austin. Let’s put partnership first and partisanship last so that, together, we can restore balance, integrity, and mainstream values to our state government — and start getting the job done. Our challenge is not just to govern, but to inspire. You have a vital role to play in this process by sending me your best ideas and volunteering your time and generous financial help to this cause. I'm VERY impressed with Joe as a person and as a candidate. He's actively raising money, attending events in Senate District 11 and hitting hard on the issues that are important to people who are ready for a change in Austin. While you are making your contribution (click here) by midnight tonight, sign up to receive his informative newsletters!

Elizabeth Edwards Gives Ann Coulter Lesson On Class

Ann Coulter is an idiot in the worst possible way and she proves it over and over again. God bless Elizabeth Edwards and others like her who take public service seriously. Edwards is an intelligent, thoughtful voice in a world full of screechy political wannabes. I caught the tail end of Hardball tonight - after Edwards had called in - and all I could think was how absolutely ridiculous Coulter looked and behaved on the show. Below, in it's entirety, is the exchange between Elizabeth Edwards and Ann Coutlter. How I wish Elizabeth was going to be that Edwards event tomorrow in Houston.

The wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards called into MSNBC’s “Hardball” on Tuesday to confront Ann Coulter on her personal attacks on her husband and family.

Coulter, the controversial conservative commentator, appeared on an outdoor set with host Chris Matthews -- and also with dozens of supporters and detractors waiting to ask questions. But there was another person waiting to pose a question to Coulter: Elizabeth Edwards.

According to an Edwards campaign aide, Elizabeth Edwards wanted to call into the show when she heard that Coulter would be taking questions, and she called a Hardball producer to get the phone number needed to dial into the show. The result is the exchange below (click here to watch the video):

Chris Matthews: You know who's on the line? Somebody to respond to what you said Edwards yesterday morning -- Elizabeth Edwards. She wanted to call in today we said she could. Elizabeth Edwards go on the line you're on the line with Ann Coulter

Elizabeth Edwards: Hello, Chris.

Matthews: You wanna say something directly to the person who's with me?

Edwards: I'm calling you … in the South when someone does something that displeases us, we wanna ask them politely to stop doing it. Uh - I'd like to ask Ann Coulter -- if she wants to debate on issues, on positions -- we certainly disagree with nearly everything she said on your show today -- but uh it's quite another matter for these personal attacks that the things she has said over the years not just about John but about other candidates. It lowers our political dialogue precisely at the time that we need to raise it. So I want to use the opportunity … to ask her politely stop the personal attacks.

Ann Coulter: OK, so I made a joke -- let's see six months ago -- and as you point out they've been raising money off of it for six months since then.

Matthews: This is yesterday morning, what you said about him.

Coulter: I didn't say anything about him actually either time.

Edwards: Ann, you know that's not true. And once more its been going on for sometime.

Coulter: I don't mind you trying to raise money. I mean it's better this than giving $50,000 speeches to the poor.

Edwards: I'm asking you.

Coulter: Just to use my name on the Web pages…

Edwards: I'm asking you politely…

Coulter: … but as for a debate with me, um yeah, sure. Yeah, we'll have a debate

Edwards: I'm asking you politely to stop personal attacks.

Coulter: How bout you stop raising money on the Web page then?

Edwards: It didn't start it did not...

Coulter: No you don't have cause I don't mind

Edwards: It did not start with that you had a column a number of years ago

Coulter: OK, great the wife of a presidential candidate is calling in asking me to stop speaking...

Matthews: Let her finish the point...

Coulter: You're asking me to stop speaking, stop writing columns, stop writing your books.

Matthews: OK, Ann. Please.

Coulter: OK

Edwards: You wrote a column a couple years ago which made fun of the moment of Charlie Dean's death, and suggested that my husband had a bumper sticker on the back of his car that said ask me about my dead son. This is not legitimate political dialogue.

Coulter: That's now three years ago --

Edwards: It debases political dialogue. It drives people away from the process. We can't have a debate about issues if you're using this kind of language.

Coulter: Yeah why isn't John Edwards making this call?

Matthews: Well do you want to respond and we'll end this conversation?

Edwards: I haven't talked to John about this call.

Coulter: This is just another attempt for –

Edwards: I'm making this call as a mother. I'm the mother of that boy who died. My children participate -- these young people behind you are the age of my children. You're asking them to participate in a dialogue that's based on hatefulness and ugliness instead of on the issues and I don't think that's serving them or this country very well.

[Applause from the crowd]

Matthews: Thank you very much Elizabeth Edwards. (Turning to Coulter) Do you want to -- you have all the time in the world to respond.

Coulter: I think we heard all we need to hear. The wife of a presidential candidate is asking me to stop speaking. No.

UPDATE: Hal has the video of Coulter saying she wants Edwards to be killed by terrorists- the comment that brought on the phone call from Elizabeth Edwards.

Rick Noriega Moves Around Texas

There's a Draft Rick Noriega for U.S. Senate effort afoot and it looks like he's exploring the possibilities by visiting with Democratic Tejano leaders in San Antonio. More photos here.

I also heard he was in the Valley. Corpus, Edinburgh. Everyone keep an eye open. He may be in your town next.

Cornyn's numbers are swirling down the toilet. It would be great for a proven Democratic leader like State Representative and Lieutenant Colonel Rick Noriega to step up to the plate and take him on.

UPDATE: Hal has more on the Edinburg visit, as does blogger Rep. Aaron Pena.

Vote To Eject Cornyn From The Senate-sphere

Kos has a poll up asking Americans which U.S. Senator they would most like to see go bye-bye. Our Junior Senator, John Cornyn, could use some more votes to help him understand we'd like to bring him on home. He's in second place. Go vote here. And visit www.draftricknoriega.com while you're at it.

Raise Your Hand If You Thought Digby Was A Pasty White Man?

Not. So. Girl bloggers rule!

Hillary's Sopranos Ending

Love the YouTube, hate the song. Not the one I voted for. The YouTube is a thing of genius. Hats off to her web team. Getting your candidate out there in a way no one has ever thought of before is a cool thing.

Three Words For Evanblogger

For Texas Monthly editor, Evan Smith: Shorter Blog Posts. Oh, and: Mental Toughness, Dude. I mean, really, you think this?:

I walked away regretting that we'd ever entered the #$@%! blogosphere in the first place.

Over the O'Day stuff that you brought on yourself? You and Burka have loooong posts on why you are moderating comments. Hey! First rule of blogging: you are the boss! You get to decide how to run your blog. My muse rules: 1. I am the boss of my blog. 2. I blog in my pajamas. 3. A glass of red wine makes for better blog posts and lower cholesterol. 4. I moderate all comments, so weirdos get left talking to themselves and not to anyone on musings. Blogs away, Evanblogger and Burkablogger!

Clinton vs Thompson and Bloomberg - Texas Numbers

Survey USA poll results here. This is a Clinton, Thompson and Bloomberg head to head to head matchup in Texas. Clinton comes out on top. But, why do 34% of Hispanics support Thompson? And, how did we ever get to where pro-choice and anti-choice is framed as pro-choice and pro-life? Pro-choice people are not against life. Ridiculous. But, "pro-life" people are anti-choice. Or they are "I'll make the choice for you" - incest, rape and life of the mother (that's you, Mikal "pro-poll" Watts). Some people are a little irritated that every political discussion lately turns into an abortion discussion, but those people are not women. And, the Republicans and Dino-lites started it.

John Edwards In Houston!

And, affordable. See you there! Here are the details: What: "Small Change for Big Change" grassroots fundraiser with John Edwards and you Where: Goode's Armadillo Palace 5015 Kirby Drive at Barlett Houston, Texas 77098 When: Wednesday, June 27th, 5 p.m. 5015 Kirby Drive at Barlett Houston, Texas 77098 Tickets are $15 *Cash bar* Click here to get tickets and more information.

Houston, Meet Your New City Council Member!

On Saturday, Melissa Noriega was elected to Houston City Council At-Large Position 3 - Shelley Sekula-Gibbs' vacated seat. She beat Roy Morales handily, 56%-44%.

Sweet! Doesn't Melissa look good in pink? This is the way to wear pink!

Meet Melissa here on the Houston City Council website.

And, watch here for news on her swearing in on Wednesday, June 27th.

Join These Supporters in Voting for Melissa Noriega on June 16

Join these Melissa Noriega supporters in voting for her on Saturday, June 16th in the runoff election for Houston City Council. The turnout will be low and every vote counts! Find your polling location here. Join Melissa at her Election Night party at Cafe Adobe at 2111 Westheimer at Shepherd as soon as the polls close at 7 p.m.

Elected and Former Elected Officials

HCC Board Member Jay Aiye State Representative Dr. Alma A. Allen Houston City Council Member Carol Alvarado Honorable Kevin Bailey Honorable Ben and Melanie Barnes Honorable Chris and Alison Bell Harris County Democratic Party Chair Gerry Birnberg Honorable Laurie and Jeff Bricker Houston City Council Member Peter Brown State Representative Ellen Cohen Honorable Paul Colbert State Representative Garnet Coleman Honorable Art and Alicia Contreras Constable Ruben Davis State Representative Harold Dutton State Senator Rodney Ellls State Representative Jessica Farrar State Senator Mario Gallegos Houston City Council Member Adrian Garcia Honorable Herlinda Garcia Congressman Al Green State Representative Ana Hernandez State Representative Scott Hochberg State Representative Chuck Hopson Honorable William E. King Honorable Bob and Elyse Lanier Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Honorable Herman Litt Honorable Al Luna Houston City Council Member Sue Lovell State Representative Borris Miles Honorable Michael Mosteit State Representative Dora Olivo Houston City Controller Annise Parker Honorable Gordon Quan State Representative Richard Raymond Honorable Gracie Saenz Ambassador Arthur Schechter HCC Board Member Richard Schechter Honorable Sue Schechter State Representative Senfronia Thompson Honorable Eleanor Tinsley Constable Victor Trevino State Senator Leticia Van De Putte State Representative Hubert Vo State Senator John Whitmire

Organizations and PACS

African Coalition PAC Asian American Democrats of Texas AT&T Texas PAC CenterPoint Energy PAC CWA Local 6222 PAC Filipino American Caucus for Empowerment Greater Houston Builders Association HOME-PAC Harris County AFL-CIO Council Harris County Democrats Harris County Young Democrats Heights Democrats Houston Apartment Association Better Government Fund Houston Chronicle Houston Council of Engineering Companies-PAC Houston GLBT Political Caucus PAC Houston Organization of Public Employees - H.O.P.E Houston Police Officers' Union PAC Houston Police Retired Officers Association PAC Houston Professional Firefighters Association Local #341 IBEW-C.O.P.E Local #66 I. L. A. Local 1351 ILA PAC Jewish Herald Voice Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas Action Fund, Inc Pleasantville Voters League Plumbers Local #68 PAC Sharpstown Democrats Tejano Democrats

Others

Elaine Adams Sylvie Adams Mary Francis Alb Donna Alexander Carolyn Allgood Joe B. Allen Tom P. Allen Allen Boone Humphries Robinson LLP Tina Angelo Terrie Armstrong Arnold and Langrand Communications Janie L. Arsizo Susie Askanase Scott Atlas Greg Audel Dr. Dionel Aviles Rev. Jay B. and Naomi Burton Bagby Kendall Baker Rosa Balaco Brooks Ballard Donald & Susan Bankston Alice Bergeron Sheila Blake Priscilla Bloomquist Melissa Bondy Bob Borochoff C.O. "Brad" Bradford Mary and Jim Bratton Benjamin Brisco and Toni Medellin Gloria Briseno Lena M. Brooks Hal Brown JIm Bruzzese Margaret V. Buchorn Sally Burkett Leah Burris Patricia Cabrera Zeph Capo James P. Cargas Darryl Carter Blanca Chavez Terry Cheng Jane Bauman Cherry Evelyn Chorush Elda Cisneros Barbara Clark Cindy Clifford Elizabeth Cocina Charlotte Coffelt Bobbie Cohen Art and Elizabeth Contreras Nikki Cooper Roy Cormier Thomas Coyne Dan Cromack David Cromack Jay Crossley Rod Danielson Stephen David Jonathan Day June Deadrick Kim DeLaney Djokic Aaron Dockery Tom Dornbush AJ Durrani Michael Engelhart Joshua Espinedo Janie Evans Jim Fagan Gayle Fallon C.J. Farley Gene Feigelson Noklek Finley Alan Fiszman Clyde Fitzgerald Sonny Flores Nancy Fowler Donald and April Fox Noel Freeman Kelly Frels Lynn Fuller Franklin, Cardwell & Jones Bill Galbraith Bill Garcia Gilbert Garcia Richard Garcia Judith Gatchell Sara Owen-Gemoets Walter and Paula Goff Gloria Gomez Michael Gomez Doris Graham Blake Green Jerry Greenspan Kerry Gregg Carol Grinaker Roy Gutierrez Jay Hamburger Rod and Mary Harper Joan Harrington Sarah Harrington Judye Hartman Hal Heitman Jim Henley Barbara Hermes Nicholas Hellyar Teresa Herrin Dr. Walter B. Hicks Diana Hobby Janet and Paul Hobby Ralph and Carolyn Hockley Robin Holzer Adra Hooks Mohammed Imaduddin Loren D. Jackson, Esq. Howard Johnson John E. Joiner Patricia K. Joiner Dallas Jones Sudhakar Kalaga Kuman Karakheti Molly Kelly Shelley Kennedy Greg and Jean Kenney Kane Kenney Ivan Kerguelen Debra Kerner Abdur Rauf Khan Chad Khan Mark Kollmorgen Adriana D. Kugler John LaRue Reverend William (Bill) Lawson Heather Lazare Richard Leal Marc Levinson Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP Christina Lindsay Larissa LIndsay Larry Lipton Judy Long Rick Lord Rita Lucido Al Luna Carolyn McDavid Patrick McIlvane Bob McPherson, Ph.D. Phillip McNutt Hans Marticiuc D. Fred Martinez Vidal Martinez Mike and Sherrie Matula Edward M. Matusak Ivan Mayers Charles Mayfield, Jr. Stace Medellin Sylvia S. Medellin Laura Mendoza Bruce and Karen Menke Robert Miller David M. Mincberg Alfred Molison Linda Morales Susan Morrison Benton Musselwhite Isabel Nart Guadalupe Navarro Yolanda Black Navarro Andy Neill Cristina Oliveros George Oser Rick Pal John Anthony and Rosanna Urban Parra, Sr. Sonia Perez Ann Petrillo Mary and Jim Porter Arthur Pronin Mary Ramos Edwin Ramsey & Catherine Gleitz Steve Reilley Peter Rene Gail Hartshorn Revis Marvin and Shirley Rich Linda Richard James Robertson James Rodriguez Olga Rodriguez R. Joseph Rodriguez Robert Salinas Joseph W. Samuels Vincent Sanders Amy Sater and Akif Uzman Babe Schwartz Travis Sheive Barry Silverman Chuck Silverman Bobby and Jasmeeta Singh Ed Smith Steven Smith Sylvia Smith Daniel Snooks J. Michael Solar Jose Soto John Spear Chuck Stava Barbara and Bob Stout Michael Studdert Ellen Stupak-Shaw Charlene V. Tanner Ronnie Thomas Mini Timmaraju Grace Travis Linda Trevino Raymond Turner Aimee and Bob Turney Ella Tyler Tiffany Tyler and Charles Kuffner Lee Vela Jane Vidales Sherry Sellers Vinson John and Emily Walker Juanita Walker Mark Weesner Jerome Weisenfelder Henry Weissborn Carl Whitmarsh Claudia Williamson Kellen Wilson Robert Wimpelberg Jackie Witt E. Dale Wortham Cortney Wright Ed Wulfe Edward Ybarra Frank Ybarra Katherine and Mark Yzaguirre Roy Zermeno

Faux Poll On Immigration

The latest telephone poll taken by the office of the Governor of Texas asked whether people who live in Texas think illegal immigration is a serious problem: A) 35% of respondents answered: "Yes, it is a serious problem." B) 65% of respondents answered: "No es una problema serio."

Bush Wears Crocs

With Presidential seal socks. Via Kos:

Women for Hillary

We've got that ridiculous Dan Rather calling Katie Couric a tart on the one hand and Hillary Clinton running for President of the United States on the other. Dan is dinosaur. Extinct. I'm sorry I ever watched even one of his newscasts. A new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows that Clinton's consistent lead in the polls can be attributed to women. All I ever here is that women are running FROM Hillary, but the data does not show that, particularly with women who have only a high school diploma - called "women with needs." I find that to be interesting that there is a candidate that appeals to the very people the Democratic party is all about. Ellen Malcom, president of Emily's List became the national co-chairman of Hillary's campaign last week. That got my attention, as I am a long time supporter of Emily's List. I was impressed with Hillary when I saw her when she was in Houston. In the debates she seems to be the only one who has serious plans and a full grasp of the issues. I saw Obama in Houston, also, and he is all about hope, that is for sure. And, not much else. I'd like very much to see Edwards in Houston. Maybe I need to whip out that Hillary t-shirt I haven't worn in awhile.

Last Day To Vote Early For Melissa Noriega

Here's what you put in your PDA: Vote today before 7 pm at one of the convenient early voting locations for Melissa Noriega for Houston City Council for At-Large, Position 3 Or, vote on Election Day, Saturday, June 16th, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Attend Election Night Victory Party at Cafe Adobe at Westheimer and Shepherd

Vote today at one of these locations until 7 p.m.:

Downtown: Harris County Administration Building, 1001 Preston, 1st Floor, Houston, TX 77002

Acres Homes: Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, 6719 West Montgomery Road -Houston, TX 77091

North: Hardy Senior Center, 11901 West Hardy Road, Houston, TX 77076-1220

Alief: Alief Regional Branch Library, 7979 South Kirkwood, Houston, TX 77072-4701

Southwest Houston: Bayland Park Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet near Hillcroft, Houston, TX 77074-6520

Near West Side: Tracy Gee Community Center, 3599 Westcenter Drive, (One Block East of Sam Houston Tollway - off Richmond), Houston, TX 77042-5213

Far West Houston: Courtyard By Marriott - Board Room, 12401 Katy Freeway @ Dairy Ashford, Houston, TX 77079-1401

Spring Branch: Harris County Courthouse Annex #35, 1721 Pech Road, Houston, TX 77055-3308

Palm Center: 5300 Griggs Road ( Enter JP/Constable door), Houston, TX 77021-3715

Astrodome Area: Fiesta Mart Inc., 8130 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77054-1706

South Houston Area: The Power Center, 12401 South Post Oak Road, Houston, TX 77045-2007

Sunnyside: Sunnyside Multi-Service Center, 4605 Wilmington, Houston, TX 77051-3333

Southeast Houston: H.C.C.S. Southeast College, 6815 Rustic @ Garland, Angela Morales Bldg., Student Lounge, Houston, TX 77087-2708

Clear Lake: Freeman Branch Library, 16616 Diana Lane, Houston, TX 77062-5812

**Kashmere: Julia C. Hester House, 2020 Solo Street, Houston, TX 77020

Kingwood: Fire Station 102, 4102 Lake Houston Parkway, Kingwood, TX 77339-5203

Moody Park: Moody Park Recreation Center, 3725 Fulton, Houston, TX 77009-4757

Northeast Houston: BeBe Tabernacle Methodist Church, 7210 Langley, Houston, TX 77016-2724

Neartown: Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 West Gray, Houston, TX 77019-4926

Downtown-East: Ripley House, 4410 Navigation Blvd., Houston, TX 77011 ** Indicates Change in Location

Click here for complete election information.

Please note: If you are in one of the eleven City of Houston precincts in Fort Bend County, you vote early at Chasewood Clubhouse 7622 Chasewood Drive, Missouri City.

Ellen Cohen Town Hall Meeting Wednesday Night

Be there! Ellen Cohen is having a Town Hall Meeting this Wednesday night, June 13th, from 7 to 8:30 PM at the Kaplan Theater at the Jewish Community Center, 5601 South Braeswood. It will feature Ellen and Quorum Report’s Harvey Kronbern on “What Happened, a Recap of the 80th Legislature.”

Fight! A Black Eye On The Senate

I heard about this from Mario Gallegos yesterday. And, no, this isn't Dewhurst and Whitmire. This is the Alabama Senate, where a Republican Senator punched a Democratic Senator. Let's see, Senator R (Charles Bishop) claims Senator D (Lowell Barron) called him a son of a bitch. "I responded to his comment with my right hand. (The right hand does not know what the left hand is doing). I was raised in the woods (by a pack of dogs) of Arkansas and people don't say that about your mom," said Senator R. Senator D said Senator R had just cursed at him and he tried to run the hell away when Pow! the one old white guy hit the other old white guy. Security guards and first aid supplies came flying into the room. Sounds like yet another case of too much testosterone. Blood supply in brain half of what it should be due to blood being diverted to another body organ.

Houston Chronicle: FOR Noriega in City Council Runoff

For Noriega: The Chronicle reminds voters of its endorsement in the special election to fill at-large City Council seat

In the runoff election to choose City Council member, At-large Position 3, the Chronicle reiterates its endorsement of candidate Melissa Noriega.

The June 16 election (early voting continues through June 12) will decide a replacement for former Councilwoman Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, who left the position for a brief term in Congress.

The new council member must help guide Houston through public safety decisions, such as how best to deploy our overworked, shorthanded police force, and an immigration debate that reverberates nationally.

Noriega, who impressively filled in for her husband, state Rep. Rick Noriega, when he was deployed with his National Guard unit to Afghanistan, is realistic and informed on these issues.

She gives priority to boosting the number of active patrol officers, ensuring that they are adequately equipped and letting them focus on police duties rather than diluting their efforts by doing the job of federal immigration officials.

Noriega also grasps that quality of life, including a clean, well-planned environment, is not a luxury but a necessity for Houston's economic future.

Finally, as a longtime school administrator, Noriega has crucial firsthand knowledge of the needs of Houston's youngest citizens. Voters already recognize Noriega's promise, nearly handing her a victory in last month's regular election. The Chronicle encourages even stronger support when voters cast their runoff election ballots early or return to the polls on June 16.

Like It's a Surprise Talton Wants TX-22?

The rumor mill is swirling that Robert Talton wants to be my Congressman. Don't we all remember how he wanted to be the Chosen One - the write-in candidate - against Nick Lampson in 2006? Let's review: Talton appears at the Sugar Land Memorial Day Celebration in May 2006 where Shelley embarrasses herself in the bizarre pink outfit. May 31, 2006: Rumor mill says Talton is The Chosen One. June 2006: A Republican candidate forum! So many people want to be The Chosen One. Here's what Talton had to say to the faithful: Robert Talton, state representative, district 144, Pasadena: Wants us to know that people talk about being conservative, but he REALLY, really is conservative. The NRA gave him an A+, Americans for Propserity gave him an A+ and the Young Conservatives gave him a 94. Go to the head of the class! Says that DeLay was consistent and we need someone consistent again (oh, wow, THAT is hilarious! Consistently corrupt?) Says he will be brief, so he begins to say things without explanation - he has core values and he has a world view (which is very important, but his is apparently a secret). Oh, and a Talton speech would not be complete without his signature, comical, almost Woody Woodpecker-ish line: "My yes is a yes and my no is a no." July 5, 2006: Here's the Fort Bend Republican Party event where Talton brought cookies! More fun in July: Talton can hardly figure out how to run a campaign. Oops. Talton can't raise any money. Hmm. Jared Woodfill. Talton's law partner. Lameness is catching. Great Talton photo in this post. With even more Woodfill lameness. Poor Talton. Somehow SHELLEY gets chosen over him. That had to have hurt. Good luck this time around, dude. I guess you think Crazy Bob Talton can beat Crazy Shelley in the primary. See yall at the candidate forums, muse camera in hand. I recommend that you invest in pink ties.

Early Voting Has Never Been So Much Fun!

I swear, the Mellisa Noriega fan club knows how to turn early voting into fun times with fun people. Besides the GOTV breakfast on Saturday, Tejano Dems have a cool event planned:

I hear there will be lots of GOTV activities at Noriega headquarters this weekend - phone banking, blockwalking - and that you can call 713-MELISSA (635-4772) or email info@melissanoriega.com for more information.

Early voting in the runoff for Houston City Council At-Large Position 3 ends on Tuesday, June 12th. Election Day is Saturday, June 16th! Early voting locations can be found here.

StopCornyn.com Launches

Break out the champagne today and help launch stopcornyn.com, your one stop website for all things regarding getting Senator Box Turtle (R-Endangered) out of office. You can read about what happened when a Kossack called the Senator from the Great State's office, Democratic challengers, polls showing BT's vulnerability and blog posts from all over everywhere on stopping Cornyn. While you are at it, check Brains and Eggs great post on the Stop Cornyn launch. He's also had some nasty run-ins with Box Turtle's office and reminds us about more of the insidious and dumbass things Cornyn has said outloud. Raising my glass to you . . .

You Are Invited To A GOTV Breakfast!

Let's Get Out The Vote, Houston!

Please join your fellow Democrats, Civic and Labor Leaders for a Pre-Election

GOTV Breakfast for the Runoff Election for Houston City Council At-Large, Position 3

Saturday, June 9, 2007 8:00 am - 9:30 am

Sponsored by Commissioner Sylvia R. Garcia, Harris County Precinct 2

Special Guest:

Melissa Noriega

Location:

Doneraki Restaurant 300 Gulfgate Houston TX 77082

RSVP to lvaughn5@houston.rr.com or 281-413-9954

Houston! Early Voting Has Begun

So, go vote in the runoff election for Houston City Council At-Large, Position 3. Vote for Melissa Noriega. You'll be glad you voted for someone who is smart, compassionate and plays well with others. Have you seen her endorsement list? Wanna be on it? Click the button at the bottom of the list and you too can be on Team Noriega. Turn out for this election will be something like 2% - 15,000 votes. Do the math. Your vote matters!

GO VOTE!

Early Voting Dates and Times: Early Voting Schedule:

Monday - Friday, June 4th - 8th: 8 a.m. -5 p.m.

Saturday, June 9th: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, June 10th: 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Monday-Tuesday, June 11th-12th: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Early Voting Locations:

Downtown: Harris County Administration Building, 1001 Preston, 1st Floor, Houston, TX 77002

Acres Homes: Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, 6719 West Montgomery Road -Houston, TX 77091

North: Hardy Senior Center, 11901 West Hardy Road, Houston, TX 77076-1220

Alief: Alief Regional Branch Library, 7979 South Kirkwood, Houston, TX 77072-4701

Southwest Houston: Bayland Park Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet near Hillcroft, Houston, TX 77074-6520

Near West Side: Tracy Gee Community Center, 3599 Westcenter Drive, (One Block East of Sam Houston Tollway - off Richmond), Houston, TX 77042-5213

Far West Houston: Courtyard By Marriott - Board Room, 12401 Katy Freeway @ Dairy Ashford, Houston, TX 77079-1401

Spring Branch: Harris County Courthouse Annex #35, 1721 Pech Road, Houston, TX 77055-3308

Palm Center: 5300 Griggs Road ( Enter JP/Constable door), Houston, TX 77021-3715

Astrodome Area: Fiesta Mart Inc., 8130 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77054-1706

South Houston Area: The Power Center, 12401 South Post Oak Road, Houston, TX 77045-2007

Sunnyside: Sunnyside Multi-Service Center, 4605 Wilmington, Houston, TX 77051-3333

Southeast Houston: H.C.C.S. Southeast College, 6815 Rustic @ Garland, Angela Morales Bldg., Student Lounge, Houston, TX 77087-2708

Clear Lake: Freeman Branch Library, 16616 Diana Lane, Houston, TX 77062-5812

**Kashmere: Julia C. Hester House, 2020 Solo Street, Houston, TX 77020

Kingwood: Fire Station 102, 4102 Lake Houston Parkway, Kingwood, TX 77339-5203

Moody Park: Moody Park Recreation Center, 3725 Fulton, Houston, TX 77009-4757

Northeast Houston: BeBe Tabernacle Methodist Church, 7210 Langley, Houston, TX 77016-2724

Neartown: Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 West Gray, Houston, TX 77019-4926

Downtown-East: Ripley House, 4410 Navigation Blvd., Houston, TX 77011 ** Indicates Change in Location

Click here for complete election information.

Please note: If you are in one of the eleven City of Houston precincts in Fort Bend County, you vote early at Chasewood Clubhouse 7622 Chasewood Drive, Missouri City:

Monday-Friday June 4-8: 10-7 Saturday, June 9: 8-5 Sunday, June 10: 12-5

Lampson On The War, Impeachment, Immigration and Toll Roads

I'm sorry I had to miss Lampson's town hall meeting in Sugar Land this week. Here's the recap I found in the Chronicle. Readers, tell me what you think! On the Iraq Supplement (he voted for it): Lampson said funds cannot be cut entirely because it would also affect border enforcement. It is a complex issue, and Congress is making progress, he said. The President has to report to Congress in July, and top military commanders will have to report to Congress on the progress made in Iraq in September. After those reports, Congress will act appropriately, he said. (I wonder what he means by appropriate? I don't trust the President to deliver a truthful report. I hope appropriate means cutting war funding in order to scale back the war - fully within the powers of Congress.) On Impeachment: He was twice asked to explain his position on impeaching President Bush and Vice-president Dick Cheney. Lampson said the Congress should do its job, and a mechanism is in place through committees to hold the administrative departments accountable. If someone acted illegally, it would come out and actions would follow, he said."I won't promote articles of impeachment against the president and vice-president," Lampson said. (I agreee with this and my reason is because we need to stay focused on getting our Democratic agenda in Congress accomplished and on getting a Democrat elected to the White House.) Immigration: Lampson said he is not in favor amnesty because those who have been waiting legally for years should get the clearance first. The problem of illegal aliens entering the country should be addressed first, by allocating needed resources to the border agents and to the customs and immigration services to ensure that existing laws are enforced. That needs to be done before considering the issue of illegal immigrants who are already here, Lampson said. (Dos Centavos! Comment, por favor! You know this stuff better than I do.) Toll Roads: Lampson said he is not in favor of toll roads, but in some cases, they cannot be avoided. TxDOT is opposed to earmarked funds by Congress because TxDOT would have no control over that money, he said. Lampson said he would prefer earmarked funds, so that some of the critical projects in his constituency can be carried out. Lampson later said that he supported "transparent earmarks," where a member puts his or her name to the earmark and defends the project. He is opposed to earmarks that are secretly sneaked in at midnight after the conference committees conclude their meetings. (He's been consistent on transparent earmarks. He experienced some of the ugly, sneaky dealings on that by the R's last time he was in Congress.) Oh, and on running again in 22: "In thinking through it, following my calculations in my mind and discussions with my family, I thought the best thing is to run for District 22," Lampson said. The decision is final, he added. Sounds like a great town hall meeting with all the right questions asked.

Vast Right Wing Confusion On the War Supplement

You know how sometimes you are just so super smart and you know what you firmly believe, and then you run across something that someone wrote that distills your thinking in a way that you couldn't? (otherwise known as "I'm a big picture thinker and can't be bothered by the details" type of person or "I'm just too damned lazy to be bothered.") Here's Michael Kinsley (does anyone else thing Kinsey Report when they read that byline? No, just me?) on the vote for the Iraq war supplement. Brace yourself for Republican nonsense. You've been warned: Republicans, including Occupant in Chief: Last week President Bush condescended to sign a bill authorizing $100 billion for his war, but only after any serious timetables or criteria or deadlines for troop withdrawal were stripped from the legislation. There was a time, circa 1999, when Republicans considered it the height of naivete, irresponsibility and indifference to the fate of American soldiers to commit any troops to action in a foreign country without what used to be called an "exit strategy." That was when the president was a Democrat. Republican candidates for the Occupant in Chief: For this they got crocodile tears from Sen. John McCain. Squandering a bit more of his war-hero capital, McCain came close to accusing the two leading Democratic presidential candidates of treason: "I was very disappointed to see Senator Obama and Senator Clinton embrace the policy of surrender." Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, with no known foreign policy expertise or even interest (unless you count his "mission" to France after college, trying to convert the French to Mormonism), attributed Clinton's and Obama's votes to "an inexperienced worldview on national security." Conservative Media: A confused Wall Street Journal editorial last week seemed to be addressing this question of how an elected representative might legitimately oppose a war in our democracy. It began by accusing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of cowardice. They "claim to oppose the war and want it to end, yet they refused to use their power of the purse to end it." Sens. Clinton, Obama and Chris Dodd (also running for president) voted against the final Iraq funding bill because all meaningful deadlines and timetables had been stripped out so that President Bush would sign it. That Wall Street Journal editorial accuses these three Democratic senators of "vot[ing] to undermine U.S. troops in the middle of a difficult mission." If this is true of last week's vote, it will always be true of any attempt to cut off a war by cutting off funds. War Mongers: Advocates of the current war who enjoy the spectacle of war opponents caught in this trap of laws and logic had better hope that every military action a president chooses to engage in from here on out is as wonderful to them as is the war in Iraq. Because there is nothing war-specific about this line of argument. It would work just as well on an invasion of Canada or an aerial bombardment of Portugal. The president can do it if he wants to, and no one can legitimately stop him. Bush Voters Who Were Duped: When this president first ran for national office, he campaigned on a platform of criticizing his predecessor for engaging in military action (in Kosovo and Somalia) without an exit strategy. He mocked the notion of trying to establish democracy in distant lands. He denounced the use of American soldiers for "nation-building." In 2000, if you were looking for a way to express your disapproval of the policies and prejudices that later got us into Iraq, your obvious answer would have been to vote for George W. Bush. With the R's this confused and out of step with reality, surely the D's can point some of this out to an electorate sick to death of the war in Iraq.