Politics
Texas weighs in Tuesday on Democratic nail-biter/Former first lady says battle could go on for months
By CHRISTY HOPPE and TODD J. GILLMAN / The Dallas Morning News, 3/4/8
Their race stubbornly tight, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama blitzed Texas on Monday in a final surge of campaigning for Tuesday's primary.
Analysis: Texans emboldened by primary, but divisions remain
By WAYNE SLATER / The Dallas Morning News, 3/4/8
AUSTIN – For a campaign about bringing us together, the Texas primary has played to our richest divisions. Texas, which is actually many states in one, goes into today's election with candidates appealing to voters by gender and generation, geography and race.
Dallas volunteers key to Texas primary push
By BRUCE TOMASO and DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News, 3/4/8
Sixteen-year-old Kristina Ferguson took her SATs Saturday morning. Hours later, she did her small part to help Barack Obama become president.
Democrats expect no knockouts
By R.G. RATCLIFFE, Houston Chronicle, 3 March 2008
AUSTIN – The monthlong political fight in Texas and Ohio concludes in today's primaries, but the campaigns of U.S. Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama signaled Monday that neither expects a knockout punch for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Texas is a whole other campaign
By R.A. DYER, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 March 2008
AUSTIN – Back in 1976, President Ford made a mistake that's unthinkable for most Texans.
Clinton, Obama took distinct approaches in Texas campaigns
By KAREN BROOKS, Dallas Morning News, 4 March 2008
AUSTIN – The Democratic presidential candidates are similar on most policy issues but could not have been more different when it came to courting voters.
Clinton says she never threatened lawsuit
By JAY ROOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 March 2008
AUSTIN – Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton said Monday that her campaign never threatened to sue over Texas' complicated two-step election process, but she did not rule out the possibility of a future challenge.
Clinton, Obama sprint to Texas finish
By Chuck Lindell , W. Gardner Selby, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 4 March 2008
AUSTIN – Bringing their increasingly bitter race in Texas to a frantic finish, Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton blitzed the state with ads, e-mails, phone calls and personal appearances Monday as the Democratic rivals sought to stretch any advantage in a tight, crucial primary contest.
Hillary Clinton rally pumps up Southeast Texas crowd
By SARAH MOORE, Beaumont Enterprise, 4 March 2008
NEDERLAND – Girl Power. That's what 8-year-old Marissa Baeza of Mauriceville said to Sen. Hillary Clinton as she worked the crowd after her speech.
Third visit allow voters to get acquainted with Clinton campaign
By Aaron Nelsen, Brownsville Herald, 3 March 2008
BROWNSVILLE – When the day began, Delia Valdez didn’t expect she’d be hoisting a Hillary Clinton sign, hollering her approval for Bill Clinton.
Obama defends stance on border fence
By Sean Gaffney, McAllen Monitor, 1 March 2008
McALLEN – The United States needs a border fence in some areas, Sen. Barack Obama said Saturday.
McCain tells Texans he's counting on them to come to polls
By DAVE LEVINTHAL, Dallas Morning News, 4 March 2008
WACO – If Texans come to the polls Tuesday, "we will win the nomination," Republican presidential candidate John McCain declared during a campaign stop Monday night.
Mike Huckabee, Chuck Norris get out the vote at SMU
By JANA WALLIS, Dallas Morning News, 3 March 2008
DALLAS – The day before the Texas primary, presidential candidate Mike Huckabee rallied at SMU on Monday morning with Chuck Norris to get out the vote.
Candidate gets husband's help
By Dan Kelley, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 4 March 2008
CORPUS CHRISTI – Taped to the wall of Hillary Clinton's Corpus Christi campaign headquarters is a picture of the presidential candidate as a nutcracker.
Clinton stumps for college appeal
By Paul A. Anthony, San Angelo Standard-Times, 3 March 2008
SAN ANGELO – Chelsea Clinton brought her mother’s make-or-break Texas campaign back to San Angelo, urging Angelo State University students Sunday to vote for Hillary Clinton in Tuesday’s Democratic primary.
Bill Clinton campaigns for wife at UTPA rally
McAllen Monitor, 3 March 2008
EDINBURG – About 700 people gathered this morning at the University of Texas-Pan American campus in Edinburg to see former President Bill Clinton's rally for his wife's presidential campaign.
Michelle Obama Rallies ET's Support Monday
By MEGAN MIDDLETON, Tyler Morning Telegraph, 4 March 2008
TYLER – The wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama stopped in Tyler on the eve of the Texas primary to not only energize voters to cast a ballot for her husband, but to squelch criticism that he lacks experience and to stress that his campaign is in touch with the struggles of "regular folks."
Former mayors pledge support for Obama
BY EMMA PEREZ-TREVIÑO, Brownsville Herald, 3 March 2008
BROWNSVILLE – Cameron County is not “Clinton Country” as some believe and are in for a surprise, former mayor Blanca Sanchez Vela said Monday.
San Antonio televangelist responds to criticism of his McCain endorsement
By Mike Ward, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 3 March 2008
AUSTIN – A controversy about San Antonio televangelist John Hagee's endorsement of GOP presidential aspirant Sen. John McCain heated up this afternoon, as Hagee responded for the first time to accusations that he is anti-Catholic.
Texas gets big primary day after missing Super Tuesday
Houston Chronicle, 3 March 2008
SAN ANTONIO – Residents in the home state of the current president expected to be little more than a footnote in the nomination of the next.
Monitors will watch area polls
By CINDY GEORGE, Houston Chronicle, 3 March 2008
HOUSTON – Department observers will monitor elections in Fort Bend, Galveston and Waller counties today to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act, a federal statute that prohibits voting discrimination.
Early balloting portends huge turnout in Texas
Houston Chronicle, 4 March 2008
AUSTIN – Texans showed up in likely record-breaking numbers during two weeks of early voting, with voters in the state known for producing two George Bushes and Tom DeLay casting ballots in the Democratic primary.
Youth who marched for illegal immigrants two years ago get their chance to vote
By VANESA D. SALINAS, Dallas Morning News, 4 March 2008
DALLAS – Just two years ago, thousands of students – many of them 16 to 17 – took to the streets calling for a comprehensive immigration overhaul for millions of illegal immigrants.
Texas candidates struggle to get attention
Houston Chronicle, 3 March 2008
AUSTIN – Texans running for state offices are competing — mostly in vain — for voter attention in Tuesday's primary as the presidential primary race commands center stage.
Ex-cop, now pot pitchman, running for Congress in Texas
Houston Chronicle, 3 March 2008
DALLAS – A former narcotics officer who advocates the legalization of drugs has a new career goal — congressman.
Former narcotics officer, now pro-drugs, running for Congress
Houston Chronicle, 4 March 2008
DALLAS – A former narcotics officer who switched sides in the war on drugs — selling DVDs that teach people how to buy, sell, grow and transport marijuana without getting caught — has a new career aspiration: U.S. congressman.
Legislative primary races to be decided
Dallas Morning News, 4 March 2008
DALLAS – North Texas voters will decide several legislative primary races today, including state Rep. Jerry Madden's race against 23-year-old Jon Cole in House District 67 in southern Collin County.
Waco statehouse candidates spar on school vouchers, coal plants
By David Doerr, Waco Tribune-Herald, 4 March 2008
WACO – Republican voters in McLennan County-based House District 56 will decide today whether to give their state representative a third term in the Texas Legislature or replace him with the son of a former state senator.
Rios Ybarra: I am definitely not a Republican
By Steve Taylor, Rio Grande Guardian, 3 March 2008
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – On the eve of the election, a Texas House District 43 Democratic Party primary candidate has made her strongest repudiation yet of claims that she is a closet Republican.
Jones' critics may leave voters wondering at polls
By Enrique Rangel, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, 4 March 2008
LUBBOCK – It's not just Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama attacking each other on the 11tth hour anymore.
Hinojosa, Gonzales to file legislation to abolish the Texas caucus system
By Steve Taylor and Joey Gomez, Rio Grande Guardian, 3 March 2008
MISSION – Two Rio Grande Valley lawmakers say they plan to introduce legislation to do away with the Texas Democratic Party’s caucus system, which will operate Tuesday night for the presidential primary.
Here are the pivotal storylines for Texas primary
By Gromer Jeffers Jr, Dallas Morning News, 4 March 2008
DALLAS – The Texas primaries, with their bruising presidential showdowns and critical down-ballot races, could easily become one of the most memorable events in the state's storied political history.
SHOWDOWN: WHO WINS TEXAS? YOUR ELECTION DAY GUIDE
Dallas Morning News, 4 March 2008
DALLAS – A political kingmaker once again, Texas is poised to reshape the Democratic race for president – either giving Hillary Rodham Clinton enough of a boost to soldier on or anointing Barack Obama as the clear leader for his party's nomination.
It's not over when polls close
By CAROLYN FEIBE, Houston Chronicle, 3 March 2008
HOUSTON – Will the "Texas two-step" trip up Democrats tonight or will they nimbly dance through their two-part electoral process: a daylong primary followed by a night of caucusing?
With precinct convention process, voters get chance to be heard twice
By JOANNA CATTANACH, Dallas Morning News, 4 March 2008
DALLAS – So, you're excited about finally getting the chance to vote in a presidential primary, right?
Republicans for Hillary: The Anecdotal Evidence Builds
David Weigel, Reason Online, 3 March 2008
A bit earlier today I talked to Onzelo Markum, a Texas Republican strategist who's working on the Chris Peden campaign, and he had a few caveats about how GOP voters might be breaking.
In the world of Texas Democratic nominations, democracy isn't easy
By Carlos Guerra, San Antonio Express-News, 3 March 2008
SAN ANTONIO – If Sen. Barack Obama's and Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaigns — and the armies of reporters — are intensely focused on Texas Democrats, it is because the two are neck-and-neck in both the popular-vote and delegate tallies, and polls point to a very tight race here.
Obama and McCain are best for Tex
Austin American-Statesman, 3 March 2008
AUSTIN – Texas voters have turned out in record numbers for early voting before today’s primary balloting, perhaps to participate in a history-making election, perhaps to voice frustration with the way things are, or maybe both.
Recommendations for state Legislature
Houston Chronicle, 3 March 2008
HOUSTON – The Chronicle recommends the following candidates for their party's nomination for election to Texas House and Senate seats:
Sen. Clinton displays
Conroe Courier, 4 March 2008
CONROE – In a presidential election year that certainly will result in a change in leadership and philosophy in the White House, the Democratic nomination very well could be the frontrunner heading into the general election in November.
Record voter turnout expected, appreciated
San Antonio Express-News, 3 March 2008
SAN ANTONIO – Some candidates will prevail and some candidates will be defeated, but the democratic process will be the big winner in today's Texas primary elections.
Our recommendations for primary elections
San Antonio Express-News, 3 March 2008
SAN ANTONIO – The Express-News Editorial Board's recommendations for contested primary races are below.
For your consideration
For Worth Star-Telegram, 4 March 2008
FORT WORTH – Members of the Star-Telegram Editorial Board have interviewed candidates, reviewed their records where available and consulted other sources.
Yes on McCain, Obama for president
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, 4 March 2008
LUBBOCK – Primary election day finally has arrived. After weeks of campaigning and political advertisements, it comes down to this day of decision.
Government
Texas lottery employees still fear retaliation, audit says
Austin American-Statesman, 4 March 2008
HOUSTON – The Texas Lottery Commission has significantly improved its handling of employee grievances, but a majority of workers still fear they'll be punished if they complain about problems, state auditors said Monday.
Granjeno dusts off border fence protest
By James Osborne, McAllen Monitor, 3 March 2008
GRANJENO – There are no TV cameras or national press roaming the streets.
Changed Goals Betters Texas' Prison System
Tyler Morning Telegraph, 4 March 2008
TYLER – You might not think the Texas Capitol is the best place to go to look for new solutions to old problems, but the Texas Public Policy Foundation says state lawmakers deserve credit for some forward thinking on one issue.
News
Police arrest rally protester
By Dan Kelley, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 4 March 2008
CORPUS CHRISTI – Police arrested a protester Monday at an early morning campaign stop by former President Bill Clinton and charged him with disorderly conduct.
Texas steps up security to prevent cheating on TAKS tests
By HOLLY K. HACKER, Dallas Morning News, 3 March 2008
DALLAS – Texas testing officials are trying out a new strategy to prevent cheating on TAKS tests: Ask students to sign pledges that they won't cheat.
Texas spending per capita is the lowest in the country
By PATRICK BRENDEL, Houston Chronicle, 3 March 2008
WASHINGTON – The Texas state government spends less money per resident than any other state in the country, according to a new survey that also ranks Texas as the fourth best-run state in the nation.
Texas, D-FW fall in corporate real estate list
By BRENDAN M. CASE, Dallas Morning News, 3 March 2008
DALLAS – Texas and Dallas-Fort Worth both dropped in an annual ranking of the states and cities attracting the most new and expanded corporate facilities, Site Selection magazine said Monday.
People
Harris County to settle suit that led DA to step down
Houston Chronicle, 4 March 2008
HOUSTON – Harris County Commissioners voted Monday to pay $1.7 million to settle a civil rights lawsuit that ultimately led to the resignation of the district attorney.
Perry aide named Texas Youth Commission chief of staff
Dallas Morning News, 4 March 2008
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry's top criminal justice adviser has been named the Texas Youth Commission's chief of staff, state officials confirmed Monday.