GOP Primary - U.S. House District TX-10 – Discussion Thread

11 February 2004 | PetroniDE

[PetroniDE]

The Texas primaries are set for Tuesday, 9 March 2004. The U.S. Congressional districts in Texas have been significantly altered due to the re-districting battle last year. One heavily altered district is TX-10 which stretches from the western suburbs of Houston to Austin. Since the current office holder (Lloyd Doggett-D) is running in district TX-25, this is one district that many expect to switch from Democrat to Republican.

There are eight (at-least) GOP candidates for this office. Most of these candidates have little name recognition, and many people voting in this race were in other districts for the 2002 election, this thread is started to help gather and share information with fellow voters. Web-sites for the candidates are linked in alphabetical order.

Candidate web-sites are linked in alphabetical order. Chances of a run-off (to be held Saturday 3 April) are high, since it is unlikely anyone will get 50%+1 of the votes; we will deal with any potential run-offs later.

John Devine

Pat Elliott

John Kelley

Mike McCaul

Dave Phillips

Ben Streusand

Brad Tashenberg

Teresa Doggett Taylor

[PetroniDE]

I didn't make the forum on Monday.

I had election judge training scheduled for that evening. They made major changes regarding provisional voting and first time voters. My work schedule has been hectic lately, so wasn't able to make an earlier training class.

Thanks for the article link. I am still undecided on this race.

[esarlls3]

I went to the SOS Election Law training on Saturday AM in the Jury Assembly Room so I would be free Monday evening. I even went early so I could walk over and watch the train. Had a nice chat with a Metro Police officer. They still can't figure out why people keep turning left in front of the trains.

I think more undecided voters could have seen the candidates on Monday if the room was not stuffed with campaign staffers.

As I said earlier, I support McCaul.

[Gracey]

Good Choice.

Bump for later reading.

[NativeTexanandUTgrad]

I'm a nonpaid volunteer. I try to vote in an informed manner, so I met each of the candidates, talked to friends, visited websites, etc. McCaul impressed me most. I am a pastor of a local church, a lifelong republican, a fiscal and social conservative.

[WOSG]

Devine said his first priority would be to replace the income tax with a national retail sales tax and Streusand said he would first support the president's proposal to define marriage as an institution and stop activist judges from redefining the social fabric of our country.

And if you swapped the names the sentence would probably still be true. Singing similar tunes, and all.

[WOSG]

Thanks for your email.

Local pastor? Where is 'local'? Are you in Brenham?

Anyway, I am in Austin, member of HOT Freepers, and you are more than welcome to come to Austin for the Free Republic Heart of Texas meetings.

[WOSG]

Want to repeat this so people know who to support in the all-important judicial races...

Railroad Commissioner - VICTOR CARRILLO (Incumbent)

Justice, Supreme Court - STEVEN WAYNE SMITH (BEST choice by far - check his proven conservative record including famous Affirmative Action - Hopwood decision - Incumbent)

Judge, Court of Criminal. P2 - LARRY MEYERS (Incumbent)

Judge, Court of Criminal, P5 - PATRICIA NOBLE (kick out the Democrat Cheryl Johnson who ran as an R 6 years ago and won - a conservative man was in the runoff with her and stupid R's voted for her)

Judge, Court of Criminal, P6 - MICHAEL KEASLER (Incumbent)

Justice, 3rd Ct of Appeals, P4 - ERNEST GARCIA (His opponent Green is a Democrat)

Justice, 3rd Ct of Appeals, P6 - BOB PEMBERTON (Incumbent)

[esarlls3]

Here is an email I received from Teresa Doggett Taylor. (Formatting is from the email.) I note that her "endorsements" are eight years old.

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From: "Teresa For Congress" <teresa@teresaforcongress.com>
Subject: Vote Teresa For U.S. Congress, 10th District

My Dear Fellow Republican;

As you probably know, I am running for U.S. Congress in the 10th District. All I can say is this run has been very enlightening, inspiring and yet quite grueling.

For example, in four months, I have put about 25,000 miles on my truck and sometimes covered the length of this entire district from Austin to Northwest Houston, twice in one day.

Hey… what a “workout” this has been! Yet, I love it. I love meeting and listening to people, and being challenged. I believe that being a public servant in Congress is my assignment in life.

Based on conversations with constituents from around this district, they believe, in this 21st Century of Congressional redistricting change, our District needs a strong, “Can Do” Republican candidate for U.S. Representative.

We also need a person who is a team player, yet has and uses her own mind, and is a strong supporter of President George W. Bush. I believe that my long-term commitment to our congressional district residents, my previous hard fought campaign battles with unwanted liberals like the “dreaded” Lloyd Doggett and my extensive business background in commercial banking, international trade and tax law, my Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University and all the insights I have gained from my extensive world travel and negotiations, qualifies me to immediately step-in to serve as our District’s newest Republican Congresswoman.

Honestly, I welcome the challenge and the accompanying responsibility. I’m told that, once in office, as an African-American woman, I will be a great counteracting force to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

That will be a real privilege and an honor.

I’m a third generation Republican, I’m use to fighting “hard” for what is right, God has given me plenty of energy and common sense and I’m ready to do this job. I want to bring more jobs and better transportation channels back home, work to create a workable healthcare and social security system, take better care of our veterans, active duty military and teachers and help to unify this Nation.

I have been called a “female warrior, spunky and determined.” In the Dallas Morning News, April 27,1996, Majority Leader, Dick Armey said, “I don’t think we have anywhere the candidate who is such a shining star as (Teresa).”

Business Week, June 10, 1996, had this to say, “A successful Austin businesswoman, she’s smart, well versed on the issues, quick on her feet, and telegenic.”

I want to help this country get back to the basics (like our grandparents taught us)– hard work, respect for life and authority, love for our neighbors, common sense approaches to problem solving and love for our country.

I want to help us all think, dream and achieve more and strive for “Bigger.” We must strive to reach beyond ourselves and, in doing so, be an example to the next child and the next person.

I can do this with your help, therefore, I, respectfully, ask for your vote on March 9th. Thank you so much for your support now and previously.

Also, thank you so much for taking the time to read this letter and for your consideration. If you have friends within the 10th District, please forward this message to them.

And may I encourage you by saying whatever it is you do or are doing, “push on” because whether you know it or not, you are somebody’s hero. Please always feel free to call me at my campaign headquarters: (512) 206-0191, I will be glad to speak with you.

Yours sincerely,

Teresa Doggett Taylor

[esarlls3]

Received another anonymous attack mailer against Streusand and McCaul today. This one had the return address blacked out - apparently they don't even want mail to come back to them.

Again, the attack is on:

Streusand for "buying" the election with $2.4 Million of his own money, for donating to Democrats in past elections, and for not voting in the 2000 primary.

McCaul for allowing Johnny Chung to get away without jail time and being his friend. McCaul is also criticized for working as a prosecutor under Deomcrats including Texas AG Jim Mattox, and US AG Janet Reno/Bill Clinton. Finally he is criticized for being "responsible for implementing the Hate Crimes Act".

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For McCaul on Johnny Chung, Mike turned Johnny's guilty plea into a cooperating witness to testify in Congress. This led to the revalation that the contributions to the Clinton campaign were from teh Director of Chinese Intelligence - a major embarrassment to the Clinton administration. The accounts describing their friendship are from hype Johnny produced while trying to land a book or movie deal about his experience. According to McCaul, these are "sensational and largely fabricated stories."

McCaul worked as a career prosecutor, not a political appointee, in the Justice Department under five AG's. One of these was a Democrat (Reno).

I particularly like the accusation that he was "responsible for implementing" a law passed by the Texas Legislature. Perhaps they would prefer that all Republicans in the Texas AG office quit when the Legislature passes a bill they don't like rather than stay on the job and implement and enforce the rest of the laws on the books.

(disclaimer: I am an unpaid volunteer supporting Michael McCaul. I had extended interviews with McCaul and Streusand, and several direct conversations with Devine and Phillips before supporting McCaul.)

[Gracey]

I particularly like the accusation that he was "responsible for implementing" a law passed by the Texas Legislature. Perhaps they would prefer that all Republicans in the Texas AG office quit when the Legislature passes a bill they don't like rather than stay on the job and implement and enforce the rest of the laws on the books.

And I guess anyone in the military should quit if they don't go along with Clinton's invasion of Bosnia and Democrats in the military should quit if they don't believe we should be in Afghanistan or Iraq, and I should have quit NASA when I had to implement some of Gore's environmental wacko policies and blow my over 30 year career.

I haven't heard Devine justify why he taken contributions from Trial Lawyer, John O'Quinn one of the biggest plaintiffs lawyers in Texas.

[DrewsDad]

I noticed Streusand went negative with 2 flyers I received yesterday. I have would have no problem with that but then he turns around and whines about negative campaigning and uses the same innuendo and half-truths that he accuses others of.

Sort of like pointing out that their own association with questionable characters mean nothing then decrying the associates of others, eh?

[YCTHouston]

I sure would like to know who' sending out the so-called "Citizens for Education" attack pieces. That is giving Devine the benefit of the doubt that they're not straight from him. Anyway, the cowardly nature of these attacks speaks for itself.

I had questions about Devine's integrity before; these constant anonymous attacks are just adding on.

Before someone asks me why I think Devine is responsible for the attacks:

1. There are 3-4 candidates w/ a shot for the run-off, the last of whom is Devine. Devine has not been attacked.

2. Most of the "information" in the CFE mail pieces is the same as the emails I got from Devine supporters. Someone is coordinating this on Devine's behalf. If he isn't directly responsible, he should condemn it.

3. I've seen him use similar tactics in his prior races (4 in the last 10 years, 3 of which he lost - this is now the 5th different office he's run for in just a decade).

Has anybody scanned these "Citizens for Education" mailers? I haven't gotten one and would love to see it. Also understand if you don't want to be responsible for spreading it further though.

Someone needs to get to the bottom of this and find out who's responsible. I love hardball politics, but this is stuff is below the belt.

[Gracey]

It's Devine, in concert with Steve Hotze, more than likely. Also, did you see where he used precinct chairmen's names on endoresment post cards to their constituents without his permission? It's all typical Devine, Hotze, and their trial lawyer friends. Also, no different than what I saw of his political style when I lived in Houston.

[Gracey]

I noticed Streusand went negative with 2 flyers I received yesterday.

Hmmmm how interesting. Can you share what the flyers where about and who they were targeted at? Has McCaul sent out any mailers to rebuttal the "Beware" flyer?

I'm ashamed that Republicans have to resort to this mentality to kill each other. I must say, John Culberson had so much mud thrown at him by Steve Hotze and his hatchet men, because Culberson wouldn't give Hotze the oblilgatory $5,000 to $10,000 for his support. I was so proud that Culberson fought Hotze's trash mail and Peter Wareing's high dollars but still won. He's one of our best US congressmen and votes his conscience, just as he did in the Texas House. Bless you John Culberson.

[Gracey]

Received this from Teresa Doggett today:

Teresa Doggett Taylor
Candidate for US Congress
District 10
____________________________________________________________________________
Dear TFRW Sister,

Thank you for being so supportive of my current campaign, and all the support you have given me in my past when running against John Sharp for Texas Comptroller in 1994 and against the "dreaded" Lloyd Doggett in 1996.

This campaign for the new district 10 has been very interesting... Since I'm running against guys with so much money, I have had to do it the hard way, door-to-door. I've put 24,897 miles on my truck in the last four months, I've been fortunate to have attracked 431 volunteers throughout the district and my name ID has helped me considerably. It has been a very busy time and we are all a bit tired! (Try a LOT tired.) At the beginning of this campaign, I vowed to be available to all my constituent groups, whether large or small, and have tried to visit everyone that I could. I must say, all the driving back and forth around the district is toughening me and giving me endurance for the future.

After listening to voters throughout the district, it appears that in deciding which candidate to vote for, people are attempting to look at the person's "heart" and not get caught up in all the hype and drama of the contest. Additionally, I would advise to find out which candidate considers your best interest to be uppermost in priority? Which candidate answers your questions honestly and adequately?

Every race for office is difficult unless there is only one candidate. In this instance there are eight, so it makes the contest harder. I am enjoying the race and believe that it will ultimately, like my earlier
campaigns, make me a better person enabling me to face the issues looming in Congress. This campaign is different from my previous ones, in that it has been (at least from my perspective) fairly clean and hard fought. In my battle for State Comptroller against John Sharp, a hired group of men cut the hose behind my washing machine and flooded my house. We discovered ballot security breaches in the race for Congress against Lloyd Doggett. We trust that there will be no such ballot problems this year. However, I am my father's daughter, and if there is a need to fight against unjust campaigning, I will, just like he fought against the enemy in World War II.

As another piece of inside information, some of my responses to certain questions were erroneously sent in and printed in the Freemarket Foundation Voters' Guide. For instance, I am not, nor will I ever be in favor of cloning. If you see or hear any information that is questionable to you, please feel free to call me at 512-801-3538. This is my personal cell phone, and I will be glad to discuss any questions and issues with you.

Here are some of the concerns that I will address in Congress, when elected:
1. Decline of moral values in America.
2. Lack of taking personal responsibility for ones actions and obligations.
3. Lack of interest in doing the needed research to be a well informed electorate.
4. Failure to honor our veterans, teachers and senior adults with adequate pay, health care, etc.
5. Failure to hold Congress to the same rules and regulations that it has set up for the rest of us, i.e., Social Security and Medicare. (Now that would be some REAL incentive!)
6. Need for getting rid of outdated programs and unnecessary boards and departments that overlap and cost us valuable dollars. (Some are like huge Texas cockroaches that just keep on showing up, year after year!)
7. And last, but not least, the current practice of sending a majority of our manufacturing jobs overseas and providing services to illegal aliens at taxpayer expense.

When elected, my office will always be open to you, and I will do what I can to solve any problems that you may have with the Federal government. I am also planning to do my best to be a "teamplayer" while using my own mind in Congress. Also, I will use all my Harvard University, nationwide business contacts and influence among as many cultures, races and nationalities to get President George W. Bush re-elected.

Again, let me thank you for allowing me to attend your meetings and gatherings. Thank you so much for considering my candidacy. I humbly ask for your vote.

Would you please do me the honor of sending this email on to the members of your organization and other friends? Thank you so much!

Yours sincerely,
Teresa Doggett Taylor
Candidate US Congress, District 10
and TFRW Sister

[esarlls3]

Has McCaul sent out any mailers to rebuttal the "Beware" flyer?

There has been one direct mail card from McCaul that I have seen. Here is what is says:

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REPUBLICAN VOTER ALERT

There have been several last minute, anonymous attacks in the Primary race for Congressional District 10.

Don't believe the negative, untrue attacks against Michael McCaul.

---

You can tell a lot about a person by the company he keeps.

KNOW THE TRUTH

Here are the facts:

Micheal McCaul served on the Bush/Cheney 2000 Presidential transition team. He also worked in John Ashcroft's Justice Department and began his service as a career prosecutor under President Bush 41.

Michael McCaul was Attorney General John Cornyn's top Deputy for Criminal Justice. John Cornyn has endorsed Michael, calling him a "capable, conservative leader."

Michael McCaul was appointed by Governer Rick Perry to the Anti-Crime Commission.

Michael McCaul is a Conservative leader for Texas with Integrity.

Remember to Vote on March 9th for Michael McCaul - U.S. Congress.

---

[Gracey]

Hey, you're so kind to share this. Thanks a lot, dear one. I heard he was going to rebutt it. He surely did it very mildly.

Today I received a phone message from Governor Perry. He's asking people to vote for Green (ugh) for Supreme. How disappointing that Perry has to stoop to this revengful position against a very decent man Smith. I hope so much that Smith will win again. He's a wonderful Justice.

[shield]

February 23, 2004

Congressman Tom Feeney (24-Florida) has joined The Liberty Caucus making Congressman Ron Paul's freedom bloc 23 members strong. We are thrilled to have Mr. Feeney as a new member and look forward to working with him and his staff.

Congressman Paul's caucus has two other prospective members. JUDGE JOHN DEVINE and Wes Riddle have committed to joining The Liberty Caucus if they are elected to the U.S. House. Judge Devine is a leading candidate in Texas' new 10th congressional district. Wes Riddle is running against John Carter in Texas' 31st district.

As word of The Liberty Committee spreads, candidates come forward to express their devotion to constitutional principle and pledge to work with The Liberty Committee if elected to Congress. Current caucus members Marilyn Musgrave and Scott Garrett first came to our attention that way. Rep. Musgrave was a state senator in Colorado, and Rep. Garrett was an assemblyman in New Jersey.

Working together, we are making a difference. The Liberty Caucus will continue to grow as word of The Liberty Committee's activities spreads. Despite retirements and term-limits pledges, we have more caucus members than ever before, with the potential to add even more. Right now, we're pleased to welcome Mr. Feeney to The Liberty Caucus.

Kent Snyder The Liberty Committee www.thelibertycommittee.org

[Gracey]

But Devine is master at dirty campaigning. He's not a decent type Republican. Sorry to have to say that about a man who used to be pretty nice. He has trashed Mike McCaul and Ben Streusand with false accusations and admitted it.

[esarlls3]

I find it interesting that Paul is endorsing Devine. While Devine is a member of RLC, his position on social issues, at least his campaign position, is very different from the Libertarian view.

Devine should have kept his position as Judge.

I was also surprised to hear Ron Stone endorsing his "good friend and neighbor" John Kelly - who didn't even have answers to general questions in the candidate forum.