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

[Lancey Howard]

Thanks for the info.
BUMP for Bill Lester.

[EternalVigilance]

District 11 congressional candidate Mike Conaway says he's 'a proven conservative'.

But the public positions he has taken tell a different story:

Mike Conaway supports a 'health of the mother' exception on abortion. Everyone who knows anything about the fight for the lives of the unborn in Washington knows that a 'health of the mother' exception is a ruse used by liberals to kill pro-life legislation, or to make it utterly meaningless. This position makes him functionally pro-choice, because most of the abortions performed today in America can be justified under that immoral policy.

Mike Conaway voted for every tax increase in his only previous elected office.

Mike Conaway very publically supported a liberal El Paso Democrat over a conservative Republican.

Mike Conaway has repeatedly voiced his support for the latest proposed amnesty for illegals.

Mike Conaway, when asked in a public debate in Brownwood about the Federalist Papers, didn't know a thing about them.

Mike Conaway, when asked on a radio call-in show what he thought of Sandra Day O'Conner's written opinion that 'international law' should supercede American law, replied that he agreed with Justice O'Conner.

Mike Conaway, when asked whether he would be willing to support legislation granting special protection based on 'sexual orientation', said that he was 'undecided'.

Mike Conaway supports continued funding for the National Endowment for the Arts.

Mike Conaway supports new programs to provide government child care.


Is Mike Conaway a 'proven conservative'?

You decide.

[DrewsDad]

I sent out the questionnaires last week(during a tough schedule at work for me) after getting the best email contact information that I could find. I told them that I would post a separate thread for each candidate that responded and that partial responses were OK as well.

I will ping y'all and a few others to any threads I post and we can also have a general thread with links to each response as well.

If you think you have a better contact than I may have sent it to for a particular candidate, then send me a FReepmail and we can discuss it.

I talked to several candidates personally at the UT College Republicans Candidate Forum last Tuesday Night which had all but Streusand, McCaul and Doggett Taylor present and was impressed by the conservative responses to many tough questions.

We have a strong slate of candidates in CD10 and I appreciate your help and encouragement in this new endeavor.

[Tall_Texan]

Thanks. I'll be glad to hear any responses you have. What did you think of the candidate forum? Any impressions? Did those not attending send any surrogates to explain their absence?

It's a pretty solid slate and I don't think I'd be too disappointed with any of them but, from what I can grasp, the three most likely horses in the field are McCaul, Devine and Streusand. Of those, I'm most impressed with Streusand and least impressed with McCaul.

McCaul has already pressed the hot button I do not want pressed - he put a canned speech on my telephone answering machine. I know the pols exempted themselves from the "Do Not Call" list but I can get my revenge by "opting out" of casting a vote for the ones who believe in telephone harassment.

I've warned the county GOP not to put me on their telemarketing lists and they deny they have one but I don't believe it. The candidates either get their lists from the party or from the county and I don't see where the county is going to supply them with phone numbers.

So, right now, I'm becoming a Streusand supporter although I'd still like to hear more about all the candidates.

[iamright]

Tall_Texan,
The Freemarket Foundation info for Streusand here
http://www.freemarket.org/portal/pdf/South.pdf
says that he supports more money for Gubmint Dacare for the Chilrun.

I met him, watched him take rapid-fire questions, and I did not hear one answer that could be considered liberal or RINO.

T_T, do you know if this position is correct for him? The freemarket matrix could have incorrectly put SF rather than SO?

[Tall_Texan]

All I can go by are his website and commercials since he has no track record in elective office. If that's his position, it's livable.

To be honest, the three things I like most about Streusand is he openly supports revising the tax code, is openly pro-life in his advertisements and is, as he constantly touts, not a lawyer. Being a businessman tells me he's used to budgeting and making hard choices on spending and revenue.

I know other candidates can also claim some of these things so I'm not saying this to bash any of the others but these are what attract me most so far.

As to the "openly pro-life" comment, I received a campaign flyer this week from him that is about nothing except abortion-related issues (parental notification, funding of Planned Parenthood, PBA, etc.). I figure if he's going to devote an entire flyer to the subject, he's not going to be a "me too" candidate that says they are pro-life to win over a conservative audience but you practically have to twist their arm to get them to talk about it and it later turns out that their definition of pro-life is anything on this side of NOW. His flyer said to me that he won't shrink from the issue.

Tashenberg has also been pro-life in his advertising and. I don't doubt that Devine is solidly pro-life as well. With all that, I was surprised to see Joe Pojman of Texas Alliance For Life (who I know personally) endorse McCaul.

So, as I've said often, I'm not *against* anybody in the field. They all seem like worthy candidates. I'm just most impressed by Streusand.

The only real knock I have is that he's Houston based and I'm here in Austin. There is a legitimate concern that with the realignment Austin will have nobody speaking for them. Lamar Smith's district includes San Antonio and the new District 25 that Doggett is running in includes the Rio Grande Valley so if Smith wins re-election (as he should), Doggett loses in CD25 and Devine or Streusand wins CD10, there won't be a congressman who will have a home base in Austin and they probably won't be inclined to dole pork to Austin before first feeding their home turf. That might be one reason why some Austinites are backing McCaul and Doggett-Taylor over the others. I think they'd prefer to have a congressman who is Austin-based.

[iamright]

I emailed the Streusand campaign for clarification,
and we'll see if they respond or not.

Another question I am pondering:
Are any of the candidates NOT millionaires?
Not that there is anything wrong with success,
but it seems that the trend is toward wealthy only need apply, from dogcatcher on up.

[Tall_Texan]

You need money to run a campaign, bucko, and if you don't have it you can't be your own man on the campaign trail.

[esarlls3]

I've warned the county GOP not to put me on their telemarketing lists and they deny they have one but I don't believe it. The candidates either get their lists from the party or from the county and I don't see where the county is going to supply them with phone numbers.

Campaigns can get voter history information from the county clerk. This identifies who voted in Republican primaries in the past. It can include phone numbers if they were given on voter registration. Could also cross-reference with phone list to get phone numbers.

[esarlls3]

As to the "openly pro-life" comment, I received a campaign flyer this week from him that is about nothing except abortion-related issues (parental notification, funding of Planned Parenthood, PBA, etc.). I figure if he's going to devote an entire flyer to the subject, he's not going to be a "me too" candidate that says they are pro-life to win over a conservative audience but you practically have to twist their arm to get them to talk about it and it later turns out that their definition of pro-life is anything on this side of NOW. His flyer said to me that he won't shrink from the issue.

Early in the campaign, Streussand did polling to ID hot topics for regular primary voters. Since that poll, I have received targetted mailings for "pro life", "tax reform" and "2nd Amendment" issues. That way he can focus mailings where they will be warmly received. I'm not sure if they are focusing on individual voters or larger areas but they are certainly tailoring the campaign to hit what's important to voters. (Not a bad thing as long as the legislative position matches the campaign position.)

[esarlls3]

Another question I am pondering: Are any of the candidates NOT millionaires? Not that there is anything wrong with success, but it seems that the trend is toward wealthy only need apply, from dogcatcher on up.

I am increasingly wary of candidates who "buy" their way into office without needing grassroots financial support. They may be great people but with their entire campaign funded by one special interest - and little opposition after winning their first primary - they could easily lose touch with their campaign positions.

[deport]

For the Texas Group don't forget that early voting for the March 9 Primary is underway.......

Feb. 23 through Mar. 5.........

Check your local county election Officals for voting locations and times.

SOS Election page

[Gracey]

Here's how I voted:

Statewide/Areawide

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)

TRAVIS COUNTY

Sheriff - JOE MARTINEZ (He's a good man and well qualified. Also, an Hispanic can win easier in the general election in this Democrat county. There are other good choices, but they don't stand a chance for stated reason.

[WOSG]

It's a pretty solid slate and I don't think I'd be too disappointed with any of them but, from what I can grasp, the three most likely horses in the field are McCaul, Devine and Streusand. Of those, I'm most impressed with Streusand and least impressed with McCaul.

I think you are right these are the top 3, McCaul and Streusand mainly because they are spending the most money. I'd urge you to support Devine to get in the runoff.

Let me note one simple thing: These candidates have a lot of money to simply say what they want - > but only Devine actually held elective office and has a conservative record to point to. Talk is cheap!

I think you think of Devine more conservative than Streusand more conservative than McCaul. On CTRA questionaire, Devine scored 69 out of 70 on conservative questions and McCaul and streusand scored 60 and 61 respectively.

I do believe that with McCaul you'll get a fine Bush/Cornyn-style conservative-lite kind of politician. I feel this because the first time I met him his business card didnt even mention being a conservative. Since then, he's smartened up and calls himself that, but I wonder ... I do NOT think that is the best use of a 70% GOP district. We need more right-wingers who dont cave on stuff like Medicare etc.

[WOSG]

Early in the campaign, Streussand did polling to ID hot topics for regular primary voters. Since that poll, I have received targetted mailings for "pro life", "tax reform" and "2nd Amendment" issues. That way he can focus mailings where they will be warmly received. I'm not sure if they are focusing on individual voters or larger areas but they are certainly tailoring the campaign to hit what's important to voters. (Not a bad thing as long as the legislative position matches the campaign position.)

You are right. The voter ID techiques can go either by area or by individual. Frankly, these guys have enough money, they'll send it to everyone unless they know they are wrong for that issue. IOW, if being prolife polls 80+% in the GOP primary electorate (if not higher), just send it to everyone. Maybe skip a few areas if it polls differently there.

Flyers cost about 50 cents a pop. about 30,000 potential voters in CD-10. Streusand and McCaul put over $500,000 in this race. Each. Do the math. You could be getting a flyer every day and they'd still have money for radio and TV. (30 flyers each!)

This is a very good reason to look beyond their flyers and ask a simple question, what is their PROVEN record on conservative issues? Both Streusand and McCaul are dropping a lot of money into the race, and their campiagn consultants will tell them to tell people what they want to hear. So of course you get the flyer that says great stuff to you. You have to dig a bit deeper to see if there's meat on the bun.

[Tall_Texan]

Political track records are important but welcoming new candidates into the system is too. If government experience were a huge factor, you would have voted for Ann Richards instead of George W. Bush for Governor.

I haven't made up my mind yet. I may wait until Election Day to make up my mind in this race. Actually, I'm pretty happy to have several real conservative choices for once instead of just RINOs. You can't imagine what it's like living in Austin when it comes to elections. The City Council races are typically duels between the left, the far left and the space-aliens-kidnapped-my-mother left.

[WOSG]

"Political track records are important but welcoming new candidates into the system is too. If government experience were a huge factor, you would have voted for Ann Richards instead of George W. Bush for Governor."

No, that misses the point - Ann Richards' track record *proved* she was a snake! It's not experience per se, but a record that shows they will do what they say and are not 'all hat, no cattle'.

"I haven't made up my mind yet. I may wait until Election Day to make up my mind in this race. Actually, I'm pretty happy to have several real conservative choices for once instead of just RINOs. You can't imagine what it's like living in Austin when it comes to elections. The City Council races are typically duels between the left, the far left and the space-aliens-kidnapped-my-mother left."

rofl, I know what you mean, I *really* know what you mean ... check my homepage, guess where i live... where do you live in Austin? Are you active in the GOP?

[esarlls3]

Streusand looks good and answers questions well. And has enough money to buy an election. Funded entirely by one "special interest group". Doesn't even need money from his constituents. Probably is not looking for a federal pension plan. That makes it harder to hold his feet to the fire later, if needed. I like his positions on paper. I just wonder how much of it is what he will really support and what is following the interest polling results.

McCaul also looks good, but was a little more tentative with answers early in the campaign. He is a lawyer - not one you will see on cheesy late night commercials, but a federal and state prosecutor working on high profile cases and enforcing serious laws. The programs he worked on have been successful. I do wonder about how strong his convictions will be when Cornyn or Bush or Perry want a favor. McCaul is as close as we get to a "middle class" consumer in the top of this race. A man trying to make a living and raise a young family.

I'm nervous about Devine. He has held office, which is a plus. He has a decent record as Judge. But he also has a record of some shady deals during campaigns. He has already been fed by tax dollars.

Phillips seems too "polished" to me. And has all of the down sides of Streusand without the best of his positions.

Also, the Devine and Phillips campaigns have been less open with direct communications with me personally.

The only other candidate mail I have received is from Tashenberg(?). I was not impressed. He also seems to be all talk - and saying the right thing about some key issues - but has no track record to indicate how he operates under fire. He should try for a State Rep. position and build from there.

Someone just sent out a blind attack mailer on Streusand and McCaul. A group labeled "Citizens for Education" with a PO Box and no names. The message attacks Streusand for donations to some Democrat campaigns (I think his business donated to both sides of the campaigns - hedging his bet, so to speak) a while back. It attacks McCaul for working in the Justice Department with Reno/Clinton (He was hired under Bush and did not quit when his boss changed.) This kind of thing really turns me off. I think the only other candidates close enough to have a shot at the runoff are Devine and Phillips. Of course, they probably don't "know" who did it - but it is probably a strong supporter of one of them.

The candidate forum in Katy (see Katy Area Republicans) on Monday night will be the only chance to see all of the candidates together. That will probably cement my decision.

[WOSG]

"I'm nervous about Devine. He has held office, which is a plus. He has a decent record as Judge. But he also has a record of some shady deals during campaigns. He has already been fed by tax dollars."

I dont understand that comment. everyone who has held elective office has been 'fed by tax dollars' from Pres Bush to Perry to Delay on down. IMHO, holding office and doing well there is a plus. Devine had an amazing win against an incumbent liberal judge in Harris county. I dont see how that is shady.... not to mention one of his big decisions as a judge was to give the taxpayers a VOICE on the light rail metro decisions.

And as for McCaul, he's been a Govt worker longer than anyone else in the race. That should raise some concerns. It does for me. I've met him and his lovely wife. They brought in the Cornyn campaign manager. They've done everything "right" wrt running a campaign. But it reeks of the 'establishment Republican' types that are not really firebrand conservatives. In other words, as you say: "I do wonder about how strong his convictions will be when Cornyn or Bush or Perry want a favor." I dont wonder at all - his selling point is that 'he's worked for Cornyn' and he'll keep doing that, I am sure. That's not bad but IMHO for that district we could do better.

"The message attacks Streusand for donations to some Democrat campaigns (I think his business donated to both sides of the campaigns - hedging his bet, so to speak)"

why would we want a pol who hedges his bets? I didnt know this and IMHO it is relevant if true. It's easy for a millionaire to buy an election, so you want to know what he's tried to buy... Peter Wareing was hit for far less in 2002, for being a Dem primary voter in the distant past.
Far worse, IMHO, to feed the Democrat beast with $$$.

"It attacks McCaul for working in the Justice Department with Reno/Clinton (He was hired under Bush and did not quit when his boss changed.)"

Yup, the charges are true, although I agree he's no Reno crony, he was in a civil service job. But wouldnt you agree the chinagate was a blown DoJ investigation? How can he claim to be a success in that? I think the key thing is that he may be an okay guy in that DoJ role, but he hasnt done anything recognizably conservative in those positions except go after criminals.

So his claims to conservatism havent been tested.

" This kind of thing really turns me off."

Negative ads? You have 8 candidates saying exactly the same thing, this at least spices up an otherwise bland race.
None of those issues are out of bounds, IMHO. It is a concern that nobody is taking 'credit' for it.

"McCaul is as close as we get to a "middle class" consumer in the top of this race. A man trying to make a living and raise a young family."

McCaul may be middle-class, but HIS FATHER-IN-LAW IS WORTH AROUND $200 MILLION! He would not be doing this run without Clear Channel Comms. fortune helping him, and he couldnt loan himself a $600,000 loan on his DoJ salary, that is for sure. Shades of the "Kerry campaign finance' technique!

"The only other candidate mail I have received is from Tashenberg(?). I was not impressed. He also seems to be all talk - and saying the right thing about some key issues - but has no track record to indicate how he operates under fire."

Couldnt you say the same about all of them, except for Devine, who's held office? Tashenberg may be young, but he's worked for Conservative groups. IMHO, Streusand and Devine have some track record that they can point to; but the rest really are just yakking it up and havent really been tested.

My final determination is simply that we need a real conservative in there ... see the thread on John Devine's response to DrewsDad HOT Freeper questionaire - very solid answers. Same with CTRA, he was the most solid conservative.

My conclusion is to prefer Devine, then Streusand, as the best candidates. But I'm in Lamar Smith's district, so I happily have simple issues to contend with (like winning my own election race).

[Tall_Texan]

I got the "attack" flyer too.

My mailbox is getting 2-3 pieces of mail a day from McCaul. You'd think I was a 7' high school basketball center the way they are recruiting. I'm getting about 4-5 pieces of mail a week from Streusand and 2-3 a week from Devine, including a small DVD which I didn't watch but I have to give them points for creativity. Who wants to *watch* a campaign commercial on DVD?

I may just flip a coin between Streusand and Devine. If either makes the run-off, I'll just vote for them again.

Phillips is making a surge with radio ads but it's not impressive (to me, anyway).

Got my election judge materials in the mail today. I know Dana DeBeauvoir is a Democrat but I must confess she runs a tight ship. Everything you need to know is right there in one packet. Apparently they didn't get enough election judges so the parties are pooling their precinct resources. The packet included admonitions to help each other out and don't get partisan. Very wise, indeed.

BTW, I live in the Abroretum-Jollyville area. I thought I was going to still be in Lamar Smith's district until I finally zoomed on the prosposed redistricting map about ten times to find out we were tucked into District 10. Any generalized map assumes that District 10 has a boundary on Loop 360 and the North side of 183 but if you look really close they lipped that boundary line around the Arboretum and a little ways down Jollyville. That's why I'm having to choose between all these guys instead of just waiting until November to vote for Smith. (sigh)