Free Republic

Morales pleads guilty to extortion charge BY JIM VERTUNO Associated Press Writer AUSTIN - The brother of former Texas Attorney General Dan Morales pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal charge of attempting to extort $280,000 from former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tony Sanchez and his campaign. After entering the plea in court, Michael Morales, 40, said he regrets the blackmail attempt and called it "extremely poor judgment." "We're here to stand up and accept responsibility for this thing," he said. "I'm a passionate person ... I guess sometimes your heart gets over your head." During the hearing, prosecutors detailed the calls...

Heritage works against Sanchez in some regions Associated Press AUSTIN (AP) - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tony Sanchez says being Hispanic is working against him in some regions, particularly in parts of North and West Texas. "It's just that north part, when you get past Dallas County to those northern counties, they are just very conservative, and I think my name 'Sanchez' will have some adverse effect. I don't think I'm accepted there," Sanchez was quoted as saying in Wednesday's Austin American-Statesman. "There are pockets of West Texas where I don't think I'm going to do well because of that," he...