DEMOCRATS SET THEIR SIGHTS ON TEXAS

During the past Presidential election I said many times that by 2016 I believe Texas will be THE swing state in the U.S. and it appears as though I’m not the only one. Just look at the major cities in Texas and how they are turning even more blue every election.

DNC Chairman, Tim Kaine, announced today that the Fall DNC meeting will be held in Texas. So is Texas the next Virginia, only a much bigger prize? Here is the story from CNN:

(CNN) — Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine appears to have his eyes set on Texas, announcing Monday the organization’s fall meeting will be held in the Lone Star state.

“Not only is Texas a great, beautiful and diverse state, it represents a tremendous growth opportunity for the Democratic Party,” Kaine wrote in an e-mail to DNC supporters.

Now, some might find that notion odd given Texas’s traditionally conservative bent and its recent history of supporting Republican candidates for elective office,” Kaine continued. “But I don’t find it odd at all — and in fact, I am more convinced than ever that Texas is trending our way and will continue to do so.”

Obama lost to Republican presidential candidate John McCain by 11 percentage points and close to 1 million votes. Still, that margin is less than more than half of what it was when the state’s favored son George W. Bush was on the presidential ballot.

In his letter Monday, Kaine specifically cited Texas’ large Hispanic organization and the grassroots infrastructure put in place by the Obama campaign in 2008 as reasons the traditionally-considered red state may turn blue.

“In so many ways, I believe Texas is poised to move towards our column, just as Virginia has,” Kaine said.

Dear Friend:
It’s time to announce the location of the DNC Fall Meeting, scheduled for September 10th – 12th, 2009. I’m excited to be the first to tell you that this year’s meeting will be in Austin, Texas. In a phrase, we are Lone Star State bound!

Of course, as you know, not only is Texas a great, beautiful and diverse state, it represents a tremendous growth opportunity for the Democratic Party. Now, some might find that notion odd given Texas’s traditionally conservative bent and its recent history of supporting Republican candidates for elective office. But I don’t find it odd at all — and in fact, I am more convinced than ever that Texas is trending our way and will continue to do so.

It wasn’t that long ago — less than 10 years, in fact — that Virginia was considered just as strong a lock for the Republicans as Texas has been. In Virginia, we had Republican Governors, Republican U.S. Senators and a strong Republican majority in our Congressional delegation and state legislature. And we didn’t merit any attention from Presidential candidates during general elections because no Democratic candidate since Lyndon Johnson had won Virginia’s electoral votes.

Today? I’m the second consecutive Democrat to serve as Governor of Virginia, we took back the State Senate and have reached near parity in the House of Delegates. Both of our U.S. Senators are Democrats, and Democrats are the majority of our U.S. House delegation. And of course, in November, Barack Obama became the first Democratic Presidential candidate since 1964 to carry the Old Dominion.

In so many ways, I believe Texas is poised to move towards our column, just as Virginia has. Texas is an increasingly diverse state with a burgeoning and politically active Hispanic population that went strongly for Barack Obama in 2008. And, as a result of investments made by my predecessor, the commitments we’ve made, and the hard work of the Texas Democratic Party — which has done an outstanding job rebuilding the party, attracting good candidates, and expanding our reach — we have a strong and growing Democratic Party infrastructure. Add to that the significant investments we plan to make in Texas through Organizing for America (OFA), and the work OFA will be doing in communities across the state in support of the President’s important and popular agenda, and we have every reason to feel bullish about our chances in Texas. Exciting things are possible because we believe every single state on the map is important.

Of course, it’s also a very exciting time for us to meet because of what Democrats have accomplished electorally in the past year and because of what the President — with our support — has accomplished during his first few, short months in office.

President Obama was elected on a mandate for change. Because of his victory last November and Democrats’ relentless work to make the change he promised during the campaign a reality, women will finally receive equal pay for equal work, four million additional children have access to health care through the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, and a historic economic recovery package is putting Americans back to work. And of course, by the time we meet the Senate should have confirmed the President’s historic choice, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, for the Supreme Court.

I look forward to seeing you in Austin on September 10th at this historic time for our party and the DNC. Austin is a world-renowned destination — a truly wonderful city — and I know we’ll all have a great time. Information about making a reservation can be found below, and if you have any questions whatsoever please don’t hesitate to contact XXXXXX at XXXXX or XXXXX, or the Secretary’s Office at XXXXX.

Hope to see you there,

Governor Tim Kaine
Chairman

CITY OF DALLAS TO SPEND OVER $160K ON SMOKING POLICE

According to the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas City Council approved $165,674 to pay for 3 brand new smoking law enforcers. That works out to a little over 55K per officer which is higher pay than the average starting pay of Police officers around the state, and they have to deal with real criminals…not smokers. Here’s a bit from the story:

The expenditure is necessary, City Manager Mary Suhm said, in order to adequately address complaints about smoking occurring within buildings such as bars, billiard halls and most other indoor workplaces.

Smoking in such venues becomes illegal come April 10. The expenditure funds three new “sanitarian” positions in the Environmental and Health Services Department.

“On April 10, I guarantee you we will have a lot of complaints,” Suhm told the council. “We will not be able to do anything on enforcement unless we have the people to enforce.”

If you’d like to read the full article click the link: (LINK)

PLACES TO EAT IN DALLAS

Going to the Cotton Bowl? Want a few idea’s of places to eat while in Dallas? No problem. Since I’m from the DFW area and still head over there when I can here are a few of my personal favorites.

• La Cubanita: Very good food (Cuban) and I am a big fan of their ribs. If you like mojitos, then this is the place for you. Located at 4444 McKinney Avenue. Mention you heard about them from Lubbock’s First News with Chad Hasty.

• Taverna: Pizza and Pasta. I find this place a little more laid back. Some of our listeners have gone in before after hearing me talk about them on the air. Good people and good food. Again, tell them you heard/read about them from LFN with Chad Hasty. Located at 3210 Armstrong Avenue

• Cyclone Anayas Mexican Kitchen: Rarely do I recommend a place if I’ve only been once, but this place was fantastic. Good good good Mexican food. Located at 3211 Oak Lawn Ave. @ Hall St. AND 5225 Beltline Road, Just East of Dallas North Tollway.

• Coal Vines: Pizza and Wine, what else do you need to know? Very good pizza…the wine is a bit overpriced, but that’s to be expected.Located at 2404 Cedar Springs Rd.

Hopefully this will give some of you some ideas when traveling to the metroplex this weekend or any other weekend.

-Chad