TRAIL BLAZERS

"The Power of the Texas Governor: Connally to Bush" is scheduled to be released in hardback in Spring 2009, but the former speaker candidate (who helped start all the anti-speaker fuss two years ago, at least on the GOP side) may get a leg up in sales thanks to early promotions by UT Press and others.

McCall's got a PhD from UT-Dallas and has been a state rep since 1991.

Here's what the UT Press page says:

"George W. Bush called it "the best job in the world," yet many would argue that the Texas governorship is a weak office. Given few enumerated powers by the Texas Constitution, the governor must build a successful relationship with the state legislature--sometimes led by a powerful lieutenant governor or speaker of the opposing party--to advance his or her policy agenda. Yet despite the limitations on the office and the power of the legislative branch, many governors have had a significant impact on major aspects of Texas's public life--government, economic development, education, and insurance reform among them. How do Texas governors gain the power to govern effectively?"

Shout out to the Quorum Report for this little nugget.

Veteran lawmaker Rep. Ed Keumpel's name has been bandied about for some time - like, six years or longer - as a House Speaker candidate who may be able to tie up a GOP consensus vote.

Presuming that one of the 37 ACTUAL GOP candidates can't do it. (Well, technically, there's five - but who's counting?)

One theory is that they should elect someone who doesn't particularly want it and who they can trust to give it up after one term - two years - while they get their ducks in a row. Ducks that seem to want to swim in their own waters, if ya know what I mean, and I think ya do.

Or maybe not.

A second name for that post, and someone who seemingly would fit that bill, is that of sophomore Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, who was elected in a special in February 2005.

Interesting, considering he was making calls on behalf of Solomons not two weeks ago.

At any rate, he's moderate, popular, and low-key. He was technically a freshman last session, and conventional wisdom dictates that you couldn't even be a chair without three full sessions under your belt.

He didn't get involved the debacle during last session, people noticed, and he is about as low-drama as they come. So far, there's been no real hits on his credibility, people can't imagine - right now, although he hasn't been around THAT long - any major scandal being attached to him while in office that would make him or the rest of the chamber look bad.

He's got ties to gambling interests in SA but all that would do is, probably, keep him out of gambling fights altogether for reasons of conflict of interest. Which might annoy the gaming foes, but is probably best for both sides of that divisive issue anyway.

I've been trying for a few days to get some of his buddies on the phone to talk about this. They've been, you know, "busy" and "just getting on an airplane." But word is out, and it's time to post it anyway, and maybe this will smoke out somebody besides the lobbyists who a) knows more than just the gossip and b) isn't just wishful thinking altogether.

Straus? You in?

Speculation in the lobby is strong, though not reliable, and Straus so far hasn't demonstrated himself to be too crazy about being in the spotlight. He also hasn't indicated that he would absolutely refuse the job. If he's told he only HAS to do it for two years, who knows.

A lot of people think he's too green and would be a disaster. Others say that's exactly what the chamber needs right now.

Meanwhile, Ed's been a long-time contender for the spot - his name was thrown out when the so-called "ABCs" (anybody but craddick's) were trying to figure out who would succeed Laney when he inevitably lost his post in the 2002 elections. And he's been very visible lately. And he's got the killer office with the balcony at the top of the dome - which one pundit mentioned over coffee this morning that Craddick would probably support HIM so he can inherit that prime office.

But he's a rural and that might not go over so well in these times. People are leaning toward an urban or suburban speaker, as the state trends that direction.

Neither of them has filed, for the record. But that doesn't mean anything. Anything at all.

We have a dispatch from our energy reporter, Elizabeth Souder, who writes:

Engineers, lobbyists and environmentalists have been discussing at the Clean Energy Venture Summit this week whether Texas should lead the push to regulate carbon dioxide emissions or try to stop it.

Conservative Republicans such as Weatherford Rep. Phil King and Brian Lloyd from the governor's office say regulations are a big tax on energy consumption, and could seriously harm Texas' energy industry.

Democrats such as Austin Sen. Kirk Watson say Texas has the opportunity to create a new industry off of carbon regulation.

But some people say it just doesn't matter what Texas thinks.

"There is a tremendous element of Texas fatigue on the national level," Houston Democratic Sen. Rodney Ellis said during the summit. "In terms of hardball politics, when I talk about Texas fatigues, this is not a partisan comment but reality."

He added: "We don't have the seniority. We're basically perceived as a one-party state."

"It means we need to be cooperative. If we disagree on a philosophical matter, that's one thing. But if it's political posturing, now is not the time. Because people in this country and around the world are a little fed up with that Texas, braggadocious, my-way-or-the-highway attitude."

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's filing of an exploratory committee today is the strongest statement yet that she intends to challenge fellow Republican Rick Perry for governor in 2010. And she launched her campaign with a strong shot at the incument:

"While Texas is faring somewhat better economically than many other states, a positive future is not guaranteed. It will take leaders who look ahead to meet the economic and budgetary challenges that are coming.

"Texans deserve a Governor who, in the context of sound budgetary policies and low taxes, works for quality schools and universities, access to health care for our families, communities safe from crime and drugs, protection of private property rights, safe transportation and a government that listens and responds to them.

"There's too much bitterness, too much anger, too little trust, too little consensus and too much infighting. And the tone comes from the top. Texans are looking for leadership
and results."

On Tuesday, the Republican governor was asked about the prospects of Hutchison mounting a challenge to his reelection. His response: "Bring it on."

As further evidence of the escalating pace of the Texas governor's race -- two years from now!!! -- comes word that Republican guru Karl Rove is advising Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. No so, says Hutchison ally Todd Olsen. At least not exactly, not officially. The state's senior senator says she intends to challenge fellow Republican Gov. Rick Perry in 2010. And is expected to file her paperwork for the race very, very soon.

Rove, the political brain behind George W. Bush's electoral success, was Hutchison's political adviser years ago. He and the Perry folks aren't that friendly. And rumors that Rove is helping Hutchison prepare for the 2010 matchup have been making the rounds in recent months, most recently on DallasBlog.

Says Olsen: "They always have and do talk about politics and gossip, both national and Texas politics." But he added: "Rove is not going to play a role in the campaign." Olsen should know: He and a partner bought Rove's old direct-mail consulting firm in Austin -- and remains close to both Rove and Hutchison. Indications are he'll be a public part of the political team that Hutchison is expected to start building. And Karl? Apparently a silent partner.

It's hard to find cheery Republicans after their drubbing last month, but those just north of the Red River have plenty to be thankful for this holiday season, and they're flaunting it in this online Christams card.

(Hat tip: Ben Smith at Politico.)

Rep. Chuck Hopson, D-Jacksonville, survived his recount in his contest against GOP challenger Brian Walker - which means that the Texas House remains split 74-76 in favor of Republicans.

Hopson is one of the dwindling numbers of rural Dems - also known as the self-styled "WD-40s" - and among the most vulnerable. He won his re-election by 104 votes and the recount confirmed and, according to some sources, widened that margin.

We have yet to hear from GOP officials as to whether a) Walker has conceded the race or b) they're planning to further contest or dispute it.

But it appears that the split remains the same.

We're still waiting on the results of the recount in Irving, in which GOP Rep. Linda Harper Brown eeked out her seat by 20 votes, resulting in a recount and the state Democrats completely kicking themselves for not giving Dem challenger Bob Romano any cash.

That contest has already made it into court over conflicting views on which votes should be counted when, and whether the moon being in Sagittarius has anything to do with whether Emphasis Votes really matter or not.

We're told that recount could be done by the end of the week. Stay tuned.

Test

The court battle over a recount in the politically charged House District 105 race had statewide ramifications for Republicans and Democrats. But Dallas County Republican Party chairman Jonathan Neerman had nothing but praise late Tuesday for the Democratic judge overseeing the case.

"You could tell he gave a lot of thought to the issues," Mr. Neerman said of State District Judge Jim Jordan (pictured), who on Nov. 4 unsuccessfully challenged Republican Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson.

Throughout two days of evidence and testimony in Dallas this week, Judge Jordan asked the numerous attorneys present myriad questions and repeatedly asked them to submit briefs and case law to provide him with direction. He ultimately ruled in favor of a Republican motion that he does not have jurisdiction over the case that Democrats brought.

"Regardless of the outcome, that's what we expect of our judges," Mr. Neerman said. "Judges who apply the law don't get enough credit."

Remember all that talk about how Barack Obama rewrote the book on campaign finance by taking zillions in small-dollar contributions to fuel his race for the White House? Supporters touted the idea that nearly half of Obama's money came from people giving less than $200. Not so much.

Turns out that only about a quarter of Obama's campaign contributions came from small donors, those giving $200 or less. That's about the same as George W. Bush in 2004.

That's because a further study of Obama's donations shows that while he had lots of small donations, many of those donors gave several times. And FEC records show that a sizeable number of these repeat donors gave a cumulative amount totaling much more than $200 -- sometimes $1,000 or more. In fact, nearly half of Obama's money came from donors giving $1,000 or more.

The nonpartisan Campaign Finance Institude did the study. This doesn't mean that Obama didn't raise lots of cash from small donors. But it does mean that he, like his predecessors, was highly dependent on big-donor donors in his presidential bid.

Gov. Rick Perry said Tuesday he will join a group of several governors meeting with President-elect Barack Obama in Philadelphia on Dec. 2. The main topic will be the economy and Mr. Perry said he won't be shy in discussing how Texas has fared better than most states in weathering the nation's deteriorating economic conditions.

"It is my intention to be there and add my voice along with other Republican governors who will be there as well," Mr. Perry said. "I appreciate the opportunity to be able to share with him some ideas about how to strengthen America's economy. I think Texas has a great story to tell."

The governor also hopes to be able to use the occasion to complain about proposed Environmental Protection Agency rules from the Bush administration that would sharply regulate greenouse gas emissions. Mr. Perry maintains the rules would eliminate jobs, drive out investment and inflict massive compliance costs on everything from commerical buildings to churches and farms.

Another Texas leader, Education Commissioner Robert Scott, has been appointed to a 10-member panel of state education chiefs who will develop recommendations that will be considered during the first 100 days of the Obama administration. "I look forward to developing education policy proposals that will strengthen and improve the nation's public schools," Mr. Scott said of his appointment.

More than 1,000 people people jammed the First Baptist Church in downtown Austin today for the funeral of former Attorney General and Dallas congressman Jim Mattox. The Dallas Democrat who succeeded Mattox in Congress, John Bryant, called him "a lion of an advocate for the common man and woman in our state." Former aide Lou McCreary recalled how the tough and colorful Democrat was "referred to more than once as a junkyard dog -- but he was our junkyard dog."

The 65-year-old Mattox died in his sleep last week at his home in Dripping Springs. His wife, Marta, said he had suffered a heart attack.

Tuesday's two and one-half hour service featured a gospel choir and attracted a host of Texas Democratic luminaries from the party's halcyon days. Those in attendance included former Gov. Mark White, former House Speaker Ben Barnes and one-time gubernatorial candidate Frances "Sissy" Farenthold, who was part of a progressive political movement that challenged the conservative establishment in Texas beginning in the 1970s and 80s.

Mattox's son, Jimmer Mattox, a high school senior, told the audience his father imparted his staunch partisanship early on. "When I was growing up, I didn't know much about politics -- only that the Democrats were the good guys." He said his father never lost the common touch.

During the service, a family friend recalled how Jimmer chose to play in last weekend's game for Dripping Springs High School because he felt his father would have wanted him to. Before the game, former President Bill Clinton called the younger Mattox and expressed admiration for his father. After the service, Mattox's flag-draped casket was taken by a horse-drawn hearse to the State Cemetery, where he was buried not far from the gravesite of Ann Richards, who beat him for the Democratic nomination for governor in 1990.

Fascinating interplay of opinion in this week's Texas Faith, our discussion of religion and politics. The question is whether there's a fault line between Barack Obama's faith-based supporters and his traditional-left supporters. And what issue might test this political alliance?

Many moderate faith-based voters liked what they heard when Obama promised to reduce the number of abortions, said he was opposed to gay marriage, embraced aspects of President Bush's faith-based initiative, and talked about drawing down troops while shifting some forces to Afghanistan. But those positions conflict with the demands of others in the Democratic base (say, backers of the Freedom of Choice Act, which would eliminate many state abortion restrictions; advocates of legalizing gay marriage; opponents of the faith-based initiative; anti-war advocates who want the troops brought home).

So what happens now?

As expected, our panel of distinguished experts offers a lively range of opinion. For example, Brian Schmisek, dean of the School of Ministry at the University of Dallas: "Even though he promised it would be the first thing he would do as President, Mr. Obama will not spend his political capital on FOCA when there are so many more pressing issues at stake."

But Catholic intellectual Deal Hudson counters: "When Obama signs the Freedom of Choice Act his true political colors will be displayed ... and "after four years of an Obama administration, the religiously active voter will come to a full realization of his agenda, and will not be fooled again."

Worth reading at Texas Faith.

In case you haven't been keeping up, Rep. Linda Harper Brown, R-Irving, kept her House seat by only 20 votes (and yes, the state Dems totally wish they'd given Bob Romano some money. $50 woulda done it....) and is now in the middle of a recount.

Sec of State Hope Andrade's office got in the middle of it and told them not to count some types of votes that, earlier in the cycle in another race, they'd said SHOULD be counted. Democrats are mad, suing, saying that no matter who wins, the votes should be counted. And that GOP-appointee Andrade is being partisan in one her first acts as SoS.

They're arguing along the lines of, "You can't have it both ways." Certainly there are nuances to be studied here, which brings us to a quick report by DMN colleague Brandon Formby, who mentions the large amounts of suits in the courtroom today.

If LHB loses the seat, the Texas House becomes divided 75-75 Ds and Rs. So, yeah. There will be a few lawyers sitting around the table on this deal.

Here's the report from Brandon Formby:

Word is that Jim Steinberg, the head of the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, will be picked as a deputy secretary of state under Hillary Clinton. Steinberg has been mentioned as a possible national security adviser. But indications are that he'll end up at State.

Steinberg has been the LBJ School dean since January 2006. Before that, he was at the Brookings Institution and served in the Clinton adminstration. He was born in Boston and lived in DC before coming to Austin, so his Texas connection isn't all that deep. Still, he's pretty much the only Texan that Team Obama has plucked from the Lone Star State so far.

Lots of people online are claiming they have tickets to sell to Barack Obama's Jan. 20 inauguration as president.

Watch out, warns the Better Business Bureau.

In a news release, the BBB says many online vendors are offering tickets they don't have -- and by the time you find that out, you may have already purchased nonrefundable airline tickets or reserved hotel accommodations.

There are only 250,000 tickets available for the inaugural ceremony, the BBB says. And many times that number of people want to attend.

So how does someone get a ticket?

The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies is responsible for distributing tickets to members of Congress, who in turn hand them out -- FOR FREE -- to constituents.

So start by getting in touch with your congressional representative.

If that doesn't work -- an aide to my congressman, for example, said his allotment was long gone -- it's possible to find legitimate re-sellers online. The BBB news release has some tips on protevcting yourself from rip-offs.

As the Christmas season approaches -- and with it the annual debate over whether political liberals are trying to kill the holiday -- here's news of a season's greeting that caught the attention of the estimable Eileen Smith over at In The Pink Texas and Texas Monthly.

You have to wonder. What were they thinking at the politically active American Family Association in marketing what looks like a burning cross at Christmas?

Reps. Linda Sánchez, Rubén Hinojosa of Texas (left) and Raul Grijalva of Arizona

California congresswoman Linda Sánchez announced yesterday that she is pregnant with her first child. She's 39, divorced, about to start her fourth U.S. House term and, according to aides, plans to marry the father -- her boyfriend of 18 months.

Some interesting things about this:

First, the potential for snide quips from right-wing talk radio about Democrats and unwed mothers -- though come to think of it, they laid off the first daughter of Alaska during the presidential campaign. (Remember the joke about how Gov. Sarah Palin viewed marriage as a sacred act between two unwilling teenagers?)

Second, Rep. Sanchez's news means there's another congresswoman about to become an aunt: her sister, Rep. Loretta Sánchez, who represents a nearby southern California district.

And, third, in a sign the glass ceiling ain't what it used to be on Capitol Hill, the Congressional Stork -- that's a patronage job, by the way -- was already preparing to visit another congresswoman.

The Sandlins

The gentlelady from South Dakota, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and husband Max Sandlin, the former East Texas congressman, are due Dec. 23. They're Democrats, too.

And, we hear congratulations are in order for Martin Frost. The former Dallas congressman has recently remarried.

Former Attorney General Jim Mattox, the colorful one-time Dallas congressman who was part of a team of Democratic progressives that dominated Texas politics in the 1980s and early 1990s, has died. He was 65.

Mattox died in his sleep at home in Dripping Springs, near Austin, according to family friend Kelly Fero.

He was elected Texas attorney general in 1982, the same year Ann Richards, Mark White and Garry Mauro also won statewide offices.

He ran unsuccessfully for Governor in the Democratic primary in 1990. He quickly became known as the "People's Lawyer" and built the office into a modern law firm. He and his staff handled more than 2 million cases, won judgments totaling more than $2.5 billion for the state, and opened up the diversity of the office by hiring more women and minority lawyers than the top 10 Texas law firms of that era combined.

After leaving the AG's office, he twice ran for public office after leaving the AG's office -- in the 1994 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate (against Richard Fisher) and the 1998 general election for AG (against John Cornyn).

Mattox attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, worked his way through the Baylor School of Business and earned a law degree from SMU.

He served as an assistant DA under the legendary Dallas County District Attorney Henry Wade and began his political career in 1973 when he took office as a state representative from East Dallas. He gained a reputation for ethics reforms, including the Big Five package of open government legislation -- open meetings, open records, full financial disclosure, campaign finance reform, and lobby registration.

Mattox was elected to the 5th Congressional District in 1976, 10 years after serving as an intern in the office of then-Congressman Earle Cabell.

As attorney general, he was acquitted of charges of commercial bribery in case in which he was accused of threatening the business of a large law firm that he believed had dealt unfairly with his sister, Janice.

He is survived by his wife Marta and their two children, Jim and Janet, known as Sissi, as well as his sister, Janice, and brother, Jerry, both of Dallas.

The funeral is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 25 at the First Baptist Church in Austin. Burial will follow at the State Cemetery.