Is B. Radnofsky just a well financed DINO?

[MrTriumph]

Okay, before you flame me, I heard Ms. Rodnofsky this evening in Hurst and was totally unimpressed. She addressed neither Samuel Alito's nomination, Bush' attach on the Forth Amendment, nor how she would vote differently that Senator KBH.


So I went her web site and found position papers that were mostly vague, although in fairness she did criticize KBH in those documents.

Another bone of contention for me, she prominently posts at her site that her candidacy is endorsed by a mediation group. Since I am for BEATING the Republicans and do not consider sending Democrats to Washington for mediation a priority, I am disinclined to be enthusiastic about Ms. Rodnofsky.

I am willing to reconsider my feelings about her if someone can make a compelling case.

[johncoby2]

1. Who else is running?

[TexasLinda]

2. I'll stick with Barbara Radnofsky

There are two other candidates: Darrel Reece Hunter and Gene Kelly. I believe Barbara Radnofsky is by far the better candidate.

[sonias]

3. Me too

Barbara Ann is my choice for our candidate, and she is far, far better than KBH. She may not be a progressive yet, but maybe we can make her one.

Sonia

[MrTriumph]

4. If she's just Breck-girl lite, why should I be an enabler?

x

[sonias]

6. You have to vote for who you are comfortable with

Your choices are Barbara Ann and KBH or not voting in that race. You need to make up your own mind.

Sonia

[derby378]

5. Since I didn't see the lecture...

...I can't say for sure. Barbara Ann has my vote unless or until the Democrats come up with someone better.

[Czolgosz]

7. Radnofsky is NOT a DINO. She's personally been involved in the fight for

equal rights for gays. She's pro-labor. She's pro-environment. She's pro-progressive taxation. She's pro-education (not voucher bullshit). She's pro-choice.

She's not Jim Hightower or David Van Os, but she's a damn site better than the Perjury Apologist, and she's a real Democrat.

[johncoby2]

8. Amen sister!

[MrTriumph]

9. Glad you have that impression of her. Wish she'd made the case

herself last Saturday in Hurst.

Instead, she relied on her standard stump speech which keyed on her dad and his sacrifices in WWII and how we need to stand up for vets.

Maybe when she addresses Democratic audiences she can drop the standard speech and tell us how she is a Democrat and how she differs from KBH.

[Czolgosz]

10. You could have checked her website where she has a point-by-point contrast

between herself and KBH:

"We present our proposals and contrast them with the most cynical, anti-Texas positions espoused by the senior U.S. Senator from Texas, as Kay Bailey Hutchison rubberstamped the Bush Administration’s vote directions in 2005, voting for Bush positions in 95.6 percent of all votes in 2005 and declining to discuss any specific challenges to her anti-Texas voting record. This rubberstamping fails Texas, ranking: 50th in high school graduation rate, 48th in average SAT scores, and 46th in secondary teachers with degrees in the subjects they teach.

Texas leads the nation in uninsured adults and children, with the highest share of uninsured persons of any state. Every major metropolitan area in Texas exceeds the US average.

“The sheer number of uninsured Texans ultimately makes health care less affordable for Texas employers and individuals alike. Much of the costs involved in providing health care to the uninsured ultimately are shifted to those who have health insurance—and to Texas taxpayers.”

Texas will encounter another first: For the first time in our history, the next generation of Texans will suffer declining income and less prosperity. Household income will decline by $5,000 by 2030, sucking 60 billion dollars out of our economy."

See <http://www.radnofsky.com/issue.php?items_id=301> for much, much more.

If she comes off as more moderate during campaign speeches, it is because she has no real primary opposition and she's is trying to win moderate votes which any statewide Texas voter will need to get elected.

[MrTriumph]

18. Again, I did check her web site. Where are specific proposals?

How does she propose to insure the uninsured?

How does she propose to protect American jobs?

Etc.

She is long on platitudes and short on specifics. And yes, her stump speech would be a winner if her Dad was in the race. But he is not. She is. We need to hear her story and how she would be different than KBH.

[Czolgosz]

24. The webpage has 70 footnotes, and it's not specific enough for you?

Why isn't it specific enough that a candidate identifies (with footnotes no less!) dozens and dozens and dozens of votes and policy statements where she differs with her opponent?

If you expect a candidate to have already drafted the legislation he or she will support as a Senator, you may be setting the bar for specificity a bit unrealistically high.

[crispini]

21. Tee hee, I just checked your link

Lynching
Radnofsky opposes lynching and would co-sponsor the anti-lynching resolution without hesitation
A Full Plate: Too busy to sponsor an anti-lynching resolution


Hutchison:When asked why opponent had not yet joined 83 of her colleagues in co-sponsoring the U.S. Senate’s resolution against lynching, Sen. Hutchison’s spokesman strangely replied, “For her, lynching is something that is very present. This is something she knows very personally.” Then he added, “But as a member of the Senate leadership, you just can’t co-sponsor everything.”


Apparently, though, you can, as opponent managed to co-sponsor at least 186 resolutions since 1999, including recognition of the anniversary of the founding of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, congratulations to Lance Armstrong in 2003, and calling for a 4-H postage stamp. Responding only to public outcry, she later grudgingly co-sponsored the anti-lynching resolution.

Niiiiiiiiiiiiice. Good job Barbara! Think I'll go dig up that bumper sticker and put it on my car. Way to attack KBH!

[Lithos]

11. It's a no-brainer here

First, the issues of Alito and Bush's Fourth amendment are no-brainers in the Democratic camp. While it may feel good to attack them, it really doesn't do much now. I would save those barbs for later in the campaign. I would rather hammer KBH's ties to the corporations, her non-response (or rather toadying) to many important issues facing Texans including her ties to the Medicare/SS reform scam, her cutting of support for the VA, and KBH's ties to Abramoff. Also bring up that KBH was acquitted to some rather severe charges back in 1994 due to a technicality which made evidence inadmissible, not because she didn't do what was claimed.

L-

[johncoby2]

12. Really. What is the alternative?

Look at Al Edwards. So many people said he was a Dino (and he is), but he has two opponents in the primary.

We all know KBH is nothing but a cheerleader for Bush, but what did we do to recruit, groom, and fund a candidate? Most probably most of us, including me, will say "well I didnt recruit anyone".

Someone did. I like Barbara. Some issues I am concerned about, but could work with her when and if the issue comes up. I know KBH wont even listen to me.

[David Van Os]

13. I like Barbara Radnofsky

She had the gumption to get out there and declare with determination that she was taking on KBH at a time when all the pundits, including many Democrats, were assuming and saying that KBH was unbeatable and that it would be a waste of time to run against her if she ran for re-election instead of for Governor. Barbara has guts and tenacity. She is a real Democrat who is with you in core Democratic convictions all the way. And Barbara is a Fighting Democrat. Defeatism is foreign to her. She is feisty. She is taking the fight to KBH. She is passionate about the issues. Barbara doesn't have the years of experience in grassroots, populist Democratic politics that some of us do, but she is learning fast. Over the last 12 months she has developed tremendously as a candidate on the stump. I look forward to campaigning with her for a Democratic sweep in the general election.

David Van Os

[Czolgosz]

14. David, you will appreciate how much this says about Barbara's gumption:

Barbara was made a partner at Vinson & Elkins at a time when there were few female partners, but more amazing is that Barbara has carved out a consumer-advocacy oriented practice representing burned children who have been devastated by defective products. The fact that she could achieve this kind of pro-consumer, pro-corporate-regulation practice niche within Vinson & Elkins is astounding, and it says quite a lot about Barbara's values as well as her abilities to achieve something that others would have considered impossible and to accomplish progressive goals within a conservative environment.

[acmejack]

27. I was really put of by the mere fact she worked at V& E

But a little investigation turned that into a positive. I've made what is for me, the ultimate commitment, I gave her money-twice!

[MrTriumph]

20. That's nice, David.

"Barbara has guts and tenacity. She is a real Democrat who is with you in core Democratic convictions all the way"

David- There are many of us who are fatigued at being asked to support Republican-lite office seekers. Remember Tony gave-his-bucks-to-Bush Sanchez?

Maybe Barbara is the real deal, a tried and true populist. But her speech to an audience of Democrats did not convey that to me.

[NoPasaran]

15. Not only is Barbara Rad not a DINO

She's really not all that well funded.

Here's hoping the DSCC gives Texas a little love this year!

[CoolOnion]

16. Did anyone ask about Alito in your audience?

We did--she said she would have supported a filibuster. She talked about how the Republicans just rolled over for him, including cheerleader Kay Hutchison, who--according to Barbara R.--called her colleagues to vote for Alito IMMEDIATELY after Bush nominated him!

She talked a LOT about how she would vote differently than KBH. Didn't your group have a Q&A session? If you have doubts, check out her website again, or email the campaign.

She has my vote!

[MrTriumph]

19. No Q & A were allowed at the "candidates forum"

The forum was on the weekend of the confirmation. One might think she would have addressed the Alito nomination without having to be asked or coached.

[CoolOnion]

28. So your forum was an introduction, basically

Without engaging the audience in a Q&A, candidates are usually just going to introduce themselves. They don't know what your concerns are, they have to hear it from you.

[MrTriumph]

32. It was a gathering organized by Mid-Cities Democrats

BAR has to be prompted to address the most important issue facing the US Senate since the IWR?

"They don't know what your concerns are, they have to hear it from you."

What!? She didn't know the nomination of Alito to the Supreme Court was an issue for a room full of Democrats?

Here is a news flash: As a candidate it is her job to present her positions.

[Lithos]

26. That sounds extremely promising to me

I'd rather have a fighting Dem in there than ones who give up their principles at the first political convenience.

[CoolOnion]

17. And another thing...

...speaking as a member of the "way out there in left field leftists," I was really impressed with her answers regarding immigration. Her idea? Raise wages, which is something I say all the time. She said straight out that she's against KBH's stupid idea of building a fence, and said something that I've always known that the best way to combat illegal immigration is to pay decent wages instead of building our economy on the backs of what is basically slave labor. She talked about how illegals are abused, paid well below minimum wage, and the immorality of such a system.

Same for the subject of abortion. She said straight out that she's pro-choice, but started right off with her views that the best way to reduce abortion is to education people about family planning, raise living standards, focus on prenatal care--logical stuff like that. For those who are anti-abortion, she offers a common sense approach. Keep it legal, but fix the social problems that make people choose abortion for economic reasons.

About Alito, she also cited her work evaluating potential jurists. She said Alito's resume and his answers during the hearing reminded her of some people who will say anything to get a job.

She's definitely NOT a DINO!!!!

[slide to the left]

22. BAR's campaign

I am working on BAR's campaign to help register Katrina evacs who are in Texas. If anyone wants to help please e-mail me at [e-mail]

I will give you info on how to join the fight.

IMHO- even if BAR doesn't win, every point she takes from KBH is another inch KBH and Cornyn have to move to the center to stay in office. Let's give the tightie righties a run for their money and let them know that we will not stand silent anymore!

[Czolgosz]

23. Good for you. Let's get as many of these new Texans registered to vote for

change!

[Gingergal]

25. I, too , was impressed that she was taking on the "Goliath'

in this race. She is definitely the underdog in taking on a long established incumbent senator with deep pockets in a bush red state. She has my vote for her daring!!

[CoolOnion]

29. I got the idea for my "humanimals" after hearing her

http://www.freewebs.com/humanimalsforbush/index.htm She mentioned that KBH votes with Bush over 90% of the time, and I'm thinking WTF, Bush only has something like a 50% approval rating in Texas. So there have to be constituents who disagree with him sometimes. I looked it up--sure enough, our sheeple in the Senate are voting against our interests for the sake of kissing up to Bush.

[PDittie]

30. Yesterday at the Tejano Democrats luncheon

DVO spoke for Barbara on her request. When he asked her what to say for her, she said: "I trust you." So he spoke about her stepping into the fight when the conventional wisdom even among the Democratic establishment was that taking on Kay Bailey was a quixotic mission, and how she refused to listen to the advice of the defeatists and naysayers, and stepped into the ring, laced up her gloves, and put up her dukes.

BAR is a fighter, just like DVO (and like Chris Bell). These people didn't wait for the time to be right, or the odds to improve, or the circumstances to present an opportunity. They fight because the fight has to be fought, not because they woke up and figured out we finally have a fighting chance.

"Fight 'em 'til Hell freezes over, and then fight 'em on the ice" isn't just a catchy slogan; it's a way of political life.

It's what Karl Rove is doing to us, after all, even today ...

[WestHoustonDem]

31. Well said PDittie!

:yourock: