Politics & Policy

Is Texas Obsolete?

The question is not so hard; it’s the answers that are the problem.

Behind the Lines

The Men with Bentsen’s Ear

It’s going to take more than one man to run the country.

The Unveiling of Lloyd Bentsen

The White House is the only challenge left.

Open and Shut

This is a free country. Isn’t it?

Behind the Lines

The First Hurrah

The confessions of the second man in a two-man race.

Behind the Lines

Bursting the Bubble

Examining the Supreme Court’s decision on Nixon’s tapes.

Behind the Lines

The Politics of Outsiders

The Raza Unida party still isn‘t sure whether it wants to hurt the Democrats or help itself.

Behind the Lines

Waiting for the Train

While you’re waiting at the depot, Amtrak bickers with Washington, railway moguls, and itself.

Behind the Lines

The Peter Out Principle

The Texas GOP cranks down for November elections.

Why Jack Valenti Still Sleeps Soundly

Beneath the phony outer schmaltz of Jack Valenti one finds the real schmaltz of a true believer.

Behind the Lines

Connally Stumps Ohio

From former Dallas Times Herald reporter Tracey Smith comes this report of former governor John Connally on the banquet circuit in Bowling Green, Ohio. Smith is a Kiplinger Journalism Fellow at Ohio State University.Like other converts to a new faith, John B. Connally has become rabidly dogmatic in professing allegiance

Dustin’ Off The Stetson

It takes slant-heeled boots and a strong jaw to campaign in West Texas; a Ph.D. probably doesn’t help.

Behind the Lines

We Texans have always seemed to drive more, and farther, and for perhaps stranger reasons, than just about anyone else. Young people in the bleak and monotonous landscapes of West and North Texas grew up accustomed to endless, aimless rides around the countryside and to regular trips into the cities

Bob and George Go to Washington or The Post-Watergate Scramble

The GOP and Democratic chairmen are both from Texas. Right there the similarity ends, or begins, no, ends.

Ross Perot: A Hero for Our Time

I see Ross Perot as a throwback, a distinct cousin to two types of 19th century mythical American heroes. In his deeds, Perot is as gargantuan—as wonderful and awful and ridiculous—as Davy Crockett. In his idealisms, Perot would fashion himself, and the rest of us, after one of the proper

Come Back, Little Trader

Senator Bentsen is proposing legislation to end the two-tiered market. It might work; then again the market might take care of itself.

Ambush on Wall Street

Did the clean-cut knight get trapped by the Wall Street dragon? And did he, after all, have himself to blame?

Abortion in Texas

One year after the Supreme Court decision we survey how hospitals and private citizens are responding to legalized abortion.

We the People…

When we write a constitution for the first time in almost 100 years, everyone wants a piece of the pie. In spite of it all, the new draft turned out to be an improvement. Now it's the legislature's turn.

Unsafe at Any Age

The toys your children play with might make them one of the 19,000 dead or 40,000 crippled by playthings this year.

Mother of the Decade

Lee Harvey Oswald’s mother wants to tell the world how she got out from under Jackie’s shadow.

How the New Drug Law Was Made

In which Texas comes into the 20th century, barely.

Dr. Strangelove is Back!

Llano, Texas, is about to become the heart of our missile defense system.

John Connally Between the Acts

There is a right way and a wrong way, whether eating grilled cheese or running for president.

1973: The Ten Best (and, Sigh, the Ten Worst) Legislators

Competition was fierce and the winners in both categories are outstanding.

Inside The Lobby

These veterans of endless smoke-filled rooms and committee sessions do more to shape state government than most elected officials. They're not all bad, but they're not all good, either.

Briar Patch

THE SIN OF AUSTININ AUSTIN RECENTLY, DURING A public hearing on skinnydipping in Lake Travis, local resident Louis Steinbach testified to attentive city councilmen: “God has the power to destroy this city for its sin…and officials had better realize it.” We do not want to appear soft on sin, but

The Unholy Trinity Incident

Although the environmentalists won at the polls, the promoters of the nation's largest public works project may still turn the tide.

Sex and Politics

Right here in Austin and right up there in Washington, our men who stand for office have been messin' around.

Farewell to LBJ: A Hill Country Valediction

Some last words, reverent and irreverent, like Lyndon himself.