Politics & Policy

Cutthroat Island

Once upon a time, Galveston was an isolated island with few big-city problems. Recent flaps over civic corruption, press bias, and race suggest those days are over.

Congressman Clueless

Steve Stockman was supposed to have been a lethal weapon in the Republicans’ fight to unmake the Great Society. Instead the freshman legislator has been a loose cannon—an outsider in his own party.

Bugging Out

Farmers in the Rio Grande Valley are reeling from last year’s crop disaster—and they don’t cotton to agriculture commissioner Rick Perry’s excuses.

Tyrannosaurus Ex

Gauging Barney’s Universal appeal.

Sorry, Charlie

The last of the LBJ-style Democracts, the rowdy and reckless Charlie Wilson has called it quits. A fond farewell.

The Fund’s Over

Budget cuts are coming. Are teaching hositals DOA? Plus: Are white Democrats MIA?

Roads to Nowhere

The myth of the NAFTA superhighway.

Fighting Back

Inspired by th O.J.Simpson case, Texas has taken the lead in fighting domestic violence.

Mrs. & Mrs. Bridge

Tobi Sokolow and Mildred Breed, two of the world’s expert cardplayers, have little in common—except a killer instinct.

Smelling Like a Rose

Critics complain about Houston’s rising debt, but Mayor Bob Lanier’s reputation is blooming, which is why he’ll win a third term this month.

Hype or Hero?

He’s won the support o Mexican Americans in El Paso; now he wants to win a seat in Congress. Is Silvestre Reyes’ attack on illegal immigration heroism or hype?

The Force

Joe Jamail fights the power. Plus: Who will save the Texas Democratic party?

Bar Hopper

Tainted Mexican pols sign up a Corpus Christi lawyer.

Gramm’s Master Plan

Phil Gramm’s master plan for defeating Dole, whipping Wilson, and locking up the GOP nomination.

Up, Up, and Away

The death of a federal program in Amarillo shows that cutting the budget isn’t the answer to everything.

Texas Twenty: Carol Porter

A hunger for feeding children.

Texas Twenty: Tom Luce

Head of the class.

Texas Twenty: Gwen and Willie Richardson

Long before racial preferences were a political hot potato, these respected conservatives were bucking conventional wisdom—within their own community.

Texas Twenty: Dick Armey

The man of the House.

Texas Twenty: Ron Kirk

The people’s mayor.

Games of Chance

Bad Medicine

By vetoing the Patient Protection Act, Gearge W. Bush put cost before care.

Grounded

Parting Shots

Roe v. World

Twenty-five years after Norma McCorvey joined the flight to legalize abortion, the battle is still raging—and so is she.

1995: The Best and the Worst Legislators

From the respected to the rascally, our regular roundup of the session’s most renowned pols.

Fee, Fie

The Book on Waller

Four for Four

George W. Bush got elected governor by promising to focus on welfare, education, tort reform, and juvenile crime. After his first one hundred days, he’s batting a thousand.

Pine and Agony

Race Matters

Ron Kirk is ready to be Dallas’ first black mayor. But is Dallas ready for him?

Right, but Wrong

In his memoirs, archconservative state GOP chair Tom Pauken refights the cultural wars of the sixties—and loses.

To Pack and Pack Not

We asked twenty famous Texans: Will you carry a gun?

Fear and Loading

At the state capitol, where talk of concealed weapons consumes us still, emotion is winning the day.

Some Shots at Guns

The Art of Running for President

Phil Gramm is a world-class fundraiser, but it will take more than money to carry him to the White House in 1996.

Slow Learners Paul Burka

Negative Energy

Lee Harvey’s Legacy

Rachel Oswald did not kill John F. Kennedy, but for more than three decades she has struggled to make peace with the darkest day in Texas history.

Not What the Doctor Ordered

How an old-fashioned Texas physician fought the takeover of modern medicine by heartless insurance companies—and lost.

Gramm Watch

More Power to Him

The office of governor is constitutionally weak, but don’t tell that to George. W. Bush.

The Many Faces of George W. Bush

He’s part Susan Powter, part David Letterman, part Dagwood Bumstead—and more.

When Bush Comes to Shove

Big Talker

Jailed right-wing Dallas radio host Tom Donahue protests he’s a political prisoner. The IRS says he’s a crook.

George W. Bush and the New Political Landscape

How the Republicans took over Texas—and what it means.

Lady Bird Looks Back

Frank talk about LBJ’s life, JFK’s death, the promise of Hillary Clinton, the perils of Oliver North—and more.

Hard Times For Henry

Hounded by his ex-lover in Lubbock, pounded by his enemies in Washington, Henry Cisneros is in trouble—and it’s all on tape.

The Politics of Winning

In the final weeks, the governor’s race is too close to call. Here’s an analysis of what it will take to win.

Shape Up

Edward Blum ran for Congress in 1992, lost, and then decided to change America. He has succeeded. He was one of six plaintiffs in a Texas case that, along with similar cases in North Carolina and Louisiana, will help reverse the racial separation and antagonism that infects our public life.