Politics & Policy
February 23, 2018
Can One of Texas’s Last Purple Republicans Survive?
This test of will and political strength has become symbolic of the larger struggle in the Texas Republican Party this year.
Tea Party
Politics & Policy
February 24, 2017
R.G.’s Roundup: Trump, Protests, and ‘the Enemy’ of the People
Our favorite political reads of the week.
Politics & Policy
April 27, 2015
Tea Party Nears Its Peak in the Legislature
If the 2012 GOP primary results between Ted Cruz and David Dewhurst are any indicator, tea party strength in the Texas Legislature has peaked.
Burka Blog
April 23, 2015
The Plot Against Public Education
The Lieutenant Governor’s Internet Commenters Council is misreading history, and the Pre-K bill. …
Politics & Policy
March 31, 2015
The Legislative Boiling Pot
The strange dynamics of this Legislature started moving from simmer to boil with Tuesday’s House debate on a $209.8 billion budget.
Politics & Policy
March 26, 2015
So Long, Texas Senate
If the chamber isn’t taking things seriously, why should we? …
Politics & Policy
January 7, 2015
Another Problem with Purity Tests
The Tea Party’s pursuit of purity is particularly damaging in Texas…
Politics & Policy
May 12, 2014
A Mini-Referendum on Speaker Straus
After this weekend's special election, Brandon Creighton will head to a runoff with the right-wing challenger Steve Toth.
Politics & Policy
December 15, 2013
The Debra Medina Interview
The comptroller candidate was tea party when tea party wasn’t cool. Does she stand a chance in 2014?…
Politics & Policy
December 9, 2013
The Dan Branch Effect
I take a dim view of Dan Branch’s campaign for attorney general. A former member of our Best legislators list, Branch is in the process of ruining himself by running away from who he really is, which is a mainstream Republican. On Sunday, the Houston Chronicle…
Politics & Policy
December 6, 2013
Stuck in the Middle
Harry Reid to the left of him. The tea party to the right. Senator John Cornyn on the challenges of running a “big tent” GOP in a time of fierce partisanship.
Politics & Policy
September 30, 2013
Republican Civil War
How long can the Republican party endure the civil war that is raging between tea party conservatives and mainstream conservatives?…
Politics & Policy
June 30, 2013
Jonathan Stickland Knows He’s “That Guy”
Freshmen, per Texas tradition, should be seen and not heard—unless they're passing a first-in-the-nation email privacy measure.
Politics & Policy
April 18, 2013
The Tea Party, Rick Perry, and Debt
I seldom find myself in agreement with the tea party, but they are dead right in their skepticism of debt. This is why you can make the argument that Rick Perry is not a true conservative. He won’t raise taxes, but he doesn’t mind going deep into debt–and retiring debt…
Politics & Policy
March 22, 2013
Texas Wants Its Gold Back
Perry-backed legislation would create the "Fort Knox of Texas."…
Politics & Policy
March 18, 2013
James Ives Speaks
The Texas Tribune reported Monday that the president of the Fort Bend County Tea Party formerly served as the “director of propaganda” for the American Fascist Party. Listen to a speech Ives gave in September at Tea Party meeting where he hosted Michael Quinn Sullivan.
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
Dick Armey Breaks Up with His Tea Party Group Over Matters of Principle
Armey, who has led FreedomWorks, one of the most influential tea party groups, since 2004, resigned Monday in an email.
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
Cue More “Ted Cruz for President” Stories
Cruz's Thursday speech on "Opportunity Conservatism" gave political journalists yet another, er, opportunity to speculate about his longterm political plans. …
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
Ron Paul’s U.S. Tour Hits Texas
The Republican presidential candidate's campaign stop at the University of Texas had the vibe of an Austin rock festival. …
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
Scott Braddock On His Controversial Firing From News 92
After a week of speculation, controversy and support, the Houston radio reporter and talk show host tells the story of his firing from his own perspective…
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
Tea for Texas
It has more supporters here than anywhere else. It fueled the Republican landslide. It has its own caucus. But what is the tea party? And how will it use its power?…
Politics & Policy
January 1, 2013
Primary Targets
Michael Quinn Sullivan is the most powerful (and feared) activist at the Capitol. So who is he?…
Politics & Policy
December 31, 2012
NY Times casts doubt on Tea Party’s future
From the Times: The Tea Party might not be over, but it is increasingly clear that the election last month significantly weakened the once-surging movement, which nearly captured control of the through a potent combination of populism and fury. Leading Congressional Republicans,…
Politics & Policy
October 23, 2011
Where is Bob Perry?
The Huffington Post web site noted yesterday that Rick Perry’s biggest career donor, Bob Perry, has not yet contributed to the governor’s presidential campaign. A likely reason is Rick Perry’s support for legislation that adversely impacts Latinos, such as Voter I.D. laws and sanctuary cities policies. Perry flip-flopped on…
Politics & Policy
July 9, 2011
What would president Perry have done?
Fortune magazine published an online article yesterday (which will appear in the magazine's July 25 issue) stating that the bailout is going to be a winner--a big winner--for taxpayers and the federal government. An abridged version appears in last Friday's Washington Post in partnership with Bloomberg News. The bailout is…
Politics & Policy
June 9, 2010
Election night commentary: women rule
This was the big takeaway from the pundits on election night: It was a great night for women and for Tea Party activists. Here is a sample of the punditry: --Mark McKinnon, writing in the Daily Beast: "Voters in 12 states expressed their anger with Washington and special…
Politics & Policy
April 20, 2010
Thursday afternoon tea
I attended a tea party meeting on tax day. It was held at the Doubletree on Interstate 35 north. The session took place in the hotel ballroom, so the atmosphere was rather subdued. The attendees were almost entirely white and in the 40 to 60 age cohort. I did see…
Politics & Policy
April 15, 2009
Rick Perry, teasip
Today is April 15, the filing deadline for income taxes. Conservatives are trying to organize protests against Obama's fiscal policies all around the country, known as Tea Parties. Rick Perry will attend three of the rallies. Dick Armey, the former House Majority leader, has an op-ed piece in…