Texas School District Loses Student

Talk about great moments in government schooling:


But shut up, because government knows best!!!

Battleground Texas' Silly HD-50 Spin

We had intended to write a similar piece, but Daniel Greer at Agendawise beat us to the punch:

Desperate for momentum as Wendy Davis continues to crash and burn, Battleground Texas (BGTX) are pantomiming as if Celia Israel’s 59% win is impressive in the liberal safe haven of Austin. Mark Strama, who retired the seat Israel won on Tuesday, got 63% of the vote in 2008.

Obama’s pack mules, the Texas Tribune, prepped BGTX for the silly post-election narrative by stating the GOP had hopes of winning the seat. Mike Hailey of Capitol Inside was more honest about the election calling it an expected win. In 2010 the seat was redistricted to become more Democratic.

In true Obama style, BGTX has bluffed outrageously since it got to Texas, upping the ante in hopes of looking like heroes if they win. As it turns out, Davis is likely to be a measurable show of just how far the president and his minions have fallen, and of just how Texan Texas is.

Battleground's over-the-top spin notwithstanding, a district drawn to elect a Democrat by a double digit margin electing a Democrat by a double digit margin isn't particularly newsworthy. 

On a related note, the 63% in 2008 that Daniel cites came under the old district lines, which were much more favorable to Republicans than the current ones.

The HD-50 results illustrate a status quo that remains in place (at least for now).

John Cornyn: One of Us!!! :P

A great satire of Cornyn's campaign ads:

Lying Liar Joe Straus Confesses his Lies

On Tuesday, Matt Beebe and Joe Straus met with the editorial board on the San Antonio Express-News; last year's water slush fund debate came up:



This was obvious to anyone who was paying attention, but it's good to see the orgy of lies used to sell the Water Slush fund last year exposed.

-----

Update: The Express-News write up has more from the meeting....

SAN ANTONIO — They agreed on a few topics, but Texas House Speaker Joe Straus of San Antonio and his GOP re-election opponent in District 121 differed sharply on several key issues Tuesday in the first — and possibly last — joint appearance of their rematch campaign.

While Straus, R-San Antonio, praised the 83rd Legislature's actions to restore public school funding and to address long-term water and transportation needs, his tea party-backed opponent Matt Beebe said 2013 lawmaking sessions were a collection of missed opportunities to apply conservative principles to state spending and social issues.

Both candidates told the Express-News Editorial Board they oppose term limits for state officials, saying they put their trust in voters. Even so, Beebe, who lost to Straus in the 2012 GOP primary by a 63-37 percent vote, contends it's time for new leadership in the district that includes Alamo Heights, Olmos Park, Terrell Hills and a large part of city's North Side.

Straus, a House member since 2005 and speaker since 2009, said, “We had an enormously successful session in 2013” that included changes to the testing regimen in public schools and implementation of a state water plan that won overwhelming voter approval in November.

....

Beebe, who has an IT and computer security business, said he has the same reason for running that motivated him in 2012.

“We just weren't getting the kinds of conservative reforms that I thought were necessary. We're back at it again this time because most of that hasn't changed. A lot of good, solid reforms were killed, and the gentleman seated to the right of me had his hand in a lot of that,” Beebe claimed.

....

He said the House should have ended in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants and reduced state spending. Beebe was critical of what he called unfunded mandates for public schools, and he argued that the $2 billion voters authorized for water infrastructure projects would cause communities to add to their debt to access some of the state funds.

Straus countered, “His accusation that I 'punted' this to the voters is patently false.”

“I sit before you very proud of Proposition 6, a bold and responsible plan to address our water shortage,” Straus said. “We could have done nothing, which was the easy thing for the last 10 or 15 Legislatures,” he said.

The two candidates' second showdown is the March 4 GOP primary. Early voting starts Feb. 18.

Texas Firearms Dealer first to accept BITCOIN

Michael Cargill is a tireless fighter for liberty in Travis County.  Whenever there's a local campaign, Michael shows up and works his tail off.  Michael's business, Central Texas Gun Works, made a major announcement today:

AUSTIN, Texas --(Ammoland.com)- Beginning Monday, January 27, 2014, Central Texas Gun Works, owned by Michael Cargill, became the first firearms retailer of Texas to accept online payment in the new Bitcoin (www.bitcoin.org) currency system, an innovative payment network changing the way consumers use digital currency.

Starting Wednesday, January 28, 2014, Central Texas Gun Works will accept Bitcoin for all in-store transactions, including the sale of firearms, ammunition, accessories, and class registrations.

Bitcoin uses instant, worldwide, peer-to-peer transactions to make payments over the Internet. Using a mobile app or computer, bitcoins are purchased through a Bitcoin exchange network or from individuals. Consumers are able to shop at Central Texas Gun Works using their personal Bitcoin wallet to make payments. This form of payment is faster and more convenient than paying with a check, debit or credit card and includes increased privacy and security.

For businesses, like Central Texas Gun Works, using Bitcoin costs little to maintain, reduces risk of chargebacks or reversals, and protects against fraud, resulting in a lower cost to merchants than check or card transactions. Additionally, businesses can accept faster payments and incur a lower cost to protect sensitive information about their customers, including account information and credit card numbers. Central Texas Gun Works has partnered with BitPay as its Bitcoin merchant services provider.

“We are thrilled to be able to accept Bitcoin, a new, innovative form of payment, from our customers,” says Central Texas Gun Works owner, Michael Cargill. “We hope by using this currency in Austin, it will help to generate new customers and attract more visibility for our business.”

Bravo Michael; read the whole thing here.

Another Good Vote from Congressman Roger Williams

Earlier today, the U.S. House voted on an atrocious farm bill; unfortunately, it passed, but there was one interesting tidbit:

---- NAYS 166 ---

....

Williams

Other noteworthy nay's include Justin Amash, Michelle Bachman, Louie Gohmert, and Steve Stockman; every other Republican in the Travis County delegation voted aye.

Credit where due: Texas Democrats, Joaquin Castro, Lloyd Doggett, and Shelia Jackson Lee also voted no.

Casino Interests Supporting Our Opponents

Agendawise details the campaign contributions of the leading casino gambling lobbyist in Texas:

In 2013, high powered Obama ally John Montford was engaged to lobby for the expansion of gambling in Texas. His effort was DOA but as Hoppe’s article suggests the left will continue to work for the false economic promise of more gambling in Texas. Expanded gambling in Texas would enrich a few families and flood an aggressive lobby with cash.

What we find striking, however, is that Montford (or his wife) donated to several primary opponents of Cahnman's Musings endorsed candidates.

In the statewide race for Attorney General, we support Ken Paxton; Montford supports Ken's opponent Barry Smitherman:

Barry Smitherman John Montford $7500 R

In the race for House District 121, we support Matt Beebe; Montford supports Texas House Speaker Joe Straus:

Joe Straus Debbie Montford $1000 R

In the race for Senate District 25, we support Donna Campbell; Montford supports her opponent:

Michael Novak Debbie Montford $6273.37 R

Casino gambling wasn't a factor in our endorsement decisions, but it's good to know that their top lobbyist seems to hate Cahnman's Musings endorsed candidates in particular!

John Carona throws a tantrum

Ouch:

One thing we've learned from experience is that the candidate throwing a hissy fit tends to be in trouble; this is especially true when the candidate in question supports a new $4 billion electricity tax....

Stockman Leads; Cornyn sits passively

From last night's State of the Union:

"Tonight I left early after hearing how the President is further abusing his Constitutional powers," Stockman told the Dallas Morning News in a statement. "I could not bear to watch as he continued to cross the clearly-defined boundaries of the Constitutional separation of powers." Needless to say, I am deeply disappointed in the tone and content of tonight’s address."

Stockman has made no secret of his problems with the president, but he does seem to enjoy the media spectacle of the State of the Union. Last year, he invited rocker and Obama critic Ted Nugent to the speech; this year, he invited Chad Henderson, a student who embarrassed the media by telling reporters he had enrolled in Obamacare when he, in fact, had not.

....

"After five years in office Obama refuses to admit his policies have failed," he said. "He instead demands we double down on the bitter class warfare that has left Americans jobless and hopeless. Obama’s plan for higher taxes and more spending is a blueprint for perpetual poverty. The last thing America needs is more of the Democrats’ class warfare that has left our economy a barren landscape."

John Cornyn, by contrast, gave us toothless lip service....

-----

Read our endorsement post here; donate to Stockman's campaign here.

Travis County Election Workers fail to enforce Photo ID

[Author's Note: Travis County Tax Assessor Bruce Elfant, pictured to the viewer's left of Obama, is the official responsible for counting the votes.]

David Walls from Texas Values reports on Facebook:

Apparently following the law is optional for some polling workers in Travis county...I went to vote today in the HD 50 race (precinct 263) and was NOT asked for a photo id. I politely told the polling worker that I believe we are supposed to show an ID just as we had in the November election. I was somewhat sternly corrected that ID was not required and was also told people have to purchase a special voter ID card. When I told her that was not accurate and that people could use their drivers licenses she somewhat mockingly told me "Well, you can show me your drivers license if you would like." I proceeded to just vote and leave and then called and reported the incident to the Travis County elections office. They assured me this would be corrected and that they train all poll workers to ask for IDs.

Could get ugly; stay tuned.

Open HD-50 Polling Locations

Urgent update from Travis County Republican Party:

House District 50 Runoff Election Day Polling Locations Are Open; School Campus Polling Location Closures

Austin —Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir announced HD 50 Runoff Election Day polling sites located on Elgin ISD, Manor ISD and Austin ISD campuses will not open today because the school districts have cancelled classes. “Our primary goal is to ensure all polling places are open but we must follow school campus schedules,” DeBeauvoir said. Signage will be placed at the affected campus polling locations to inform voters and redirect them to the nearest open polling place.

28 polling locations opened at 7 a.m. and are currently processing voters. The HD 50 Runoff election is a vote center election, so voters may cast their ballot at any polling location.

Sites that are currently open and voting until 7 p.m.:

EV Sites

*County Tax Office, Pflugerville

15822 Foothill Farms Loop

*Gus Garcia Recreation Center

1201 E Rundberg Ln

*Randalls Research and Braker

10900 D Research Blvd

Precinct Voting Locations (Voters may vote at any convenient location of your choice)

102 Copperfield Elementary School

12135 Thompkins Dr.

104 Cedar View Rehabilitation

11020 Dessau Rd.

107 New Sweden Lutheran Church

12809 New Sweden Church Rd.

109 Parmer Lane Elementary School

1806 West Parmer Ln.

110 Park Crest Middle School

1500 North Railroad Ave.

111 Parmer Lane Elementary School

1806 West Parmer Ln.

112 Dessau Elementary School

1501 Dessau Ridge Ln.

123 Murchison Elementary School

2215 Kelly Ln.

137 Rowe Lane Elementary School

3112 Speidel Dr.

150 Brookhollow Elementary School

1200 North Railroad Ave.

161 Park Crest Middle School

1500 North Railroad Ave.

163 Rowe Lane Elementary School

3112 Speidel Dr.

205 River Oaks Elementary School (NEW)

12401 Scofield Farms Dr.

207 YMCA Northwest Branch

5807 McNeil Dr

215 Wells Branch Community Library

15001 Wells Port Dr.

216 Northwest Elementary School

14014 Thermal Dr.

219 Caldwell Elementary School

1718 Picadilly Dr.

225 Wells Branch MUD Recreation Center

3000 Shoreline Dr.

226 Villas of Bristol Heights Apartments

12041 Dessau Rd.

227 Villas of Bristol Heights Apartments

12041 Dessau Rd.

229 Wells Branch Community Center

2106 Klattenhoff Dr.

254 Emeritus at North Austin

5310 Duval Rd.

263 United Christian Church

3500 West Parmer Ln.

321 Great Hills Baptist Church

10500 Jollyville Road

Author's Note: Woo Hoo!!!

326 Laurel Mountain Elementary School

10111 DK Ranch Rd.

327 Fire Station # 33

9409 Bluegrass Dr.

328 Renaissance Retirement Center

11279 Taylor Draper Ln.

331 Kathy Caraway Elementary School

11104 Oak View Dr.

(Enter off Carlwood)

335 Canyon Vista Middle School

8455 Spicewood Springs Rd.

The school sites closed due to inclement weather are:

Austin ISD

Precinct 103, 108 Graham Elementary School

Precinct 140 Dobie Middle School

Precinct 164 Barrington Elementary School

Precinct 211 Walnut Creek Elementary School

Precinct 259 Summit Elementary

Manor ISD

Precinct 128, 153 Pioneer Crossing Elementary School

Precinct 154 Bluebonnet Trail Elementary School

Elgin ISD

Precinct 106 Neidig Elementary School

For further information, voters should contact the Travis County Clerk’s Elections Division at 512-854-4996 or 512-238-VOTE (8683) or visit the website, www.traviscountyelections.org

This will be a low turnout affair.  Get off your butt.  Go vote!!!

Wendy Davis receives Ethics Complaint

Breaking from the Franklin Center:

AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas citizen filed a complaint before the Texas Ethics Commission Monday afternoon, alleging that State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth) knowingly misrepresented her assets on her annual Personal Financial Statements.

The complaint alleges that Davis failed to disclose her ownership of stocks and mutual funds, capital gains made on the sale of those mutual funds, interest earned on several bank accounts, and professional ties to registered lobbyists associated with a law firm at which she is employed. Davis allegedly failed to make these financial disclosures on three of the four Personal Financial Statements she has filed since taking office in 2009.

Davis disclosed ownership of a single stock and two mutual funds on each of her Personal Financial Statements, but reported ownership of several additional mutual funds on her income tax returns for each corresponding year. Davis’ 1040 and 1099-B forms include over 40 pages of proceeds from mutual fund transactions, and reveal that the Senator reported to the IRS that she bought and sold several mutual funds that made capital gains and losses during the years 2010-2012, but did not report any such activity to the state in her Personal Financial Statements for those years.

....

Once the complaint is processed by the Ethics Commission, Davis will have 30 days to respond in writing. If the commission deems that Davis “knowingly and willfully failed to file a financial statement” that covered her assets, she may be subject to both civil penalties and criminal prosecution.

The commission may impose up to $10,000 in civil fines, and may also turn a case over to state prosecuting attorneys for criminal prosecution. Failure to comply with the personal financial disclosure requirements is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to $2,000 in fines and 180 days in jail.

This is verrry interesting. Wendy Davis' day job is a lawyer specializing in local government bonds, which anyone who knows anything about public finance in Texas know is rife with corruption.  Regarding her personal finances, several unanswered questions remain from her 2012 state senate re-elect campaign.

Ted Cruz Praises Konni Burton

Exciting news out of Konni Burton world:



In other news, Rafael Cruz and Dana Loesch will be doing an event for Konni this Thursday in Ft. Worth:

It's obvious which SD-10 candidate has grassroots support.

-----

Read out endorsement for Konni here; volunteer here, donate to her campaign here.

Ted Cruz Punks Julian Castro

Fantastic clip from the 2012 Texas Tribune festival:



Highlights:

• Between 2009 and 2011, San Antonio unemployment went up 1%, median income went down $2000, # of residents on food stamps went up 4%.
• Castro was first elected in 2009.
• Castro makes the same excuses as Obama.
• Author's note: While it's not discussed in this clip, we're also curious about what happened to cost of living in that time.

• Ted Cruz: Workforce participation rate at lowest in 30 years.
• Quotes Jay Leno
• In 3.5 years of Obama, GDP growth has only been 1.5%

History Lesson: Planned Parenthood's Founder and Eugenics

"Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him"
John 9:1-3

This 2009 clip from Glenn Beck summarizes the origins of today's pro-abortion movement:



Highlights:

• Hillary: "Admires Margaret Sanger tremendously."

• Margaret Sanger wasn't internally conflicted like Jefferson.

• Sanger used to hang out with the Klan.

• "The poor have always been the target of eugenicists."

• The global warming movement is also about population control.

Shoot Christians Say

"A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones."
Proverbs 17:22

OMGosh, too funny:

Beware #TXLEGE RINO's; an open letter to Sean Hannity

"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me"
Ezekiel 3:17

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves."
Matthew 7:15

Dear Sean,

Congratulations on your pending move to Texas.  I moved to Texas from NYC in 2007 (Beck followed me).  I love it.  You will too.  That being said, the faster you learn certain realities about Texas politics at the state level, the better.

The Texas Legislature, especially on the House side, is filled with crony-corporatist Republican establishment types.  They stay in power by masquerading as conservatives during the six weeks before Primary day.  The Texas Republican primary will take place on March 4.

You're being used.

Last night, my friend Brandon Darby posted a letter you received from Joe Straus lieutenant Texas State Rep. Harvey Hilderbran.  That letter is hilarious if you know how to read between the lines.  Harvey Hilderbran is currently running for Texas Comptroller with lots of lobbyist cash and ZERO grassroots support.

Now who, pray tell, is Harvey Hilderbran?!?

• First things first, Harvey Hilderbran is a 26 year incumbent; while he had some decent votes during George W. Bush's gubernatorial term, his recent behavior is lacking.

• He games the system to avoid tough votes.

• As chairman of the Texas House Ways and Means committee during the 83rd legislature, he chose to promote corporate welfare at the expense of broad-based tax relief.

• He is soft on Obamacare.

• He votes for every establishment priority.

In the race for Texas comptroller, there are two solid candidates: Glenn Hegar and Debra Medina; Harvey Hilderbran is as establishment as they come.

Texas is a fantastic place to live.  Our conservative principles have produced a business climate unequaled in the United States.  You'll love it.  Unfortunately, one side effect is that the RINO's in our legislature routinely seek opportunities to grandstand. Be very careful when Texas House Republicans act like your best friend.

Sincerely,
Adam Cahn
Austin, TX
January, 24 2014

Mike van de Walle on the Issues

Dr. van de Walle stopped by the Trailer Park show to discuss several issues:



Highlights:

• Begins with a discussion of Project Veritas' Travis County Obamacare vote fraud video.
• People need answers
• The scandal "is making the rounds."
• Cargill: Someone needs to go to prison.
• Scandal: "Just another example" of out of control govt.

• "How are you going to pay the doctors" for Obamacare enrollees?!?

• "There's a place" for toll roads, but we don't want them to get out of hand."

• Endorses zero-based budgeting.
• Author's note: We believe Dr. van was in the audience of this TPPF panel.

• "We need effective education before we spend more money."
• Author's note: Amen!!!
• First person in his family to graduate high school.
• Competition forces government schools to improve.

• In 2010, a Texas House race in Travis county was decided by 4 votes.

-----

Read our endorsement post here; volunteer for the campaign here; donate here.

The Marxist Revolutionary who will follow Wendy

Wendy Davis' missteps this week are entertaining.  They also illustrate a deeper truth.  In the long term effort to turn Texas blue, Julian Castro (and Leticia van de Putte) is a much bigger threat than Wendy Davis.

Since mid-2013, Cahnman's Musings has pursued substantial reconnaissance against all facets of "turn Texas blue."  For obvious reasons, we will not detail these activities on this website.  Suffice to say, this week's comically inept performance (like her bogus fundraising numbers) is consistent with what we've observed privately.

Unfortunately, a much more effective demagogue will follow Wendy; as the Washington Post explains:

[B]oth Julian and Joaquin Castro as well as a slew of other ambitious, young Texas Democrats are eyeing Senate race in 2018 and 2020 as well as the governor's race in 2018. [sic]

Wendy Davis is similar to former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm.  Julian Castro, by contrast, is another Obama.  Putting it mildly, the latter has done more damage.

Election 2014 is an important measuring stick. In addition to electing Greg Abbott, grassroots conservatives need to run up the scoreboard in down ticket and legislative races.  But the real fight for Texas won't begin until 2015.

A major component of that real fight is Julian Castro's next mayoral election, in May 2015.  The good news is that in Castro's last election, only 7.6% of voters showed up.  If grassroots conservatives can produce 20% turnout, Julian Castro and Battleground Texas are in big trouble.

Wendy's recent missteps are entertaining.  We should exploit them to run up the scoreboard in election 2014.  But be not deceived, the real battle begins in 2015....

Team Wendy's latest counterattack video :)

"Admit nothing, deny everything; counterattack."
Roger Stone

When all else fails....:)

Austin ISD blackmails recalcitrant citizens into submission

Unfortunate news from the Travis County Taxpayers Union:

PRESS ADVISORY: Travis County Taxpayer Union (TCTU) plaintiffs drop AISD Bond Ballot language lawsuit appeal rather than face potential $50,000 fine.

22-Jan-2014
Austin, TX --

A few weeks ago, TCTU plaintiffs were confronted with the possibility of personal losses of $50,000 due to a legal tactic from Austin ISD. Because TCTU plaintiffs were unable to shoulder the financial risk, they elected to drop the suit.

Says Don Zimmerman, TCTU founder and treasurer, "We are dismayed at the legal tactics of intimidation used by Austin ISD, but we do not blame our plaintiffs for dropping the suit in the face of financial threats."

Says Stephen Casey, TCTU attorney, "The District's ploy of asking the court of appeals to affirm the lower court judgment, leveraged against our client's finances, was not accepted -- the court dismissed the appeal rather than affirm the trial court."

TCTU notes that Austin ISD is now effectively admitting that "projection of enrollment growth", made just last year in support of AISD's unaffordable Bonds, was false political advertising. The truth is AISD student enrollment is shrinking, not growing as the District falsely claimed last year. The illegal Bond ballot language was just another part of AISD's campaign of taxpayer subsidized propaganda to misinform voters.

As a volunteer organization, TCTU does not get and does not seek taxpayer money to promote it's political agenda through false advertising or legal transgressions.

TCTU will continue to counter District misinformation and gain compliance with ballot law as resources permit.

An unfortunate development, but we still be two of the bonds at the polls; with new swindles on the horizon, readers can expect to plenty from the Travis County Taxpayers Union in 2014.

2014's First Test

[Full Disclosure: Cahnman's Musings is a dues paying member of Central Texas Republican Assembly.]

CTRA sends fantastic instructions on how to act effectively advocate in the HD-50 runoff:

Next Tuesday is the runoff election for the Texas State House of Representatives seat in District 50.

Dr. Mike VanDeWalle is the Republican candidate and he's a solid conservative that we should all be supporting. Celia Israel, his opponent, is the most extreme sort of Democrat.

If you really want to make a difference, there's one proven way - talk to voters in the district.

Please:

• Call your friends who live in the district and ask them to vote - either in early voting tomorrow through Friday, or on election day next Tuesday. 

• Spend even one hour at the Republican Party of Texas headquarters (1108 Lavaca, Suite 500) helping to staff the phone bank and call voters in the district. Please contact Ben McPhaul at 512-879-4062 to sign up for a time slot to volunteer. 

• Spend any time you can block walking with the campaign. You can reach them at www.drmikefortexas.com to get details and make arrangements. 

• And of course, if you live in HD 50, vote!

Early voting is tomorrow through Friday from 7am - 7pm at:

1. Randall's Grocery Store at U.S. 183 and Braker Lane
2. County tax office -Pflugerville location: 15822 Foothills Farm Loop, Pflugerville
3. Travis County Airport Blvd Offices: 5501 Airport Blvd, Austin
Travis County is also offering mobile voting locations during early voting. Their list of mobile voting locations is here.

Election Day voting locations are listed here.

Mike has been walking the district nonstop for weeks, and doing all of the other hard work needed to win this race. He needs our help and he needs it right now. This week. Please do what you can.

Your friend,
James

 -----

Read our endorsement post for Dr. Mike here;  volunteer for the campaign here; donate here.

North Texas clinic accepts Bitcoin

Well this is certainly interesting:

One Texas health clinic is accepting Bitcoin as a form of payment.

At Rapid med Urgent Care Center at Highland Village in North Texas, patients can pay using Bitcon's digital dollars in addition to cash or credit cards.

....

Coindesk reports that many medical patients choose Bitcoin because they chose to keep their health visits a secret and want to ensure patient to doctor confidentiality.

The website explains that using Bitcoin is safer than using a credit card and makes people less susceptible to identity theft.

'With Bitcoin, there is no credit card number that some malicious actor can collect in order to impersonate you. In fact, it is even possible to send a payment without revealing your identity, almost just like with physical money. You should however take note that some effort can be required to protect your privacy,' says the site.

Bitcoin is not 100 per cent anonymous and can be linked to a person's identity when they convert Bitcoin to currency. However, for keeping health information between a patient and a doctor, Bitcoin is a useful tool.

Read the whole thing here.

CBS Dallas has more here.

OFFICIAL ENDORSEMENT: Mike van de Walle for HD-50

In the special election for HD-50, only one candidate opposes Medicaid expansion under Obamacare.  His name is Dr. Mike van de Walle.  Cahnman's Musings wholeheartedly endorses him.  Early voting begins today.  Election day proper is next Tuesday.

Medicaid bankrupts doctors and destroys lives.  It's already on track to bankrupt Texas.  Medicaid expansion is economic suicide.

Electing a state rep, in Travis County, who has campaigned against Obamacare and Medicaid expansion since day one will send a clear message to Texas' depressingly wobbly state legislature.

Special elections are strange; turnout is key.  It sounds like a cliche, but who shows up at the polls determines who wins.  The boundaries of HD-50 can be seen below:

If you live in HD-50, please take two minutes and vote.  To find out your Texas House district, click here.  If you know anyone in HD-50, please invest a moment an personally remind them to vote.  Voting locations here.

One point of personal privilege: yesterday, we had the opportunity to experience Dr. van de Walle's professional services.  A chiropractor with 40 years experience, Dr. van de Walle runs a well regarded office in Northwest Austin.  Dr. van de Walle treated us for a compressed nerve that has bothered us for two months.  24 hours later, our symptoms have improved dramatically.  Regardless of how this election ends, Cahnman's Musings strongly recommends De. van de Walle for your chiropractic needs.

Since September, we've gotten to know Dr. van de Walle.  An affable political neophyte, Dr. van de Walle has proven himself a diligent learner.  He's the only doctor we've ever seen with an open Bible in the waiting room.  He's also the only candidate in this race opposed to Medicaid expansion under Obamacare.  For that reason alone, Cahnman's Musings enthusiastically endorses Dr. Mike van de Walle for HD-50.

Which Texas Republican Listed An Opponent's Staffer as a Supporter?!?

Ashley Sewell is a friend of this website.  She's an alumn of Ted Cruz's 2012 campaign and the Texas Public Policy Foundation.  Currently, Ashley works on Ken Paxton's Attorney General campaign.

Which is strange, because according to this screen capture of Smitherman's endorsement page*, Ashley is a Barry Smitherman supporter:

[Author's Note: We apologize for the small type; formatting issues.]

If they have any class, Team Smitherman will take one of the following actions:

1) Produce evidence there's a second Ashley Sewell that no on in Austin or DFW has ever heard of.

or

2) Apologize.

Personally, Cahnman's Musings wouldn't be surprised if team Smitherman attempts a stealth edit.

The ball's in your court Team Smitherman....

(Sorry Alice)

*Taken 8:38 pm, 1/20/2014

-----

Readers who are interested in getting answers can contact Team Smitherman via Twitter: @SmithermanTX

Another decent vote from Congressman Roger Williams

From Americans for Prosperity -- Texas Facebook page:

How did Texas Congressional members vote on the $1.1 billion omnibus spending bill? House Vote 21 - Passes $1.1 Trillion Spending Bill.

....

Texas Members who voted NO:

....

Roger Williams R TX-25

Kudos to Roger; the other three Republican Congressmen from Travis County ought to be ashamed.

The One Texas Democrat who frightens us

Let's rewind to the night of Wendy's filibuster and recall this moment:



Good demagoguery, especially since a female Texas Senator had been speaking for ten hours.

But that's the point.  In 2014, Texas Democrats are going to play victim.  That's why they're running the two women ticket in the first place.

Following yesterday's revelations, Wendy has a ceiling on how far the victim schtick will take her (especially considering that her opponent is in a wheelchair). That's not true in the Lt. Governor's race.  The sky's the limit for whiny gender and race based psuedo-anguish from Leticia running against any white male.  In person, she's much friendlier than Wendy.  And she gets along well with the Lobby.

Which brings us to the uninspiring Republican Lt. Gov field.  During the general election, Leticia and her media allies are going to bait the Republican nominee into saying something stupid. Before any policy consideration, Republican voters need to pick someone who won't take that bait.  Unfortunately, the Republican field doesn't inspire confidence.  One particular candidate is likely to become Todd Akin 2.0.

If Leticia were to pull off the upset, she'd become an instant hero to Democrats. She'd legitimize Battleground.  And that's before she derails our agenda in the Texas Senate.

Choose your Lt. Governor candidate wisely, Texas Republicans....

Julian Castro Latest Ethics Questions

MySAPolitics.com reveals new details about the municipal governance cesspool that is San Antonio:

Mayor Julian Castro, Council members Cris Medina and Diego Bernal had the most alleged violations at over 200 each.

The Sworn Complaints allege 41 instances of accepting donations from corporations. Corporate donations are, if done knowingly, a 3rd degree felony offense. All nine complaints alleged these offenses. Well known names include MacDonalds, Inc., Holiday Inns, Inc. and Texas Associaton of Realtors.

The Texas Ethics Advisory Board (TEAB) reports that more than fifteen more Sworn Complaints will be initiated on the corporations who contributed to the council members campaigns. Pending the results of the TEC investigations, the TEAB will refer any felonies to Bexar County District Attorney Susan Reed.

Another frequent complaint was the diversion of campaign funds to personal use. If confirmed, this would make Mayor Castro and Council members Cris Medina and Diego Bernal and others civilly liable to the State of Texas including court costs. [Emphasis Added]

Other frequent alleged violations of State law included failure to report out of state travel, filing late reports and having serious contribution balance discrepancies – unaccounted for money.

Read the whole thing here.

Calling B.S. on the Burnt Orange Report

Will Franklin beat us to the punch calling B.S. on Wendy Davis' fundraising, but SocraticGadfly's takedown of the Burnt Orange Report's acceptance of the party line is worth a read:

Let's say the Texas Republican Party created an alternative to Battleground Texas called, oh, Attack for Liberty. Attack for Liberty and Greg Abbott's campaign then formed Texas Liberty Committee.

And, Texas Liberty Committee raised $3.5M and claimmed that as part of his $11.5M?

Don't tell me BOR wouldn't be on that like white on rice. Because, Abbott, Attack for Liberty and the Texas Liberty Committee would be using the exact same explainers it trots out.

That said, BOR does have a live blog of actual, Texas Ethics Commission-filed donations, for all major candidates, with figures also including cash on hand.

Meanwhile, nobody's claimed that Abbott's money was co-raised with a third party. Because, if it were, BOR would be critiquing Abbott just like I just critiqued Davis.

....

In short, a short-term spin could backfire down the road.

And, speaking of, I've exchanged enough tweets with Li on this. On my last one, I told him to talk to Tilove, or Jay Root at the Trib. None of us are "GOP operatives." You, Michael, on the other hand, ARE a Democratic operative, even if not officially affiliated with the Davis campaign.

Oh, and this also gets at one thing Perry talked about. Davis, like Dear Leader, wasn't supposed to be about politics as usual. But, between this and her David Alameel endorsement, she indeed appears to be Just.Another.Politician.™, and the Michael Lis of the world probably don't want to talk about that at all.

 Read the whole thing here.

41 Years of Roe v. Wade

Our good friend Ashley Granger makes a cameo in this video from Texas Alliance for Life:



The video speaks for itself.

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New  readers can learn about our history with Ashley here and here.

Primary 2014: Ted Cruz's Consistent Political Message

The other day, our friend and former colleague Tim Carney illustrates how Ted Cruz is altering the landscape in Washington D.C.:

Cold cash, together with control of institutions, is what makes the Establishment the Establishment. But in the current Republican civil war, the insurgents have secured their own money pipelines, and they control their own institutions – which means the GOP leadership and its allies in the business lobby have a hard fight in front of them.

The firing and hiring of conservative staffer Paul Teller makes it clear that the anti-establishment has built its own establishment.

Teller was a House staffer for more than a decade, and was longtime executive director of the conservative Republican Study Committee. The RSC always exerted a rightward pull on party leadership, but it is nonetheless a subsidiary of the party.

After the 2012 election, the Republican Establishment captured the RSC, in effect, by getting Congressman Steve Scalise elected chairman. Scalise is a conservative, but he is also a close ally of the party leadership – much more so than his predecessors Jim Jordan and Tom Price. Scalise immediately swept out most of the RSC staff.

Last month, Teller was accused of working with outside groups such as Heritage Action to whip RSC members – and Scalise showed Teller the door.

In the old days, this might have been a disaster for Teller. He had lost his job and landed on the wrong side of the party leadership. Anyone who picked up Teller would be spitting in the eye of the Establishment. But this week, Sen. Ted Cruz announced he had hired Teller as deputy chief of staff

....

But Teller landed on his feet — and today any conservative staffer disposed to fight the party leadership can hold out the same hope. The GOP Establishment has lost its monopoly, and the insurgents now have many bases of power – and thus many sources of money.

Conservative activist groups have always existed inside the GOP, but because they couldn’t raise and distribute large amounts of money, they functioned mostly through moral suasion – which means they were largely powerless. Eventually, these Beltway conservative groups grew dependent on the GOP, and instead of holding the party accountable, they often ended up being the establishment’s liaison to the conservative base.

Today’s conservative groups are fully armed, though. Thanks to advances in Internet fundraising and changes in campaign finance laws, the Senate Conservatives Fund, FreedomWorks, and the Club for Growth can raise and spend enough money to compete in GOP primaries with the Chamber of Commerce and lobbying firms

....

And the Senate offices of Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, and Rand Paul are three insurgent beachheads on Capitol Hill. Being a senator doesn't merely give one a vote — it gives these men the budget to staff a congressional office. As they gain seniority, the Tea Partiers will get control over budgets for committee staffs.

When a member's re-election, or a staffer's ability to pay the mortgage, doesn't depend on the Establishment's favor, the Establishment may need to find a new way to gain conservatives' loyalty

 This dovetails with a similar observation we made last week about Austin:

For Ted Cruz, at the beginning of primary season, to share a stage with Michael Quinn Sullivan is a major, albeit subtle, signal to the grassroots.

 Paul Teller and Michael Quinn Sullivan are pariahs among the Republican establishment in Washington and Austin, respectively (*).  Republicans don't associate with either unless they're sending an intra-GOP missive.  By associating with both, Ted Cruz's message is loud and clear.

* Paul Teller, to be fair, isn't a dirty Aggie.

How to Fund Infrastructure Responsibly

Last week, discussing the current Texas budget, Chuck DeVore illustrated how Medicaid is "crowding out roads."  DeVore touched on a deeper truth than we realized at the time.  It won't be easy politically, but there's a simple solution to Texas' infrastruture funding challenges.

Cut Medicaid to fund roads and bridges.

Medicaid is a festering public policy abomination.  It abuses our most vulnerable.  It creates worse health outcomes.  It bankrupts doctors.  Left unchecked, even without expansion, it will bankrupt the state of Texas.

Unlike socialized medicine, responsibly funded infrastructure is a legitimate function of government.  The challenge is how to fund infrastructure responsibly.  A $24 billion budget item that injures its recipients is a good place to start.

Obama will obviously complain, but so what?!?  When Obama attempts to hold us hostage with our own money, we should tell him to pound sand.  Who says Texas needs to participate in Medicaid in the first place?!?

Medicaid is also the primary source for intergovernmental transfer payments from the Feds; downsizing Texas' Medicaid program will reduce our exposure to Washington.

As a growing state, Texas has legitimate infrastructure challenges.  Medicaid, simultaneously, is consuming an ever-growing share of state funds that could pay for infrastructure.  Politically, this won't be easy to pass, but the substance of this solution is simple.

Steve Stockman Inspires American Entrepreneur

"Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses,"
Exodus 12:35 (a)

Last month, U.S. Senate candidate Steve Stockman gave progressive journalists fits when he suggested a new firearms lubricant:

By God's grace, someone is taking Stockman up on the offer:

Shortly after Congressman Steve Stockman tweeted about Liberal Tears, one company created a real product under the same name.

Last month, Stockman tweeted a photo of him using “the best gun lubricant around.” Now, tacticalshit.com is selling their very own version of Liberal Tears Gun Oil.

According to their website, “Guns have only two enemies Rust and Liberals. We have bottled Liberal Tears to create a CLP called Liberal Tears Gun Oil.” [sic]

Congratulations Steve Stockman. Inspiring others is a rare ability, also possessed by Moses, Churchill, and Reagan.  His presence would bless the United States Senate.

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Read our endorsement of Stockman here; donate to his campaign here.

Purchase 'Liberal Tears' Gun Lubricant here.

Battleground Texas misses 2013 fundraising goal...by 70%

Last year, when they first appeared, Battleground Texas boasted about a $10 million annual budget.

In the first half of 2013, they raised $1.2 million.

In the second half, they raised $1.8 million.

That's 30% of their stated goal.

OUCH!!!

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Willisms has a fantastic rundown of Team Wendy's overall fundraising compared to Team Abbott:

Integrity. Veracity.

Important qualities for a lengthy campaign.

Wendy Davis' amateur hour campaign has already frittered away a great deal of credibility with her not-ready-for-primetime appearances and strange and hypocritical attacks. These campaign finance shenanigans may do irreparable damage to the remaining strands of her credibility, although I wouldn't count on the fawning news coverage ending anytime soon, given the partisan proclivities of the press.

That said, there are only so many questionable incidents that even those rooting for her will be willing to tolerate before those all-important trust-related qualities, integrity and veracity, are appended with the word "lacks," beforehand.

When the actual reports hit the Texas Ethics Commission website, it will be interesting to see just how little cash on hand Wendy Davis has relative to Greg Abbott. It will also be interesting to cast a critical eye on the actual numbers and see what percentage of funds came from out-of-state individuals and entities.

For the second time in a week, Rafael Cruz follows Cahnman's Musings

Last September, we endorsed Katrina Pierson (and donated a VERY modest sum to her campaign) in CD-32; last week Rafael Cruz did the same.

Last May, we endorsed Konni Burton; today Rafael Cruz followed suit.

Obviously, we're in good company!!!

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Donate to Katrina's campaign here; Konni's campaign here.

On Drug Testing for Unemployment: An Open Letter to Governor Perry

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.
Tenth Amendment; United States Constitution.

Dear Mr. Governor,

Earlier this week, the Obama administration fired its latest salvo in the ongoing war on Texas.  The United States Department of Labor is slow walking the rules for drug testing unemployment recipients.  With all due respect, Mr. Governor, I humbly suggest a course of action.

Ignore them.  Test everyone starting February 1.  Then dare them to stop us.

This is a good tenth-amendment fight to pick.  Drug testing for "public assistance" is VERY popular.  The public will support standing for Texas statute against the petty tyranny of federal rule-making.

This lawless administration needs to learn their regulatory 'authority' doesn't trump the legislative authority granted to Texas under the Tenth Amendment.

This is solid ground on which to wage the battle.

Sincerely,
Adam Cahn
Austin, TX
January, 15 2014

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Cahnman's Musings encourages readers to contact Governor Perry via the following:

Phone: (512) 463-2000
Twitter: @GovernorPerry

Pray for Texas

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
Matthew 7:24-27

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
Ephesians 6:11-12 (KJV)

Last Sunday, we were re-convicted about something we've discussed many times in the past: Keeping God where He belongs in the affairs of Texas.

Over the past year, Texas has done well on this front.  While our leaders spend waaay too much money, they have also protected the unborn and blessed Israel.  Those are HIS issues.

Without dwelling on past hits, this website exposed the true nature of our political opponents:



In December 2012, we wrote:

Conservatism as political idolatry will never beat Marxism as political idolatry. Conservatism as political idolatry cuts off our roots. The Declaration of Independence ... is built on a view of man first articulated in Genesis 1:27.... In other words, the foundation of what the American right seeks to conserve is a saying of God. Conservatism as political idolatry, by contrast, couldn't beat Lena Dunham and Sandra Fluke.

Conservatism as political idolatry can probably beat Wendy Davis, but it will NEVER change business as usual in the Texas legislature, nor will it beat Julian Castro.  As illustrated above, Marxism is a Satanic ideology.  You eliminate your foundation when you ignore the fact that free enterprise is uber-Biblical.

We can't do it alone, but if our activist core humbles itself, prays, seeks HIS face, and repents, Texas will be fine.

How Pornography Begets Sex Trafficking

"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,"
Mark 7:21

The hearts of men illustrates the horrific chain reactions set off by our seemingly inconsequential acts of sexual immorality.:


Groundswell from Unearthed on Vimeo.

Highlights:

• "To change the fruit, you have to change the root."

• Without demand, the supply would dry up."

• Pornography gives men 'crushingly unrealistic' expectations.

• "Any Christian with any sense of justice for the downtrodden would have nothing to do with pornography because it's fueling the injustice."

• "We want to make a film about the solution...how the gospel redeems sexual brokenness."

• How to fix the situation:

1. Pray - For the victimizers as well as the victims; the pimps, the johns, the porn producers.
2. Disciple Middle School Boys - You could see a sea change within a generation.
3. Financially support ministries that do good work.

Learn more about Unearthed ministries here.

Matt Beebe's receives key endorsement

Go Matt Go:

I'm excited to announce our most recent endorsement from Cathie Adams, President of Texas Eagle Forum and former Texas GOP Chair.

Cathie was gracious in her endorsement of my candidacy saying, "Matt Beebe is a smart and principled conservative leader and a highly successful businessman. Constituents in House District 121 would be fortunate to have his tremendous character and integrity serving them in Austin."

She went on to say,"Matt knows that government cannot create jobs and that it should not choose winners and losers in the marketplace. He will work to limit the size of government and fight against illegal immigration. Matt not only talks about being pro-life, over the years he has committed his talents and treasures to defend innocent lives. He is the only pro-life candidate in this race. I ask my friends to vote for Matt Beebe for State Representative."

Read the whole thing here.

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Readers can see our endorsement of Matt here; donate to his campaign here.

Has John Carona gotten lost?!?

HILARIOUS find from Empower Texans:

Carona certainly got a spike in Facebook activity and new likes during the Christmas season, but he still seems to be struggling with where exactly his Senate District is. Carona’s Christmas campaign brought in most of his new likes from Houston.

....

Come to think of it…we haven’t seen that much forethought from Carona or his team. Carona—like the other candidates pulling these advertising schemes—is simply a career politician whose team is “astroturfing” his social media in order to make it appear he is more in-touch with the grassroots. 

What this reallshows is the incumbent senator will spend this primary season trying to buy his way back into his seat—which he obviously finds very comfortable. It must be all the cushioning he gets from the lobby and corporate interests.

Houston isn't Dallas; Read the whole thing here.

OFFICIAL ENDORSEMENT: Ken Paxton for Texas Attorney General

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan."
Proverbs 29:2

Last summer, discussing a potential run for Texas Attorney General, a Texas Senator privately told us he would like to "slow down the process" for certifying local bond elections; today, Cahnman's Musings endorses Ken Paxton for Texas Attorney General.

Local government debt is a threat to the Texas model of economic growth.  Texas currently has the second highest local government debt in the country.  Total local government debt outstanding (including interest) is nearly one-third of a TRILLION dollars (12,500 per person).

The Attorney General has authority to certify local bond elections as compliant with the Texas Election Code.  We've learned first hand about the illegal bait-and-switch tactics local taxing entities use in pursuit of new debt.  An Attorney General committed to reviewing bond issues with an eagle eye can dramatically curtail new debt.

In the event Ken Paxton wins, Cahnman's Musings encourages him to make an example out of one of these local taxing entities early in his term.

While local government debt is our primary issue, Ken Paxton's record is strong across the board.  Ken Paxton helped co-sponsor the pro-life law the next Attorney General will have to defend in court.  Ken Paxton has a longer record fighting progressive education schemes than any other candidate in this race.  Ken Paxton will continue Greg Abbott's efforts against federal intrusion.  Ken Paxton might not be perfect but he's, by far, the best candidate in this race.

The less said about Ken Paxton's opponents, the better; suffice to say that neither a Joe Straus lieutentant nor an election-year chameleon strike our fancy.

While Ted Cruz's praise isn't definitive, Cahnman's Musings shares the sentiment.  Ken Paxton is a "conservative warrior" who will build upon Greg Abbott's legacy, especially concerning local government debt.  Cahnman's Musings unequivocally endorses KEN PAXTON FOR TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL.

Senator Donna Campbell outwits pro-abortion crazies

Red Sonja's reports from San Antonio on a recent forum about last summer's abortion drama:

WOAI hosted a Town Hall meeting in San Antonio Texas, December 11, 2013 with a twitter hash tag #YourVoiceYourFuture.  The topic was the controversial House Bill 2 that passed and was signed into law by Governor Rick Perry in July, 2013.   Randy Beamer from WOAI was the emcee for the Town Hall meeting.  The four panelists ready to debate HB2 consisted of Senator Donna Campbell SD25 and Amy Voorhees founder of the San Antonio Coalition for Life who defended life.   Terri Burke, Executive Director of the Texas ACLU and Dr Rogelio Saenz, Dean of UTSA’s College of Public Policy debated against HB2.

The audience was filled with more pro aborts than pro life advocates.  The loud outbursts from the pro aborts made it difficult at times to have a civil discussion.  The questioning was torturous and most of the questions were directed at Senator Campbell.

....

I have to say that Senator Campbell stood her ground and answered difficult questions with reason and knowledge.  I was shocked that Dr Rogelio Saenz a professor of higher learning had absolutely no clue what Right of Conscience meant.  Senator Campbell was asked to define Right of Conscience.  She explained that no doctor or health care provider should be asked to do anything that is against what they believe whether it is abortion or the use of contraceptives.

....

Boone, on the other hand, came prepared to do battle with Senator Campbell.  His question to her centered on her Christian beliefs and not HB2 requirements.  His question was, “What is the rationale to justify your bill to close women’s clinics across the state that appears to have religious beliefs as a sole purpose and doesn’t this indeed violate the concept of church and state?” Senator Campbell answered calmly and firmly. She replied that the safety of the woman was the most important factor.  She went on to say that we must have 21^st century modern medicine to protect life.  She referenced the hash tag of the Town Hall, “Your Voice Your Future and yet the unborn have no voice no future.”  I thought that was a zinger of an answer. 

As far as I am concerned Boone attended the Town Hall with intent to harm our SD25 Senator and came out the loser.  He will not win as he has run and run and run in SD25 and has lost every time but he keeps on trying as liberals do just to muddy the water.  He happens to be the husband of Robbie Boone Democrat Chairman for Comal County. 

Focusing only on some of the more absurd statements from the audience was a male doctor attacking Senator Campbell for her use of ‘baby’ instead of fetus.  He claimed that a Fetus was not a baby to which Amy Voorhees replied, “Fetus, in Latin, means little one, so baby and fetus is one and the same, ‘baby’.”   Educator Dr Saenz chimed in by saying that, “a fetus is a scientific term and baby is a political term.”    Stranger still was an outburst from a woman claiming that abortion was not a surgical procedure.  Imagine that.  Killing an unborn is not surgical.  Ignorance was prevalent among the pro aborts.

 Read the whole thing here.

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Read our endorsement of Donna here; contribute to her campaign here.