Republican Primary Statewide Endorsement List

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."
Hosea 4:6

We hadn't intended to post a statewide candidate list.  Enough people have asked us to do so, however, that we humbly oblige.   We are flattered and honored that you value our opinion.

Governor:  Greg Abbott

This is the easiest call on the list.  Rick Perry has been, on net, an outstanding Governor.  Greg Abbott has been a critical ally.  Where they differ, the differences favor Abbott.  While we urge Abbott to be much more confrontational with the legislature, maintaining the status quo Rick Perry bequeaths is already a big win.

Lt. Governor:  NO ENDORSEMENT.

Attorney General:  Ken Paxton (previously endorsed).

Continuing to nurse hurt feelings over something that happened three years ago, during a different era in Tea Party history, is insane; Vote Ken Paxton.

Comptroller:  Debra Medina

This is the toughest call of the 2014 cycle.  In our view, Debra Medina is the candidate whose natural talents align closest with the duties of comptroller.  As Texas' chief financial officer, the Comptroller deals with money.  A long time Ron Paul confidant, Medina has a knack for fiscal policy we've always admired.  We expect Medina to be a gigantic pain in the ass to a lot of people who deserve one.

That being said, many people we know and respect support Glenn Hegar.  That's fine, Glenn Hegar is a good man who was very helpful behind the scenes.  If he wins, he will perform solidly.

Unlike Debra Medina, there is an actual Joe Straus lieutenant in this race.  Cahnman's Musings would prefer not to help build his name recognition or website traffic.  Empower Texans has everything you need to know here.

Land Commissioner:  David Watts Jr.

The current Land Commissioner has abused his office in a way that makes it impossible to support his campaign for Lt. Gov.  David Watts Jr. is the only candidate to address this abuse.  While we're discussing this race, Cahnman's Musings has also had enough of politicians named George Bush, thank you very much.

Agriculture Commissioner:  Sid Miller

Sid Miller isn't perfect.  Unfortunately, the alternatives are a buffoon, a Democrat, or Tommy Merritt.  We reserve the right to support Kinky Friedman in the general.

Railroad Commissioner: Wayne Christian

Despite the name, the Texas Rail Road Commission is the primary regulator of Texas booming energy sector.  To be honest, we wanted Wayne Christian to run for U.S. Senate, but he's running for Railroad Commission instead.  As commissioner, Wayne Christian will protect fracking and anger the business as usual crowd.

U.S. Senate: Steve Stockman (previously endorsed)

Last week, John Cornyn re-enforced everything we knew.  While good people disagree on the best alternative, the objective this round is only to hold Cornyn under 50%.  Personally, we believe Steve Stockman is a pest similar to (retired NHL star) Esa Tikkannen, which is exactly what the U.S. Senate needs.

Texas Supreme Court: Re-elect ALL incumbents

This is the Jeremiah 17:9 race of this cycle.

Over the past two months, there's been a Democrat-financed whisper campaign against incumbent Texas Supreme Court Justices Nathan Hecht, Phil Johnson, and Jeff Brown.  Cahnman's Musings was offered this story as an exclusive last December.  We were astonished when the person who fed us this story admitted the purpose was to embarrass Rick Perry.

Fortunately, the truth has emerged.  Anyone who supports the challengers is, at best, a useful idiot for Steve Mostyn. It's a shame certain people chose to permanently tarnish thier credibility.

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Cahnman's Musings also encourages readers to do their own homework regarding candidates closer to home; off the top of our head, we know readers in Bexar, Dallas, and Tarrant counties have local primaries with statewide implications.

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Those are our primary endorsements, take the or leave them.

Rick Perry, Marijuana, and our first conversation

[Author's Note: This picture was taken at the 2010 event described below.]

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8

Last week, in Davos, Rick Perry made a comment about marijuana that ignited a media firestorm:

“As governor, I have begun to implement policies that start us toward a decriminalization” by introducing alternative “drug courts” that provide treatment and softer penalties for minor offenses"

The only noteworthy aspect of that statement is the reaction.  Perry was discussing criminal justice reforms Texas has put into place over the past decade.  Perry said nothing new.

In January 2010, during his last campaign for governor, Perry held an event with Andrew Breitbart.  This event was the first time we met the Governor.  In a private conversation on the side of that event, Perry described his administration's policy towards low level drug offenses using language that was nearly identical to what he said in Davos four years later.

At the time, Perry was fending off a primary challenge from Debra Medina (who, in 2014, is running for comptroller).  A long time Ron Paul acolyte, Medina is a well known critic of the war on drugs.  While Perry differentiated himself from Medina's position on drug legalization, he also made clear his belief that incarcerating people over low-level drug offenses is a counterproductive strategy that wastes a lot of money.

On a similar note, in his 2010 book Fed Up Perry wrote:

But perhaps most interesting is a movement I disagree, while appreciating the desire of Californians to decide for themselves -- and this is the issue of marijuana consumption.  A few years ago, Californians legalized the limited medicinal use of marijuana, but the Supreme Court struck this law down in Gonzales v. Raich, claiming that the federal government has the power to regulate activity that would have a substantial effect on interstate commerce.  Now, I am not sure the people of Texas would want to go down this road, but it sure seems to me that Justice Thomas got this one right when he said in dissent:..."Our federalist system, properly understood, allows California and a growing number of other States to decide for themselves how to safeguard the health and welfare of their citizens.  (164/5)

 Rick Perry's policy towards low-level drug offences has always reflected his commitment to the Tenth Amendment and the fiscal lunacy of mass incarceration.  Rick Perry said nothing in Davos that he didn't say to us in 2010.  The real story is that the media belatedly chose to cover a Perry administration policy that has been in place for at least half-a-decade.

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

Debra Medina's Super Crappy Fundraising

Cahnman's Musings found an interesting nugget in the fundraising chart Must Read Texas posted yesterday:

In the comptrollers race, Debra Medina has only raised $55,000.  That's worse than disappointing.  It's pathetic.

This is shame. Being comptroller plays to Debra Medina's strength in a way being Governor never did and never will.  Debra Medina is notorious for being a pain in the you-know-what and asking unpleasant questions of government agencies.  They hate when she does this.  Asking fiduciary questions of governmental entities is a major component of the Comptroller's job.

Debra Medina could be a really good Comptroller; Cahnman's Musings urges her to step up her game!