You owe an apology to the people of Texas. Your ignorant and hateful remark about gays is beyond the pale from a "leader" of what you tout as one of the greatest states in the Union. To dismiss the thousands of Texas gay couples living loving and productive lives as partners and parents as sex fiends is offensive...and stupid.

Once again you have made yourself a laughingstock from coast-to-coast. When you said that all homosexuals do is care about sex, that's why the word sex is in the word homosexual you showed a level of stupidity that is hard for me to even understand. You do know there is a word heterosexual, too, right? I bet you still have a t-shirt that says "It's a white thing, you used to pick it" because clearly bigotry and ignorance transcend gays and lesbians.

It's convenient to whip the masses up with derogatory remarks, isn't it? But, it is shameful and short-sighted and unacceptable.

People today expect our elected officials to bring people together, not tear them apart. The age of divisive politics is over, Mr. Perry. Note the enthusiasm sweeping the nation for candidates that reject ignorance and petty name-calling.

I don't know what deep rooted self-shame you have over your gender identity, but I suggest you deal with it in therapy and quit opening your mouth to show just how ignorant you are. We are bored with it and quite frankly, tired of you embarrassing us on a national stage...not to mention offending thousands of residents of the great State of Texas.

All that being said, what's so wrong with sex? I guess it's offensive if you aren't getting any.

You're a jerk.

The Texas SOS predicts a record voter turnout on Tuesday. Early voting has already broken records. The prediction is that 3.3 million voters will cast a ballot, that's 26% of the 12.75 million registered voters.

Part of me thinks it is pathetic that only 26% would bother to vote and then I remember what the voters do when they DO vote and it starts to make me nervous. I don't trust the voters! Have you met them? OMG, they are so stupid...and they are voting this year. I'm having anxiety attacks over here. I got an email the other day that said I was a communist/socialist/liberal that supported Osama Bin Laden Obama.

Uhm, I have never said what candidate I support and I'm just going to go ahead and say it...this person is so stupid it makes me oppose gun control laws...or shooting stupid people in the face laws.

It has been WAY too long since we've had any good craigslist action come from the Capitol. So, let's settle for this missed connection. (Click permalink in case it gets deleted)

Lord have mercy are the Obama people proud they know how to use email. This is just a small sample of what my inbox looks like.

Jeesh! Alright already, I get it...you're running for president! Talk about a turnoff. I don't like that the campaign is coming off like a needy girlfriend. I haven't returned your email or phone calls, take a hint! Sheesh!

Primaries! We've been paying such close attention to national politics and all the drama this season, we haven't focused a lot on the local drama right here in Central Texas. Dukes and Thompson over in East Austin are having a "Battle Royale" and we'd love to see a cage fight between those two. Dukes has a serious opponent for the first time in a long time.

The Travis County District Attorney's race is also heated to fill Ronnie Earle's enormous shoes. Up in Williamson County we'll be watching the race to fill Krusee's seat and in the congressional races we'll be watching Michael McCaul's district and the Noriega campaign.

In other words...we'll eventually figure all this out and will most likely not get drunk on election night because we couldn't possibly keep up with all of this AND guzzle champagne at the same time.

If you'd like to help blog the results, shoot me an email.

Did you read the NY Times Magazine interview with Governor Perry? Ugh. Do you think he actively tries to sound like a moron or does it come naturally?

OMG --Perry writes a book about the Boy Scouts and blames the ACLU for trying to ruin the organization. And he has the audacity to believe that gays are more likely to mention sex to scouts! Perry implies that the word "homosexual" means that gays are focused on sex. Is this an appeal to the conservatives and become a credible VP candidate?

I'm currently in Arizona doing oppo research on McCain. Unfortunately, everything I turn up is already been published by the NY Times. Those bastards. I guess, to be fair, they are actually investigating news instead of hanging out at strip clubs drinking bad margaritas. I'll be back Wednesday.

Notice, that unlike ITPT, when I leave this blog is barren for content. Not that it isn't barren for content when I'm in town and sober. I also don't leave town to go play with babies. Just sayin.

Ralph Nader says he is running for president as an Independent.

I cannot believe I went to the debate last night in a four car SUV motorcade. As a political nerd, this event was better than any concert I've ever been to. Admittedly, any event is amazing if you start off with drinks at the Four Seasons, though.

My last time being this close to the action in a presidential election was when I worked for the GOP. I was a jaded and cynical staffer by age 22, babysitting the national press pool and coordinating the logistics of the press filing room. All these many, many years later I'm a less jaded 29 year old (shut up) and seeing it in an entirely different light.

I remember now why the "masses" get so excited and so involved in politics.

There's a full "story" about my experience in the permalink.

I just got home from the debate. First, let me say that I can't help it but a huge highlight was arriving in a four SUV motorcade and all of the people outside thinking we were the candidates. We were whisked through the line and to our seats on the floor. The first person that waved hello to me was Rep. Senfronia Thompson.

Let me give a breakdown of who I saw. First, I ran into Chelsea Clinton at the Four Seasons before the debate. At the debate I first saw Senfronia Thompson, then Rafael Anchia, George Lopez, Mark Strama, Lloyd Dogget, Major Appelwhite, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Harold Dutton, Donna Howard, Kirk Watson shook my hand and a bunch of other elected officials that I can't be bothered to remember.

I actually went to this debate as an undecided voter and really listened to the answers. From in side the debate hall, I have to admit, Senator Clinton impressed me. It may be the first time she ever really has. She was tough and policy focused in her answers and it was in stark contrast to Senator Obama that sure can talk good, but I didn't get a lot of policy information from him.

I haven't read any analysis yet and I don't know how it came across on television, but I would say the audience was 1/2 and 1/2 between them. Much like the latest polls show Texas.

It was very hard to not have my phone with me from 4 in the afternoon until midnight, but it was worth it. Boyd Richie said, "It's a great time to be a Democrat in Texas." I thought he was probably right for all the Dems. There was certainly electricity in the room.

A friend of mine is responsible for me getting to have such a great experience and if it weren't 1 a.m. I could be a lot more eloquent about the debate and the experience in general. I'll think on all of it and post my coherent thoughts later.

KXAN Austin News commissioned a statewide poll in preparation of the debates and the upcoming primary. Results show Clinton and Obama in a neck and neck race with 9% undecided. It really is coming down to the wire.

The poll is located here and KXAN Austin News will release the full results at noon today.

Brian Thompson is taking advantage of Dukes' weakness in the eyes of Democrats. There is an enthusiasm in the Democratic party for change and ideals and Dukes and her support of Craddick and mere incumbency are dragging her down.

Dukes has more money in the bank, I'm guessing, than Thompson but it's only Thompson we are seeing on air. On air and on the attack. Here's his latest ad.

Record Breaking Early Voting in Travis County.

Clinton/Obama both RSVP for TDP watch party. Rumor is Chelsea and Hillary will also go by Guero's at 10p.m.

17,000 Greet Obama in Dallas.

Senator Edward Kennedy will stump for Obama in Texas all week. Yipes! I can't believe a Kennedy is coming to Texas. We haven't exactly been hospitable.

Things are crazy in newsrooms all over town. There has not been this kind of presidential politics focus in Texas for 32 years. It's nuts.

I got my information for my ticket to the debate. No camera, no phones allowed. You have to bee there by 6 and pass through security. If there are tickets available on craigslist they are fake.

Senator Watson posted this response that humiliation today on his website

CNN will converge on Austin today in preparation for the big debates. I need to go to the dry cleaners, get a manicure and call the housekeeper! Did you get all the trash out of the streets? Did somebody bus out all the homeless downtown?! Oh Lord, I hope we have ourselves all fixed up before they turn those cameras on. You hippies, put those bongs down..I do NOT want to see that on TV!

Charles Barkley is getting the business from the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission.

Said Barkley: "I think they -- they want to be judge and jury. Like, I'm for gay marriage. It's none of my business if gay people want to get married. I'm pro-choice. And I think these Christians -- first of all, they're supposed to be -- they're not supposed to judge other people. But they're the most hypocritical judge of people we have in this country. And it bugs the hell out of me. They act like their Christians. And they're not forgiving at all...they should read the part about they're not supposed to judge other people. They forget that one when it doesn't fit what they want it to say."

I won't be voting early this year. No way. I want to witness the record voter turnout that is expected this year firsthand. I want to stand in a long line and feel the excitement as people get more and more eager the closer they get to the door. I want to get my "I voted" sticker and then walk around downtown so everybody can see it.

I am still the same political nerd I was when I was standing on a street corner with a Ronald Reagan sign as a wee child.

Fidel Castro announced his resignation. Who's taking his place? Will we finally See You in C-U-B-A? So many questions....ugh...I can't even pretend like I care this early in the morning. Castro out. Good. What's next? I'll have to put on my pants and have some coffee before I can even think about all that.

This song should totally be a hit. "I'm totally gay for the USA."

Bill Clinton stopped by Austin to open Hillary's HQ.

In 1991 America was in the Persian Gulf. We were there, ostensibly, for Kuwait. Remember that? I was young and naive I guess, but when President Bush said, "This aggression will not stand," it sent chills down my spine. I was so proud of America. I remember seeing cars pull off the side of the road and turn on their lights when the radio would play the national anthem.

I stumbled across the video of Whitney Houston singing the Star Spangled Banner at Super Bowl XXV from that year and remember how it became a chart-topping hit. I still think it is one of the most beautiful and moving renditions I've ever heard of our national anthem.

Then it struck me. Whitney Houston's descent into an abusive marriage and drug abuse is a metaphor for America. She became a punch line, much like our own country had. We pitied her and pray for her comeback...much like we do for America.

I want to see our country strong again, economically, militarily, on both domestic and foreign fronts. I want to be proud of how the greatest country in the world takes the center stage again and shakes off the abusive relationship and years of bad decisions and unstable behavior and lifts up her chin and belts out the most emotional and prideful "Oh Say Can You See," that the world has ever heard.

I have faith that we'll make it, Whitney? I'm not so confident about, but I'll keep hoping.

How many school shootings, gun rampages in malls and universities, guns seized from disgruntled employees and standoffs with the police do we have to have in this country before we start to have different ideas about gun control?

If you want a gun, that's fine with me. But, why do you need 10 guns? Why do you need semi-automatic guns? Why do people on medication for mental issues get guns? Why does Dick Cheney get to keep a gun after he shot a man in the face?

The Senate released their admonition letter. Just a reminder! Larry Craig, still a pervert. That is all.

Talk about whiny people that think they are entitled to something! The story on KXAN about the debate first being closed to the public and then only having 100 tickets for people has the comments section fired up with people that are outraged they can't go to a debate. As if it were a conspiracy to deny them access.

Really? How many debates have there been now and how many people were sitting in those audiences? Don't you think thousands of people in Vegas and Ft. Lauderdale and Charleston all were dying to get in? But Austin, no...if you come here you should play by our rules. That means you bend and twist to suit every one. Just shut it already, Austin. Get over yourself. You are a mid-size market that consistently votes Democrat and have no influence in national elections.

Then, there's the comments like this one:

Julie 02-13-2008 18:40:56
One more thing - the reason I am NOT voting for Obama or Clinton is I am tired of my tax dollars going to people who do not work, don't want to work or find excuses for a handout. I am not rich, I work and barely make it but don't take the handout and electing them would mean you and I foot the bill - no thanks

Julie, when your Adjustable Rate Mortgage breaks your budget and you wind up foreclosed upon and moving into a tiny apartment and then lose your job because of excessive absenteeism dealing with your personal issues, let me know what the GOP is going to do for you.

Julie's comment is why I like it over here at PinkDome. The people here know policy and political maneuvering and cause/effect things, unlike the unchecked and unwashed masses that we have to run into on the street every day. We should make these political blogs in Texas a private club and all get jackets with a crest on them!

This elitist rant brought to you courtesy of Veuve Clicquot and a two margarita hangover.

Utah States Senator Chris Buttar shocked some folks with his ignorant and racist remark.

Republican Sen. Chris Buttars' comment came during a debate on SB48, aimed at equalizing school construction funds. Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, called it "the ugly baby bill," but, as Buttars stood to vote, went further. "This baby is black. It's a dark, ugly thing," he said.

The CNN/Univision Debates at UT will be invitation only and will be party officials and invited guests only. There will be a TDP watch party that will cost you $50 or you could go to the Stephen F. Austin and take control over the big TV there.

That's what I'd do if I weren't going.

That a cynic like me is excited about a debate? Yes. It's true. I am. Maybe because I'll be there. I can't wait to see what goes into the production and what happens behind the scenes. I still haven't made up my mind on who I will vote for, so maybe once I see them in person I'll know.

I'm dying to see those cankles close up. Do you think there will be an open bar?

McCain has turned the GOP inside out and good for him. The social conservative movement is not controlling the election this year and boy are they mad about that. Me, I couldn't be happier. The last 8 years have been awful and all that time, as any good political scientist would tell you, I have said "The pendulum always swings" and it has.

I'm not a big fan of McCain, but it's going to be nice to see that the Christian Terrorists that have destroyed this country over the past 8 years will not have the best seat at the table with either of the candidates come November.

For that, Senator McCain, I dedicate this song to you.

Praise Him!

Like create an abomination like this and call it a website.

You'll start to see television ads for Clinton and Obama today here in Texas. Weird. We haven't seen presidential primary ads in Texas since, when, 1976? Well, I didn't see them in 1976 but some of you old people might have.

In The Pink Texas posted a post in the form of a letter from a man to his parents. While I agree with most of the letter, I'd have to also add that while the Baby Boomer generation bankrupts Social Security and votes overwhelmingly for politicians that drive up the national debt, they, too, are going bankrupt. As people live longer, we now face the extra burden of taking care of our parents in their old age more than ever before.

I think I would probably make a few changes to this letter. I would probably include:

Dear Mom and Dad,
We need to talk. You are both getting older now and we have to consider your future. Just as you taught me to prepare for mine, we should prepare for yours. I absolutely insist you only vote for candidates that promise to reduce the national deficit, fix Social Security and promise universal health care.

Where do I get off telling you how to vote? Well, it's like this. You have three sons. You have one that is responsible and consistently making substantial income. That's me. That means that it will be up to me to care for you when you become aged and infirm. I will not bankrupt myself because of a.) your poor financial planning for the last 20 years of your life and b.) you voted against your own best interests.

So, there you have it. Remember all that "tough love" you used to talk about? I love you, but there is absolutely a financial and quality of my own life limit. Selfish? Maybe, who's to say?

The way the world is now, I am freaking out about my own retirement. I find it hard to believe that I make six-figure income and am single and have a hard time saving money. Any extra financial burden is not planned nor acceptable. How in the hell a family of four could live on my income is beyond me.

So, let's discuss long-term care insurance and the distribution of any assets before you get Alzheimers. Let's discuss Advance Directives and Living Wills. Let's discuss what are your best interests for people in their late 60's and early 70's. It isn't terrorism or war or strong national defense. It's health care, Social Security, Medicare reimbursement rates, long-term care, and property tax reductions for seniors. It's reduced dependence on foreign oil and improved energy efficiency to reduce costs to people on fixed incomes.

So, I'll need to be with you on election day and guide your vote.

Jenny Hoff is blogging that Obama has accepted the invitation to debate in Texas and it will be right here in Austin. The format may not be decided yet, but it will be a CNN debate. Nice.

CBS is reporting that Perry called Mike Huckabee today and asked Huckabee to drop out of the race.

Um. Why would Huckabee care what Perry thinks? Is he just doing McCain's bidding? Or trying to show McCain that he's somehow loyal to the Arizona senator in an attempt to grasp at that VP spot?

The GOP is imploding over their nomination process. What kills me is that those "party leaders" that have steered this party toward extremism and given such a voice to the whack jobs that focus on social conservatism rather than fiscal conservatism.

McCain was booed at a speech in front of Republicans yesterday and the internet is alive with stories from conservatives that hate him. Including Focus on the Family's Dobson character. There's talk of suicide voters that will vote for Clinton or sit the election out if McCain is the nominee.

Brilliant. Don't you love it? Finally, the social moderate wing of the Republican Party get off their duff and mobilize and get out the vote and the evangelicals and social conservatives that have manipulated this party just get mad and pout and kick and scream and say they'll just not vote then.

Well good for you. My father used to call that "cutting off your nose to spite your face." It was an admonishment to a bratty child. Perhaps the GOP should listen.

Let's turn to TEXAS and talk about the GOP here.

Perry isn't leading his party, Craddick is. Craddick is busy campaigning, raising money and trying to fend of primary challengers for his supporters in the House and recruiting and funding opponents to his critics. The signal the Dukes is in trouble right here in Austin is indicated by her refusal to accept the Craddick money.

Dukes still won't say she isn't going to pledge her support to Craddick, because we know she will. She is sending a strong signal to her district that she is more concerned about her political "career" and standing with the puppet masters than she is with representing her district. That's clearly leading to her downfall.

Thompson's strong grass roots support is taking hold and and shouldn't be discounted. In addition to that support there is a very strong anti-incumbent feeling among voters from the Texas House to Congress and Dukes may be just one of the casualties.

This East Austin district is the one closest to me where a primary challenge is interesting. Dawnna Dukes is being challenged by Brian Thompson. A key reason for the challenge is Dukes' loyalty to embattled Speaker, Tom Craddick. Just so we all know that Dukes finally acknowledges how that loyalty is hurting her, she refused campaign money from Craddick's sham PAC.

She still refuses to say who she would support for Speaker, though. Don't you see Dawnna...even though you refuse the money we still know you're a Craddick supporter. We all know you were seen outside of his office crying because of how your support riled people up during the Session.

Thompson is getting the grass roots and the *cringe* net roots support in this district, so we'll keep watching to see when the Craddick money will eventually roll in. She's gonna need it sooner or later. And we bet she'll take it.

Yesterday's TXDOT hearings apparently got heated at one point when Senator Kirk Watson tore into Amadeo Saenz.I would have listened to a lot more about what happened when I was getting the gossip, but all I could think of was, Amadeus! Amadeus! Rock Me Amadeus! and so I link you to the YouTube of this great song and we'll all just pretend that THIS is what the hearings were all about.

After the Super Tuesday hype, it's kind of letdown to see Wednesday. There's a ton of stuff to read about the results today, but just check out a quick recap and then let's go do something else.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the High Holy Season for Christians. I'll be at church today at noon, without irony, starting my contemplative march to Easter. Oh, and if you say you're giving up chocolate or soda for Lent...just shut up.

I'm in the newsroom and everybody is super busy updating Super Tuesday results. Me, I'm having a cocktail and making YouTube videos. You can see their coverage here and Jenny Hoff is liveblogging as the AP starts to call the states.

Whew! So it's finally here and maybe tonight we'll have a nominee. Or..maybe we won't.

In Texas we just get calls telling us the gays are going to eat your babies, in California you get Scarlett Johnanson telling you to vote for Obama.

Denver sex-workers disappointed that their city only gets the Dem convention:

"It would be a lot better for the sex workers if it was the Republican convention . . . We get a lot more business. I don't know if they're just frustrated because of the family values agenda," she said.

Look: ScarJo sings, Kate Walsh talks, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar makes an appearance. Besides all the random pop culture personalities involved, I admit to being (slightly) moved by this video.

And, yes, I do believe that is the gal from Fresh Prince.

Did your boss make you read that book? Mine did....at three different companies. All it did was make me bitter at how much money the author was making off of a childish story that was, at best, a friendly reminder that you can't stop change.

HD 17 is just one example of the change happening everywhere. Once rural districts are becoming suburbs and urban districts demos are changing as gentrification, urban revitalization and aging populations shift the collective mindset of the districts. I'm not here to say if that's good or bad..it just is what it is. Clayton Williams would have been dead on if he'd said to lay back and enjoy it about change.

The two Dem candidates running in this district, Donnie Dippel and Latreese Cook are great examples of the dichotomy of the district itself. Donnie says he'll work to preserve rural Texas. Good luck with that because unless you can stop a freight train, you sure as hell won't have luck with urbanization encroaching into Bastrop and Elgin.

Candidates that try to appeal to voters with nostalgia about a simpler time are fooling you. There is no such thing as a simpler time, and even if there was we can never get back to it.

This headline:

Falls under the news category of "well, no shit." I love these studies that state something I could have told you with just anecdotal evidence and an ice cold mojito. I don't know what research they used, but let's take a sip of gin and get our own conclusions.

Is the military ready for a homeland attack? You cannot cite any sources to back up your claims. GO..

I don't believe the military is ready to mobilize after an attack. Our troops are spread thin in engagements around the world, so much so that I believe Reservists are still being called up. That has a double whammy effect. A.) There aren't as many troops on U.S. soil to respond quickly and many "First Responders" are also Reservists that have been called to active duty. That could possibly thin out the numbers of first responders in local communities.

Also, the bulk of military budgeting is focused on the war at this time and not on domestic military needs.

An in depth study on this shouldn't be on the fact whether or not the military is prepared, because we have already seen an example of enormous unpreparedness during 2005's Hurricane Katrina. A study should focus on what milestones we expect the military to achieve so that we are prepared, as a nation, for a domestic catastrophe.

Done. Now it's your turn. Is the military ready for a domestic attack/catastrophe. GIve us a report without sources or analysis. Do not make up fake statistics. Don't blame it on an incompetent administration or George Bush, and let's see what you come up.

Best one gets a prize.

Seriously, there may be a lot of things you are at risk for in Round Rock but terrorism isn't one of them. What is a terrorist target in our auspicious suburb? A TGIFriday's getting car bombed?

Austin was added to this list as well, which is equally as ridiculous...just not as funny. Austin is, by far, at risk...from startup companies that fail and create economic issues, speculative real estate that drives up the prices and eventually goes bust...oh and dope-smoking hippies. Ugh. Hate them the most.

It's so exciting! What stupid new equipment will the cities buy with their federal money?

No, that's not Rick Perry's drag name, but it is what he thinks will happen if Hillary Clinton is elected. Perry's endorsement meant so much to Rudy that he decided to try it again with McCain.

It's funny he said that because hell in a handbasket is pretty much what's happened to Texas under his administration. I guess it takes one to know one.

Oh, in case you have the time to listen to 37 minutes of rambling from Rick, KXAN has posted the entire thing on their YouTube channel.