Four years ago, Greg Abbott, candidate for Attorney General, addressed a dinner hosted by the Bexar County Republican Party. The message of his powerful speech can be summed up in one sentence: “Don’t take things for granted.” He reminded us never to become complacent with our dominant political position in the State of Texas. He was so right and his message is just as relevant in 2005 as it was four years ago.

Many grassroots Republicans think that we have it made since we hold every statewide position in Texas. There are many who believe that demographic changes in Texas will have little bearing on our party. Our greatest mistake today is becoming satisfied and complacent with our leadership position when the sharks are all around us.

Home schoolers, Libertarians, Teenage Republicans, Evangelical Christians, conservative Republicans, Roman Catholics, TFRW, NRA Members, Pro-Lifers, College Republicans, Swiftboat Veterans, moderate Republicans, Ron Paul Republicans, social conservatives, small business owners, big business owners, Young Conservatives of Texas, medical professionals, teachers, conservative/Zell Miller Democrats, Young Republicans, anti-Toll activists, etc.: We may have our differences on certain issues, but let us never take our progress for granted. Our ability to hold hands at crucial times does not mean we have to fall in love with each other. Let’s stick together.

Our inability to stay motivated, active and determined will lead to a state run by liberal activists who are being supported and encouraged by Democratic Chairman Howard Dean and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Remember, the “other side” ran this state for decades and decades.  You changed history by your hard work at the grassroots level.

Last week should serve as a reminder of what we can accomplish as a solid team. 

Thanks, Attorney General Abbott, for teaching us this important political lesson. 
 

“Peter O’Donnell used to quote very often, ‘You can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs.’ When it comes to personal feelings in politics, sometimes that’s not our primary consideration”
 

We would like to invite you to begin a series of Town Hall grassroots meetings in South Texas. Why? Your political base needs to see you and tell you what it is thinking about regarding current issues. Our informal research has discovered that over the past 1,000 days you have not addressed one Republican club, grassroots organization or conservative organization in South Texas. (For the record, Senator Cornyn did address the massive state convention in 2004.)

One of your staffers told us that you might visit San Antonio once a month, if you are lucky. On October 17, you were in San Antonio for a political fundraiser featuring Majority Leader Bill Frist. The day after the fundraiser, you visited Katrina survivors at Kelly USA. In September, you spoke to the Downtown San Antonio Rotarians about your guest worker program. (Rotarian membership is by invitation only and the annual fees are approximately $400.) You will be in San Antonio today for a photo-op at the University of Texas at San Antonio. 

What about your political base in South Texas? It is admirable that you have time for Rotarians, evacuees from Louisiana and ivory tower professors, but grassroots Republicans who worked hard to help you get elected to a Bexar County district court bench, the Texas Supreme Court, and the position of Attorney General of Texas deserve more respect and attention. You are better than that and I am challenging you to step up. 

It would be easy and convenient to blame your staff in Austin and San Antonio for this ongoing lack of attention.They seem to be programmed to consistently tell us that you are way too busy for us. We are holding you responsible. For the record, we were disappointed when we found out from one your staffers that you courted a left-leaning immigration group about your guest worker program. (Don’t waste your time because they want full amnesty and nothing less.) What about your conservative political base? When do we get to provide input? (Please don’t tell us to send you an e-mail when you are meeting with liberals in person.)

Congratulations and thank you for an overwhelming victory yesterday!  With America watching, Texans have spoken loud and clear – marriage is between one man and one woman, and no activist judges will tell us otherwise.

This Thanksgiving, we can be thankful for so much: Leaders of faith who stand for Truth, a Republican-led Legislature that stands for the people and, voters who stand for marriage and strong families.

May God bless you greatly, and may God continue to bless the Great State of Texas.

Tina

South Texas Republicans Commentary: Did you notice that Chairman Benkiser failed to use the word “I” in the letter above. Why is this significant? It is important because she does not take any credit for the ultimate success of this statewide undertaking. We are not letting her walk away from this one. 

Chairman Tina Benkiser MUST be commended for crisscrossing this state on behalf of Prop 2. The woman was everywhere, the e-mails kept coming and the direct mail campaign was relentless. She led the troops up the hill and forged ahead with passion and zeal. Leadership does matter and she deserves recognition for this victory.

Tina, we thank you for making a big difference in this victory. Right on!!!
 

WHERE: AGGIE PARK CLUB HOUSE, 6205 WEST AVENUE JUST OUTSIDE LOOP 410

WHEN:  FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18 AT 6:30 P.M.

WHY: FUNDRAISER FOR OUR LOCAL CANDIDATES’ FUND AND FOR AN EVENING OF

FUN!

ADMITTANCE: ONLY A $32.50 DONATION TO OUR PAC FUND

FREE hors d'oeuvres, FREE drinks and $1,000.00 of funny money.

Play Blackjack, Texas Hold'em and Roulette. If you have never played before, we will teach you.

Great gifts!

DRESS CASUAL.  Reservations required by November 16.

Please contact Mary Fox at 210-341-8262 or mafox2@aol.com
 

When:  Monday, November 14th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Location: Home of Nancy and Tom Loeffler

Details:  Please contact Katie at 512-327-3345 or katie@susancombs.com

For political or non-official inquiries:
Friends of Susan Combs Committee
P.O. Box 160956
Austin, Texas 78716
Ph: 512-327-3345
Fax: 512-328-2194
www.susancombs.com

Automotive Parts and Services Association Endorses
Austin – The Automotive Parts and Services Association (APSA) today endorsed Susan Combs for Texas Comptroller.

APSA represents 1,161 members, employing about 10,000 people throughout Texas. Members consist of independent auto parts stores, machine shops, engine re-builders, parts stores and auto repair shops. APSA was founded in 1932.

“’The membership of APSA represents an important part of the service industry in Texas and I am honored to receive their endorsement,” Combs said.

This was Lincoln’s response to critics who urged the dismissal of General Grant after the battle of Shiloh, where Grant had been rumored to be drunk (April 1862).
 

Thomas A. Edison’s last public message
 

Westside Republicans To Feature Three Speakers (San Antonio)

Speakers:  Gina Parker, Pastor Narciso Mendoza, and Dr. Robin Armstrong, SREC SD 11

Special Guests: Rick Vela, South Texas Field Representative, Texans for Rick Perry & Liz Rudd, Grassroots Coordinator, Susan Combs For Comptroller Campaign

You will not want to miss this special meeting. Get ready to be motivated. Our speakers will deliver some powerful and inspirational stories.   

Date: November 29 (Tuesday)

Time: Networking Reception and Dinner (on your own): 6:15 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Program:  7 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

Location:  Karam's Mexican Dining Room, 121 N. Zarzamora, San Antonio; (210-433-0111)

Cost: $5

Sponsorships will be available

Attention: We are recruiting 3 middle school through high school level home school students who can introduce our guest speakers. Please contact Schuylar Crist at skyskyrider@hotmail.com if you interested in volunteering for this project.
 

While Constitutional Amendment 2 soaked up the limelight in this election, a grassroots whisper campaign against the toll roads and the Trans Texas Corridor, with virtually no dollars, was taking place in rural and urban centers across Texas. The results were mixed. Constitutional Amendment 1, the Texas Relocation Rail Fund, passed and Constitutional Amendment 9, the attempt to extend the terms of appointed board members to the Regional Mobility Authorities (the "toll authorities"), was soundly defeated.

We're ecstatic that the PEOPLE spoke loud and clear about what they think about these unelected tolling boards, we want to limit their power. Our loyal brigade of foot soldiers faithfully passed out leaflets and educated the public, and it paid off.

 There is a big lesson for Republicans in this election. This non-partisan grassroots movement made up of ordinary citizens is developing a political force that can change Texas.

Linda Curtis, who chairs Independent Texans and is the chief organizer for TexasTollParty.com, said, "Our task now is to use both our losses as well as our gains, to build for the future. That's going to take a host of reforms, not the least of which is for the ballot language on these propositions to be crystal clear. That's going to take a full blown statewide movement, across all party lines, for political reform as those who make the rules -- for now -- rule."

It's a shame people gave private rail companies a blank check from the taxpayers' checkbook based on vaguely worded Proposition 1 and fears about urban rail accidents. It's bad public policy and bad fiscal policy, and it will come back to haunt us. These companies have the money as the 83% profits Union Pacific just posted shows. Sadly, this isn't about rail safety, it's about an open-ended corporate incentive for rail companies to join the controversial Trans Texas Corridor on the taxpayer's dime after Governor Perry promised NO PUBLIC MONEY would fund the Trans Texas Corridor.

Our troubles break and drench us,
Like spray on the cleaving prow
Of some trim Gloucester schooner.
As it dips in a graceful bow.
Our troubles break and drench us

But like that cleaving prow,
The wind will fan and dry us.
And we’ll watch some other bow.

But why does sorrow drench us
When our fellow passes on?
He’s just exchanged life’s dreary dirge
For an eternal life of song.

 

What is the inborn human trait
That frowns on a life of song?
That makes us weep at the journey’s end,
When the journey was oft-times wrong?

Weep when we reach the door
That opens to let us in,
And brings to us eternal peace
As it closes again on sin.

Millions have gone before us,
And millions will come behind.
So why do we curse and fight
At a fate both wise and kind.

We hang onto a jaded life
A life full of sorrow and pain.
A life that warps and breaks us,
And we try to run through it again.
 

The following clubs will be holding important events and South Texas Republicans encourages participation by local activists:

Hispanic Republican Women of San Antonio- General Meeting And 17th Anniversary Celebration

Date: November 19th

Time: 12:30-2:30pm

Speaker: Judge Rene Diaz of District 224

Location: Ocean Star Seafood & Grill, 1039 NE Loop 410 in San Antonio

Cost: $16 w/RSVP; $18 at the door; Please RSVP By November 17th!!

Contact: Marlyn 496-5024; Jane 691-9695; Alicia 682-3569

Fundraiser for Senator Jeff Wentworth, District 25

Date: November 21st

Time: 6pm-8pm

Special Guest: Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst

Location: Home of Marie and Hugh Halff

RSVP: Brady Satcher at 804-1994

Fundraiser For Judge Mark Luitjen of 144th District Court

Date: December 1st

Time: 5:30-7:30pm

Location: Fairmont Hotel

Contact: Melynda Gulley @ 828-9162

First Day Candidates May File For Public Office!!!

Date: December 3rd
 

Do you have event information?
You can reach Schuylar either by phone at (210) 663-6093 or via e-mail: skyskyrider@hotmail.com

Click here to view the calendar for details on these and other events