The

Bluebonnet
The Newsletter of Texas College Democrats August 2012 Texas Primary Run-Offs Finalize Party Nominations
Many Democratic and Republican hopefuls were cast out on July 31 as primary voters convened once again to determine their ultimate choice for each balloted race. In the race for the Democratic senatorial nomination, former state representative Paul Sadler overwhelmed perennial candidate Grady Yarbrough by nearly a 2:1 margin.

Romney Picks Running-Mate: Americans Not Impressed

Mitt Romney formally announced his vice presidential running-mate on Saturday, August 11. His pick, Congressman Paul Ryan, is the architect of the budget passed by the House last March.

cycle, on Sunday, August 12. #OurFuture aims to engage young, college students through social media such as Facebook and Twitter so as to accomplish this lofty goal. #OurFuture will show young Texans how political issues impact them and why a Democratic Texas can help move us forward. The project is slated to initially focus on education funding, healthcare and jobs for recent college graduates, but will expand over time. If you would like to get involved with #OurFuture or potentially volunteer on the project, please contact TCD Political Affairs Director Garry Jones at GJones@txcollegedems.org. Help us work for Texas students and young people in 2012!

Not only is Ryan one of the most ideological congressmen in the House, hes also supported by most of the Tea Party establishment. President Obama has called his budget proposals thinly-veiled social Darwinism and noted that On the Republican side, Former Texas Solicitor General they are out-of-step with mainstream American views on Ted Cruz took down Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst the matter. in a widely-publicized dog fight. Cruz, who is backed by the Tea Party hierarchy, was propelled to his position by Ryan will add a young face to the Republican ticket, but large amounts of corporate money from the likes of the his lack of experience in foreign policy highlights a large Koch brothers and other PACs. Dewhurst made a lastweakness within the GOP. Polls conducted by Pew Reditch effort to appeal to conservatives by eating at Chicksearch since the beginning of 2012 show Romney has fil-A, a company enshrined in controversy due to combeen consistently trailing the president in general polling, ments made by its president, on the eve of the runoff. especially in specific questions about foreign diplomacy. Many of Dewhursts top lieutenants also fell to challengers from the right-wing of the Republican Party. State Senator Jeff Wentworth, known for his widely-opposed guns on campus bill, was somehow labeled a moderate and defeated by Tea Party challenger Donna Campbell. Campbell supports outlawing abortion even in cases of incest or rape, outlawing same-sex marriage and bringing back the failed attempt allow guns in classrooms. The time to get involved with Texas College Democrats has never been more crucial. At such a critical point in our states history, we are facing unprecedented cuts to education and a legislature that will once again try to place guns in our campuses after a resounding denial. Combine that with issues that are important to many young college students, such as marriage equality and reproductive rights, and this legislature could be the most dangerous yet. As Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa put it: The inmates are running the asylum and middle class Texans are taking notice. Its time to stand up and turn Texas blue; stand with us as we head proudly to November!

While the Romney/Ryan ticket begins to rev its bigmoney engines, the president is moving forward with strong momentum. We need your help to keep it up! Visit www.barackobama.com to learn more on how to get in- The Texas College Democrats Board is expanding, and we volved! want you to join us! The newly-created position of Deputy Political Affairs Director will assist in the advocacy and lobbying efforts of TCD as well as outlining its agenda for the upcoming legislative session. Applicants must be involved with their local College Democrats chapter and enrolled at a Texas university or graduate school. The application itself can be found on Texas College Democrats Facebook page. Were always looking to broaden our horizons and work with our members all across the Lone Star State. If you feel you would rather volunteer within your local party or another Democratic organization, shoot us an email and well get right to work on matching you with the right progressive organization in Texas for you!

Were Looking for a New Board Member!

Fall Conference Host Announced

The TCD Executive Board is proud to announce the Baylor Democrats will host this years Fall Conference. The Texas College Democrats proudly unveiled #OurFuture, Conference is set for Saturday, September 22nd at Bayan innovative project designed to inform young voters lor University in Waco, Texas. about the issues that are important to them this election

TCD Launches #OurFuture!