Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, parroting President Donald Trump, has recently taken to calling news coverage he dislikes “fake news.” As a distraction, it works. When it comes to transparency, the Texas Senate’s recent moves to restrict media coverage are in line with Patrick’s order to the Legislative Budget Board to suppress staff reports – a […]
Amid accusations of fake news, phony organizations help AG Paxton in felony case
by Scott on February 21, 2017 in Dan Patrick, Journalism, Politics, Texas
Perry took a shot at appearing as the elder statesman from Texas at exactly the wrong time
by Scott on September 12, 2015 in Politics, Rick Perry, Tea Party, Ted Cruz, Texas
While still fighting a criminal indictment in Travis County and – as a direct result – unable to make inroads in fundraising or the polls, former Gov. Rick Perry on Friday became the first in the crowded Republican presidential field to suspend his campaign. Unlike his first run for the presidency Perry tried something new: […]
A Terrible, No Good Week for Michael Quinn Sullivan
by Scott on July 30, 2014 in Politics, Tea Party, Texas
Note: This column originally appeared on The Quorum Report. Join us there daily for coverage of Texas politics and government. It would be difficult enough to cover something as complex as a matter before the Texas Ethics Commission if all sides were honest brokers about the proceedings. The fact that they are not makes cutting […]
Dewhurst and Patrick Clash in a Very Personal Debate in DFW
by Scott on May 11, 2014 in Dan Patrick, Immigration, Politics, Tea Party, Texas
Note: This story originally appeared on The Quorum Report. Join us there for daily coverage of Texas politics and government. DALLAS – Sen. Dan Patrick and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst pulled no punches on Wednesday in a 45-minute televised debate that one candidate would later describe as childish. Patrick said “I think it was in […]
GOP Runoff for Texas Ag Commissioner is Personal
by Scott on May 3, 2014 in Politics, Texas
Note: This story originally appeared in The Quorum Report. Join us there daily for coverage of Texas politics and government. To say the runoff for the GOP nomination for Agriculture Commissioner is nasty might be a bit of an understatement. Former Reps. Tommy Merritt and Sid Miller have traded all sorts of accusations and used […]
Senior Republican Texas Congressman Calls for Guest Worker Program
by Scott on April 27, 2014 in Economy, Immigration, Latinos, Politics, Texas
In what may come as a shock to some, Rep. Joe Barton, R-Ennis, on Friday said that not only does he support a guest worker program for adults who are not documented and a path to citizenship for their children, but he also plans to propose sweeping legislation to that effect in the next few […]
Dewhurst and Patrick Take the Gloves Off in the Hill Country
by Scott on March 23, 2014 in Politics, Tea Party, Texas
Note: This story originally appeared in The Quorum Report. Join us there daily for coverage of Texas politics and government. KERRVILLE – In this Hill Country county won by Sen. Dan Patrick on Election Day, both he and Lt. Gov David Dewhurst came out swinging in a blistering half-hour debate on Friday. The forum for […]
Immigration Fight Simmers Ahead of Texas GOP Convention
by Scott on March 20, 2014 in Border Security, Economy, Immigration, Politics, Tea Party, Texas, Workforce
Note: This story originally appeared on The Quorum Report. Join us there daily for coverage of Texas politics and government. HOUSTON – Business interests here in Southeast Texas and elsewhere are working to marshal their forces ahead of what could be a bloody fight at the Republican Party of Texas convention in June over where […]
Obama Misses a Texas-Sized Opportunity on Immigration
by Scott on July 23, 2012 in Economy, Immigration, Obama, Politics, Texas
We’ve entered an interesting time in American politics when a Democrat can flog a Republican with the issue of illegal immigration. For years, conservative politicians have used it to call their opponents “open borders liberals.” President Obama, during his visits to San Antonio and Austin this week, slammed the presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney for […]
Tea Party in Texas Energized After Lugar Defeat, Palin Endorsement
by Scott on May 11, 2012 in Politics, Tea Party, Texas
Texas Tea Party conservatives say they’re riding high ahead of the May 29th primary for several reasons, including this week’s ouster of moderate Indiana GOP Sen. Richard Lugar and a big-name endorsement for their preferred candidate in the race to replace retiring Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Tweet Share
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Scott Braddock is a journalist and political analyst based in Austin.
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