Party Politics

With Election Day less than a month away, campaign finance reports are due. Some candidates are raking in big money and others are flat broke. “Party Politics” podcast hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jay Aiyer comb the finance reports to see who is up and who is down, and talk about what these reports might mean for the electoral chances of the candidates.

NATIONAL TOPICS:

-Kavanaugh confirmed – What impact will the confirmation process have on the election?
-Haley resigns – What does it mean and who’s next?
-Trump pens Op-Ed in USA Today on immigration – Will it shape the debate?
-Taylor Swift breaks political science by endorsing Tennessee gubernatorial candidate

TEXAS TOPICS:

-Jackson Lee intern identified as leaker in “doxing” case
-Abbott backs decriminalizing marijuana – Is the tide turning on legal marijuana in Texas?
-Sid Miller backs Confederate plate redesign
-Richard Linklater directs anti-Cruz web ad
-Sir Paul McCartney waives Chilean flag (thinking it a Texas flag) on stage in Texas

“You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Tweet us using #PartyPoliticsPod or email [email protected]. Party Politics is produced by Don Geraci, the audio engineer is Todd Hulslander and our digital editor is Alvaro ‘Al’ Ortiz.”

The race for Texas Attorney General between incumbent Ken Paxton and his Democratic Challenger Justin Nelson is heating up. With Paxton under the cloud of a criminal indictment and a series of controversial court filings challenging Obamacare and supporting the internment of immigrant children, a normally sleepy race for AG has become increasingly contentious.

Podcast hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jay Aiyer break down the impact of this race on Texas politics and what it could mean long term to everything from health care to redistricting.

NATIONAL TOPICS:

-Kavanaugh confirmation? The FBI investigates to uncover what happened
-USMCA—The new NAFTA. Better than the other one or just a change of name?
-Trump finances—How rich was he and how did he get his money?
-Democrat Jason Kander steps away from KC Mayor race citing PTSD
-Trump mocks Christine Blasey Ford in campaign rally

TEXAS TOPICS:

-Beto Vs. Cruz—Where we’re at
-Abbot and Valdez debate: What impact, if any, on the Governor's race?
-Obama endorses 9 more Texas candidates
-VP Pence campaigns for Ted and Pete
-Texas Special Education on trial
-A Houston doctor wins Nobel Prize fighting cancer
-The City of Houston makes it difficult for sex-bot brothels to do business in the Bayou City!

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Tweet us using #PartyPoliticsPod or email [email protected]. Party Politics is produced by Don Geraci, the audio engineer is Todd Hulslander and our digital editor is Alvaro ‘Al’ Ortiz.

Note: This episode was recorded Thursday morning during Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony and before Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s testimony.

Brett Kavanaugh is under fire during confirmation hearings for an alleged sexual assault that took place while he was in high school.

Meanwhile, in Houston, the firefighters union and Mayor Sylvester Turner are locked in a years-long political struggle over pay parity linking police pay to firefighter pay that will come to a ballot box near you in November.

Brandon Rottinghaus and Jay Aiyer talk about the impact of the Senate hearings for Kavanaugh and the financial and political implications of Proposition B in Houston. 

NATIONAL TOPICS:

-Rod Rosenstein – is he fired or not? What are the implications if he gets the ax?

-Trump’s speech at the United Nations speech draws international laughter –what happened?

-Kavanaugh hearings rebooted – will controversy over his past upend his confirmation?

TEXAS TOPICS:

-Sid Gotta Sid – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller complains about meatless Monday, vegetarian opponent

-Governor Greg Abbott debates Lupe Valdez this week in gubernatorial debate – what is at stake?

-Dallas County Sheriff’s Association backs Greg Abbott over former Sheriff Lupe Valdez – what does this mean for her campaign?

-Investigation of State Senator Charles Schwertner for inappropriate text messages to graduate student.

-Attorney General Ken Paxton defends requirement that Texas students stand for pledge of allegiance – why?

-Cruz vs. O’Rourke debate, Round 2 – will the second debate have as many fireworks as the first?

-Texas Mayor shoots/kills 600 pound alligator.

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Tweet us using #PartyPoliticsPod or email [email protected]. Party Politics is produced by Don Geraci, the audio engineer is Todd Hulslander and our digital editor is Alvaro 'Al' Ortiz.

With three debates in 2 weeks, the U.S. Senate race is going to be front and center in everyone’s mind. Podcast hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jay Aiyer give you a 6-minute primer on what to listen for in the debates between Republican Senator Ted Cruz and his Democratic opponent, Congressman Beto O’Rourke.

NATIONAL TOPICS

-Paul Manafort takes a plea! — What are the implications for President Trump?

-President Trump orders immediate declassification of Russia docs — Security experts are worried.

-FEMA Director Brock Long is being investigated for using funds for personal travel. What’s the impact?

-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh accused of sexual misconduct — How does it affect confirmation?

TEXAS TOPICS

-Republican Jerry Patterson endorses Democrat Miguel Suazo for Land Commissioner over former rival George P. Bush.

-Trump weighs in on another Texas Congressional race by endorsing Congressman Pete Sessions.

-Willie Nelson faces backlash for backing Beto!

-Senate District 19 shocker! Republican Pete Flores wins in a big upset over Democrat Pete Gallego.

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Tweet us using #PartyPoliticsPod or email [email protected]. Party Politics is produced by Don Geraci, the audio engineer is Todd Hulslander and our digital editor is Al Ortiz.

With recent polling showing that races thought to be trending Republican as suddenly competitive, control of the U.S. Senate might be shifting. Podcast hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jay Aiyer analyze three of the most talked about Senate races in the country—Florida, Arizona, and Texas.

NATIONAL TOPICS:

- Hurricane Florence—the strange politics already at play, including the transfer of $10 million from FEMA to ICE, and President Trump questioning the death toll in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria

- Presidents Bush and Obama hit the campaign trail for Republicans and Democrats.

- Immigration crisis: Attorney General Jeff Sessions says immigration judges should show no mercy, and almost 13,000 minors remain in immigration detention.

- President Trump brags about the economy... but is it incorrect?

TEXAS TOPICS:

- Remember The Alamo? State Board of Education looks to make curriculum changes. PC run amok, or are revisions needed?

- Texas state budget poised to spend less on education because of rising local property values.

- Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar fundraising…for Republicans?

- State Representative Ron Reynolds heads to jail.

- Governor Greg Abbott says no more red light cameras. The “Mayor" of Texas is at it again!

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Tweet us using #PartyPoliticsPod or email [email protected]. 

Party Politics is produced by Don Geraci, the audio engineer is Todd Hulslander and our digital editor is Al Ortiz.

Podcast hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jay Aiyer talk about the hearing on the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court: the importance of the hearings, the possible changes to jurisprudence of the Supreme Court, and the impact on Texas and the nation.

NATIONAL TOPICS:

White House Counsel Don McGahn is latest high profile staffer to leave

John Kerry for President… again?

Jon Kyl selected to replace John McCain in Senate

Impact of Bob Woodward’s new book

TEXAS TOPICS:

Contract conflicts at the Texas Education Agency

Fetal remains ruling halts Senate Bill 8

Is Congressional District 22 (Fort Bend County) a sleeper pick to flip to the Democrats?

Greg Abbott: change Texas Constitution to outlaw income tax…Forever!

Dan Patrick boycotts Nike over Kaepernick ad

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Tweet us using #PartyPoliticsPod or email [email protected]. 

Party Politics is produced by Don Geraci, the audio engineer is Todd Hulslander and our digital editor is Al Ortiz.

Podcast hosts Brandon Rottinghaus and Jay Aiyer talk about the recent debate over debates in Texas. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has passed on debating his Democratic opponent Mike Collier, but is headed off to match up with Geraldo Rivera on Fox News. 

Ted Cruz has proposed five debates with challenger Beto O’Rourke, but details have been difficult to pin down and a scheduled debate for this week was cancelled. 

Texas Governor Greg Abbott agreed to debate Lupe Valdez on a Friday night in September, which is the only statewide debate set at this time.

Brandon and Jay talk about the impact of debates (or no debates) and what all this means for Texas voters.

NATIONAL

Senator McCain passes away – his political legacy

AG Jeff Sessions versus Trump on the Russia investigation

“NAFTA” redo

National Enquirer holds back negative stories on Trump

TEXAS

Harris County Flood Bond passed – now what?

Culbertson gifts controversy

New Executive Commissioner named for struggling Texas Health and Human Services Commission

The Governor’s “$10,000 appointees”

Controversy over calling a special election for Senate District 6

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Tweet us using #PartyPoliticsPod or email [email protected]. 

Party Politics is produced by Don Geraci, the audio engineer is Todd Hulslander and our digital editor is Al Ortiz.

On Party Politics this week, co-hosts Jay Aiyer and Brandon Rottinghaus are going to catch you up on the week’s political news:

The week's big news was the conviction of Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen. Party Politics Co-Hosts, Jay Aiyer and Brandon Rottinghaus look at what this might mean for President Trump, and whether this signals a new direction in the on-going Russia investigation. Finally, they look at what the impact on the midterms will be. 

National Topics:

Stripping John Brennan’s Security Clearance creates big pushback from intelligence community.

EPA power plant revisions look to boost coal--but will it work?

Congressman Duncan Hunter and wife indicted for campaign fund misuse. 

When is a cyber attack not an attack? Ask the DNC.

GOP house candidate—endorsed by the Miami Herald says she was kidnapped by aliens!

Texas Topics:

Abbott—surging in the polls, say some teachers should get 100K a year.

VP Pence comes to Texas and Houston.

Beto-Mania hits Houston!

Harvey-1 year anniversary--how are we doing?

TX Court of Appeals blocks Austin paid sick leave ordinance.

Rep Travis Clardy announces for Speaker. 

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Tweet us using #PartyPoliticsPod or email [email protected]. 

Party Politics is produced by Don Geraci, the audio engineer is Todd Hulslander and our digital editor is Al Ortiz. 

On Party Politics this week, co-hosts Jay Aiyer and Brandon Rottinghaus are going to catch you up on the week’s political news: The week's big news was the conviction of Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen. Party Politics Co-Hosts, Jay Aiyer and Brandon Rottinghaus look at what this might mean for President Trump, and whether this signals a new direction in the on-going Russia investigation. Finally, they look at what the impact on the midterms will be.  National Topics: Stripping John Brennan’s Security Clearance creates... Read More

On Party Politics this week, co-hosts Jay Aiyer and Brandon Rottinghaus are going to catch you up on the week’s political news:

Texas:

• U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions visited Houston and talked about illegal immigrants
• Houston Republican John Culberson sold biotech stock 10 days before insider trading case came to a head
• Texas Gov. Greg Abbott staffers making six figures
• GOP sues to kick Gallego off the ballot in state Senate special election
• Gun issued to Lupe Valdez goes missing. Have you seen Lupe’s Gun?
• Whatabeto

National: 

• Peter Strzok fired from the FBI
• Primary roundup
• Omarosa Manigault Newman OMG
• All of West Virginia's Supreme Court justices impeached 

Brandon and Jay talk about Texas school districts receive first official A-F grades. Look up how your district did HERE.

You can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Tweet us using #PartyPoliticsPod or email [email protected]. 

Party Politics is produced by Don Geraci, the audio engineer is Todd Hulslander and our digital editor is Giselle Bueno.