If you want to know what the grassroots Republican activist are saying in Texas, look no further than David and his blog.  As an elected member of the SREC he has the pulse of the grassroots.  David background is below.

David Bellow is an Army National Guardsman and a State Republican Executive Committeeman. He was born in Beaumont, TX and was raised, and currently lives, in Lumberton, Texas (Hardin County). Like most residents in east Texas, Bellow has had to endure watching the good old boy (Democrat controlled) county officials do nothing as public money has been wasted and as crime and fraud has occurred while the officials just watch. Some of the crime and fraud has been committed by the officials themselves!  He has a Political Science Degree from Texas A&M University and a Masters in Theological Studies from Liberty University.

How dare the City of Austin clean its public plaza so it is kept in sanitary conditions for all of the residents of Austin to enjoy and the tourists who flood downtown daily.  One would think they might need to up the power washing from three times a week to five considering the dozens of people have been virtually living in the plaza for months.  Below is the bold statement Occupy Austin made demanding changes to the power washing practices.

More importantly, powerwashing at night is a health hazard to the protesters, who are forced to sleep on wet concrete three times a week. The powerwashing occurs even on nights when it is already raining, adding to the wet and miserable conditions on the steps. For the protesters that are eligible for health services from the City, getting sick will incur further unnecessary costs.

I urge you to switch to power washing during the day, and substantially decrease the frequency of the power washing. It would really make a world of difference to the tenor of the protests, and show that City Council is willing to do the right thing.

And in case you missed it, Occupy Austin has cost the City of Austin over $700,000 to date and that goes up every day.  When our taxes go up we can blame Occupy Austin, thanks.  How is that going to help the so called 99% they claim to represent?

Below is a round up of some of the news coverage of the debate.

• “Former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz repeatedly challenged Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst’s conservative credentials Thursday night…” (Chris Tomlinson, Texas Republican candidates hold first debate, Associated Press)

• “The challenges we have in Washington are so grave that the answer in this election is not to go with another timid, career politician,” said Cruz, who spent five years representing Texas before the U.S. Supreme Court. “The answer is to go with a proven conservative and fighter.” (Chris Tomlinson, Texas Republican candidates hold first debate, Associated Press)

• “From the outset, former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz took the fight to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, calling him a ‘timid career politician.’”  (Kate Alexander, Dewhurst on defensive during first Texas U.S. Senate debate, Austin American-Statesman)

• “Cruz, who has won endorsements from several tea party standard-bearers from Washington, said there is an ideological battle afoot and that Dewhurst is not on the side of tea party conservatives.”  (Kate Alexander, Dewhurst on defensive during first Texas U.S. Senate debate, Austin American-Statesman)

• “Cruz, however, cast himself as the strongest leader of the group… Cruz jabbed Dewhurst by suggesting that lobbyists feel obligated to contribute to his campaign, and heaccused Dewhurst of supporting in-state tuition for illegal immigrants and for helping defeat a ‘sanctuaries cities’ bill last year aimed at illegal immigrants. ”  (Gary Scharrer, GOP Senate hopefuls battle in first debate, San Antonio Express-News)

• “Dewhurst, the front-runner for the party’s nomination, spent the night defending himself from attacks — which came mostly from Cruz…Cruz went after Dewhurst immediately, using his opening remarks to criticize the lieutenant governor for failing to attend previous candidate forums”
  (David Muto, The Brief: Top Texas News for Jan. 13, 2012, Texas Tribune)

• “Former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz painted Dewhurst as an election-year convert to hard-line stands on taxes, spending and illegal immigration”
  (Robert Garrett, Senate rivals attack Dewhurst in Debate, Dallas Morning News)

• “Ted Cruz had the most enthusiastic following. He staked out a position on the far right…Cruz got in the best shot when he asked, “Who do you trust?” — the point being, if you are a conservative, it shouldn’t be Dewhurst.”
  (Paul Burka, BurkaBlog)

Karen is a conservative activist in Houston and the former President of the West Memorial Republican Women’s Club.  Karen describes her life long interest in politics below.

I can’t remember ever not being interested in politics. My interest in current events, history and politics led to majoring in political science in college. I believe in being a life long learner.

I don’t understand people who do not follow politics. How can anyone not realize how politics shape our world?

I’m a Republican. I’m a fiscal conservative and I believe in the free market system. I believe in the power of the individual, not the government.

A proud member of the Baby Boom generation, I believe in the power of the vote. It is not only a privilege to vote, it is a civic duty. Apathy is unacceptable.

What’s to say he won’t skip out again at the debate this evening sponsored by Texas Public Policy Foundation and Empower Texans.  The Ted Cruz campaign put together the Top 10 Excuses David Dewhurst may use to duck tonight’s debate.  Drum roll please……..

10. I didn’t duck the debate; I was “fashionably late.”

9. One of my $70,000 horses threw a shoe

8. I wanted to go to the former CIA agent reunion and they simply told me, “it can happen at any time, when you least expect it, in any country and I
had to be ready to go, with scuba gear packed.”

7. I thought this was the Texas senate, where my actually showing up to work is optional.

6. I had to go to a secret gathering with George Soros. Don’t ask!

5. I was in Tokyo and a crowd of people surrounded me, mistaking me for 
John Kerry.

4. My private jet broke down, and I got stuck at the airport flying commercial. Did you realize that the TSA pats you down now? Hard to believe.

3. People were upset that I’ve never been to a Tea Party. So I went to the Ritz Carlton for Earl Grey and crumpets.

2. Come on, would you want to show up and have to defend your record promoting an income tax?

1. I was for the idea of debating… before I was against it.

Feel free to share this Top 10 list with your friends on Facebook and followers on Twitter!

If you aren’t able to get tickets to the sold out debate, you can watch it online here: http://www.livestream.com/texaspublicpolicyfoundation

Saddle Up Texas Straw Poll is a three-day grassroots event and Straw Poll for Texas voters, to be held January 12, 13 and 14, 2012. The event is designed to allow Texas voters from around the state to gather to hear from Republican presidential candidates, US Senate candidates, participate in a straw poll, attend political action training and derive inspiration from conservative speakers and leaders from around the nation.  Get your tickets online here.

Full schedule of events is below the jump.

The Republican women that make up the membership of the Texas Federation of Republican Women is over 11,000 ladies strong with 163 local clubs across the state.  TFRW is the second largest Republican women’s federation in the nation and in the last election cycle TFRW members logged over 850,000 hours working on campaigns.  You can be assured that thousands of these campaign hours will be spent advancing the Ted Cruz campaign.  TFRW is undeniably the most powerful political organization in Texas today.

Karen Townsend, the immediate past President of the Memorial West Republican Women’s Club, blogged her reasons for supporting Ted Cruz as a Republican Women leader, in short, because he is a “Happy Warrior.”

Ted Cruz, though, grabbed me. He captured my attention with the first speech I heard him deliver.  He is a compelling candidate – he inspires the audience.  In times like this, we need some real inspiration.  We are a nation mired in despair and anger.  We need someone fresh who will inspire us all.  Most importantly, we need someone who will inspire us as Republicans to be happy warriors.  Ted Cruz is a happy warrior.

Will you join Karen and 200 plus other Republican Women in supporting Ted Cruz?

Note:  These are individual endorsements.  The Texas Federation of Republican Women does not and cannot endorse in a Republican primary, and current TFRW club Presidents and Campaign Activities Chairs are not permitted to endorse.

* I work for the Ted Cruz campaign and am very biased, but can 200 plus Republican Women be wrong?

Young Conservatives of Texas has been promoting conservatism at universities across the Lone Star State for over three decades. The state’s most active political youth organization, YCT is composed of hundreds of members and alumni who participate in the full spectrum of politics. YCT issues the most respected ratings of the Texas legislature and is the only conservative group to have done so without interruption over the past 19 legislative sessions. To learn more about YCT, their ratings, or for information on joining, please visit www.YCT.org.

In issuing their endorsement of Ted Cruz YCT Senior Vice Chairman Tony McDonald stated,

“Ted Cruz is the strongest proven conservative we’ve seen in years. Ted Cruz blends passion, principle, and eloquence with a great depth of understanding of the issues. Conservative grassroots activists across Texas are fighting for Ted Cruz because Ted doesn’t just talk about conservative values, he’s been on the front lines, fighting and winning conservative battles, without compromise.”

McDonald noted that many in the establishment want to simply anoint a candidate in the Senate race, but that conservative voters in Texas aren’t buying it and will be heard at the ballot box.

“When the media asked how Scott Brown could serve in ‘Ted Kennedy’s seat,’ he rightfully reminded them that it’s the people’s seat. In the same way, the Senate seat in Texas doesn’t belong to the highest bidder, and just because David Dewhurst can write an enormous personal check doesn’t mean he can buy this race.”

Representative Wayne Christian is currently a board member of the TEA Party Caucus, sitting president of the Texas Conservative Coalition, and in the top third of seniority in the Texas House.  Rep. Christian completed the 81st Texas Legislature with a 94 career rating on YCT’s Legislative Ratings, earning his sixth consecutive placement on YCT’s honor roll. At YCT’s 31st Annual state convention in February, Rep. Christian was awarded the group’s coveted “Torch of Freedom” award for his achievements.  YCT’s Tony McDonald lauded Rep. Christians conservatism,

“Rep. Wayne Christian brings a wealth of experience, a demonstrated record of principled conservatism, and steady leadership to the Texas Legislature. Conservatives need the leadership Representative Christian provides in the House.”

Connect with Ted Cruz and Wayne Christian on facebook and consider supporting their campaigns!

It’s a new year — some things have changed, and some things stay the same.  In 2012, Ducking Dewhurst is continuing his pattern from 2011.  In 2011, David Dewhurst skipped 18 candidate forums all over Texas, essentially ignoring grassroots voters, Tea Party activists, and Republican Women.

In 2012, Dewhurst had theoretically “accepted” a debate invitation for tomorrow’s Williamson County GOP Senate Forum, hosted by the Williamson County Republican Women and the Georgetown Area Republican Women.  But then he cancelled, saying that, alas, “Governor Perry has requested his presence in Iowa.”

But the Iowa caucuses are tonight, Tuesday.  The forum is tomorrow, Wednesday.  Why would Dewhurst cancel a Wednesday forum because of a Tuesday conflict, unless he really didn’t want to go in the first place?

And, thanks to the marvels of modern technology, there are two commercial flights that can take him from Des Moines to Austin, arriving at 10:45 AM on Wednesday — with time to spare before the forum.

Indeed, if his real reason for skipping is to be in Iowa tonight, then the Ted Cruz for Senate campaign will gladly offer to in-kind contribute the cost of the airline ticket to allow Dewhurst to attend, if he lacks the financial resources to purchase his own ticket.

Dewhurst’s refusal to answer hard questions from Texas voters isn’t sitting well with the grassroots in Texas.  One recent comment on Twitter observed, “By the end of today, Dewhurst will have made more campaign stops for Perry than in his own race for #txsen.”

As of tomorrow, Dewhurst will have skipped 19 candidates forums all across Texas since he entered the Senate race.   It’s a new year, but Ducking Dewhurst continues the same.

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They need to add that Santa’s workshop must be moved from the North Pole since it could be located near the migratory path of the endangered snow lizard and that Rudolph and his fellow reindeer can not pull Santa’s sleigh since they are on the soon to be endangered species list.  Also, Santa has to shave his beard since it is a health hazard.  And last but not least Santa has to fire half of his elves since he can not afford the cost of healthcare for them due to Obamacare.