A wild political ride in Washington, Austin fuels intensifies the political rancor
Editor's note: Mike Ward, who appeared on this podcast, was a reporter for the Houston Chronicle whose reporting was called into question in August, 2018. Although the podcasts were primarily analysis of current events, in the interest of disclosure, we thought it wise to include this information.
The Houston Chronicle retracted eight reports and issued corrections in multiple others, saying they were based on fabricated information, after an outside investigation revealed 44 percent of people quoted in Ward’s stories did not appear to exist. Ward resigned earlier this year while the investigation was underway.
In Texas and Washington, politics seems to be getting uglier and uglier.
Take, for instance, the U.S. Senate campaign of Alabama justice and conservative icon Roy Moore, who has been accused of groping and trying to date young girls years ago. Appearing at a rally to support Moore was Houston doctor and conservative Texas Republican Steven Hotze, who insisted that those trying to force Moore from the race are part a left-wing conspiracy.
In his speech, he spoke about communist Democrats and the alt-left press.
Back in Texas, Gov. Abbott took the unusual step of endorsing a Republican challenger to a sitting House member, state Rep. Sarah Davis, because she is not conservative enough to suit him.
Filmmakers who are looking to shoot a movie about state Sen. Wendy Davis' historic abortion filibuster in 2013 plan to include the pivotal "let her speak"moment, where then-Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, demands to know what it will take for a woman to be heard in the Senate.
They plan to cast Davis in that role, not Latina Van de Putte. Sandra Bullock is to play Davis.
As the political season in Texas continues to more resemble a Jerry Springer show, this is the place where you can find out what's really doing on behind all the political talk and bluster.
With Mike Ward, the Houston Chronicle's Austin Bureau chief, and Scott Braddock, editor of the Quorum Report, it's Texas' leading online podcast about Lone Star politics -- now coming to you in collaboration with Texas Public Radio.