And Speaking Of Drying Up
I want you to meet Wichita County, Texas, county commissioner, Republican Jeff Watts.
Jeff is a Christian conservative, which is only provable because he says he is.
Ole Jeff says some brilliant things like …
While not typically within the purview of a County Commissioner, I believe that every elected official must do all that they can to help solve our current water crisis. Without water, industries leave, citizens relocate, and our County literally dries up.
Literally? That’s amazing, Jeff.
So, now he’s got his panties all bunched up because his Democratic opponent, Catie Robinson, filed a request with the Texas Ethics Commission last month for an advisory opinion on allowing all Texas candidates to use campaign funds for child care expenses. This is Catie and her family.
Texas candidates are currently restricted from using political donations for personal purposes, but the commission can provide guidance through an advisory opinion.
“A political campaign is a full time job, and one that is unpaid,” Robinson said.
Robinson was a stay-at-home mother with two girls. She began incurring child care expenses while campaigning so she started working as a barista at Starbucks.
I have known my own county commissioners to spend campaign funds on “campaign clothes,” a “campaign pick up truck,” baseball and rodeo tickets, and a “hunting trip to entertain donors.”
This Ethics Opinion will reverberate across the state, so Catie added …
“It’s not a question of being able to personally afford childcare,” she said. “If the cost is directly related to the campaign, then campaign funds should be allowed to be used.”
Robinson said, “I really believe that this might be the deciding factor for lots of other Texans out there who may be on the fence about running for office, so I am really happy to be a part of it.”
Yeah, Momma.
Anyway, Christian Jeff is opposed to it. I suspect he’s also opposed to women running for political office. Or, you know, being sassy and such.
Thanks to Alfredo for the heads up and the information that Texas is now the third state to allow childcare expenses as part of a political campaign.
Is Jeff Watts’ head really that small?
1I think I saw that body type once on Men In Black. Could explain it.
2AK Lynne, that, or curse the dogs, Pajama Boy’s twin by another mother. snacilbupeR do seems to have a certain interchangeable je ne sais quoi about them.
Howard, it’s evolution. Since the snacilbupeR have no use for their heads, it’s inevitable their heads would shrink.
3Family values candidates and voters should be happy to support the endeavors of a young mother who will be an advocate for their concerns. Right?
Because, how often do legislators visit barefoot and pregnant women in their kitchens to ask for an opinion? I know, I know, Republican legislators might visit the kitchen, but they”re not asking for advice.
4Does Christian Jeff believe in the 12th Commandment?
“Thou Shalt Not Push Away From An All You Can Eat Buffet”
5I’d like to say that donating to Ms. Catie Robinson’s campaign might make up the slack (link?).
But looking at the Wichita County demographics, that might be a very long shot. Recent Prez elections have been ~69-73% Rethug, not good. Wichita Falls going Dem?
Looking at the demo breakdown, with the mostly older numbers on the Wiki page, there might be a path to win. If certain demo groups who come close to a 50% pop demo, and are natural D’s, were motivated to vote D.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wichita_County,_Texas#Politics
6While I’m all for women running for, winning, and serving in public office I just don’t think campaign contributions should be available for child care expense reimbursement. What next a clothing allowance at Neiman’s for county commissioners? Elder care for Mom? Dog walkers? It’s ridiculous.
7montag, you have the wrong member of the Dotard 45 maladministration. Or not. But word on the street is that Las Vegas, NV is considering prohibitions on Donnie, Sarah Chuck, Pompeo, Ross and others around Donnie from being served at any all you can eat buffets.
NV Gaming Control served up a big NYET to Donnie regarding any gaming license a few years back. There’s more than an Atlantic City bankrupt casino behind that prohibition.
No doubt Donnie tipped his hand to Mueller and Team, when he declared his previous dealings off limits. Go, Mueller! Nevada will thank you for state ownership of all Drumpf properties under the RICCO Act.
8If campaign funds can cover the other items mentioned, they sure as hell ought to cover child care. I hope she wins for the sake of all Texas women.
9AK Lynne and Jane & PKM,
Dang! That gene pool is a chlorox moment.
10Of course he’s opposed to women running for office. If it was some guy making kind of the same pitch, it would be A OK with butter on it.
11Howard, AK Lynne, and Jane& PKM:
12Twenty years ago, a guy I worked with would say “Daddy said, if you don’t use your head, you might as well have two asses.”
Sounds like Daddy saw the writing on the wall.
Of the barn.
Of course child care should be covered, if we really want non-rich people who are also female to be able to serve.
13@Micr
Do you really want to compare children to clothes and pets? Not a good look.
So if Catie loses her election, does she get to keep the “campaign clothes and the campaign truck”? This looks like she is learning the old art of “trough sucking” right off the bat.
14Childcare – yes
15Rented vehicle – yes
Purchased vehicle – no
Campaign clothes – absolutely not!
Remember the Palin family shopping spree!?
@msb
Maybe a poor choice of comparisons, but child care reimbursement from campaign funds is ludicrous. I don’t donate to Lupe or Beto or Allred to provide for such service. They should pay for such personal ordinary common as muck expenses out of their own pockets. Dem or otherwise.
16I expect Trump is lining up photo ops with this guy, standing side by side with him, Trump might think it would make him look thin. Good enough of a reason to find a Washington job for him.
17Jeff Watts may be the widest candidate I have ever seen!
18Carrying that double width will get him a table with a funeral director.
19Papa, we’ve been saying that about Donnie for months now. Are the funeral directors on strike?
20Holy crap! How in Hell did Texas do something progressive for women without being 49th — ahead of Mississippi? Are you SURE?
21Jeeze – when this guy goes to buy a new suit, does he need a tailor, or a building permit?
22Not that you asked, but now you know why I moved out of my hometown of Wichita Falls (county seat of Wichita county) literally the day after I graduated college. And got myself to Austin as soon as I could financially swing it.
Aaaaarrrrggghhh,!!!!
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