"POR EJEMPLO JOHN SHARP." PERRY'S MEDIA COMPANY PAID FOR SPANISH AD THAT SLURS SHARP, BACKS LIBERTARIAN, AND DOESN'T IDENTIFY SOURCE. The Mexican radio ad which claims Sharp "says that our children are not intelligent and have criminal tendencies" was beamed across the south Texas border and does not meet U.S. election guidelines. Through a spokesman, Perry says it's not his. Libertarian Garcia says it's not his: "It looks like Perry is giving up on the Laredo area and he's trying to take votes away from Sharp"(HC) Strategic Media of Virginia has not returned calls. Also,in central Texas, a Perry TV mud attack run against Sharp in Waco caused "the second time Mr. Sharp has complained of a negative ad that the Perry campaign later said was not authorized" to be released.(DMN) 10/31

GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES TRY HONESTY AS CAMPAIGN WINDS DOWN

George: "This (Halloween) I decided to go as a politician. I can't think of a more frightful thought."

Garry: Yesterday, Mauro said his name recognition will improve in Houston once he starts running his TV ads there. (Don't peak too early, Garry!) 10/31

BUSH SAYS THE LATINO VOTE "ES MUY IMPORTANTE" BUT MAURO ANSWERS "LOS REPUBLICANOS ATTACAN A LAS FAMILIAS HISPANAS." Dem flier in English and Spanish charges Republicans with "cutting back on life-saving home health care services for senior citizens, reducing Medicad and Medicare for those that have need." Flier also points to GOP platform: the elimination of both minimum wages and bilingual education. (AAS, 10/29) 10/30

THE BAND PLAYED "DIXIE," THE CROWD WAS ALL WHITE. WHAT'S "A FELLOW LIKE ME" TO DO? Well, Guv, avoid gaffes like, "Obviously, the Spanish component is not there," don't hire far-right African-American political consultants, and disown the Texas GOP party platform. (See Campaign '98, 8/3) 10/30

RELIGIOUS GROUP ASKS THE CHRISTIAN COALITION TO REFRAIN FROM POLITICS TAKING "THE LORD'S NAME IN VAIN." Texas Faith Network claims that "attaching Christ to a conglomerate of extreme-right political issues" in millions of copies of a voter guide to be handed out in Texas churches on Sunday is "abusing...worship." Unlike the guide handed out by the Women's League of Voters, the Christian Coalition guide asks candidates litmus-test questions commonly used by Theocratic groups on topics such as flat tax, abortion, same-sex marriage, and property tax. Anything about charter schools, vouchers and phonics? 10/30

BUSH SELLING VOTERS SMOKE AND MIRRORS, ACCORDING TO BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS. Chairman of Senate Finance Committee Bill Ratliff (R) says "normal spending increases" will eat up $2.7 billion of the projected $6.3 surplus, Comptroller Candidate Paul Hobby (D) says any surplus will be less than what Texas already owes. That leaves zero, which is what Mauro says Bush has done for the average Texan in the last four years. 10/29

LEAVE THE DIRT TO MATT DRUDGE, GEORGE! BUSH WONDERS ALOUD WHY HILLARY VISITS GARRY SO MUCH. DUH! Memo to Karl and Karen: Having Guv Hamlet play stupid is not becoming. He's memorized "When I was young and irresponsible..." and "I haven't made up my mind, yet." Politex says those will come back to haunt him in the big tent. Give the poor guy a break, already! 10/29

UPDATED "POLITICAL ODDSMAKER" (10/27) HANDICAPS NATION'S RACES/TRANDS. Favors George 10-1, Jeb 9-5, Archer, Doggett, Smith, and Armey 1000-1, DeLay 15-1, Paul 9-5, Bentsen 3-1, Frost 2-1. In 2000 Bush has a 40% chance of GOP nomination, E. Dole would be a strong veep bet; Gore is at 60% with Feinstein strong as veep. All of the Texas House races are rated, the nation's cliffhangers, as well. 10/29

PERRY NO-SHOWS BACKERS AS HE DOGS BUSH, AVOIDS SHARP, AND TRIES TO BUY THE ELECTION WITH TV FLOOD. Perry's $1.6 million in October campaign contributions even beats the Guv's $1.5. DMN reports his attempt to Perrymander Texas has cost him $4.8 million this month alone. 10/28

BUSH MAIN MAN KARL ROVE SAYS "GOVERNOR'S RACE IS OVER," NOW IT'S ABOUT DEMS' "FUTURE FEARS."As for Perry, " 'I may not be as smart as the other guy, but you'd rather have me over Saturday night for dinner wouldn't you?' " "No," was Sharp's answer. 10/28

"DALLAS MORNING NEWS" ATTACKS THEOCRATS, BACKS BUTCHER FOR DISTRICT 14 SEAT ON STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.Has "trouble" recommending candidates "whose children are not in public schools" and "prefer(s) to see members who can work toward common goals, not narrow agendas." 10/28

EPSTEIN POLL HAS SHARP 41.6%, PERRY 37.9% and Mattox 40%, Cornyn 35%. However, George Strong says low turnout will help Republicans. "In fact, some...go by the voting place every Tuesday just to make sure that they are not missing an election." 10/27

PERRY POLITICAL/BUSINESS BUDDY, MULTIMILLIONAIRE JAMES LEININGER, FINANCING THEOCRATIC PARTY'S ATTEMPT TO TAKE OVER TEXAS SCHOOL BOARD. Politex looks at the man behind the curtin and the four key school board races the Christian right is engaged in as it attempts to gain a majority. 10/27

MOLLY IVINS' TAKE ON TEXAS ELECTION POLITICS READS LIKE HOMER & JETHRO Guv won debate 'cause he didn't drool, Perry thinks he's running for D.A., and "Dewhurst seems to be running for Dubya's dog." 10/27

"CHRONICLE" ENDORSES DEM SWEEP BY SHARP, MATTOX, HOBBY, RAYMOND, PATTERSON, AND MAURO. Austin's second largest paper with a circulation of 85,000 says Bush "stonewalled" the Clean Air Act, "footdragged" on Water Pollution Cleanup, called $2 billion in Property Tax Relief to wealthy landowners "newfunding for education," and "vetoed" and "refused to sign" Health Care Reforms. As for Perry, he's on the wrong side of vouchers (he's for them) and, even though he's Agriculture Commissioner, couldn't even get the backing of the Farm Bureau. 10/26

"FIRST GENTLEMEN" DOLE SAYS ELIZABETH THINKING ABOUT RUNNING FOR PREZ, AND IF SHE DOES, "MAYBE YOUNG BUSH WOULD BE A GOOD RUNNING MATE." 10/26

EVEN THE PUMPKINS HAVE "BUSH 2000" CARVED ON THEM."Intimations of a presidential bid are everywhere," as George (Call me "Conservative," not "Moderate") Bush tries to satisfy the two national wings of his party. His public money to private schools voucher plan that he's going to push in January "give(s) the religious right something," while the "business Republicans" note the $2 million he's received from early primary and caucus states and his probable selection of Brad Freeman (LA) and Heinz Prechter (Detroit) as national fund-raisers. Meanwhile, financial shrubs are working on how the very expensive state campaign "infrastructure" could be transferred to the upcoming presidential campaign without breaking Federal Election Commission rules. 10/25

SUNDAY SPECIAL: FOR A CLEVER COMMENT ON POLITICAL ADVERTISING, CHECK OUT TODAY'S "AUSTIN-AMERICAN STATESMAN," B2 Sorry, it's not online, but the "Political Capital" people juxtapose video stills of how candidates present themselves with their opponents' video visions of them, and, as they say here in Texas, it's a "hoot." 10/25

"THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TV. NOW IT'S TIME TO VOTE." (FWST,10/21) GUV RESORTS TO DADSPEAK AS TATTERED COATTAILS FAIL STATE GOP CANDIDATES. Dems Mattox and Patterson surge ahead, Sharp and Hobby move into ties. 10/23

EXTRA,EXTRA! "SMART MAN" SOLVES CAMPAIGN FINANCE PROBLEMS. 10/22

EXTRA, EXTRA! "The GOP has lowered the Barr with a DeLay of Congress, using an Armey of Newts to Hatch a Lott of Starr witnesses, in order to Tripp up a Bill and cover their Hydes." JEROLD DRUCKER, LAT, 10/14

IS BUSH SOFT ON HATE CRIMES? Politex looks at how the Family Research Council, the Texas Eagle Forum , and an advanced degree in dad-speak helps us understand what is really in the Guv's heart. 10/13

PERRYMANDERING TEXAS: "SOUL BROTHERS" PLAY GOOD COP, BAD COP WITH THE VOTERS.Politex contends that while Bush generally keeps "kinder, gentler" for his presidential run, his "shadow" is "meaner, harsher" for his theocratic backers and privatizing contributors. 10/5