[Houston Mayoral Race] Locke vs Parker

[TreeRollins]

Now that it is down to two, who are you voting for?

[JuanValdez]

I voted Parker in the first run, but I could easily flip-flop.

[Batman Jones]

I voted Parker and could flip too. My vote was strictly ID politics. I think either would be an unremarkable but solid caretaker.

[Batman Jones]

I wonder: can you vote in a Houston runoff if you didn't vote in the original election? (I did vote, but I can't remember the rule.)

[pgabriel]

I would've voted for Parker had I hadn't mixed up my polling place. ugggghhhh

[DonnyMost]

I wonder: can you vote in a Houston runoff if you didn't vote in the original election? (I did vote, but I can't remember the rule.)

Of course you can.

[TreeRollins]

Main reason I don't want Parker to be mayor...

City election casts cloud over Dynamo stadium

While Houston Dynamo players think about their playoff rematch with Seattle on Nov. 8, team executives are keeping an eye on another date.

While the Major League Soccer team awaits pending approval — or a thumbs down — from Harris County for a tax financing structure that would make the team’s long sought-after downtown stadium a reality, another potential political hurdle has popped up.

Although the city has already set aside the land for the 22,000-seat venue near Minute Maid Park under the watch of Mayor Bill White, the results of the Nov. 3 municipal election might cloud the stadium picture.

A recent television campaign ad by mayoral candidate and City Controller Annise Parker, for example, specifically mentions her opposition to new sports venues. “I won’t raise taxes or cut police to fund more stadiums we can’t afford,” the ad states.

Though the team has not made a public endorsement, Oliver Luck, Dynamo president, is privately backing attorney Gene Locke’s bid to be mayor.

As City Attorney and later in private practice, Locke worked alongside the Harris County Sports Authority during negotiations to fund and construct other downtown sports stadiums such as Toyota Center and Reliant Stadium during Luck’s four-year tenure as CEO of the sports authority before taking over as Dynamo president in 2005.

Meanwhile, some Dynamo fans are chipping in on cyberspace to try to sway the vote.

A recent e-mail message from the Facebook group “Home for the Dynamo,” cites an anonymous quote from a Dynamo official endorsing Locke and also links to Parker’s campaign ad on YouTube.

Majority Dynamo owner Anshutz Entertainment Group is expected to pick up the tab for $60 million of the $80 million total stadium cost. Other smaller pieces of the financing puzzle could include tax credits as part of the U.S. Treasury’s flow-through from the federal stimulus package.

New York firm Populous, which created the new Yankee Stadium, is project designer for the Dynamo stadium.

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/blog/2009/10/city_election_casts_cloud_over_dynamo_stadium.html

[tested911]

Funny I didn't know Parker was Gay? Have nothing against Gay's it's just that this is a position in Houston in the state of Texas.. I'm amazed because I thought this was a very conservative state? Put it frankly it is hard for me to show support for Obama at my work(Gas company)... :p

[Dave_78]

Funny I didn't know Parker was Gay? Have nothing against Gay's it's just that this is a position in Houston in the state of Texas.. I'm amazed because I thought this was a very conservative state? Put it frankly it is hard for me to show support for Obama at my work(Gas company)... :p

Not to derail but every time I have mentioned being met with hostility at work when I mention supporting Obama (or being atheist) a group of people here claim they also live in Houston and have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about.

I work in the energy industry also and I feel your pain. I suspect those that don't experience the anti-Obama/anti-Dem attitudes are either still in school or work in the arts or entertainment industries.

[TSchmal]

Funny I didn't know Parker was Gay? Have nothing against Gay's it's just that this is a position in Houston in the state of Texas.. I'm amazed because I thought this was a very conservative state? Put it frankly it is hard for me to show support for Obama at my work(Gas company)... :p
It would be shocking. If the chron.com Commons demographic is any indicator, there certainly is an inordinate amount of wingnut conservatives in and around Houston, so it would be surprising that they would vote for a gay mayor.

Almost as surprising however, would be that they vote for a black mayor.

[Supermac34]

It would be shocking. If the chron.com Commons demographic is any indicator, there certainly is an inordinate amount of wingnut conservatives in and around Houston, so it would be surprising that they would vote for a gay mayor.

Almost as surprising however, would be that they vote for a black mayor.

The mayor before Bill White was black (Lee Brown), so it really wouldn't be that surprising at all.

Also, the city of Houston is actually fairly liberal. Most of the bastions of conservatism are outside city limits.

[rhino17]

I wonder: can you vote in a Houston runoff if you didn't vote in the original election? (I did vote, but I can't remember the rule.)
I would hope so, but it wouldn't matter cause no one is gonna vote anyway. I cannot vote because I live in West University. We have to live by Houston City law for the most part, but I am unable to vote for the Mayor.

[tested911]

I would hope so, but it wouldn't matter cause no one is gonna vote anyway. I cannot vote because I live in West University. We have to live by Houston City law for the most part, but I am unable to vote for the Mayor.

Seriously? West University is what 5 minutes from downtown without traffic.

[Batman Jones]

I would hope so, but it wouldn't matter cause no one is gonna vote anyway. I cannot vote because I live in West University. We have to live by Houston City law for the most part, but I am unable to vote for the Mayor.

Yeah but you can still smoke cigarettes at The Marquis II, so there's that.

[finalsbound]

Not to derail but every time I have mentioned being met with hostility at work when I mention supporting Obama (or being atheist) a group of people here claim they also live in Houston and have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about.

I work in the energy industry also and I feel your pain. I suspect those that don't experience the anti-Obama/anti-Dem attitudes are either still in school or work in the arts or entertainment industries.

Dude, I feel your pain. I work at a conservative talk radio station.

[JuanValdez]

Not to derail but every time I have mentioned being met with hostility at work when I mention supporting Obama (or being atheist) a group of people here claim they also live in Houston and have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about.

I work in the energy industry also and I feel your pain. I suspect those that don't experience the anti-Obama/anti-Dem attitudes are either still in school or work in the arts or entertainment industries.

I also work for an energy company and don't get the same persecution here or the previous energy company I worked for. I avoid politics at work as a rule, but I wouldn't fear the reception I'd get if I sang Obama's praises there. My old boss was an outspoken democrat; she got some ribbing occasionally but not hostility.

I think maybe there is just something about you that makes people want to pick on you. :p

[rocket3forlife2]

i voted for Brown in the election. I guess I will vote for Locke doing the election.

[rocket3forlife2]

I meant to say I will vote for Locke doing the runoff.

[Smokey]

I would hope so, but it wouldn't matter cause no one is gonna vote anyway. I cannot vote because I live in West University. We have to live by Houston City law for the most part, but I am unable to vote for the Mayor.

Want to be annexed so you can vote?

I bet 99% of West U. residents would say hell no.

[serious black]

I voted Locke in the first round.
I think it would really be swell to have a gay mayor, but she is too fiscally conservative for me.
This race is really bothering me because I know how much it would mean to have a gay mayor of a major city and honestly, I may end up switching at the last minute for that reason alone, but if Parker were straight, it wouldn't be a contest for me. Listen to her rhetoric and look at her record. Fiscally, which is the main thing that matters in a mayor, she is a moderate Republican.
I believe the city needs to spend money on social services, rail, museums, a soccer stadium, downtown revitalization and the like. These are my important issues. Parker's important issues are putting more cops on the street and being responsible with our tax dollars.
I expect the former mayor she would be the most like is Bob Lanier. Technically he was a Democrat, but just barely. Always finding excuses not to spend money on things besides cops and halted rail for six years.
What I like about Bill White is that he has been proactive and unafraid to do big things. He spent money and everyone benefited.
Locke also seems to want to do big things. That's what I want out of my mayor. I am a Democrat. I like big government and believe that everyone benefits when the government spends money to get things done and helps the city grow in a smart way without forgetting the less fortunate.
I recognize that there are a lot of people that agree with Parker's brand of small, cautious government. They are Republicans.
This race is really fascinating to me. The right has to either vote for the big government money spender or for the lesbian. The left has to either vote for the one that wants to cut services or vote against what may be the only chance in a generation of electing an openly gay mayor of a major US city.
I didn't finalize my vote for Locke until November 3rd. I probably wont finalize my vote this time until December 12th.

[Scarface281]

Seriously? West University is what 5 minutes from downtown without traffic.

Doesn't matter how close it is. It isn't in Houston's city limits. It's the same way with places like Cinco Ranch, Atascocita, Cypress, etc. Can't vote for any mayor for any city.

[ryan_98]

debate tomorrow (today)...
and
parker holds a lead.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6755274.html

Poll: Parker has an edge in still-fluid race
But Locke could pull out a win if ‘huge pool’ of undecided voters breaks his way
By BRADLEY OLSON
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Dec. 6, 2009, 12:02AM

City Controller Annise Parker holds a slight advantage over former City Attorney Gene Locke just a week before the Dec. 12 runoff, according to the latest Houston Chronicle poll.

While the race for Houston mayor remains too close to call, Parker's 5.5 percentage point lead stems from advantages among several demographics, including women, whites, Hispanics and self-identified independent voters.

[logicx]

I made a mistake, I thought it said who would you vote for but oh well, my vote counts here anyway. I don't think I can vote in the actually runoff because I'm not in city limits. I did watch part of the mayoral debate on KHOU, channel 11 tonight and it just seemed like Gene Locke torched Parker badly. I mean, he was assertive, aggressive, spoke clearly, was open, quickly made a point and didn't seem like he tried to hide anything. Parker seemed a little laid back, sleepy, I don't know...

He wasn't even that close to her in the first election, it'd be interesting to see if he can beat her in the runoff.

[rhino17]

Doesn't matter how close it is. It isn't in Houston's city limits. It's the same way with places like Cinco Ranch, Atascocita, Cypress, etc. Can't vote for any mayor for any city.
yet we have to live by Houston city law

[REEKO_HTOWN]

Voting for Parker.

Couldn't care less for Dynamo stadium. They'll get it eventually.

[Cohete Rojo]

It would be shocking. If the chron.com Commons demographic is any indicator, there certainly is an inordinate amount of wingnut conservatives in and around Houston, so it would be surprising that they would vote for a gay mayor.

Almost as surprising however, would be that they vote for a black mayor.

He can't help that he is black but she can help the fact that she is gay.

My vote goes to Locke.

[rhadamanthus]

He can't help that he is black but she can help the fact that she is gay.

My vote goes to Locke.

This is offensive on about 14 different levels.

[mc mark]

He can't help that he is black but she can help the fact that she is gay.

My vote goes to Locke.

WOW!!! :(

[leroy420]

Voting for Parker.

Couldn't care less for Dynamo stadium. They'll get it eventually.

Not true. They'll leave town if a deal isn't in place soon.

[leroy420]

He can't help that he is black but she can help the fact that she is gay.

My vote goes to Locke.


WTF is wrong with you?

[REEKO_HTOWN]

He can't help that he is black but she can help the fact that she is gay.

My vote goes to Locke.
I hope your just trolling because if your not.....God help us all.

[JuanValdez]

I believe the city needs to spend money on social services, rail, museums, a soccer stadium, downtown revitalization and the like. These are my important issues. Parker's important issues are putting more cops on the street and being responsible with our tax dollars.
I expect the former mayor she would be the most like is Bob Lanier. Technically he was a Democrat, but just barely. Always finding excuses not to spend money on things besides cops and halted rail for six years.
What I like about Bill White is that he has been proactive and unafraid to do big things. He spent money and everyone benefited.
Locke also seems to want to do big things. That's what I want out of my mayor. I am a Democrat. I like big government and believe that everyone benefits when the government spends money to get things done and helps the city grow in a smart way without forgetting the less fortunate.
I recognize that there are a lot of people that agree with Parker's brand of small, cautious government. They are Republicans.

Thanks. That was very helpful for me, thinking about this election.

[TSchmal]

He can't help that he is black but she can help the fact that she is gay.

My vote goes to Locke.
You, sir, are hilarious.

[raj87]

I hope Gene Locke wins, because he knows my dad, and my dad has donated many dollars to his campaign.

I also believe that Bill White will win the democrat nomination, and go on to win the governourship from Rick Perry!

My neighbor said that if Locke wins, Bill White's campaign slogan should be "In before Locke" :grin: :p

[Mulder]

I made a mistake, I thought it said who would you vote for but oh well, my vote counts here anyway. I don't think I can vote in the actually runoff because I'm not in city limits. I did watch part of the mayoral debate on KHOU, channel 11 tonight and it just seemed like Gene Locke torched Parker badly. I mean, he was assertive, aggressive, spoke clearly, was open, quickly made a point and didn't seem like he tried to hide anything. Parker seemed a little laid back, sleepy, I don't know...

He wasn't even that close to her in the first election, it'd be interesting to see if he can beat her in the runoff.

Really? I watched it (although I live outside the city limits so I can't vote) and thought he bumbled and mumbled through most of his "answers". (Quotes because he didn't seem to answer much, just restate the position that he was called on to explain.)

He is either a brilliant attorney who is a master at being evasive or a goof.

edit: Let me add that I am not a big fan of Parker either . I don't think a watered down Republican is the right answer for Houston right now.

[ubigred]

I hope Locke wins.

Houston needs a Mayor that will continue what Mayor White did.

Houston is the 4th largest city in the country and needs to improve on rail operations,Dynamo Stadium funding , and somehow someway bringing the Olympics to the city.

POINT BLANK.

[Mrs. Valdez]

I wish I didn't live in the Third Ward when it comes to elections. They send different flyers here than what everyone else seems to get. All I've gotten from Locke's campaign is flyer after flyer about how he's going to be tough on crime and will put more cops on the street. It's all he spoke about to KUHF yesterday. The flyers also give a long list of black community leaders who support him. It makes it sound as if he doesn't plan much in the way of changes for Houston. It also makes it sound as if he will be primarily concerned with the welfare of the black community and will fail as a mayor for the whole city.

It is a relief to hear that you are all getting different messages from him. In the even that despite my vote he does get elected, perhaps it won't be so bad for Houston.

[Smokey]

yet we have to live by Houston city law

You also don't pay Houston city taxes, next.

[DonnyMost]

Known Parker since I was a student at UH. She always struck me as very insightful and bright. I trust her. Voted for her.

[serious black]

I have changed my mind and will be voting for Annise Parker today. Gene Locke has had ample time to say that he does not want the support of bigots and has done just the opposite. While I still think that Locke would be better on rail and urban development in general, I just can't support him.

[solid]

I can't vote (don't live in Houston), but if I could, I would vote for Parker because she is a fiscal conservative. Her personal life is her business.

[gifford1967]

I have changed my mind and will be voting for Annise Parker today. Gene Locke has had ample time to say that he does not want the support of bigots and has done just the opposite. While I still think that Locke would be better on rail and urban development in general, I just can't support him.


That is a principled position. If I lived in Houston that would be my call.

[Batman Jones]

That is a principled position. If I lived in Houston that would be my call.

Agreed. I was persuaded by serious' earlier post to give Locke a look, but came to the same conclusion he did after all the Hotze BS.

I'm not a big Parker fan but Locke has made me really hope she wins.

[DonnyMost]

Locke torpedoed his own ship.

[rhino17]

Any know any early results?

[Batman Jones]

Locke torpedoed his own ship.

I wouldn't go that far. There are still more anti-gay votes than anti-hate ones in this town I'd venture. Figure it's gonna come down to who turns out. Bigotry is a great motivator.

[pgabriel]

Early voting really close, 50.4 to 49.6 parker leading

[Batman Jones]

Congratulations to Annise Parker. Even bigger congratulations to the City of Houston. This is a historic night.

[Rocket River]

Congratulations to Annise Parker. Even bigger congratulations to the City of Houston. This is a historic night.

I hope she is as good as Mayor Bill!
Heck . . I'll shoot for the stars . . I hope she is better

Rocket River

[Ari]

Who is the hot Black girl on Parker's immediate left hand side? She is really cute

[Icehouse]

I wish I didn't live in the Third Ward when it comes to elections. They send different flyers here than what everyone else seems to get. All I've gotten from Locke's campaign is flyer after flyer about how he's going to be tough on crime and will put more cops on the street. It's all he spoke about to KUHF yesterday. The flyers also give a long list of black community leaders who support him. It makes it sound as if he doesn't plan much in the way of changes for Houston. It also makes it sound as if he will be primarily concerned with the welfare of the black community and will fail as a mayor for the whole city.

It is a relief to hear that you are all getting different messages from him. In the even that despite my vote he does get elected, perhaps it won't be so bad for Houston.

Something real minor and said mainly in a joking way, but we don't call Third Ward "the" Third Ward. Lol....

[astros148]

lol all those New yorkers are going be talking mad ****

[solid]

This is just the tip of the iceberg of the growing revolt against deficit spending; wait til 2010. Some long time U.S. Senators and Representatives are running 25 to 45% behind in the polls. Congress is not listening, but they will. Congratulations to Mayor Parker, she seems like a nice person and her politics are right on.

[bigtexxx]

Congratulations to Annise Parker. Even bigger congratulations to the City of Houston. This is a historic night.

Agreed. It's great to have our first Rice University alumnus as mayor of Houston!

[mc mark]

WOW!!!

Congratulations Houston! You should be very proud of yourself!

[Faos]

Does this mean the Dynamo can kiss their stadium goodbye?

[Shovel Face]

WOW!!!

Congratulations Houston! You should be very proud of yourself!

Who are you, our Mom?

[Buck Turgidson]

Who are you, our Mom?
Your mom.

I'll echo the "congrats" to my hometown. I didn't follow the race at all, not living there any more, but I have to say I'm proud of the result. The less influence the Hotzes et al have in local politics, the better.

[ItsMyFault]

We have a gay mayor now. :(

[DonnyMost]

Who are you, our Mom?

No, but if he illicits that much unprovoked hate from you, he's obviously your BBS daddy.

[DonnyMost]

We have a good mayor now. :(


FIFY.

[mc mark]

We have a gay mayor now. :(


It's not this first time, it's just the first time you knew about it.

[rhino17]

We have a gay mayor now. :(
upsetting?

[Rocket River]

FIFY.


From your lips to gods ears.
If she continues the works of our last Good Mayor . . .Mayor Bill
Then I'm good.

Rocket River

[ItsMyFault]

It's not this first time, it's just the first time you knew about it.

Ah, good way to put it.

[mc mark]

Ah, good way to put it.

can I ask why that seems to upset you?

[KingCheetah]

Agreed. It's great to have our first Rice University alumnus as mayor of Houston!

That's not bad after 95+ years.

[ItsMyFault]

can I ask why that seems to upset you?

Because I'm anti-gay... I'm also a sexist when it comes to politics. I just don't think women can get it done in governmental issues.

[Kam]

say bye bye to the Dynamo?

[krnxsnoopy]

say bye bye to the Dynamo?

No don't say bye, say HEYYYYYYYY!!!!!! ;)

http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd329/DrSugarRay/Commentaries/Heyyyyyy.jpg

[mc mark]

Because I'm anti-gay... I'm also a sexist when it comes to politics. I just don't think women can get it done in governmental issues.

okay

good luck with that

[ItsMyFault]

okay

good luck with that

Good luck with what? I'm not a politics person in general though, so I could care less about who is mayor. lol

[Scarface281]

say bye bye to the Dynamo?

Yeah, that and more rail transit throughout the city. I liked Locke's stance on those things, but like Parker more overall.

[B-Bob]

Agreed. It's great to have our first Rice University alumnus as mayor of Houston!

You mean alumna, unless you have some breaking news. :p

[rocketsjudoka]

Great news for Houston and the country and as another friend of mine said Houston has come a long way since the Louis (Shoot all the queers) Welch days.

[JayZ750]

Good luck with what? I'm not a politics person in general though, so I could care less about who is mayor. lol

Yet for some reason you decided to venture into the D&D forum (which is 75%+ politics), find the Houston mayoral race thread, open it, read it and finally post in it, multiple times, as if you do care. Strange :rolleyes:

Clearly you do care, and wanted to express your bigoted view in this thread, so did so.

[bigtexxx]

You mean alumna, unless you have some breaking news. :p

my use of that word was not completely unintentional

[jo mama]

We have a gay mayor now. :(

bfd - we already had a gay president.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XLsmYse0MCw/SdjX_rEBjJI/AAAAAAAAArU/ORIAIhsvQiM/s400/bush_abdullah_holding_hands.jpg

first iowa, now h-town! keep it progressive yallz!

[rhino17]

You also don't pay Houston city taxes, next.
except we do

[ItsMyFault]

Yet for some reason you decided to venture into the D&D forum (which is 75%+ politics), find the Houston mayoral race thread, open it, read it and finally post in it, multiple times, as if you do care. Strange :rolleyes:

Clearly you do care, and wanted to express your bigoted view in this thread, so did so.

Well.... I just read the front of the Chronicle. Surely thought there was a thread in here.. so I came in here... posted my upfront view.. as people do on message boards... and then answered a question by someone. I don't really care though... just noticed we had a gay mayor on Chron so I posted... what's the big deal? I do not care.

[jo mama]

... just noticed we had a gay mayor on Chron so I posted... what's the big deal? I do not care.

your 'sad face' emoticon implied otherwise.

[tierre_brown]

your 'sad face' emoticon implied otherwise.

as does his extremely colorful signature :grin:

[ItsMyFault]

your 'sad face' emoticon implied otherwise.

Geez... can't you just treat me like SwoLy? I didn't really mean to make it seem like it was that important to me... just a damn smiley.

as does his extremely colorful signature :grin:

Hey, hey, hey, hey.... let's not go there buddy.

[JuanValdez]

Something real minor and said mainly in a joking way, but we don't call Third Ward "the" Third Ward. Lol....

Who is "we"? Apparently, "we" don't all agree. Personally, I switch back and forth between using the article and dropping it. It's good both ways.

EDIT: I heard Parker this morning saying Locke was a rookie who made all kinds of rookie mistakes. And, that a mayor's race was "no time to take the training wheels off." Not a very classy way to start her service.

[JeopardE]

Who is "we"? Apparently, "we" don't all agree. Personally, I switch back and forth between using the article and dropping it. It's good both ways.

EDIT: I heard Parker this morning saying Locke was a rookie who made all kinds of rookie mistakes. And, that a mayor's race was "no time to take the training wheels off." Not a very classy way to start her service.

Yeah, that surprised me. While what she said was true, you're supposed to be gracious to your opponent in victory. That to me smacks of bitterness over the anti-gay groups that lobbied against her leading up to the election. Not very classy.

But yeah, Locke screwed up big time. And this election is just the latest example of why the religious right still just doesn't get it (and I say this as a Christian).

[jo mama]

Geez... can't you just treat me like SwoLy? I didn't really mean to make it seem like it was that important to me... just a damn smiley.

but it wasnt a smiley...it was a saddy.

[TreeRollins]

Because I'm anti-gay... I'm also a sexist when it comes to politics. I just don't think women can get it done in governmental issues.

WTF? Well at least you are honest.