Clark endorses Gammage's bid at rally here Retired general and ex-presidential candidate says he's returning a favor By KRISTEN MACK Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Retired Army general and former presidential candidate Wesley Clark endorsed Democratic governor candidate Bob Gammage at a rally in Houston on Thursday. "I support Bob Gammage because he's the strongest Democrat in this race and has the most progressive platform for the people of Texas," said Clark, who unsuccessfully sought the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination. "He is a proven leader who will fight for the needs of all Texans, not the lobbyists, the special interests or the powerful partisan elites. He's grown up with Texas values of independence, integrity and commitment to family and neighbors and he will carry those values into the governor's office. I look forward to helping him in his fight to build a better Texas." Gammage was the Texas chair of the 2004 "Draft Wesley Clark" effort. Clark said he was returning the favor Thursday. "General Clark is a great American, great leader, great Democrat and an even better friend," Gammage said. "I'm proud to have him by my side on the trail and know that it will be a great boost to our campaign to build better schools, expand access to affordable health care, clean up our environment and restore integrity to Texas government." Gammage, 67, a former state legislator, congressman and Texas Supreme Court justice, had a 25-year public career before leaving office 10 years ago. Chris Bell, a former Houston congressman and city councilman, is Gammage's most prominent opponent in the March 7 primary. Rashad Jafer is the other Democratic candidate. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/3616404.html Also Dunnam: Jim Dunnam Endorses Gammage House Democratic Caucus Chair says Gammage stands for strong, progressive reform (Austin)//Texas Democrat for Governor Bob Gammage today received the endorsement of Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Jim Dunnam (D-Waco). The endorsement by Dunnam is another sign of the Gammage campaign’s growing momentum and will have a significant impact on the 2006 primary campaign. “It’s an honor to endorse Bob Gammage for Governor,” Dunnam said. “Bob Gammage is strong. He’s got integrity. He’s a fighter. He stands for real reform, and he’s running on a true progressive platform that will make a difference in peoples’ lives.” House Democratic Caucus Chairman Jim Dunnam is one of the top Democratic leaders in Texas. He organized the House Democrats’ journey to Ardmore, OK in protest of the Tom DeLay Congressional Redistricting scheme. He led the House Democrats in opposition to cuts to the Children’s Health Insurance Program. He led the effort to defeat the GOP school finance plans, which would raise taxes on nine of ten Texans and put no new money in Texas schools. He fought tuition deregulation, which has led to skyrocketing college costs; he stood up to the insurance companies when they wanted a blank check and remove consumers’ right to seek justice; and he has been a strong voice against the corrupt GOP political machine, attacking sweetheart lobbying deals that help Rick Perry, DeLay and Tom Craddick’s corporate backers but hurt Texas families. “I am honored to receive the support of a dynamic and respected Democratic leader like Jim Dunnam,” Gammage said. “Jim Dunnam is a hero to Democrats in Texas and across the nation for all of his efforts to stand up to Rick Perry and Tom DeLay – from fighting cuts to children’s health insurance, stopping vouchers, defeating the GOP special interest give-away school finance plans and opposing redistricting. He has helped turn the House Democrats into a cohesive force which stands against the GOP machine and up for the principles and values of Texas families. I am thrilled to have his endorsement and look forward to working with him on this campaign and beyond.” http://www.gammageforgovernor.com/node/59
