Coffee with the Congressman

Upon receiving notification that my petition for candidacy had been accepted in Austin, I turned my head toward campaigning. I have been telling people who ask about the campaign that I am willing to talk to civic groups and other organizations that are interested in responsible government. In the mean time, I learned that the incumbent congressman was holding “Coffee with the Congressman” events in the Abilene area. Since the one scheduled for Abilene is to be held at Dyess Air Force base (where one has to be pre-approved to be admitted), I decided to attend these events in the surrounding area as I could work them in. I managed to attend the one in Roby on Tuesday, 22 August and in Clyde on Thursday, 24 August.

The coffees were billed as information and feedback sessions, but they had an obvious political slant. I was uncertain of my role (after all, they were his events, not mine) but I certainly had a right to attend as a citizen of the 19th District. He greeted me when I entered the Roby Community Center and I introduced myself and gave him my campaign card. He had heard of my candidacy and remembered meeting before (on a flight from Dallas to Abilene). The group was small, consisting of six attendees besides me, two reporters, and his campaign staff. I couldn’t help thinking that it was a tremendous perk of incumbency to hold these events for which, I presume, the travel expenses for himself and his staff were paid by tax dollars

Mr. Neugebauer discussed the need for border security (displaying a poster for his only visual aid) and the need to fight a global war on terrorism. There was hardly anything controversial in his remarks and I agreed with them. He then discussed the need to be proactive in our security measures, which I agreed with as far as using intelligence here and abroad to thwart future attacks. He was vague on what he included in “proactive security”. I hope he would not include the invasion of Iraq in that category.

He then discussed energy. He brought up the fact that we are presently importing over 60% of our petroleum. But he blamed the “other side of the aisle” and “environmentalists” for the lack of a comprehensive energy policy in this country. He mentioned the Concho water snake controversy specifically, which I found curious since this was an issue in constructing Lake Ivie (a water project having little to do with energy). He said he was a proponent of ethanol, wind energy and nuclear power, all of which I agreed with.

What I found misleading were statements that we “had ample energy resources in this country” and that democrats and environmentalists were to blame for our energy problems. He never mentioned the finiteness of our petroleum reserves, that it’s a matter of when we will run out (not if). We need a comprehensive energy policy and we need it now.

I did not ask any questions after his remarks since I did not want to appear to be disruptive of what was billed as an information and feedback session. I tried to speak with him afterward, but he claimed he was late for another engagement. I did mention to him that I agreed with much that he had to say, but that he and his party were headed in the wrong direction. I also brought up the fact that the war in Iraq has already claimed nearly as many American lives as were lost in the attacks on 9/11.

The meeting in Clyde had more participants (about a dozen) and the format and opening remarks were similar. Topics that were raised during the question period dealt with problems with the drug prescription plan, water resources and unfair trade practices by China. The point that we have “abundant energy resources” was made again. I challenged this statement as I tried to engage him privately afterward. But he again claimed that he must leave immediately for another appointment. I mentioned that I had never heard him say anything about the threat of global warming. He did not say anything as he walked away.

The lack of an energy policy and disregard for the environment are two of the issues that motivated me to run for office. Watch future posts as I present my positions on these issues and why it’s time for a change.

Official acceptance of candidacy

23 August 2003

It’s been a week since I updated my blog on my candidacy. Ginna and I went to Austin last Thursday (17 August) so that I could file my petitions with the Secretary of State first thing on Friday morning. I received more notarized signature pages on Wednesday and Thursday from the following:

Jamie Seal 13
Marsha Harper 20
Karen Hendrick 6
Krystal Bryant 5
Hester Williams 5

Again, many thanks. I obtained some extra signatures during the day on Wednesday and in the parking lot after Wednesday evening Bible class. I totaled them up Wednesday evening and had less than 600, but Thursday afternoon the total was 601. I told Ginna that I was comfortable traveling to Austin with over 600 signatures in hand, so we “made reservations” with her mother (Joyce Gustafson) and decided to drive to Austin so that I could file first thing on Friday morning. We arrived in Austin late Thursday evening and drove by the Jefferson Rusk Building so that I would know where to go. We got to Joyce’s house and I read through the signatures. I became concerned since several of the signatures had some missing information (incomplete address or missing zip code) and some were illegible. We got out the Abilene phone book and filled in the missing information as best we could. It was then that I noticed that my mother had signed twice (the petition that I had and the petition that my sister, Marla, was circulating). I shed a tear and started to mark through one of the signatures. Mom has become forgetful, and would not have done this two years ago. But I decided that if anyone should be allowed to sign twice it should be a mother.

I received a call from the Texas office of Secretary of State on Tuesday morning. I was already at work, but the voice message stated that “enough signatures were verified and your petition for candidacy has been approved”. Of course, I was elated but the physicist in me required me to call back to see how many of the 601 signatures were accepted. It was 549 of the 601 (more than 90% valid!).

So my (write-in) candidacy is now officially recognized by the state of Texas. I am encouraged.

Signature update

Tuesday, 15 August 2006
I returned home from China last Friday. Again, I had a productive trip, it was a good conference, (China-US Medium Energy Physics) and I felt good about the talk I gave. My two daughters (Lela and Laura) and son in law (John Mark) joined me at the conference, taking advantage of the opportunity to see some sights in China. I took an extra week after the conference to visit Lela’s home in Yanji, China. If interested, you can read some of our exploits on her blog at http://www.chinachat.blogspot.com/.

I tried to hit the floor running on Friday and went to my office to touch base with my students. But jet lag takes its toll and I didn’t have enough energy to be very productive.

Over the weekend I called various people who have been helping me get signatures. Obviously, my own signature efforts came to a halt the last two weeks since there were not many eligible signees in eastern China. I had about 350 signatures when I left, not counting others who are helping me. The deadline for appearing personally in Austin (with 500 eligible signatures in hand) is 29 August. So I started calling people that are helping me to send in what they have after having them notarized. I got three packages in the mail today. The signature count as of 11 PM, 15 August, is 513! Many thanks to all who have helped with signatures thus far (listed in the order that I have received them):
Larry Henderson 10
Nilah Turner 20
Marla Bullock 87
Monty and Cheri Rodgers 6
Don Avery 10
Ron Reed 10
Ginna Sadler 8
That’s 151 (notarized) signatures and combined with the 362 that I have obtained it comes to 513. Again, many thanks to all those who have helped. Everyone is busy with their own lives (family, work, errands, etc.) and I feel humbled that you have taken the time to help me in this effort. It feels good to be over the top, and I have a half dozen more people who I will obtain petitions from the next couple of days. Of course, some signatures will be thrown out (illegible, not registered, etc.) so I need some extras. I am carrying my clipboard everywhere I go and will add to the total as time permits.

I hit a low yesterday. Too many things to do, not enough time, etc. But the 500+ signatures have energized me (together with adequate sleep). I still think we’re going to win this race or, at least, have a positive effect on addressing the real issues facing the American people (particularly the people of District 19). I would love to hear from you, to obtain your feedback. Leave me a comment!

Mike

My picture

This picture was taken while I still had a short beard. I was advised to shave the beard by close friends (and wife) upon starting my campaign. One person said "some people will judge you by their first impression, and many people have negative impressions from a beard." Oh well, it wasn't a very good beard, anyway. I just enjoyed not shaving every morning for the past ten years.

Trip to Whitharral

I was scheduled to fly to Beijing, China on Thursday, 27 June, in order to attend a conference entitled “China-US Medium Energy Physics”. I had arranged my itinerary to arrive a few days early in order to have some time to sightsee with my older daughter Lela. But I received word on Monday that my 88-year-old aunt, Vinita Couch, had passed away and that the funeral was scheduled for Wednesday in Littlefield. I called American Airlines and managed to reschedule my itinerary two days later if I presented a copy of the death certificate when I checked in.

I got off late Tuesday evening and arrived very late at my mom’s house outside Whitharral. When I woke up mom already had made the coffee and was preparing sausage, eggs and biscuits for breakfast. Stanley (my brother), Marla (sister) and Sarah (niece) also came. We enjoyed the breakfast and the visit but had to cut it short in order to get dressed for the funeral that started at 10. Mom announced that she didn’t feel well and wasn’t going to the funeral, which surprised all of us. Mom and Vinita were in laws but quite close, so I knew that she must really be hurting.

Stan conducted the funeral and did an excellent job. It was a true celebration of the life of a dear Christian lady. I saw Floyd and Rachel Price again (uncle and aunt that attended my candidacy announcement in Lubbock) and most of my cousins from the Sadler side. I had to brush up again on what was happening with their children and, in some cases, grandchildren. We went to the home of Harry and Gayle Heckard (Gayle is my cousin, Vinita’s daughter) for lunch. It was good food and fellowship. Everyone wished me well on my campaign, but we didn’t talk much politics.

On Thursday I got up early with mom and watched the West Texas sun rise from her front porch. That’s one of her favorite activities, particularly if she has someone to share it with. She said she was feeling much better. I went to Lubbock to touch base with people who are helping me with signatures and to get on the internet at the Daylight Coffee shop at 19th and Quaker. I caught up on my email, particularly the abstracts that my students are preparing for a nuclear physics meeting this Fall. I called them in Abilene with some edits and suggestions. They’ve been on their own quite a bit this summer as I have been occupied with the campaign. I then went to different elderly care facilities to visit my aunt Fern (mom’s sister) and aunt Florence (dad’s sister). I picked up some signatures from their caretakers since I try to always take my clipboard with me.

I decided to spend one more night with mom. One of the things on my mental “to do” list has been to go to the Whitharral coop gin on a Friday morning when the farmers get together for coffee and donuts at 8 AM. I worked there as a night scales clerk during Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks while I attended Texas Tech and Indiana. It was a good job. After the farmers brought their last trailers in at the end of the day, my duties consisted of weighing an empty trailer every 10-15 minutes and sweeping and mopping the floor before I got off, usually at 8 AM. I had ample time to study my physics texts. I prepared for my preliminary examination there during Christmas break in 1973. The gin was short-handed so I worked from late afternoon to early morning and put in 105 hours in one week. Neither my mom nor Ginna (we had been married six months) were very happy with the situation but I made over $700 during the break. And I passed the preliminary examination in January.

So I showed up shortly after 8 AM with campaign materials in hand. The mood was high, owing to the rain that had come through the night before. Everyone knew about my candidacy (news travels fast in small towns) and almost everyone signed my petition. Many had already signed the petition that Monty Rodgers has been circulating. Both of Monty’s sons are now farming at Whitharral and were there. It was interesting to hear them talk farming. The young guys mostly stood around the periphery while the more established and retired farmers sat at the joined tables. Everyone was talking about the rain, asking how much each other got.

I received my first campaign contribution. Someone I didn’t recognize put a $100 bill in my hand and said “you’re going to need this”. I tried to give it back to him, repeating my phrase “you must like betting on long shots”. But he wouldn’t take it back, so I asked for his name. It was John David Dukatnik, who was just a boy when I left Whitharral. I knew his parents and had taken a class with his mother at South Plains.(I think it was psychology). I apologized for not recognizing him, saying he was in grade school the last time I saw him. He said he remembered me from when I played football, which I thought was odd. I never started a varsity football game in my life and can only remember playing when we were so far behind the game was out of reach.

So now I have my first official donation and I need to set up a bank account for my campaign treasurer, Rachel Eckard. She is doing a good job of reading all the fine print from the Federal Election Commission.

Campaign financing

(originally posted on 20 July 2006)
At the end of my last blog I promised to write about my research trip to Bosnia, Croatia and Russia. Since this is a chronicle of my political life, not my professional one, suffice it to say that the trip was very productive. I gave two talks at a workshop at the University of Tuzla (Bosnia), interacted with two research groups at Rudjer Boskovic Institute (Croatia), and participated in a test run at the Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Physics (ITEP) in Moscow. I even managed to hop down to southern Russia, to Rostov-on-Don, to meet with the church with which I have interacted for years as chair of the Russian Missions Committee at my home church, University Church of Christ in Abilene. It was nice to get away from the campaign for two weeks, to be totally absorbed in my physics presentations and research, and to touch base with my fellow physics collaborators. And to meet with Christians at a church that we have helped established in a country that, not too many years ago, would not have allowed an independent assembly of believers.

But what captured my attention this morning (20 July 2006) was an article in the Abilene Reporter-News (ARN) on the financing of the congressional campaigns in this area of Texas. It was written by Jerry Daniel Reed and Trish Choate. Jerry Reed called me yesterday to ask how much money I had received and spent. Jerry has covered me in the past on my trips to then-exotic places (such as Russia), so I knew I could speak freely with him. I told him I had received nothing (a big fat zero) and had spent little (rental for the two facilities for the announcements came to less than $500, this web site was slightly more than $200 for two years, and the flat screen monitor for the slide presentations was about $1500, but I can use that as a neat TV in my home). Actually, I have received two offers for donations. The first from a Croatian physicist (and a friend/mentoree of mine). I checked the campaign finance laws and learned that foreign nationals are ineligible to contribute. Which was a relief since I would feel uncomfortable accepting money from someone whose salary is a fraction of mine. But I admit I was flattered that he asked to contribute, regardless of the amount. The other person who asked to contribute is an elder at my church whom I respect greatly. He made the offer to Ginna while I was away and she told me about it when I returned. I saw him at church on Sunday and he made a statement to the effect of “let me know how I can help, let me know any way that I can help”. I smiled, saying “you must like betting on long shots at horse races”. I think his reply was “I’ve never bet on a horse race, but I want to help you in what you are doing.” At which point I said “thank you”, smiled and walked away. I have to decide how I will handle contributions. I really think I’m going to win this race, at least if it’s based on issues. I may be deluding myself, but I really cannot understand how anyone can vote for the incumbent (or anyone in the Republican party who has put us through the recent debacles) and still sleep at night.

Getting back to the point, the following is a list of the “campaign war chests” for the three incumbent (Republican) congressmen in and around Abilene, as reported this morning in the ARN:
District 11, Mike Conaway (Midland) $438,412
District 13, Mac Thornberry (Clarendon) $466,447
District 19, Randy Neugebauer (Lubbock) >$1,000,000!
Of course, it caught my eye that the first two candidates reported exact amounts while the incumbent in my district reported “just more than $1 million”. I’ve seen $1,000,000 once, a pile of $1 bills in a museum. It’s a lot of money, at least by some standards.

So, my question is “who gives that kind of money to a campaign”? To me, the answer is obvious: someone who expects a return on their investment and wants to influence future votes in Congress. I’ve actually encountered a few avid Neugebauer supporters in my quest for signatures (less than 10 out of approximately 500 signatures so far). Somehow, they did not strike me as people who could or would make a big contribution to anyone. When I questioned with something like “Tell me why you like Randy Neugebauer” they responded with an (almost automatic) reply such as “Why are you running against a good Republican? Don’t you watch Fox News? “ Again, I walked away, biting my lip.

More later. I (we?) have an uphill battle. I can’t (at least I won’t) compete with “>$1,000,000”. But I have to think that the voters in this district can and will see through the money (and the big billboards and the TV ads to come) and use their heads to vote right! Maybe not for me, but for Robert Ricketts (democrat). Or perhaps Fred Jones (libertarian, whom I have never met and know little about). But we have to find a better congressman than the incumbent who is not addressing the issues and merely follows the party line. His voting record coincided with Tom DeLay 95% of the time, according to information I obtained from the web.

The candidacy announcements

(originally posted 16 July 2006)
It’s been over three weeks since I updated my blog, something that I had intended to do at least every week. I got caught with no time except to attend to the immediate things going on.

The candidacy announcements on Friday, 23 June, went very well, in my opinion. At 10 AM in Abilene at Frontier Texas!, Dr. Ed Enzor served as emcee, Dr. Don Robbins and Dr. Joe Christiensen spoke on our interactions as physicists, and Dr. Carol Williams spoke on my research involvement. All spoke on our personal friendships. I gave my presentation (slides available on the web site) that outlined my personal reasons (obligation?) to enter the race. I was pleased by the turnout. I counted 40 as Ed started the event and more came in later. Rachel Eckard (campaign treasurer) collected signatures during the event.

I did not leave adequate time to talk with the media afterward. We finished shortly before 11 AM and, after short interviews with two television reporters and a quick question from Ken Ellsworth from the Abilene Reporter News, Ginna and I were on the road to Lubbock at 11:05. Two of my students, Dallas May and Zeke Walker, helped put up the chairs and returned the stand that we had used for the monitor display to the Science Building. They also boxed up the monitor and then also headed to Lubbock, about 15 minutes behind Ginna and me. I knew I was cutting it close and wanted to have a backup vehicle in case of car trouble,

Ginna and I got to the Frazier Alumni Pavilion on the Texas Tech campus at a quarter of two, but the entrance was closed on the south side of Jones stadium due to construction. I got out of the vehicle, gathered my laptop and walked through the construction zone to the pavilion. Ginna then drove around Jones Stadium to park. I checked my watch as I walked inside and noted it was 1:50. The first people I saw while walking in were my aunt and uncle, Floyd and Rachel Price.

Then I saw Monty Rodgers. Monty is four years younger than I, but we grew up together near Whitharral. We hunted rabbits, raised pigs, and played a lot of ping pong, among other things. We went to the same church. I had asked another friend, Larry Wade, to speak on my behalf on our common Whitharral roots. Larry had tentatively agreed but had called me earlier in the day (as I was leaving for Frontier Texas!) saying he could not make it. Larry and Monty both still farm near Whitharral. So I asked Monty on the spot if he would be willing to say a few words. I told him we would walk up to the podium at 2:00 PM sharp and he could say whatever he had on his mind. He did just that, off the cuff, and did a marvelous job. Monty has always had a lot of guts, as we used to say at Whitharral.

My sister, Marla Bullock, served as coordinator of the Lubbock announcement and my niece, Sarah Bullock, was the emcee. Dr. Roger Lichti, Texas Tech physics professor, discussed my professional qualifications. Then I gave essentially the same presentation that I had given earlier in the day in Abilene. I deleted a couple of slides and made some minor modifications after getting feedback from a couple of people who called me on my cell phone while en route from Abilene to Lubbock. This time I had ample time to talk with the media afterward. We had refreshments and I enjoyed spending time with extended family as the event died down. Afterward, we went to mom’s house near Whitharral where we spent the night. I fell asleep on the couch as we watched the news to see what the media included in their coverage.

I want to thank everyone who helped with the events in Abilene and Lubbock. Particularly Ginna, who has been a continual source of encouragement and advice. And drove half way to Lubbock while I took a nap.

I plan to report on my research trip to Bosnia, Croatia and Russia in my next blog entry.

Yesterday

(originally posted 22 June 2006)

It’s 5:50 in the morning, 22 June as I write this. Tomorrow I formally announce my candidacy in Abilene at 10 AM (at Frontier Texas!) and in Lubbock at 2 PM (at the Frazier Alumni Center on the Tech campus).

Yesterday was a long day. I had worked until 3 AM the night before and awakened at 6. Three hours is not enough sleep for me and I could already feel it. But I couldn’t go back to sleep so I lay in bed thinking about all the things I had to do. Touch base with my research students to see how they were progressing and to answer questions. Haircut appointment at 10 (more on this later). Buy or borrow a flat panel display to show my Powerpoint presentation at Frontier Texas!. Make some time to work out before the exercise room closed at 2. Participate in Zeke’s (one of my students) McNair presentation at 4. Sandwiched between these appointed activities I needed to work on my presentation, get more signatures, have some meaningful dialog with my students on their projects, And so on.

I ran out of steam around 1 PM. I had gone to my office, gotten my haircut, bought a flat-panel TV, changed to gym clothes and started my workout. I was on the Stairclimber and my gas gauge was on empty. I went through the motions on the various Nautilus machines, but shorted my reps in order to get back to work. I had already received over 20 emails (8 related to the campaign) and they needed attention. I showered and was back in my office around 2. My students (Zeke, Dolapo and Tope) were working outside my office. I planned to join them, but I had received another email from my sister and niece who were contacting the media around Lubbock to invite them to the announcement. I was a little late for Zeke’s presentation and had to fight to stay focused during his half-hour presentation and critique. I made it home about 5:30 and flopped on the bed. I sometimes take a short nap in the afternoon, but the next thing I knew I could hear Ginna preparing dinner and it was almost 7. I didn’t even hear her come home.

I had received some phone calls from church friends who wanted to sign my petition. I told them I would meet them after Bible study in the parking lot. I ate the shrimp gumbo and vegetables (both delicious) that Ginna had prepared, discussed a few things and made it to the church at 7:40, far too late to join any of the classes that were meeting. I walked through the empty auditorium and saw Tom, a newly appointed elder, sitting alone at the front. I announced myself as I came up behind him. It was only then that I realized I had disrupted his meditation, for which I apologized. He invited me to sit down and he asked me when I was leaving for Russia. I leave Monday, assuming my visa makes it. I told him about my decision to run for Congress. He was surprised and interested. He signed my petition. I went to the parking lot and collected several signatures as I passed out my cards. Most people that know me sign immediately, others ask for clarification and every now and then someone hands it back, usually saying “I’ll have to think about it”. Which means no, since they avoid me the next time they see me with a clipboard in hand. But I went to Pete’s coffee shop to fish for a few more signatures before coming home. I now have 285 out of the 500 needed to get my name on the ballot.

Yesterday was a long day.