Last night, I listened to comments made by Schwertner and Bius at the Bryan/College Station Chamber of Commerce Candidate’s forum on WTAW.  It was interesting, to say the least…as well as eye opening!  Here is what transpired, along with “editorial comments”, which will appear in [xxx].

There was a piece out this morning in The Eagle by Maggie Kiely about the forum, but it really didn’t cover the exchange between Schwertner & Bius in too much detail. [One of the drawbacks to relying on the MSM for detailed coverage of such an event...and  The New Journalism excels at covering these types of events!]

This will be my first “DISPATCH” post for the PUBLIC EYE ON POLITICS series on the Texas SD-5 race. A DISPATCH is just a post with the purpose of informing the reader of developments happening in the race.

OPENING REMARKS

Schwertner – Emphasized he was a family man, married his “medical school sweetheart, is a doctor/small businessman, had long time family ties to SD-5,and represented Texas in 82nd legislature. Worked in endorsements of his campaign by Sen. Steve Ogden, Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, as well as the Texas Farm Bureau — all which were “Past Political Endorsements” of his opponent, Bius, according to information on Bius’ own website, [Good opening shot at his opponent...didn't go on the negative attack...nice one!]

Bius - Opening remark was to tout his campaign slogan “Ben Bius Means Business”, then stammers a bit about “because high time we send business leaders who know how to get things done in Austin…to get things done in Austin”. Says he is a life-long conservative, defender of life, the family and our Constitution. Says we face challenges to our very way of life that don’t come from terrorist, but from very people we have elected to represent us in Washington and in Austin”. {Really Mr Bius…many voters feel that they haven’t gotten their money’s worth out of our current crop of politicians…but to put them on the same level as terrorists…not totally fair. Not as good as Schwertner’s “Opening Swipe” – Advantage SCHWERTNER]. Then Bius rolls out the “Reagan Rant”…and the perpetual Republican crowd favorite, the Jimmy Carter economic comparison to today’s situation in our country. Says the future of TAMU and TDCJ depend on the decision you make here [a little dramatic license Mr. Bius?]. As he continued on about there being 811,000 souls in Texas SD-5, the moderator cut him off for exceeding his allotted time.

QUESTION 1 (to candidates): The Public Utilities Commission is considering regulatory changes designed to make electricity more expensive, designed to increase generator profits. Do you think this is the right approach? Do you think that regulators should changes the rules would therefore make electricity more expensive in Texas? [Who is coming up with a question like this?]

Bius – “No, I don’t think so”. Said coal & natural gas was the way to go to generate electricity. Says Obama Administration & EPA will be the impediments to the process [Since when did Obama and the EPA make Texas PUC policy? Not answering the question Mr Bius!]. Tries to tie jobs at Gen plants in SD-5 to this issue …but in the end, no solution given.

Schwertner – Stated Texas needs a diverse energy portfolio, but included wind, solar and nuclear power, as well to the potential solution mix to the future of energy in Texas. Legislature should promote all forms of cheap, abundant electrical energy.

[Advantage - NEITHER. Both had "pat" answers...nothing about more efficient use or funding for research into alternative methods...three universities in SD-5. Two have excellent engineering schools...why no funds for research to them?]

QUESTION 2: What changes would you propose for school financing, both college and elementary?

Schwertner – Need equitable & sustainable solution, 4.8 million kids in K-12, stop-gap measures not working. stated he would listen, learn and lead on issue. Not a proponent to raising taxes to fund education funding gap. Was able to bring education talk around to spiraling healthcare cost in state…tied it in by saying rising healthcare costs crowds out education and other budgetary needs, then back to the education question, to close his remarks. [Smoothly done Chuck! Someone has been practicing this answer].

Bius – States…”first thing we need to do is secure our borders” [Huh? I thought this was a question about education funding changes]. Went on to develop his thought that an unsecured border is the cause for higher Medicaid costs, higher funding requirements for education, both public & higher…all due to government’s failure to secure the border. [Bius should check out Medicaid eligibility requirements which require recipients to be U.S. Citizen, or a legal resident]. Says education funding issue is “can kicked down the road” and not being addressed by legislature. States a major problem is unfunded mandates, but then rails against standardized testing and that teachers have too much to do besides teach because of administrative interference.  [Previously being a teacher in a Title One school in a district in Texas, I have to agree with Bius, to a point. Standardized testing is needed, because even though I taught at a "recognized" school, more than half the kids in 8th grade that took the TAKS test in Math & Science didn't know their multiplication tables!] Bius made a statement that” school superintendents are being “forced” to do things that they wouldn’t normally do”. [What are these "things" that superintendents are being forced to do and who is "forcing" them to do these things Mr. Bius...inquiring minds would like to know!]  Another indicator Mr. Bius isn’t in touch with the numbers involved in the education budget of Texas because he gave an example of mandates taking teachers away from their core teaching duties, such as paperwork, that taking away 10% of a teachers productive time equates monetarily to “billions” in budget dollars. [ Someone in the Bius campaign should brief their candidate better on budget issues].

[Advantage - Schwertner. He stayed on topic to a larger degree than Bius and has a better command of the facts relating to this issue]

Question 3: On Medicaid: After increasing Medicaid funding each year, the State of Texas has “knocked it back 37%”, there is a hole to begin the new session with. How do you fill that hole? How do you fund Medicaid in Texas?

Schwertner – Demonstrated knowledge of this issue by correcting moderator on real percentage of Medicaid is of the state budget. Says last legislature decided to underfund Medicaid instead of address the problem. Went to Rainy Day Fund (RDF) and the issues in using this as a budgetary tool for balancing the budget. States RDF is growing and should only be used for emergencies like natural disasters. Should examine programs inside medicare and see what is effective, without killing the “safety net”.

Bius – Related a Houston Chronicle story about “doctors fraudulently billing the government for bonuses under Medicare to the tune of $33 million. [The question was on Medicaid, not Medicare. This was possibly an attempt to "poison" things for his opponent, due to the fact that he is a doctor. Sophmoronic move Mr. Bius]. Touted himself as a “free market conservative”. Memorable quote from his response to this question…”Anytime you give somebody something for nothing, there is no end to how much they will consume”. States Government barred by federal law to inquire about citizenship status of a person applying for Medicaid [Again, only U.S. Citizens and legally registered aliens are eligible for status and have to provide proof to be eligible for Medicaid]. One final quote..hoping a change of Presidential administrations will “bring about the rights of Texans to govern Texas” [When did Texans have that right taken away?]

[Advantage - SCHWERTNER. Again, because Mr. Schwertner has a better command of the issue and Mr. Bius' Medicare/Medicaid switch in regards to doctors billing Medicare fraudulently to "paint" his opponent in a "bad light"]

Question 4: The Governor wants basically a “hands-off” approach to the Rainy Day Fund. What are the areas where you think the Rainy Day Fund should be used?

Bius - We live in a balanced budget state. Outside of a normal use of funds during the budget cycle, excess in the RDF should be returned to the people. [By his phrasing, it sounded like Bius felt RDF should be part of regular budgetary consideration for shortfalls].

Schwertner – Felt that squaring away budget deficits and natural disasters would be ok use of rainy day fund. RDF shouldn’t be used for an economic stabilization fund for ongoing expenses. Looking at budget cuts and structure to control spending. Good segue into plug that he was on appropriations committee and a good swipe at “Obamacare”.

[Advantage -NEITHER. Both had lackluster answers in this reviewers opinion]

Question 5: How do you plan to combat illegal immigration in this country? Also, your thoughts on “sanctuary cities”.

Schwertner – Staunch opponent of illegal immigration. Federal government is abject failure at fulfilling its constitutional duties on this matter. Took swipe at Bius saying he opposed compliance programs, such as e-Verify. Sanctuary city policies should be illegal and banned by legislative action.

Bius – Says he was misquoted at a speaking engagement. Says he is for e-Verify, but says the policy of allowing illegal immigrants to get free benefits and not stopping the practice was wrong.  However, penalizing business for giving illegals a job is crazy. Didn’t say he condoned the actions of business, but said the practice of employing undocumented aliens was wrong. Touted program idea that sounded like a documented worker program w/o citizenship. Same as Schwertner on sanctuary cities. Says reason people come from Mexico to Texas is breakdown of the rule of law in Mexico…says Mexico now ruled by “the Law of the Jungle”. Says USA should be an example…”we should be exporting our values, not importing their problems”. [Whoa...I know illegal immigration is a big issue in conservative crowds. However, to characterize the many hard-working individuals coming here to escape the "Wild West" of Mexico for a better life and opportunities for their families as the U.S. "importing" Mexico's problems borders on jingoism and sounds a tad "racist". Remember, what would you do for your family if you were in the same position!]

[Advantage - Schwertner, even though he took a swipe at his opponent based on a potential misquote, Bius comparing illegal immigration to "importing Mexico's problems was WAY OUT OF LINE!]

Question 6: On limiting the term of the Governor by constitutional amendment to two terms.

Bius – Yes.

Schwertner – Yes

[Advantage: TIE]

Question 7: Regarding Texas Dept. of Transportation budget and how best to retire bond indebtedness.

Schwertner – Grow the economy; no tax increase. Continue Texas’ pro-business policies.

Bius – Tried to pin funding shortfalls on shifting money from one appropriated use to another. Tried to take another swipe at Schwertner by reminding audience that Schwertner was on the House Appropriation Committee and they are responsible “shifts, shucks, jives…kicking the can down the road and forcing the problem on the next legislature is appalling’!

[Advantage - Bius, by slight edge on "reform" answer]. Neither said how they would retire the bonds!

Question 8: “Do you support campus carry laws”?

Bius- I do

Schwertner- Same, but reminds audience he is endorsed by the NRA.

[Advantage: Neither. Endorsement of NRA not withstanding.]

Closing Comments:

Schwertner – Thanked B/CS Chamber for hosting the forum. Thanked Senator Ogden for his service in the Senate. Great Quote: “Although Texas faces challenges, I believe the future of Texas is bright and we can solve the problems in our state.” Asked for support and votes on election day.

Bius – “As I said, this race is about the future. Who can lead us into that future, and who has the wisdom and maturity to look out for the soul of Texas A & M…” States he is not a political “insider”.  Another quote “I did not attend the University of Texas and I will not sip that tea!’ [An obvious attempt by Bius to play to the long-standing rivalry between The Longhorns & Aggies. Hey Ben...this isn't a Thanksgiving football rivalry, BUT AN ELECTION with serious issues for the winner to deal with]. Then Bius stated his opponent was part of the Texas Public Policy Foundation and a “member of the Texas A&M Board of Regents [ No Ben, that would be Jim Schwertner, the banker, not Dr. Schwertner, your opponent!] who wants to fundamentally micromanage and change Texas A&M [fear-mongering Ben -- at least get your facts about your opponent straight!]

CLEAR WINNER: SCHWERTNER!!!

Schwertner, while not setting the world on fire during his first session in the Texas Lege, does have a basic command of the facts and issues and didn’t go too negative on his opponent. Mr. Bius, on the other hand, appeared confused at times and demonstrated “substantial holes” in his knowledge of the issues and seemed not to have a problem with courting “the dark side of the force…negative attacks against his opponent. Furthermore, using innuendo to belittle graduates of The University of Texas to gain favor with the A&M crowd at this event in his closing remarks is just moronic, given the fact that a large number of voters in the western half of Texas SD-5 are either University of Texas graduates, or supporters and could be listening as well.

I am looking forward to continuing my coverage of this race between Chuck “Slick” Schwertner and Ben “The Bully” Bius!

TO HEAR THE ENTIRE EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES FROM THIS EVENT…CLICK HERE!

As stated in an earlier post, we will be taking an in-depth look at the race for Texas Senate-District 5 that pits Georgetown’s Dr. Charles Schwertner against Mr. Ben Bius from Huntsville. Dr. Schwertner is currently a State Representative for District 20. Mr. Bius has previously run for office on more than one occasion, being defeated in his latest attempt in March 2010 when he challenged current senator, Steve Ogden for his seat in the Republican primary of 2010.

In this series of posts entitled “Public Eye on Politics”, we are reporting utilizing Web 2.0 technologies. This means the reader/subscriber can follow along as the story unfolds, “watching over our shoulders”, so to speak by receiving update on information we uncover, following the candidates on the campaign trail, giving the reader a front row seat into the world of a Texas political race.

In the next installment, we will start examining one candidate in depth. Blackflagmedia.com will use information from the candidate’s websites, their public statements, public disclosure documents and interviews to put together a fair and accurate look at who each candidate is, their positions on the issues, and why is it that they feel they are the best to represent the 5th Senate District of Texas.

In order to see which candidate will be examined first in this process, I am flipping a coin as I write this post, heads-Schwertner, tails-Bius…and the lucky winner is…Mr. Ben Bius!

So, in my next post, we will examine Mr. Ben Bius and start “peeling back the layers of the onion”!