Politics & Government

10. Mayor Tom Leppert presents a Mavs jersey to Mayor Huang Xingguo during his trip to China…

Governor Rick Perry sent us a Christmas card — awful nice of him, though I wish I could tell where he went to college. So, in the spiriting of giving, we figured we’d share — along with his list of who’s been naughty but who he was nice enough to…

Courtesy the Obama-Biden Transition Project — which I keep confusing with the Alan Parsons Project — this photo from Friday’s press conference during which the president-elect named former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk the chief U.S. trade representative. Already made it my wallpaper. And Valentine’s Day card. Still, though, need a…

Hey, hey, hey — look who landed on CBS’ The Early Show this morning to talk about President-elect Barack Obama’s controversial (no, really?) decision to choose Rick Warren as the dude to deliver the opening prayer at the inauguration. Why, it’s our old pal Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church…

On the morning their pops gave the okee-doke to a $17-billion auto industry bailout, Jenna Hager and Barbara Bush tell People they’re, well, kinda surprised by how Dubya was received during his stay in the White House. And far as both are concerned, they’re ready for Dad to move back…

Captain Ronald Tiberius Kirk will be promoted to admiral this morning, after which time he will have to deal with the Trade Federation, no easy task there. Hunh. I feel like I’ve confused some things here. President-elect Barack Obama will name First Buddy Ron Kirk the chief U.S. trade representative…

Earlier today, we posted the comment from former mayoral candidate (and current candidate for Dallas County judge) Sam Coats regarding the death of Jennifer Gale. Gale didn’t do as well as Coats in the 2007 battle for Dallas mayor, but she was able to finish ahead of John Cappello and…

See, told you: No way former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk would be named secretary of anything by President-Elect Barack Obama — all that lobbying, yech. (Or not.) Nope, ever since Monday it’s looked more and more likely that First Buddy Kirk would be tapped for something a little less high-profile:…

A Friend of Unfair Park, who’s clearly in the holiday spirit, suggested we head back over to the White House’s “A Red, White and Blue Christmas 2008” page, if only to check out local (and regional) pols’ choice of ornaments hanging from the White House Christmas Tree. And, sure enough,…

In early November, KTVT-Channel 11 busted 14 Dallas Fannie Mae employees for teeing off at the Cowboys Golf Club in Grapevine — 22 days after the feds took over Fannie Mae, whoops. Said the CBS affiliate, taxpayers coughed up $6,279.26 for the golf outing, which “outraged” Rep. Jeb Hensarling. So…

This morning, a Friend of Unfair Park directed our attention to The New York Times’ page featuring Barack Obama’s “New Team” — those folks who’ve either been appointed to the new administration or who’re being rumored for the short list of maybe-so’s. And nowhere on the page does former Dallas…

Congratulations are in order for Hector Nieto, the tireless, effective communications director for the Texas Democratic Party, who today was named the Chief of Staff for State Senator-Elect Wendy Davis out of Tarrant County, pictured at right. “This was going to be a good opportunity for me,” says Nieto. “Senator-Elect…

Patrick Michels When given the opportunity to explain his actions, Mayor Tom decided to keep his mouth shut.In this week’s paper version of Unfair Park, council member Angela Hunt and political consultant Pat Cotton spoke out loud and proud concerning Mayor Tom Leppert’s recent command to stop the broadcast of…

Flickr photo: Obama__Dallas (Adam Jefferson) Ron Kirk, speaking briefly at an Obama victory party at Gilley’s on Election Night On November 5, the day after his friend Barack Obama was elected president, former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk told Unfair Park he had “no expectations” concerning an appointment to Obama’s cabinet…

A Friend of Unfair Park wonders why I haven’t mentioned anything about Rep. Smokey Joe Barton’s decision to introduce a bill to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce that calls for the eradication of the Bowl Championship Series. Um … because I thought he was joking? What’s that? He’s…

Yesterday, The Dallas Morning News ran a piece about how Mark Langdale, president of the George W. Bush Library Foundation, is shaping the vision for the $300 million facility due to open on the SMU campus in, oh, ’bout five years give or take. Thus far, only two astute DallasNews.com…

In last week’s paper version of Unfair Park, we took a look at the local GOP through the eyes of Dallas County Republican Party chair Jonathan Neerman. One of Neerman’s critics, Texas Workforce Commission chair (and my former boss) Tom Pauken, says Barack Obama was an important reason why the…

As we mentioned here a couple months ago, Ann Margolin seemed like a tough candidate to beat in May for Mitchell Rasansky’s open city council seat. However, comments she made to us about a certain $520 million boondoggle may have sparked Mayor Tom and others to find someone who will…

Two over-the-weekend follows to last week’s news concerning George and Laura Bush’s impending move to 10141 Daria Place. One comes from former Observer-er Ann Zimmerman, who gave Wall Street Journal readers a peek at the soon-to-be-ex-president’s neighborhood, where not all the neighbors are happy about Bush’s new address. Says one,…

After nearly three hours of discussion, the city council wrapped up yesterday’s briefing on the proposed strengthened smoking ordinance seemingly prepared to vote on the item at next week’s agenda meeting. Council members appear poised to approve a ban on smoking in bars, pool halls and within 15 feet of…

Back in June, Mayor Tom Leppert tried to slip some changes into the city council’s rules of procedure without asking input from his colleagues, but his plan was derailed when Angela Hunt took issue with one of the changes that would have eliminated the morning open-microphone session. Most recently, the…

Tom Schieffer — you remember him, right? Former president of Your Texas Rangers. Co-owner of the team too, with some dudes named Rusty Rose and George W. Bush. Oversaw construction of the Ballpark in Arlington. Served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives. Brother of CBS’ Bob. Right, that…