Local, Regional Democrats Turn Out for East Texas Summit
Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel—August 22nd, 2009
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Schieffer outlined his vision for the future of Texas education Saturday afternoon during the East Texas Democratic Caucus Summit at the Hotel Fredonia. Schieffer, a former U.S. ambassador to Australia and Japan from Fort Worth, voiced concern over Texas’ increasing drop-out rate and “teaching-to-the-test” approach he says educators currently use.
“I think we have to have an educational system that gets started earlier and is available to (children) longer,” he said.
Schieffer suggested getting children in the public school system as early as 3 or 4 years old, noting that at that age, Texas educators can have a “tremendous impact” on them.
“I think we have to believe in public education, and that every child can be educated,” he said. “I think that we’re making a mistake when we think that one size fits all. We need to get an educational system that fits the kid, not the kid that fits the educational system.”
In addition, Schieffer also took time to address his views on health care.
He pointed out that Texas has more uninsured children than any other state and how some state programs, such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program, provide less service for more money, a practice he refers to as “bad public policy.”
He said he was aware that many East Texans are worried about the direction the state is headed — whether they will be left out of jobs and technology — and he wanted to assure them that if he is elected governor, he will do everything he can “to make it a part of a growing, vibrant Texas.”
When asked how his experiences as a U.S. ambassador could help him as the governor, he replied that it gives him a chance to step back and see how Texas can compete or not compete with the rest of the world.
“I think it will also help tremendously in dealing with problems in Mexico, because I think we have to have better diplomatic solutions if we’re going to relieve the pressure for illegal immigration that exists out there today,” he said. “We have to work with Mexico as a partner, and I think my diplomatic experience will help in that.”
In addition to Schieffer, the summit brought together a number of other Democratic candidates running for office in the 2010 election, including former state Comptroller John Sharp, who is running for the U.S. Senate.
Stephen Wright, Nacogdoches County Democratic Chairman, said Sharp addressed a number of “bread-and-butter” issues, but made a special note of the importance of having a Democratic senator from Texas.
Jeff Weems, a Houston-based energy attorney running for Texas Railroad Commissioner, spoke of promoting natural gas as a transportation fuel and some of his other plans he has for Texas energy, if elected.
He noted that unlike most of the current commissioners, he has no interest in running for any other office, and he plans to focus all of his energy on helping Texas, rather than preparing for another campaign once elected.
In between speakers, Democratic activists and county and precinct chairmen attended a host of workshops aimed at giving them the tools to turn out the votes in the upcoming election, said Sharon Teal, summit president.
