Finally the primary season is over and we have our Texas ticket for 2014. Yes, it was brutal, nasty, and personal, primarily because of the issues there was not a lot of daylight. So let us review the results.

In the key race, Dan Patrick bested David Dewhurst, who in a classy act as part of his concession speech, endorsed Patrick for Lieutenant Governor. TCR wonders if Dewhurst had run a positive issue oriented campaign, whether he would have done better?

For Attorney General, small firm attorney Ken Paxton bested big firm attorney Dan Branch, with the implied support of Ted Cruz. Paxton can be a fine Attorney General if he hires the best and the brightest, which TCR expects him to do.

For Railroad Commissioner, a next generation candidate and oil and gas engineer, Ryan Sitton, bested his career politician opponent, which is very exciting for the GOP future.

Other important races were State Representative victories for Dennis Paul in District 129 and Mike Schofield in District 132, both of whom will do a fine job.

In our key judicial races, in the 311th District Court, Alicia Franklin crushed the recently resigned, embattled Denise Pratt; and John Schmude bested Meca Walker in a razor close 247th District Court race.

As for TCR's record on the Harris County ballot, every endorsed Candidate prevailed, proving again that responsible conservative endorsements are critical to success in the Harris County GOP primary.

The "new" primary schedule in Texas did not work. Eleven weeks between round one and two is way too long. In the age of the internet, surely we can get overseas and military ballots out and back in four to six weeks.

The problem resulted in significantly more expensive campaigns chasing fewer interested voters. It is also possible the process resulted in more negative campaigning in a vain attempt to get voter's attention. It is time to cut the time between round one and two.

So, let's see, the United States has run the internet without politics and now in the interest of giving it to the United Nations, Obama wants to turn it over.

This idiotic idea means the authoritarian and anti-democratic majority of the United Nations can then control how you use the internet.

Congress needs to flush this stupid idea and fast. Can 2017 come any sooner?

So we know that President Obama learned about the VA scandal while watching TV. This seems how the president learns of scandals in "his" administration. Like Chauncey Gardiner, in the movie "Being There" was famous for saying in response to what do you do, says, "I watch TV." If he is being truthful, he is an empty suit.

The VA scandal tells us what Obamacare will become, what with "Secret Waiting Lists," the VA pays out $1,000,000,000.00 for medical malpractice and Obama's idea is, let's study what happened. Here's an idea, fire the Secretary of the VA, Shinseki.

Just a little check, doesn't the VA like that Obamacare provides lists of free services which create an insatiable demand (hey! it's free)? But, we live in a world of limits so the only way for the VA (Obamacare) to provide universal care or not cut medical care is, surprise, rationing! That's what the VA did, so there are waiting lists for the so-called free services and if you have influence, you move up on the waiting list.

Like so many ideas, maybe we should give Veterans vouchers (medical choice) to buy their own insurance and/or services in the private sector. In fact, that is a good idea for all government medical care.

There are a few recent examples of the Left's efforts to stifle free speech through the forces of political correctness.

First, in Houston where Mayor Parker pushed a so=called anti-discrimination ordinance to protect the rights of gays, lesbians, and transgenders, which, in fact will discriminate against straights. As far as real rights, they are protected by federal laws and a city law is redundant and will encourage more regulation of business by the city. One final thought, Mayor Parker, if we have as big problem as you claim, explain your nine straight city-wide victories.

Second, the same politically correct forces pushed Brandeis University to cancel commencement speaker Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a Muslim woman who is an advocate for women's rights, including fighting against female genital mutilation and the more archaic aspects of Islamic Sharia Law, which allow honor killings. She was canceled as some of "her past statements that are inconsistent with Brandeis University's core values." Which, at a liberal university, means a strong non-belief in free speech. TCR guesses Ayaan was a controversial figure for her stands for real women's rights. Maybe the war on women is coming from the left in America.

In the May 26, 2014, issue of the Houston Chronicle is an expose about the scandal of Democrat politicians on the payroll of the major firms who do tax collection work. We at TCR don't begrudge the Democrats making money, but these large payments to one political party raise serious questions of whether the Democrat recipients are providing any real services besides their influence.

The article says these were partially done to fulfill minority requirements for affirmative action goals. Regardless, Craig McDonald, of Texans for Public Justice is right. "It raises potential conflicts, lawmakers should not be working with or for law firms that are doing business with the state... or Texas government entities."

One other thing, the city requires contractors to devote 24% of their contracts to minority owned businesses, not based on need so the politically connected Democrat insiders get richer, and the truly needy businesses get nada.

Red, White & Blue featuring TCR Editor Gary Polland, liberal commentator David Jones and moderator Linda Lorelle on Fridays at 7:30 pm on PBS Houston Channel 8.1, replaying Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. on Channel 8.1, Mondays at 11:30 pm on Channel 8.2 and on the web at www.houstonpbs.org.

Coming Soon:
Run-off Results and a look to November, with Jay Aiyer and Brandon Rottinghaus.
Chase Untermeyer, Author, When Things Went Right.
John Barr, Author, Loathing Lincoln.
Scott Anderson, Author, Lawrence In Arabia.

The current show as well as past shows are available on YouTube.

Gary Polland is a long-time conservative and Republican spokesman, fund-raiser, and leader who completed three terms as the Harris County Republican Chairman. During his three terms, Gary was described as the most successful county Chairman in America by Human Events - The National Conservative Weekly. He is in his fifteenth year of editing a newsletter dealing with key conservative and Republican issues. The last thirteen years he has edited Texas Conservative Review. As a public service for the last 11 years, Gary has published election guides for the GOP primary, general elections and city elections, all with the purpose of assisting conservative candidates. Gary is also in his 13th year of co-hosting Red, White and Blue on PBS Houston, longest running political talk show in Texas history. Gary is a practicing attorney and strategic consultant. He can be reached at (713) 621-6335.