Past Contributions

• TribLive: A Conversation with Michael Quinn Sullivan

  By Evan Smith Jan. 12, 2012

  Full video of our 1/12 TribLive conversation with the conservative activist, who heads the watchdog groups Empower Texans and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility. Full Story 

• The Hot Seat: A Conversation with Eiland and Taylor

  By Evan Smith Jan. 4, 2012

  At our Hot Seat conversation at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston on 12/14, state Reps. Craig Eiland, D-Galveston, and Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, discussed cuts to public and higher education and other byproducts of the 82nd Session. Full Story 

• New Perry Ad: "Today is Your Calling, Iowa"

  By Evan Smith Jan. 3, 2012

  In a closing-argument ad replete with dramatic music, quick cuts of fresh-faced Iowans and a couple of clear nods to religion, Gov. Rick Perry asks caucus goers to answer America's call. Full Story 

• In New Online Ad, Dewhurst Touts Perry Praise

  By Evan Smith Jan. 3, 2012

  Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's U.S. Senate campaign has posted a new online ad promoting comments by Gov. Rick Perry that signal support for his bid to succeed Kay Bailey Hutchison but stop short of a full-throated endorsement. Full Story 

• Club for Growth Hits Dewhurst as "Moderate"

  By Evan Smith Jan. 3, 2012

  The bellwether conservative group is running ads attacking the lieutenant governor, who hopes to succeed Kay Bailey Hutchison in the U.S. Senate. Full Story 

• T-Squared: The 2011 Stats

  By Evan Smith Jan. 2, 2012

  So much for the terrible twos. In our second full year in operation, the traffic to our site — measured by unique visitors, visits and page views — was pretty terrific. Full Story 

• In Newest Ad, Perry Pops the Non-Romneys

  By Evan Smith Dec. 29, 2011

  With the Iowa caucuses looming and Rick Perry's campaign failing to tick up in the polls, his newest ad pops his fellow alternatives to Mitt Romney for their many years in Washington, D.C. Full Story 

• New Paul Ad Hits "Washington Machine"

  By Evan Smith Dec. 28, 2011

  In a tough new ad, Iowa caucus frontrunner-of-the-moment Ron Paul takes out after the "Washington machine," "serial hypocrite" Newt Gingrich and "flip-flopper" Mitt Romney. Full Story 

• Updated: Perry Sues Over Virginia Ballot Access

  By Evan Smith Dec. 27, 2011

  Less than a week after he was notified that he would not appear on the GOP primary ballot in Virginia, Gov. Rick Perry's campaign has filed suit in federal court challenging the constitutional validity of the Commonwealth's ballot access rules. Full Story 

• TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

  By Evan Smith Dec. 24, 2011

  Aaronson on Rick Perry's Texas Enterprise Fund, Aguliar on the DOJ's Joe Arpaio problem, Galbraith on the uncertainty about Texas' electric grid, Grissom and Schwartz of The New York Times on the latest in the Michael Morton case, Hamilton on the first leg of Perry's Iowa bus tour, Murphy and McLain unveil our new campaign finance database, Ramsey et al. go live with the first round of our 2012 election brackets, Root on a GOP rival's queries about Perry's pension play, M. Smith contrasts the various school finance lawsuits and Tan, Dehn and Murphy on a shortage of mental health professionals: The best of our best content from December 19-23, 2011. Full Story