Tom Schieffer for Governor of Texas

It was a pleasure to see Tom Schieffer this past Saturday in Fort Worth.

He and I spoke of Texas politics and shared some stories. I told him a story about my congressional race for U.S. Congress against the "Menace from Ennis" a few years ago and he laughed. It seemed that he remembered things about my campaign that I had forgotten. He is a man you quickly want to call your "friend" because he is the type of person who will help his friends. If you meet Tom Schieffer, you will notice that he is a quick, smart, dignified, diplomatic and impressive man. His style is that of a diplomat, and he gives a powerful impression. Tom has a brilliant mind, and contacts from throughout the world, who respect him. He has convictions, and a sense of integrity.

Tom Schieffer reminds people of Lloyd Bentsen, and no wonder, because he worked for Bentsen years ago. Texas needs someone with this solid image.

From baseball to national defense, Tom Schieffer has a strong record of public service with a successful law and business career. He has a firm commitment to public education, extensive roots in the Texas Democratic Party and an ability to rise above partisanship to serve his state and country effectively.

TOM SCHIEFFER HAS CHARISMA RARELY SEEN IN POLITICS!

He gave me this direct quote which I think directly deals with 2 big issues:

"Fresh water and energy are the building blocks of our future prosperity. We must ensure that we have both. It is essential that we develop wind and solar power to meet the challenges of the 21st century."

Tom Scheiffer sees the connection and importance of water and energy issues. Wind and solar can provide the needed energy to help deal with water and energy issues.

He has also dealt with child care and natural resource issues. But he also understands business. As a lawyer and successful businessman in Fort Worth, Schieffer later became a partner in the investment group that bought the Texas Rangers baseball team. Schieffer headed the effort that built The Ballpark in Arlington, which opened in 1994 to rave reviews from fans and the community. He was president of the team until stepping down in 1999.

Schieffer, a lifelong Democrat, was appointed as the United States Ambassador to Australia in 2001 and the U.S. Ambassador to Japan in 2005. During the confirmation process, he received the support of senators from both parties and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate both times. Schieffer was instrumental in securing Australia's military assistance in Afghanistan and Iraq following the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

In Japan, he was intimately involved in negotiating a far-reaching reorganization of that country's alliance with the U.S., and he actively campaigned to restore American beef imports to Japan after they were suspended over fears of "Mad Cow" disease.While in Japan, Schieffer also was a major player in the negotiations surrounding the Six Party Talks, which centered on North Korea's attempts to become a nuclear weapons state.

He was praised by Japanese and American human rights groups for keeping the issue of the abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korean intelligence agents before the Six Party negotiators. During his ambassador years, Schieffer helped strengthen intelligence ties between the U.S. and both Australia and Japan.