The contenders for Cornyn

While our esteemed Senatah Box Turtle continues to make an ass of himself on Twitter -- yeah John, how about on your life? -- and with less than a week to go before the filing deadline, the US Senate challengers are lining up on both sides of the aisle.

Democrats could have a champion able to force Sen. John Cornyn to spend heavily to defend his job next year: David Alameel, a wealthy Dallas dentist who’s spent lavishly for candidates in both parties.

“I’ll just do whatever it takes. Money is not an issue for me. It’s more whether or not I feel I can make a difference,” Dr. Alameel said (yesterday) by phone. “We need new ideas. Not just the same politicians with the same redundant parroting of talking points.”

Alameel, 61, joins three other Democrats and a handful of Republicans gunning for Cornyn. The filing deadline for the March primaries is Dec. 9.

A very good backgrounder on the doctor at the link.  Alameel joins Maxey Scherr, Michael Fjetland and possibly Roman McAllen among the Democrats.  (McAllen announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination at George Barnstone's Final Friday event here in Houston in October, but has not filed and not returned a phone call to Brains as of yet).

The Republicans are many.  The latest development there is that Erick Wyatt, listed on the Wiki page, has withdrawn and endorsed Linda Vega.  Glenn Beck -- having struck out on David Barton and Louie Gohmert -- still wants someone more Teabaggerish and high profile, but has so far been rebuffed.  Libertarian Jon Roland has filed.

PPP revealed a month ago that Cornyn could be in real danger from an effective primary challenge.  That's what's driving his moronic Tweets; he's desperate to win street cred with the freak right wing.  And the Dallas News article says that Dr. Alameel makes four Democrats, but I can't seem to find the 4th (excluding the rumored Mr. McAllen).  Even the Godfather counts three.  Who are we missing?

Update: Noah and Charles both have the answer in the comments.

The Weekly Wrangle

The Texas Progressive Alliance thinks all workers deserve paid time off during the holidays as we bring you this week's roundup.

Off the Kuff rounds up coverage of Sen. Leticia Van de Putte's announcement that she is running for Lt. Governor.

Horwitz at Texpatriate delineates his many grievances with Barack Obama and explains why he no longer counts himself among the president's supporters. Horwitz's weekly column "Civil Affairs," after appearing for over a year in a Boston newspaper, will move to its new home at Texpatriate.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme is appalled the Republicans' war on women has devastated health care for Latinas in the Valley. I'd say shame on them, but they have no shame.

Pope Francis is not a liberal, Sarah Palin, but a full-blown socialist. So says PDiddie at Brains and Eggs.

Eye On Williamson is still, yes still, blogging at our temporary home. Voters must be offered a choice in 2014: Texas Democrats must provide a contrast to the Texas GOP's cruel conservatism.

Neil at All People Have Value said that Texas will once again be defined by the multi-ethnic reality that Stephen F. Austin knew in the 1830's. All People Have Value is part of NeilAquino.com.

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And here are some posts of interest from other Texas blogs.

Offcite calls for the preservation of the other iconic sports venue in Houston, historic Rice Stadium.

The Austin Chronicle celebrates the release of Fran Keller, sent to prison nearly 21 years ago for a crime that never actually happened.

The Lunch Tray explains how you should have celebrated Thanksgivvukah.

The Texas Living Waters Project tells you what to do now that Prop 6 has passed.

New Media Texas talks to Rep. Senfronia Thompson about Macy's, Black Friday, and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act that Macy's lobbied against.

BOR reprints an op-ed by state Rep. Mary Gonzalez that gives thanks for the opportunity to keep Texas families healthy.