This week's mailbag includes some action on illegal immigration, how the GOP has changed in the past few years, a recent judicial appointment, and something on Prop 15. George also makes a Fenway Park reference, which is always good.

Junior Senator John Cornyn has spent his time in the Senate trying to achieve the vaunted level of Best Friends Forever with President George Bush. The slavish devotion has paid off, as Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney are both turning up in Texas to raise some money for Cornyn's re-elect. And why not? Their schedules are open, since no one else wants them to campaign on their behalf.

A subtle ramp up is underway in numerous camps concerning the debate tonight (which George will be liveblogging); it may end up as a turning point in the race.

There are plenty of reports every year about government at every level, and often political news in Texas coincides with the release of some report or another on departmental or governmental performance. The best report I've seen in a while, though, turns out to be about reports.

CNN has it that Pat Philbin, the person responsible for putting together the fake FEMA news conference we discussed on Friday, has run into some trouble as a result.

First the Republicans in Iowa decided to have their caucus on January 3, leaving the state's Democrats to decide whether to join them in the earliest start to Presidential voting ever or to split the date, keeping their caucus on January 14.

Anna Mowery resigned as State Representative for District 97, and now the special election for her seat is so full of candidates it resembles the Dallas mayoral race.

This week's mailbag is heavy on issues from outside Texas, from Louisiana all the way to Pakistan.

Guess who the only reporters allowed to ask questions at the latest FEMA press conference were?

The march to war continues, as the Bush administration announces new, tougher sanctions against Iran.