Legendary news reporter kicks off SA to DC briefings

CBS News Senior White House correspondent Bill Plante shared presidential stories and his view of Washington as a longtime political reporter that helped to put the SA to DC delegation in the mood for taking our Federal Legislative Agenda to Capitol Hill at the kickoff breakfast meetings on February 3. He told the delegation that he saw that passing immigration reform is an area where "something big" might actually get done this year.

He also talked about how the Republican party continued to lack discipline, making it hard to predict if they would be able to take the Senate in the mid term elections this November. Plante reaffirmed that the number one opportunity they should focus on is the economy and jobs; however, he was not sure the party would.

Looking forward to the 2016 Presidential election, Plante said that there are 15 or more candidates in the Republican party who will take a shot at the primaries. He said for the Democrats, "it is either Hillary Clinton, or it's not. She is certainly the only candidate right now, if she decides to run."

Plante has been a CBS News White House correspondent during the administrations of Ronald Reagan (beginning in 1981), Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama. During the administration of the first President Bush, he was CBS News' State Department correspondent (1989-92). Plante's reports are seen regularly on "CBS This Morning," where he is senior White House correspondent, and the "CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley."

Plante has been based in CBS News' Washington bureau since December 1976. He has covered every Presidential campaign since 1968.He shared several stories at the breakfast that were highlights from his 50-year career covering politics and Washington.

Watch his presentation here.

What happens before the group arrives?

by Michael Vela
In preparation for the San Antonio delegation to arrive in Washington DC on Tuesday, March 5th the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Chamber staff spent the day walking the halls of the nation’s Capitol, confirming appointments with respective State Representatives and Congressmen. This year's SA to DC trip is a partnership between the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Free Trade Alliance and The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. Together, we will host a delegation consisting of more than 150 business leaders, state and local elected officials from San Antonio at the Nation’s Capitol.

This year’s delegation consists of 12 committees: Small Business, Immigration, Military, Healthcare & Bioscience, Transportation, Water, International Trade, Education, Technology, Manufacturing, Aerospace, and Hospitality & Tourism.

Also, Hispanic Chamber President & CEO, Ramiro Cavazos, along with Jose Maria Gonzalez, Director of International Business, and Michael Vela, Director of Communications were delighted to visit with former San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President & CEO, Louis Escareño on Sunday.

Congressman Charlie Gonzalez: Why can't we collaborate more?

US Congressman Charlie Gonzales (TX Dist. 20) issued a challenge to the next Congress to learn how to collaborate and compromise for the good of the nation. He addressed the SA to DC delegation for his last time before his retirement on Feburary 29, 2012. Congressman Gonzalez, always a favorite in San Antonio, talked candidly about the partisan politics and how it has hurt our nation's ability to move forward on important issues. Hear his entire address here.

Congressman Canseco addresses the SA to DC delegation

US Congressman Francisco Canseco (TX Dist. 23)told the SA to DC delegation heard cheers when he said he will push hard to pass a bill that would provide funding for revitalizing the missions in San Antonio. This is his entire address to the delegation.

Congressman Lloyd Doggett discusses issues facing the nation

US Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TXDist. 25) who will potentially seek reelection for the new Congressional district that includes some of Austin going down into San Antonio addresses the SA to DC delegation for the first time. He remarked that he had the opportunity to meet with most of the issue teams personally to talk about the priorities for San Antonio. This is his entire address to the delegation.

Congressman Cuellar outlines his priorities for the year

US Congressman from south Texas Henry Cuellar talks about the proposed new district lines for Texas and outlines his ongoing priorities. This is his whole address to the 2012 SA to DC delegation.

Washington DC could learn a lot from San Antonio

Secretary of transportation Ray LaHood told the SA to DC delegation today that this country needs a transportation bill, but he isn't optimistic. He has low hopes because Washington is bogged down with politics - which has says is not the way it used to be. We need congress to work together, like school boards and city councils do all around the country. Here described what the national model would look like here.

SA to DC Salutes Senator Hutchison

In 1993, Texans elected Kay Bailey Hutchison to the US senate in a special election, making her the first and still only woman to represent the state in th eSenate. One year later she was re-elected to a full six year term and has not looked back since. She played a key role in helping to make 'lemonade out of lemons' when San Antonio heard that Kelly Air Force Base would close. The transformation from Kelly AFB to Port San Antonio is now a national model of success.

Senator Hutchison was introduced in the meeting and likened to a 'blond Moses' who helped lead us through a wilderness, to come out in a much better place.

She recalled the many times she relied on the business community and the Bexar County delegation of legislators to get great things done for the citizens of San Antonio and Texas.

Here is a sample of her remarks to the SA to DC delegation.

Lou Diamond Phillips sighted

by Jeff Coyle kgbtexasdmt

Brooks City-Base chairman Manny Pelaez-Prada, ever the social connector, spotted actor Lou Diamond Phillips sitting in the P.O.V. bar above the W hotel next to the White House. Manny introduced him to our group of SA to DC delegates, and we spent the next hour talking politics and Texas with the La Bamba star.

Phillips grew up in Corpus Christi and went to the University of Texas at Arlington. He’s performed in San Antonio’s Majestic Theater and been woken up in his Houston Street hotel room by the sound of the Stock Show & Rodeo’s annual Cattle Drive.

Phillips was in D.C. shooting episodes of An Officer and a Movie, which offers some of the best military and war movies ever made, along with commentary from troops who know the true stories.

– Jeff Coyle –

Sharing a few laughs with Ari Fleischer

How would you like to have been President George W. Bush's Press Secretary? For some it would be a dream, for others a daily nightmare. Like others who have been in Washington DC for years, Ari Fleischer always maintained a sense of humor about him. He was the president's spokesperson during some of the worst times in our nation's history, helping craft the language for a nation hurting after 9-11 attacks, and in the end, defending a president who had plummeted in approval. Today he is a regular contributor to CNN and also does a little sports PR (a huge Yankees fan). Fleischer was the featured speaker at The Chairman's Dinner at the 2012 SA to DC trip. Hear what he had to say.

How has social media changed reporting on politics?

Unlike the often unfriendly atmosphere of a White House briefing, President Obama's Press Secretary Jay Carney was welcomed with easy questions when he met with the SA to DC delegation on February 27.

Carey was first asked about the role that social media is playing in his job. He answered by looking back on how much time that he had in previous jobs to prepare. Here was his answer.

Bracewell & Giuliani Representatives Give "Washington Political Update"

Monday morning began with a question and answer session with Susan Molinari (Senior Principal) and Gene Godley (Partner) both with Bracewell & Giuliani about some of the political undercurrents in discussions in Washington. Both bring decades of experience from their work on Capitol Hill.

Susan began by saying that many people are concerned with the growing divisive language that has escalated in Washington during the health care debate. She noted some comments made from both parties that, in her opinion, seem to draw a wider divide in the country.

Gene Godly echoed her remarks in that he hoped that with some issues to come such as education and immigration that many hope there is more bi-partisan discussion. However, he noted that historically, with a super majority of any party in Washington, the parties typically grow apart before they grow together.