dr. wayne thorburn. [applause] >> thanks. thanks very much. great, appreciate it. >> [inaudible] >> i think so. i think my microphone is on, is it not? yes, great. well, listen, i want to thank not only michelle for that great introduction and ron for allowing us to have this opportunity to get together and talk a little bit about "red state," a book that came out the first of september and i think you're going to get a copy of, those who wish to have one as you leave, and i'll be glad to sign them after, after the presentation for those who would like a signed copy. the one thing i do regret though, michelle, is the mention of all those years makes me feel even older than i actually am or maybe it makes me realize my actual age. but, yes, it has been a lifetime of involvement in conservative and republican politics beginning in college those many, many years ago. and working with ron at young americans for freedom and ron pearson who was on the board, and i'm also honored to have my dissertation adviser here, dr. don devine, who was at that t

dr. wayne thorburn. [applause] >> thanks very much. i think my microphone is on, is it not? i want to thank not only michelle for that great introduction and ron for allowing us to have this opportunity to get together to talk a little bit about "red state" a book that came out the first of september and i think you are going to get a copy of those, those who wish to have one as you leave and i will be glad to sign it after the presentation for folks who would like a signed copy. the one thing i do regret though michelle is the mention of all those years. it makes me feel older than x. the m. or it makes me realize my actual age but guess it has been a lifetime of involvement in conservative republican politics beginning in college those many many years ago and working with ron and young americans for freedom and ron pierson who is on the board and i'm also honored to have my dissertation adviser here dr. fein who was at that time associate professor at the university of maryland where did my graduate work. what i would like to talk to you about today is texas and that is ba