Posted on 09/04/2006 6:07:44 AM PDT by Theodore R.
Democrats believe victory possible in GOP-dominated Texas ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUGAR LAND (AP) - Texas Democrats rallied Sunday behind the idea they can win in November in a state that in recent history has been dominated by the GOP.
"We can change Texas. But we're going to have to be willing to change ourselves. We have to learn to win again. That means getting past our defeatist attitude. We have to learn to win again because Texas needs us to lead again," gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell told a group of about 100 people who gathered at the Fort Bend County Democratic Party's Labor Day barbecue celebration.
In a state where the GOP holds every statewide office, Bell and other Democratic candidates on Sunday stressed that the Democratic Party can win.
"This is the year for change my friend. We can build a Texas that we find in our dreams," said Bell, who is battling incumbent GOP Gov. Rick Perry, as well as independent candidates Carole Keeton Strayhorn, the state comptroller, and musician Kinky Friedman and Libertarian James Werner.
Nick Lampson, the Democratic candidate who is vying for former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's vacant seat, told the crowd he was confident candidates like himself and Bell had a legitimate chance to win on Nov. 7.
"It is time to vote Democratic. The winds of change are blowing," he said. "It's about our communities and the needs we have."
Lampson has been running steadily for DeLay's seat while Republicans fought to put a GOP candidate on the ballot after DeLay resigned from Congress.
Democrats sued over the GOP plan and courts ruled that DeLay could not be replaced. Any Republican seeking the seat would have to be a write-in candidate.
DeLay resigned from Congress in June in the face of mounting legal problems, including money laundering charges in a Texas court.
The Republican Party is throwing its support behind Houston City Councilwoman Shelley Sekula-Gibbs as its write-in candidate in the race.
Lampson said Democrats should not get overconfident because there is not a GOP candidate on the ballot.
"Some people are now saying that this race is over for the 22nd District. It's not," he said. "We cannot take our eye off the ball. These races could take turns. Let's keep our eye on the ball."
Barbara Radnofsky, a Houston lawyer going up against incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, said she believes Democrats as well as dissatisfied Republicans and independents will join to change the current GOP leadership across the state and in Washington, D.C.
The crowd was small, but Bell is confident with the five-way split.
Well, if they can get the Republicans off all the ballots like with Delay they may have a shot! /s off
I have a sister in Texas who makes me look like a Liberal by comparison and she is resigned to the fact that Texas will be saddled with a RAT governor by default.
Considering Texas' immigration-driven, rapidly shifting demographics, the state will almost certainly become a battleground state in the not-too-distant future as most Hispanics favor the Democrats, even in Texas, and there is not much reason to expect this to change. The one thing that should save the GOP from a California-style collapse there is that the state's white population is very conservative, and votes that way for the most part.
I guess their plan to govern Texas from apartments in either NM or OK. That seems to be their only novel leadership idea the past decade.
This is nothing but a "puff piece", of wishful, "Oh! how I hope it's true", article.
It won't happen.
We are being inundated with this mess already.
And it's just starting. Lies, lies, and more lies.
Imagine how bad it will be as election day approaches.
For the record....It won't happen.
As soon as Delay left the ballot and the only way the Republicans could get anyone elected was by write-in they should have immediately put all their efforts in to getting Bob Smither, the Libertarian, elected. It's still not too late but it will be soon.
The Republicans are morons for letting what happend happen with Delay.
Carole Keeton McClellan Rylander Strayhorn Shamalamadingdong is NOT a conservative. She's a whack job. She used to be a Democrat. Became a RINO in 1986. When Perry decided to run for re-election, she pouted, quit the GOP and starting running as an independent.
She's supported by the Dem gubernatorial candidate (Sanchez) who lost in 2002. To repeat, she is NOT a conservative...and buying radio ads that air during Rush Limbaugh's show don't make her one.
I guess Lampson's feeling a little more confident he can win now that he made sure he doesn't have an opponent on the ballot.
I hope the people of Sugerland make him pay for not giving them a choice.
Grandma Strayhorn has no political principles and will be seen as the opportunist she is.
While I have issues with Rick Perry, I will vote for him and I see him being re-elected with about 38% of the vote. Fortunately, there are no general election run-offs in Texas.
Yes, well, they believe abortion is a sacrament, too. Doesn't make it so.
Hahahaha, I needed a good laugh this morning.
One of those 'stray horns' must have penetrated your brain.
Maybe it is like having a Senator like Jesse Helms for so many years-- Lizzie Dole is a definite letdown by comparison.
Supporting a libertarian is not rational. They're for open borders and drug legalization; and are therefore nuts.
The democrats are believing their own press.
Never has so much been said about liberalism in one sentence.
The MSM is pushing hte Get Out the Vote effort of the democrat party (GOTV)
The MSM has their marching orders boost democrat vote depress the republican vote.
TV is officially irrelevant between now and November.
Goebles would be proud that his children have done so well in the MSM.
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