Write-in Could Win Delay's Spot, Poll Finds.

Houston Chronicle ^ | 10-29-2006 | Doug Miller

[rhinohunter]

On Monday President Bush flies into Houston to campaign for a congressional candidate who — at one point — looked like a long shot.

But an exclusive poll indicates that Shelley Sekula-Gibbs may pull off a political upset and win her write-in campaign for Congress.

[LS]

I don't know about Iraq. It's a tricky polling question, because there are too many ways to define "winning." To many conservatives, it would mean turning the ME into glass; to RINOs and libs, it's "pulling out." So I'd be cautious in making assumptions about Iraq. The national drive-bys have assumed that Iraq is a loser. I don't think so. Note that NONE of the "military" Dems remain competitive except Allen and Duckworth.

It's another of those "feelings" or hunches that the polls are absolutely failing to capture the true view of Americans. I think Iraq sets in motion a string of thought processes that go from not liking our situation to War on Terror to, "God, I don't want to be blown up" to "Bush has kept us safe," to Bush=Republican and "my local person is a Republican."

I was struck in 2004 when, after being polled by Mason-Dixon, I noted they had separated "War on Terror" and "War in Iraq" in their questions. So when their poll results came out, I re-analyzed the answers if one had joined those two together, and guess what? You had a winner every time.

Bottom line: Iraq actually HELPS Republicans, in a strange, twisted way.

[rhinohunter]

Do votes for Delay count for Ms Gibbs?

Why would they? I'm sure votes for Delay will count for Delay.

[no dems]

Shelley is her first name. Her last name is Sekula-Gibbs. I think if they just write "Gibbs" it will count.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[deport]

James Nielsen : Chronicle

Bush campaigns in Sugar Land — President Bush hugs Pat McWaters after his arrival today at Ellington Field in Houston. She received the President's Volunteer Service Award. In Sugar Land, Bush urged support for Shelley Sekula-Gibbs. READ STORY

Poll finds dead heat in 22nd District

Oct. 30, 2006, 6:02PM
Bush stumps for Sekula-Gibbs in Sugar Land

By KRISTEN MACK and ERIC HANSON
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

President Bush, his collar open and his sleeves rolled up, told 2,000 cheering Republicans in Sugar Land today that they should "bring your pencil" to the polls and write-in the name of Shelley Sekula-Gibbs to succeed Tom DeLay in the U.S. House.

"I always feel better when I'm in Texas," Bush said to the crowd packed into a hangar at the Sugar Land airport, before urging them to take the extra steps necessary to vote for Sekula-Gibbs.

Most voters won't really need a pencil to cast write-in votes because they'll use electronic voting machines. If they write in the councilwoman's name, they'll turn a dial selecting the 18-letter name a character at a time.

"I know I could have given you an easier name and next time I'll think about that," Sekula-Gibbs told the crowd as they waited for the president. Bush was expected to deliver a 45-minute speech before heading by helicopter back to Ellington Field and departing on Air Force One.

Sekula-Gibbs is the party-backed write-in candidate to succeed DeLay, R-Sugar Land, who resigned from Congress after winning the Republican nomination for a 12th term.

A new Chronicle-11 News poll indicates that the race is close, even though Democratic nominee Nick Lampson and Libertarian Bob Smither are on the ballot for the term that begins in January and Sekula-Gibbs isn't.

She is on the ballot in a separate, special election for the final weeks of DeLay's term.

"It's not every day the president of the United States comes to help a girl from Floresville campaign," Sekula-Gibbs said, referring to her south central Texas birthplace.

Also speaking at today's rally were U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, state Sen. Kyle Janek, R-Houston, and state Rep. Charlie Howard, R-Sugar Land.

A handful of protesters walked along Texas 6 near the airport carrying signs against the war in Iraq , but they never were close to the president or the rally.

Lampson kept a low profile as Republicans awaited the president today, meeting privately with donors. He planned to attend a small event tonight at a cousin's house in Pearland.

Lampson campaign manager Mike Malaise issued a statement saying Bush came to town "to try and stir up the base for one of our opponents because she is such a hard sell to that base."

kristen.mack@chron.com

[shield]

Take a look at this...

http://www.writeshelley.com/

Gibbs web site

[deport]

Let the jousting begin .......

Complaints made about voting help

By Stephen Palkot

Monday, October 30, 2006 2:09 PM CST

As polls reveal the Congressional District 22 race may be heading to a photo finish, allegations began coming from both sides of improper activity at polling sites.

Following on the heels of Friday's claim that Republican write-in candidate Shelley Sekula-Gibbs illegally campaigned inside an early voting location, Democrats complained about the degree to which elections workers have been assisting voters with the eSlate voting machines.

Since the first day of early voting, Oct. 23, Fort Bend County elections administrator J.R. Perez said he has heard allegations from poll watchers for Democratic candidate Nick Lampson that elections workers have been overzealous in the degree to which they have been assisting voters with the write-in procedure.

Perez defended his employees.

"I personally think it's a disservice to the voter that we are being gagged in instances," he said. "I think the voter needs some extra assistance."

Poll workers have been "restricted to too great a degree" in their efforts to facilitate voting, said Perez. He clarified "restricted" to mean that he believes too many complaints have been lodged against them, leaving them "worried about doing something wrong" and reluctant to properly assist voters.

No allegations have been raised, though, that poll watchers have directly interfered with the actions of poll workers.

Perez said many voters are using the eSlate machines for the first time, casting votes in what can be a large and complex ballot including city and school district bond propositions - along with the District 22 race. He said a poll worker could theoretically enter a voting machine to answer questions by a voter about the balloting process, as long as the poll worker does not influence the decision of the voter.

Since hearing the complaints, Perez has sent a note clarifying the law to all elections workers. Nevertheless, he defends the actions of poll workers and their decisions to assist voters.

Representatives of both the Lampson and the Sekula-Gibbs' campaigns said Monday morning they could not comment on the allegations or activities of poll observers.

In the meantime, Democrats are following up on their complaint that Sekula-Gibbs broke election laws last week by speaking with a poll worker at a voting location in the First Colony Community Center.

Sekula-Gibbs, an at-large member of the Houston city council, had been campaigning Friday outside of the early voting location, which is allowed only more than 100 feet from the polling site. However, a Democratic observer has alleged that Sekula-Gibbs entered the polling site and spoke with several people there, including voters.

Sekula-Gibbs said she entered the building only to use the restroom. She admitted speaking briefly with a poll worker but denies that she spoke with voters or campaigned.

"Instead of focusing on the issues, her opponent (Lampson) is attacking to try to divert attention away from the issues," said Sekula-Gibbs' campaign manager, Lisa Dimond.

Texas Democratic general counsel Chad Dunn has said an affidavit will be completed, based on the account of the poll worker, and will be submitted to the Texas Secretary of State's Office for review.

“Sekula-Gibbs's illegal electioneering smacks of the Tom DeLay-style campaign tactics that have plagued Texas voters for years,” said Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie. “Voters have a right to cast their ballot without Shelley Sekula-Gibbs or any other candidate looking over their shoulder or twisting their arm.”

The Houston Chronicle on Monday reported that the race between Lampson and Sekula-Gibbs has become extremely tight, with the two candidates within a percentage point of each other in the most recent poll.

[deport]

Never pass up an opportunity for a freebie .....

Oct. 30, 2006, 1:09PM
Some Houston voters getting free flu shots at polls

Associated Press

Several voters in Houston will find a perk at the polls this year: a free flu shot.

The Vote and Vaccinate program will set up clinics in needy areas and target people 50 and older, a population that should get annual flu vaccinations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

[RobFromGa]

People should stand 125 feet away from the polling places and hand out those instruction sheets on demand, IMHO. That would be a good use of campaign funds on Nov 7th.

[RobFromGa]

a free flu shot.

This should be illegal. Enticing one particular class of people and giving them a freebie to vote. As long as they stay the prescribed distance away from the polling location, it would be fine.

[small voice in the wilderness]

The Republicans should put porta-potties at all voting locations. Just to see dems. go in and try to vote..lol You KNOW they would.

[jerry639]

I cant believe it how negative some freepers are.

I'm with you on all the negative stuff on FR lately. Once in awhile I have to look to see if someone has found a way to teleport me to some liberal Dim site.

Every thread has several posts of..."I hope you are right, but.." "we may hold the Senate but..." "we may hold the House but..." "I don't see how we can hang on to either.."

Go ahead and flame me. I don't care. All this negativity is getting to me anyway. Some here seem to like the idea of the Dems being in control. If they can demoralize voters and pull it off, so be it. Won't effect me 10% as much as it will most. I will still work to defeat Dems and still vote for Republicans until the day they put me in the ground.

[Dog Gone]

It's still a lot closer than it would have been in any other election. The Democrats truly schemed to win this seat from Tom DeLay, and they still might.

But the trend shows that there's a good chance they'll be foiled again.

[jerry639]

I'm just seeing so many people coming here and spouting off someone else's predictions and declaring loss for us that it makes me want to bang my head on my desk! :)

I am sick of their doom and gloom too. Seems like we have some individuals who are competing for the I Told You So award.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"You're correct, she'd win if her name was Jane Smith!"

Are Texas voters really so shallow as to care about such things? Egad.

[Clintonfatigued]

This is a very hopeful sign. The GOP wouldn't be spending money and having Bush at a rally if the race was hopeless.

I just hope that the district voters have a high rate of literacy.

[RKBA Democrat]

"It's important for us all to remember that two Freepers who are on the same side can look at the same set of facts and come to the different conclusions. As John Wooden said, "we can disagree without being disagreeable."

LOL!

Let's just say being one of the few FR Democrats gives you the advantage of a different perspective.

[WOSG]

"I don't know about Iraq. It's a tricky polling question, because there are too many ways to define "winning." To many conservatives, it would mean turning the ME into glass; to RINOs and libs, it's "pulling out." So I'd be cautious in making assumptions about Iraq. The national drive-bys have assumed that Iraq is a loser. I don't think so. Note that NONE of the "military" Dems remain competitive except Allen and Duckworth."

FWIW, I think Duckworth will not win... polls but also based on FR comments that her signs arent out, etc. -- she's not running a good campaign. I dont know who Allen is, is that Weldon's opponent? Unfortunately, I think Weldon will lose, thanx to welltimed 'investigation'. Too bad, he's a great guy.

You are right to some extent on Iraq, my main point is that at this point in election cycle, we've lost some 15 points in support for Iraq war vs 2004, so even if it doesnt help Dems directly, its softened up GOP edge on national security; this is mainly thanks to the MSM, IMHO. There was an article on the gender gap this year, and I think the real problem is that some think we are too soft, some (mostly women) are focussed only on the impact to us, not the GWOT.

There is a bottom-line way to see the polling questions vs Dem/GOP support. All those who think of Iraq and war on terror as separate are buying into the Dem description of the war; all those who think of it as related are seeing it the way the Bush administration and the Republicans see it.

I think the Republicans are wrong to emphasis the risks and dangers we face now. The Democrats have made it their theme that 'we are not safe because Bush has screwed up in Iraq'.
Rather, we should have a much more POSITIVE CAMPAIGN that reminds people of the positive progress we've made in many many areas - economy, national security, etc.

[humblegunner]

A victory here would be welcomed, helpful, and awesome! :-)

Even if she is a smoke nazi who wants to tell business
owners what they can or cannot do with their property?

Wow.

[HitmanLV]

Even if she is a smoke nazi who wants to tell business owners what they can or cannot do with their property?

Yes, even then. While I am not a pro or anti smoking fetishist, the truth is that government already tells business owners what they can and can't do with their property. Smoking is just another

In other words, if the people want the smoking ban, fine. I won't vote for it, but I'll honor it if that's what the people want. If that's not what they want, that's fine too.

We have 2 smoking propositions on the Nevada ballot and I sided with the pro-smoking crowd. But if my fellow citizens don't want it that way, it's fine with me.

[longtermmemmory]

IF Democrats win only ONE and only ONE house seat they will jump up and down screaming landslide.


The MSM will not report Republicans WIN control of House and Senate, Demcrats devastated.

The MSM will report Democrats cheated, or Democrats tricked by Republicans. Even Voters are stupid.