Houston Election May Prove Historic

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB126057851102188215-lMyQjAxMDI5NjEwMjUxNzI4Wj.html ^

[Def Conservative]

HOUSTON -- It was no great surprise when some religious leaders and conservative activists voiced fierce opposition to the mayoral candidacy of Annise Parker, a gay woman. But voters here have largely dismissed the issue as insignificant, even though she could become the first openly lesbian mayor of a major American city.

Ms. Parker, a city controller who has been elected to local office six times with little controversy over her sexual preference, is the leading candidate in Saturday's election runoff.

"This is about the best person for the job, period," said taxi driver Arthur Berry, 48 years old, who said he was leaning toward Ms. Parker. "I could care less if she is a lesbian. She has the right experience."

Still, Ms. Parker has faced some attacks from some who fear she will push a radical gay agenda. "We have a very aggressive campaign by homosexuals to assert philosophical control over city government, and the real victim here is the traditional family," said Dave Welch, executive director of the Houston Area Pastor Council, a group of 200 Christian church leaders.

[Def Conservative]

I don’t know if you remember but many polls had Peter Brown making the runoff election....we see how that ended.

[deport]

This from a Fox news Station in Houston

Brown 39,904 22%
Parker 54,193 29%
Locke 45,954 26%

[piytar]

Have a friend who used to live in Houston 20 years ago. Was nice enough then. At least the downtown has certainly gone downhill (from another friend who recently left). Crime is way up. For example, murders jumped 50% in 2006.

Still plenty of nice burbs, but Houston proper? Unless it has really turned around recently, it’s a mess.

Or has it quietly turned around in the past couple years? Being a Texas resident, I would LOVE to hear that!

[trumandogz]

She has been City Controller for years and Houston is doing very well when compared to the other large cities.

On the other hand, Locke is a Democratic Machine lawyer.

[piytar]

The answer to that “old saying,” popularized by the anti-US propaganda piece “Full Metal Jacket,” tends to be a punch or a shot where I’m from. And I’m not talking booze. /proud Texan

[Dawgreg]

I was born and raised in Houston and I’m not suprised at it’s Demonratic tendecies but Austin is our leper colony for sure. Stay away from there.......:)

[deport]

Mayor           In: 34% 
Gene Locke      48,429 47.8% 
Annise Parker   52,962 52.2% 

[smokingfrog]

Better than what?? Lee P. Brown maybe?

I’m old enough to remember Kathy Whitmire, and she will probably be more of the same. (Same M.O.)

[Eaker]

Parker is a democrat backed by the Houston Chronicle.

That trumps all you have.

[smokingfrog]

Much of Houston looks like Mexico now.

Yeah. No kidding!

[deport]

Mayor           In: 37% 
Gene Locke      50,162 48.5% 
Annise Parker   53,174 51.5% 

[guitarplayer1953]

It seems that that saying came out long before that movie and it was not to be given in offense but to comment on the article of a lesbian be the mayor of Houston.

[deport]

Mayor          In: 45% 
Gene Locke     54,006 48.3% 
Annise Parker  57,875 51.7% 

[A_Former_Democrat]

Yes, it’s always “about the best man or woman for the job”

Then let’s see the polling breakdowns by sexual “preferences”

And who’s the “activists” and who isn’t

Total BS

[piytar]

Sorry, my response was too harsh and poorly directed. And sadly, as you explained, your comment was quite appropriate. Sigh.

[guitarplayer1953]

thats fine I’ve know a few proud Teaxans and they were by no means queer or had horns.

[trumandogz]

Well, this one is over, looks like your Democratic Machine candidate has lost.

[usconservative]

what's that old saying about Texas and queers and steers?

That was Oklahoma, and it was from the movie "An Officer And a Gentleman"

[deport]

 Mayor          In: 89% 
 Gene Locke     69,227 47.3% 
*Annise Parker  77,096 52.7% 

[guitarplayer1953]

This saying about Texas to my knowledge goes back to the 60’s when I was a teenager, along with the question of why is Kansas so windy? Because Nebraska blows and Oklahoma sucks.