Melancon (D for TX 4th) asks "Are you ready to lead?"

Great speech Glenn (0.00 / 0)

You covered all the issues and problems with the republican's failed leadership.

It can't be for just one day.  There is a great opportunity for us in November.  Come on Collin County Ds!

Hell yes, we are ready to lead!

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by: sonia @ Wed Apr 09, 2008 at 22:17:28 PM UTC

Good luck Glenn (0.00 / 0)

I don't live in your district, but you look like a great candidate and I'll be rooting for you.  Ralph Hall was worthless when he was still calling himself a Democrat, and unlike wine he hasn't improved with age.  Go get him, Glenn!

- 7.12, - 7.54 / Attack of the Machine Elves / My Twitter feed

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by: Big Tex @ Thu Apr 10, 2008 at 02:21:57 AM UTC

Link to a Daily Kos assesment of TX Congressional races (0.00 / 0)

Daily Kos diary by plf515 4/9/08
Congressional races round 2: Texas
(snip)
District: TX-04
Location Northeastern TX, bordering OK and AR, including Texarkana
Representative Ralph Hall (R)
First elected 1980
2006 margin 64-33
2004 margin 68-30
Bush margin 2004 70-30
Notes on opponents In 2004, Jim Nickerson raised $200K to Hall's $1.1 million, in 2006, Glenn Melancon raised less than $100K
Current opponents Glenn Melancon is running again; he has raised $25K but has no COH; Hall has $350K COH, not much for an incumbent with a challenger
Demographics 44th most rural (50.4%), 25th most Republican
Assessment Long shot, but not totally long.... Hall is getting old (born 1923 - he is the oldest person in the House) and his fundraising has been anemic.

Ralph Hall is the oldest person in the House? Glenn you have to use that to your advantage. Show off as being youthful and taking action. Contrast that with Hall sitting around - well just looking old.

I think it's worth the shot. With this year's Presidential election, Glenn you may just pull this off.

Good luck to you!

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by: sonia @ Thu Apr 10, 2008 at 15:16:08 PM UTC

Hall is making his age an issue. (3.00 / 1)

And although his challengers may shroud the issue of his age by talking about change, Mr. Hall doesn't shy away from it.

"I'm not saying you ought to have a floor full of 84-year-olds," he said, "but it doesn't hurt to have an old geezer or two there who knows what he's doing. I've got plenty to work for - grandchildren and a district I love."

No one implied Hall's age was an issue except Hall.  He wants to play the victim.  http://www.dallasnews.com/shar...

I've consistently challenged his judgment.

Mr. Melancon wasted no time Wednesday attacking Mr. Hall's record.

He said the congressman has been on the sidelines despite increasing oil consumption, rising deficits and national debt, border security troubles, and problems in the health care system.

"He's got poor judgment," Mr. Melancon said. "When he votes, he doesn't vote the interests of the district. He votes for Big Oil and Big Drug."

http://www.dallasnews.com/shar...

Fighting for Texas families






Democratic Nominee for US Congress, TX 4th, 2006, 2008

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by: Glenn Melancon @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 15:56:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

He's even older than McCain! (0.00 / 0)

That's the ticket - use a birthday cake for Hall in one of your ads and put 84 candles on it!

Go check out this post on McCain's age possibly being an issue:

The Carpetbagger Report 4/11/08
The dreaded septuagenarian issue

(snip)
That's debatable, of course, but there's ample evidence that if they also associate McCain with 72 candles on a birthday cake, it may be a real problem for the Republican campaign.

Following up on an item from a couple of weeks ago, no one seems to want to "go there" when it comes to McCain's age, but voters seem concerned.

* The latest NBC/WSJ poll (pdf) asked respondents if they think Americans are prepared to elected an otherwise qualified candidate, who happens to be have certain characteristics. 72% of Americans, for example, said the country is prepared to elect an African-American president, and 71% said we're also ready for a woman president. But when asked about a candidate over the age of 70, the number dropped to 61%.

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by: sonia @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 19:39:36 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

1924 (0.00 / 0)

IBM corporation was founded in 1924.  IBM is 84 years old, but none of the people that founded it are trying to actively run it.  Times change for everything and everybody.  And there is a time to let someone else lead.  It's the smart thing to do.

Unless you have a higher than average amount of elderly voters in your district,  I would still target the middle-aged and younger voters and tell them - it's time for a change.

Grandpa Hall has served his time and he should spend his twilight years with his grandkids.  

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by: sonia @ Fri Apr 11, 2008 at 19:25:52 PM UTC