Burnt Orange Report

Perhaps I should clarify myself a bit -- I did state I believe in the "Run everywhere" mantra -- I think it's a must in a "representative" democracy.

With that said, I stated that the question before us, as Democrats, is where to target our resources, and in my mind, that meant money.

As a frequent (small) donor to various campaigns, I weigh the merit of each of them. I would much rather give my hard earned $25 or $50 to HD 48 than HD 122. That's what I mean by "targeting" our resources -- there is a finite amount of money anyone can give.

I guess the larger picture is there are donors sitting in HD 122 being untapped -- and by running everywhere (as I think we should do) it brings those folks out of the shadows.

I simply meant that often times, the working people party, doesn't have the resources that the Republicans do (and yes, they work as well for all of you trollers) and I have to be more selective, as would TDP and the DNC (or DCCC/DSCC).

But I definitely to not put myself in the "Run Nowhere" crowd.

Hopefully I've made some sense here...

When you have local races and there is only one Republican candidate or one Republican incumbent, what does that say to both the Democratic and the Republican voters in that city/county?

I suspect what I've observed in Houston/Harris County is pretty much across the board across the state. County chairs deciding a seat isn't worth challenging and focusing only on one or two they have decided for themselves are worth challenging or retaining. In one state race, the Harris County chairman actually asked a Democratic challenger to a Democratic incumbent in a primary to withdraw. It left a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths. It also signalled how undemocratic the Texas Democratic Party has become. My way or the highway apparently is not an exclusive attitude of the Republicans.

Why is it important not to assume a Democrat cannot win? In one Houston city council race, a Republican incumbent was defeated by a Democratic challenger because a number of Republicans liked his position on fiscal responsibility better than their own incubment's position and voted for the Democrat. Crossover happens. The Democratic Party doesn't realize that for some reason. The crossover, however, is based on a candidate. Not the party.

I think every local race should have a Democratic candidate. If for no other reason than to signal that the Democratic Party is alive and well and kicking.

There are a lot of people, by the way, wondering why there was no Republican challenger to Bill White. Not all Republicans who voted for him the first time would have voted for him the second time. So the assumptions, or misassumptions, are made by everyone. Just more noticeably by Democrats. Run everywhere? Why not?

Huh? What? Did someone make a point somewhere? Has Chip Staniswalis invaded K-T and Baby Snooks' keyboard? Where am I?

Matthew, I'm glad you weigh your contributions. I do as well. But I think people are overly worried that some $15 checks are going to find there ways into "mistargeted races" because of what, BOR posting about them? Please. Hardly a reason to not run everywhere.

I don't think anyone would squabble over a "misdirected" $15 check -- but that's not to say there aren't more "important" races to give money to in the short term.

But, you have hit the nail on the head -- if it is long term growth we are looking for, Democrats must put aside (at times) what is expedienent in the short term to focus on long term growth -- much like Gov. Dean is doing with his 50-state strategy.

By running everywhere, and creating new donors, volunteers, etc, we build the infrastructure for the future of the Democratic Party -- much like how the Repuplicans turned the South red.

Until we are able to realize that the continuous short term gain mindset has achieved nothing, the better.

Okay. I've been very nice. I want to know who Chip Staniswalis is. Or was. I've heard different stories. All I know is he was in prison when he won a race against Chris Bell. True or not? If true, how can someone in prison be on a ballot? It's bad enough they keep dead people on ballots. They keep convicts on ballots too? The things you never know. Or want to know. What was he in prison for? Why would anyone vote for someone in prison? Amarillo I believe? Shame on them. I drive through Amarillo on the way to New Mexico.

I'll get a bumper sticker. Honk if you voted for Chip Staniswalis. Be interesting to see how many people honk. And how many people try to run me off the road.

My point was every race should have a Democrat in it. As long as they're not in prison.

Here here, KT.

I've come up with a saying that summarizes the idea behind Run Everywhere-ism: "The worst we'll do if we try is the best we'll do if we don't." RUN EVERYWHERE.

Larry Stallings knows there may be better candidates out there to run in 122, but they are not running this time; and he is just pissed off enough about our broken education system, our unjust health delivery system, our endangered aquifer, and the unmitigated corruption known as the Republican party to tilt at the windmill that is Franke Corte.

Since I have been the one to poke him when he snores for nearly 31 years, I can tell you he is as idealistic as a medieval knight, and just as tough today as he was serving his country during the first Gulf War. He loves a good fight. A little story: During a pick-up football game at his Army unit picnic, he got tackled pretty badly, and his forhead got a nasty gash. He was unconscious for a minute or so, and the unit wanted to run him to the ER about 30 miles away, but he wanted to help his team win the game, so he had a corpsman put a few stitches in his head, cover 'em with a bandage, and went back in the game. His team won. This was for fun. Just imagine what he will be like fighting now, when his kid's and grandkids' education is at stake, when the purity of our drinking water is at stake, when women are losing control of their own reproductive decisions, and his gay and lesbian friends are losing basic civil rights because of who sleeps next to them. Y'all won't be disappointed in his fight. As a yellow-dog Dem, that is what I think every Democrat should be doing right now. Don't you?

Baby Snooks:

Chip Staniswalis went to prison AFTER being elected. Chip was light as a feather. I think he was a TV weatherman and Chris Bell was a radio reporter when they faced each other. Chip demanded kick-backs from his state employees; the case was so simple that Ronnie Earle convicted him.

Larry Stallings is Mr. dksbook? All Right! Woo-hoo! Outstanding! I can think of nothing better than to have a ordinary human being run against Rep. Corte, who seems to view the Legislature as his personal soapbox to attack women's reproductive freedom.

I think I will misdirect a check from Harris County to his campaign as soon as I figure out where to send the check ...

"Chip Staniswalis went to prison AFTER being elected..."

So have quite a few others.

Yes, Ms. B-H, mr. dks is Da Man. Stay tuned for the $ Dump info. We have to wade thru the whole Texas Ethics Commission Thing (Now, doesn't that just sound like an oxymoron if you ever heard one?), set up a PAC, print up some bumper stickers and such. mr dks, junior is the one who is really pumped - getting petition signatures from all eligible voters at his school, suggesting platform positions like the one at the top of his personal list, renewable energy. It is sure a great way to get high school kids paying attention to politics, having the father of one run.

Alas, KT, he will not be going to UT next year - he has his heart sent on going someplace with snow and excellent public transportation. But he promises to fly back to vote in November of 06. Thanks for your interest.

I am glad to see discussion on my new hero's entry into the fray. After trying to draft four different folks to run against Frank Corte, Mr. Larry Stallings answered the call of every sane Texas Woman, Get that mad man out of the legislature! And if nothing else at least show him we don't like what he's doing to women! Thank you, Larry.
This particular district overlaps with another of particular interest to me, CD21. I say a good, full slate of articulate Democrats with backbone in Nov. 2006 just might provide the oomph we need in Bexar County to take CD21 back. There are plenty of Republican women who will cross over to vote against Frank Corte if they have a viable choice, and Larry is one and while they're at it, they'll be glad to give Lamar a boot too. We were having lunch yesterday and talking about the CD21 race and the man at next to us asked my husband, are you running against Lamar SMith? God Bless you! I can't stand that guy. What can I do to help? I am a REpublican but I have taken a leave of absence until my party regains its sanity!

Is there is any brave person with charisma and the ability to ariticulate the Democratic message to step forward in CD23?