Today's Houston Chronicle reports that Rick Noriega and Barack Obama are up by seven percent in Harris County. For the first time in forty-four years, Harris County voters are on the verge of favoring a Democratic Presidential candidate.
WOW.
Hats off to the Noriega campaign and the Harris County Democrats for their exhaustive efforts.
They gave Barack Obama the edge over Republican John McCain by 7 percentage points this week, with very few undecided or backing another contender.
Voters also favored Democrat Rick Noriega of Houston against Republican Sen. John Cornyn by the same amount - with 13 percent undecided or committed to another candidate.
The survey results were compiled by Zogby International as early voting got under way for the Nov. 4 election.
The Houston Chronicle is hitting them out of the park. For the first time since 1964, the newspaper supported a Democratic candidate for U.S. President. On Sunday it endorsed Senator Barack Obama.
This morning I opened the newspaper and saw more great news. This endorsement is no tentative, mild mannered one, either. The Houston Chronicle wrote a glowing commentary about Rick Noriega, his background, his impeccable record and his distinguished accomplishments.
It will be especially important for Texans to have a strong, respected voice inside the expected Democratic majority in the Senate. Rick Noriega offers such a voice, with a distinctive Lone Star tone and perspective.
The Chronicle endorses Noriega for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican John Cornyn.
Noriega, a Houstonian, describes himself as a Texas Democrat. That term, once common currency in the state's political conversation, seems to have fallen out of favor over the past several Republican-dominated years. But it resonates once more in this season of voter discontent with partisanship uber alles. Some old-fashioned moderate bipartisanship, Texas style, should be much welcomed in the Washington debate, particularly on overheated topics such as energy and immigration. Rick Noriega can provide it.
The Democratic National Committee is waging a last minute injection of as much as $20 million into state legislative races in key states, hoping to take advantage of Democratic momentum this cycle.
A senior Democrat familiar with the conversations said: "We are looking at options, races, where we can be helpful, as we did in 2006. This is the time when some races pop."
State legislatures are key to the long term success of the national Democratic Party. With redistricting on the horizon getting control of state legislatures in key states is increasingly critical. Perhaps that is why the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee sounds like they are targeting Ohio, Wisconsin, Delaware and the Texas House.
This possible infusion of millions of dollars falls in line with Howard Dean's 50 state strategy.
DNC chairman Howard Dean has made it a priority to help Democrats win down the ballot, so that if Obama wins the presidency, Democrats will have a larger majority in Congress. But with states planning to redistrict their congressional boundaries in 2012, control of state legislative chambers is all the more important, people close to Dean said.
(Additional perspectives from Thursday night. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
We began our day with the Delegation Breakfast at the Red Lion Inn as usual. However, Thursday morning was different. Sheila Jackson Lee came to the podium. She had us close the doors to the room and had everyone take a seat.
And then she announced, "The Red Cross is here!", and so, with her speech, the healing of Texas Democrats continued... She reminded us that the task at hand is far larger than our emotions. She reminded us that voter suppression IS a reality. And we MUST persevere for our collective right to vote. We were left with a sense of duty and anticipation for the work ahead.
Next, I was approached by Rep. Rafael Anchia (Dallas)for a quick introduction. Now I know why they call him a rising star.
Before heading to Invesco Stadium, I attended the Faith in Action Caucus organized by the Obama Campaign. The Caucus is symbolic in its effort to cooperate with America's various religious group by having us listen to each other even though we don't agree with each other. Fascinating concept... The panelists of different faiths spoke about humanitarian issues that we can all agree on like: stopping hunger, slave traffiking, and preserving civil liberties.
Inauguration Ceremony:
I found a quick line into the stadium by following a small group of attendees hustling behind a Jewish guy. I heard the other line had a 3 hour wait! I am glad I found that group...
The stadium was full of hustle and bustle, yet traffic was moving smoothly. (The organization at this Convention has been amazing considering how many people came.) I had asked my Latina friend (and fellow Delegate) from El Paso to save me a seat. And she secured awesome seats in the front row of the back half of Texas Delegatation Seating. This allowed for us to get photographed like crazy!
When I got there, she took me with her on the quest to find the Rev. Jesse Jackson! You see, another Delegate, Renee of Dallas, had a sign with a picture of Sen. Obama and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the words "Barack Obama Fulfilling Dr. King's Dream." This sign was getting SO MUCH attention. So my friend Isela took me along as the three of us ladies: an African American, Latina, and me, got pictures taken like we were the Pussycat Dolls or something! (Disclaimer: I am in no way endorsing the Pussycat Dolls - lyrics are too racy.)
I have one pic of us with Jesse Jackson's wife, one with Jesse Jackson in the background, and one with Spike Lee in the background. Later on, Spike Lee came by to take a picture of Renee with her famous sign.
Now, let me tell you something about the Texas Delegation. We rocked! Texas showed amazing spirit and demonstrated our true grit as Democrats living in W'04 country. A young group of Texas Delegates waved a huge "Texans for Obama" banner. Isela's friend Lily draped herself in a huge Texas flag. Many of our Texas delegates were outfitted with outstanding Texas pins, decorated hats, and what-nots 'n doo-hickies. (I had a $2.50 Texas flag bandana from Sam Moon that I held with Isela.)
Texas Democrats should be so proud! Really, we showed a lot of spirit! Some of the other Delegations looked lame compared to us.
The program was awesome - you couldn't help but sing along with all the musicians who performed or the songs they played in the background like: Born in the U.S.A., A Change Would Do You Good by Sherryl Crow, or Only in America by some country singer. (Stopped listening to country after 9-11 and Toby Kieth.)
The crowd was fully cognizant that they were not only witnessing history - they were making it. They did the wave several times around just like we did at the Dallas Obama Rally at Reunion Arena - remember that?!
While all the speeches were great, I couldn't help but focus on crowd reaction. It was great to be able to chant, "Eight is enough!" with thousands of others who feel the same way.
When Sen. Obama left the podium, the final Benediction was prayed. But in a refreshing show of religious diversity, the Rev. asked us to end the prayer in the way that we would normally end our own prayers. So, at his count of three, I cried, "Ameen".
Then, firecrackers flared, and confetti and streamers blasted into the air accompanied by music and lyrics that tugged at every patriotic heartstring in that stadium. Sasha played with the fallen confetti on the stage as we all looked around in awe of the moment knowing it would forever be a part of our life experience. Isela stood on her chair and waved her small American flag high in the air as she just looked up at the sky and cried...
And so, my friends and family from Irving, Dallas, SD 9, the rest of Texas, and from sea to shining sea - just know that we will restore America to its glory. And we will hold our government accountable to its people and to its responsibilty as a just world leader. It's about time, don't you think?
I got this emailed to me the other day as a PDF, compiled by someone in SD-25, and claimed to be based upon data from the State Convention. This is a chart of the make-up of the diversity goals for the Texas delegation to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.
Now that one of the most remarkable primaries in our nation's history has concluded, attention is turning to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. In less than three months, the Mile High City and the Rocky Mountain West will host this historic event for the first time since 1908.
The Convention also coincides with Denver's 150th birthday - a
century-and-a-half of progress and innovation since its birth at the height of the Colorado gold rush. A hub of opportunity for people seeking new frontiers, people come to Colorado seeking much more than gold these days. The spirit of visionary zeal and limitless possibility is as strong as ever in the New West. So it's fitting that as the Democratic Party marches toward its own new frontier, it will do so through Denver.
A message to all of you in Texas: you don't have to be in Denver - or on the Convention floor - to get in on the action though. The Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee has organized two interactive ways for people anywhere in America to get involved. We're convening a national conversation about democracy and community and invite everyone to participate.
Support the Democratic National Committee and contribute to the DNC Moneybomb today!
Today, the final elections are being held in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. Although it has been a long, hard-fought race, Democrats must begin coming together for the general election fight against John McCain.
Please contribute today to show your support for a strong, united Democratic party!
obama smiling during editorial meet of indianapolis star in indiana
Note: Next edition of This Week With Barack Obama, April 27-May 3, 2008 will be under the management of Al Rodgers, next Sunday, May 4, 2008. I am in Indiana from Friday through Wednesday, for the crucial Indiana Primary on Tuesday May 6, 2008. I will be working in NW Indiana between Gary, Valparaiso and South Bend. So, give Al the love you give me on this weekly. Peace.
My name is Ramey Ko, and I'm running to be a delegate for Obama to the Democratic National Convention from Senate District 14, and I am asking for the chance to earn your support. As a young Asian American, I hope to bring a vibrant grassroots perspective to Denver, as well as provide a voice for a community that is just beginning to receive some attention in politics.
Working for Change
I have been an Obama supporter since 2003, when I first met then State Senator Obama as one of my law school professors at the University of Chicago. I helped collect petition signatures to get him on the Democratic primary ballot for US Senate. After he announced his intention to run for president, I founded Asian Americans for Obama in December 2006. Our efforts have lead to the creation of translated outreach materials and Obama videos subtitled in several Asian languages, numerous AAPI targeted voter registration drives, stories in numerous national and local ethnic media outlets, visibility at Asian community events, Asian American phone banks, and even the opening of a grassroots campaign office in the Philadelphia Chinatown.
You can learn more about why I'm running and my work as an activist for Obama at www.RameyKo.com. Please don't hesitate to e-mail me at Ramey.Ko@gmail.com with any questions or comments.
With the primary race still going on and all the national attention on Hillary Clinton vs. Barack Obama, sometimes we forget just how out of touch John McCain really is.
He doesn't understand the economy, he wants to cut social programs, defense spending, and foreign aide by about 30%, and he wants to stay in Iraq for another 100 years.
The DNC is releasing its first ad highlight John McCain's complete ignorance of our economic woes.
With such a horrid candidate at the top of the ticket, it gives us even more hope that we can elect Rick Noriega, Larry Joe Doherty, and take back the Texas House.
