The effects from the hard work in Dallas County from Democrats will pay off in 2008 in the rest of North Texas. Although we did not have any Democratic wins in Denton County in 2006, voters have begun to show signs of turning blue.
Denton County only had 6 Democratic candidates on the ballot. 2 of the candidates got more than 40% of the vote. Mac Poe, who wasn't even able to actively campaign, got 42.13% of the vote in the JP1 race. John McLeod received 40% of the vote in the race for HD64 against Myra Crownover.
A trend in our county in this election, which was pointed out by our former party chair, was that the further down the ballot one was, the better they did percentage wise. This should be a sign to our county and others. If you simply put Democrats on the ballot, for even the smallest races, they will do well and sometimes win.
This morning thanks to the generous invitation of the Denton chapter of the Texas Retired Teachers Association we participated in our first debate. In the time allotted I thanked our retired teachers for their many years of dedicated service, laid out my vision of returning the education system in Texas to world class status, and contrasted my plan for a badly needed increase in income for retired teachers with the request of Gov. Rick Perry for a 10% cut next year.
At the end of my statement we opened up the floor to questions from the membership, and our teachers had hard questions for my opponent as to why year after year the Legislature fails to honor their commitment to providing for teachers. I was then also asked a question from the group and was in the process of responding to it when Ms. Crownover got up from her seat, gathered her things, explained that she had another appointment, and walked out the door. I cannot recall another occasion when I have ever heard of an incumbent abandoning their own debate. While I have the greatest respect for Ms. Crownover and the way she assumed office for her late husband, today she walked out on a wonderful group of retired teachers, just like she has our current teachers, our children, and their parents on the floor of the House of Representatives. The people of Texas deserve a representative who will stand and fight for our teachers, children, and parents. Today I am asking for your support as the representative that won’t ever walk away from a fight. For more inforamtion, please go to the campaign website at http://www.mcleodfor.... Thanks
John McLeod
Candidate for State Rep District 64
I don't think I can recall anyone walking out of a debate, much less their own. This is a big sign of weakness on the GOP incumbent's part!
It is vital that every election poll has an election judge and alternate judge on election day. As Democrats, we need to watch what the Republican election judge is up to (if anything). And of course, if they do not show up, you become the election judge if you are the alternate.
If you can be an alternate judge, please contact your county's Democratic party and they can get you in touch with the elections dept to become an alt judge.
Denton County in particular is in need of alternate judges (I would guess we need around 50 more!). So if you live in Denton County, you can be a judge in any of the precinct polling locations. And there are many nearby where you live, even if its not your own, that are in need. So please, email mail@dentondemocrats.org and ask to serve if you can take off of work on election day Nov 7.
We can not afford to let this election be stolen out of from under us!!
This past Saturday, Denton County Dems held the 4th annual "Donkeyfest" at the North Texas State Fairgrounds. No, live donkeys were not present. However, officially 225 Democrats were there to see our local and statewide candidates speak!
My colleague Steve Southwell already posted a great blog with pictures on Whosplayin. I have a couple pictures I may share later.
Local candidates Mac Poe, Amy Manuel, John McLeod, and Gary Page all gave speeches. Steve gave a speech as a rep for Tim Barnwell. We were also blessed to have almost all of the statewide candidates in attendence: Chris Bell, David Van Os, Maria Louisa Alvarado, Valinda Hathcox, Dale Henry, Fred Head, a rep of Barbara Ann Radnofsky, and live via David's cell phone- Hank Gilbert.
There was a great band, with great BBQ ("the gift that keeps on giving" according to Chris Bell). 225 may sound medium sized to our friends in Travis, however that number is double the size of last year's attendence. And on a balmy Saturday evening, this proves the will of Metroplex Democrats to change this area back to the blue hue it so rightly deserves!
The following was sent out by Amy Manuel, Dem candidate for Denton County Commissioner
It was with great sadness that I learned yesterday of the passing of Governor Ann Richards. I am from the generation that had no heroes. However, Governor Richards was my hero.
A couple of weeks ago, someone said to me that I reminded him of Ann Richards. There is no greater compliment in my book. Ann Richards was the epitome of all that is good and right in Texas Politics. She had a sharp quit wit, while always standing by her principals. She did more for women in politics in Texas than anyone before or since. Ann used humor to make her point, and in doing so, her words were remembered for years to come.
Who among us doesn't know the quote, "Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astair did, backwards and in high heels."
That one line told the world in the days of women's liberation, that we women were capable of anything that a man could do. Not only that, but we achieve greatness despite unequal circumstances and odds laid against us.
I have always admired a quick wit and a sharp tongue. No one possessed these traits more than Ann Richards. We all remember her words at the 1988 Democratic Convention. "Poor George. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth."
Many do not know just how much Ann Richards did for women in politics, especially Texas women. Though she was not the first female governor of Texas, she was the first to get there on her own. Once there, she helped to bring diversity to the capital of Texas. She gave jobs to people who normally would not have been allowed in the door. Her daughter has carried on her good work through the Texas Freedom Network.
Last night, someone told me how her daughter, a Republican, received encouragement from Governor Richards to pursue a career in politics. It did not matter to Ann Richards that the young girl in question was a Republican. Ann saw talent and intelligence and dedication, so she persuaded this young women to follow her dreams. This mother said that her daughter owed her career to Governor Richards and that both she and her daughter would miss Ann Richards very much.
It is my greatest hope that I may live up to the standards set by Ann Richards. She represents what many of us young women just starting our political careers hope to be one day. She was remarkable. She was the best of the best.
Goodbye, Ann Richards. You are gone but not forgotten.
Amy Manuel for County Commissioner
www.AmyManuel.com
Faith Chatham already beat me to posting about this subject on TexasKaos and Daily Kos, but I promised the organizers I would get this out there on BOR also! Please recommend the Kos journal as well!
Over 70 people came out to see David Van Os on his whistlestop tour in Denton this past Wednesday. It was one of, if not the largest crowd to see him on his tour so far in Texas!
