TX-Sen: Martin Frost Thinks Senate Seat is "Within Democrats' Reach"

by: David Mauro

Mon Aug 03, 2009 at 01:48 PM CDT

Martin Frost recently published an opinion piece in Politico in which the former Congressman makes the case that Houston Mayor Bill White is Democrats' best hope to win the U.S. Senate seat.

Texas has been trending Democratic the past few years ... So a Bill White victory is not inconceivable, even if he faces a run-of-the-mill conservative in a runoff.

Meanwhile, White is methodically traveling the state, raising money and getting ready. Whether he is a true visionary remains to be determined.

Surprisingly, Frost paints White as the only Democrat in the field, going as far to say:

White may be the only Democrat in the race, though one other former statewide Democratic officeholder, John Sharp, has said he might run.

Actually, Sharp has filed for the seat and given no public indication that he is considering exiting the Senate race. Whether Frost knows something more or was trying to better position his presumedly favored candidate Bill White is unknown.

Frost went on to write:

If White, who has wide support from the Democratic establishment in the state and who has already raised a significant amount of money, were the only Democrat on the ballot, he would be assured of a place in any runoff against whichever Republican survives.

Frost is not the only Washington-based pundit to suggest tha Democrats would be better off with only one major candidate in a possible special election.

In June, the Washington Post's Chris Cillizza wrote that Democrats had a chance to pick up the seat but, "in truth, for Democrats to have a pickup opportunity, Sharp would probably need to step aside."

Observers: TX-Gov Isn't Out of the Question

by: Michael Hurta

Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 07:45 AM CDT

Now he's back in Texas and campaigning for the Democratic nomination for governor as a moderate, business-friendly, pro-economic-growth candidate with a history of supporting a woman's right to choose and civil rights for minorities.

The biggest obstacles facing Schieffer are that he has been out of Texas politics for a number of years and that some Democrats may not be willing to forgive his service in the Bush administration. On the other hand, some independents and some Republicans who don't like Perry may find that reassuring.

And who knows, an even more credentialed and respected candidate may emerge other than Schieffer; who's to say.  But Frost's point remains: a Democrat who Republicans can respect can potentially win this thing.  True, Frost is probably bias as a Texas Democrat, but he probably knows his stuff a bit as a former DCCC head.  

So it's one thing that Frost thinks a return to the Governor's Mansion is possible, but I was even more intrigued to learn of our chances from an even bigger name in punditry, CQ Politics.  They recently released their Race Ratings for 2009 and 2010 Gubernatorial Elections, and Texas was one of 7 states listed as "Lean Republican."  My immediate thought was, "This 'R' stronghold is only a Lean?  Not even favored?  I mean I know us Ds have almost tied up the state House, but few nationwide ever seem to notice that fact..."

There is no sure way to know why the "experts" there gave Texas a low Republican rating, but they clearly think a chance exists for a Democrat winning here, even if it is a small chance.  Consider this: of the 7 "Lean Republican" states, one voted for Obama (Vermont), 2 have Democratic incumbents (Tennessee and Oklahoma), and 1 is clearly moving Democratic (Arizona).  That is, a majority of their "Lean Republican" states have showed obvious Democratic tendencies.

One sentence essentially pegs where, according to CQ Politics, Democrats' hopes lie, whoever gets the GOP nomination: "Democrats hope that a brutal primary battle between Perry and Hutchison might create an opportunity for them."  So to all those considering a run for governor or afraid of the possibility of Hutchison, remember that - Perry and Hutchison will fight each other tooth and nail, and neither will come out of that battle pretty.

That's two pundits who have stated or implied what we should be proud of: It's definitely possible that a Democrat will be the next Governor of Texas.

A Frosty Analysis of Newtie

by: Todd Hill

Tue Jun 19, 2007 at 11:40 AM CDT

Frost had this to say to Politico.com:

Newt is a font of ideas -- some good and some questionable -- but at least he spends time thinking creatively. There aren't too many new ideas coming from the current Republican field. Also, Newt already has significant name identification, so he wouldn't have to spend as much money establishing himself as a credible candidate. The news media would treat him seriously from Day 1.

I agree with what Frost has to say here, Gingrich not being an elected official right now frees him up to say what he wants and see where it sticks.  He is like John Edwards in that manner, they have no constituents to answer to so they shoot off at the mouth and see where it sticks.  Sometimes the best ideas come from free flowing out of the box thinking. 

Frost is Back in the Saddle Again

by: Todd Hill

Sun Jun 10, 2007 at 07:15 PM CDT

From the America Votes press release:

“America Votes has changed the way progressives approach politics and I look forward to continuing the innovative work already accomplished,” Frost said. “Joining a proven organization with such significant partners is an opportunity anyone committed to progressive ideals wouldn’t hesitate to take.”

Via the Star-Telegram:

"It's not candidate-specific; it's issues -- pro-choice, pro-environment, pro-worker's rights."

Frost notes that America Votes is a coalition of over 37 membership organizations that pool their resources together to build, empower, and activate the progressive community.

How Redistricting Hurt Texas

by: Matt Glazer

Thu Nov 16, 2006 at 02:46 PM CST

On October 20th of this year, Burnt Orange Report saw the writing on the wall. If Democrats won the majority, Texas would be the weakest it has ever been on the national stage.

Not only did Democrats win, the party took both chambers of Congress and relegated our ambitious and power hungry Texas Republicans to bench warmers.

For a quick example, in the past week our two Senators Kay Bailey and John Cornyn have moved up the Republican Leadership latter to become Chair of the Republican Policy Committee and Vice Chair of the Republican Conference respectively. Two major and influential positions... of the minority party. Super, too bad they can't direct policy nor help the state without bipartisan support.

How else did the redistricting truly harm Texas?

[TX-32] Get to Know Will Pryor

by: Whiskey Sam

Tue Sep 26, 2006 at 07:54 AM CDT

We'll leave no district behind, because no district is hopeless.

I grew up in North Dallas, in an area that is part of the 32nd Congressional District currently represented by Pete Sessions.  For my entire life I’ve lived with a sense of learned helplessness that the 32nd is Republican, and that’s just the way it is.  I refuse to believe this garbage anymore.  I know enough Democrats in this part of Texas…enough people who say the same things that I say about the way things are in the 32nd…that I’m starting to believe that the dark days of regressive politics have an end in sight. 

If this optimism is going to have any payoff, the learned helplessness of Dallas Democrats must be shed in favor of a collective togetherness and effort.

Let me introduce you to the 32nd Congressional District in Texas, and Candidate Will Pryor.

In Memory of Mrs. Frost

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Sat Aug 19, 2006 at 02:49 PM CDT

This entry has been passed on to Mr. Frost so any thoughts you wish to convey may be read by him or the family.

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