Electing Democrats. That has been my goal since I joined the party years ago.
I filed last week to challenge the incumbent Democratic Party Chair in Denton County. In a county with no partisan offices held by members of the Democratic Party, the goal of electing Democrats is challenging. Building a better Democratic Party at the county level is part of that challenge, and I believe it is something I can do.
I honestly can not remember the first time I blogged, since I used to blog before blogging was called blogging. But I do know, that a great deal of my time blogging has been put into progressive politics. There are many more out there like myself, who take the time to educate their friends and to push for policy that can help our respective liberal political parties.
For people like us to continue pushing for progressive policy in this country, we need conferences like Netroots Nation. We need liberal gathering places now more than ever, especially for us Texans.
I have had the chance to go to NN in the past, but at the last minute been unable to attend. But this June, I feel I must make the journey. And you can help me.
Democracy for America is kind enough to sponsor 40 diverse progressives from across the country to help defray the cost of attending NN. Their scholarship will help pay for the hotel, registration, food, etc.
You can help me win won of these scholarships by showing your support. How do you show your support?
Just saw the UT/Texas Tribune poll numbers. At first glance it says "oh crap, the Republicans are going to win". Except that it doesn't.
There is a rather large "undecided" number of votes in that poll that could swing either direction. 20-29% is a huge chunk of voters. AND if they happen to swing in the Democrats favor later this year, then the Democrats all win and make this poll look like a joke.
Maybe it isn't likely right now, but for anyone to write off the Democratic slate simply by using this poll, just doesn't know what they are talking about.
(This is really cool of John. Consider helping. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
My 33rd birthday is Monday December 7th. Since the thing I need least is tons of presents, I wanted to help give back to those who need assistance. That is why I set up a Virtual Food Drive.
The online food drive will benefit the North Texas Food Bank. By using the provided link, you can choose from 7 food options, as well as choose individual cash donation amounts. For every $1 the food bank collects, it can provide 4 meals to hungry North Texans since it is able to buy in bulk and get a better deal than you or I at the local grocery store.
Go to http://vad.aidmatrix.org/vadxml.cfm?driveid=4022 today and give the gift of food to people just like you and me who have been hit by this economic situation and can not afford to feed themselves otherwise. This virtual drive will run from today through December 11th. And your donation is tax deductible. You will receive a confirmation email once you donate you can use as a receipt. And if you have an email list you can think of sending this to, please do so. The more money this drive collects, the merrier!
Let's make sure my birthday is no longer the date which will live in infamy, but the date you help needy people in North Texas.
Breaking news: Halloween Peeps have just endorsed Tom Schieffer for Governor of Texas. This comes as a shocking surprise about face from 2006, when Halloween Peeps endorsed Kinky Friedman.
Peeps could not be reached for comment, per usual, as Peeps don't talk to the media.
We are still waiting to hear about possible endorsements from Treaty Oak and Princess the adorable kitten.
If you hiss at the screen or clap at movies, then this is the film for you.
Michael Moore's Capitalism A Love Story was screened to numerous non paying Dallas area residents at the Magnolia Theater in the West Village last night, before its release tomorrow. Thanks to redcarpetcrash.com and Sam the Mailman, I won a pass to see the movie. Many others received passes from AM1360 Rational Radio. And yes folks, it was definitely taken advantage of, with 1 million people attending! Ok not really. That was the tea bagger march-allegedly. But the theater did appear to have 99% of the seats filled.
I recently read a political hit piece aka movie review from the NY Post, that poo poo'd on every aspect of the film, so I went into it not expecting greatness. But having read that review it makes me wonder if the author even watched the movie? Granted there were a ton of recycled 1950s footage and a few Soviets marching, but the movie was a lot better than I expected.
(This is wild. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
Have you ever voted in multiple cities on the same day and it not be voter fraud? I get to experience this experiment of democracy gone awry on Saturday.
First, I have to explain that I do not live in a city any longer. I built a home in 2007 along the US 380 corridor in Denton County (Sorry Crownover. I didn't just move there to run against you in 2008.) It is situated in a fresh water supply district, even though it has a Little Elm address. That basically means I live in a developer controlled entity that can tax me to build water and sewer services, etc. without the benefits of being a Little Elm citizen.
The fun begins with overlapping districts. Our Denton County FWSD 11-A contracts out its billing services through Mustang SUD, yet another special utility district that controls water services for much of rural northern Denton County. Even though thanks to legislation from Tan Parker and Craig Estes, I can not legally run for a seat on their board, I can vote for their candidates. They have only one poll location at their office in Aubrey. You would think since 380 residents are now over half of Mustang's revenue, they would be a tad more accomodating. But, of course not.
We are also part of Denton ISD. Luckily, they have decided to have an additional poll located at the new government center in Cross Roads for us 380 folks. So, this will be my closest location to my home to vote, though it is still two towns west of me. But I have to make sure I can keep those nonpartisan Democrats on the ISD board. I wonder if the Republicans know most of that board votes Democratic? It is a bit of a rarity in Denton County.
And finally, there just wouldn't be an election without voting about liquor! The JP 2 district is holding a local option election regarding the sale of off premises liquor. I plan on taking a jaunt down to the Del Webb master planned Frisco Lakes community and voting there to make sure those retirees can visit a bar closer to their homes. What would Jesus do? I'd say he would vote for the drink.
I will have to drive roughly 30 miles in a weird trapezoidal pattern to exercise my right to vote. If anyone else has stories of long treks or crazy voting, I'd like to see them in the comments.
2008 has been a record year for Democrats in Texas. We had thousands of new people come out to the polls in March and in November. And as progressive bloggers, we led the fight to take back the Texas House. While we came up just short of a new majority, TexBlogPAC was there supporting the candidates who had the best chance at victory.
TexBlogPAC supported candidates like Diana Maldonado, Sherrie Matula, Robert Miklos, Chris Turner, and Joe Moody in tough races. And even if candidates like myself didn't have the PAC's official support, we still got the support on the internet from bloggers and readers just like you! And it was certainly enough to strike fear into the hearts of local GOP's across the state.
TexBlogPAC needs to reload for 2009 and 2010. If you donate between now and the end of the day on December 31, 2008, my campaign will match the donations dollar for dollar up to $500! Just click on the ActBlue thermometer, so we can keep track of what is raised easily.
December 31 is an important fundraising deadline for the next Texas Ethics report. Let's show the Republicans we don't sleep in the off season. Donate to TexBlogPAC today!
(John has previously written for BOR and is the Democratic nominee against Myra. - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
I have been searching far and wide, from top to bottom, over hill and dale, but I can't find something. I just can not seem to be able to find any candidate survey actually filled out by Representative Myra Crownover.
My opponent is an elusive Republican. It seems she only comes out when asked to write "Drill Here Drill Now" op-ed columns for New York neocon publications.
We're bringing back a "borrowed" concept from DailyKos from the past few years. Can you go without one super mocha double latte a week? Can you pass on that value meal?
If so, $5 Friday is for you. Just once a week on Friday, you donate $5 to our campaign to help elect a Democrat in District 64. If all 10,845 Democrats who voted for John McClelland donated just $5 to the campaign, the possibilities for our campaign would be endless!
You may donate securely at www.johnfortexas.com by using the PayPal or ActBlue options, or mail us a personal check. If you would like to set up recurring automatic donations of any amount, ActBlue conveniently provides you with that option.
We can take back District 64 this fall. Be a part of history. Join the campaign, and together we can do what is right for Texas.
Sincerely,
John McClelland for State Representative District 64 Campaign
campaign@johnfortexas.com
www.johnfortexas.com
P.S. Join the Denton County Democratic Party on Saturday March 15th for a 70s Disco Night fundraiser at 6PM benfiting the DCDP. RSVP with Linda Fogle, 972-966-1765. Entry is $60 per person of $500 per table of 10. Silent auction, dinner, and groovy dancing. This will be held at Celebrations Grand Ballroom, 2380 FM 407, Highland Village TX 75077
