I had the opportunity today to volunteer for the Health Care Policy in the States forum at UTA. It's a travelling series on health care discussions sponsored by the AARP and a few other health care advocacy organisations. Three of the four gubernatorial candidates were scheduled to speak (the absent one being Perry of course). I went ot the forum to hear about their health care plans and to take a closer look at both Strayhorn and Friedman, neither of whom I've heard speak.
(x-posted from annatopia and texaskos. posting here because party people read this site)
I got a phone call late last week from one of my friends who is currently toiling in the service of a congressional candidate here in Texas. This person told me some truly shocking news: The Texas Democratic party charges our candidates for access to that Voter File they were bragging about during the convention. I was shocked to hear this because the party used to give our candidates free access to the old voter database.
Charging our candidates for this access is completely boneheaded, and I propose that the first thing that we change about this party is the policy of charging our candidates for access to the Voter File.
In advance of the convention this weekend, I'd like to ask all delegates from SD10 to support my campaign for a place on the State Resolutions Committee. For those whom I have not met yet, let me tell you a little bit about me. I'm a lifelong Democrat who was born and raised in the south (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas). My father is a Korean war veteran and avowed populist from Indiana who taught me from an early age that we are all in this together. He says he's a Democrat because "Democrats are the party of working people". My earliest political idol was "Walkin'" Lawton Chiles, a legendary Florida Democrat who never lost an election (he even beat Jeb Bush to become Florida's 41st governor). I moved to Texas in 1991, and have lived in Arlington since 1993. My first political experience was gathering signatures for Al Gore in 1991, and currently I'm volunteering for Congressional candidate David Harris and Texas House candidate David Pillow. I also serve as precinct chair #2217.
well, i went to the LONGEST MEETING EVER last night. arrived ar 6:15 and didn't get home until nearly 11. *ug* but i think it was worth it. it was a very interesting experience. i got to hang out and listen to some very informed people who had many different points of view (after all, we *are* democrats) try to come to a consensus on what resolutions to pass along to the senate district conventions this saturday. it was a great brainstorm session, and everyone seemed genuinely interested in crafting resolutions that will help us drive that wedge between the fundies and the conservatives in november, while not alienating our base. essentially it was just the type of thing that is interesting to me. we rewrote some on the spot, killed a few, and tabled some for a rewrite. so... here is what we passed, either "as written" or with an on the spot rewrite:
(This is an excellent round-up of one of the biggest Republican primary races. Just think - what would happen if the Republican that carried all the school finance legislation were defeated in the primary? - promoted by Phillip Martin)
Ladies and gentleman, we have ourselves a bonafide GOP Piefight in the race to represent HD94 (my district). The candidates are Rep. Kent Grusendorf and Dr. Diane Patrick. I'll go ahead and make a bold prediction: Grusendorf is going down, and that might increase our chances for a Democratic pickup in this district.
