Democrats' statewide slate: A dream deferred? (DMN article)

[sonias]

DMN article 6/10/06
Top races lack the big names they had in '02 but not the enthusiasm
FORT WORTH – David Van Os is a long-shot candidate for attorney general, but he takes an aggressive approach toward his campaign.

"Fight them till hell freezes over, and then fight them on the ice," Mr. Van Os said as he greeted delegates at the Texas Democrats' convention in Fort Worth.

It could take just such an ice storm for Mr. Van Os and other Democratic candidates for statewide office to win in November. Other than the gubernatorial candidate, the slate is a collection of political newcomers and one candidate who served in the Legislature during the 1970s. They face well-known Republicans, many of them incumbents, who will be flush with campaign cash.

But for many delegates at the convention, the largely unknown statewide ticket represents the opportunity to rebuild the party rather than a chance to beat a slate of better-known and well-financed incumbent Republicans.

This year's convention is in contrast to 2002, when delegates cheered a "dream team" of well-funded and widely known candidates who were expected to usher in a Democratic revival.

Thanks to TexasKos site for the story tip.

Sonia

[MagickMuffin]

1. There will be more people on the ballot then the 4 mentioned

The statewide candidates try to dispel the notion that they are bound for defeat. Mr. Bell is trying to convince delegates that the four-way race for governor offers him a chance at victory, if the Democratic base stays in his camp.

It seems as though everyone always forgets the Libertarians and the Green Party. More than likely they will have candidates as well.

I think the TDP will offer more choices for the people who don't vote. We know that the candidates who ran for party chair will still be active in bringing in more people to the party. That's the best way to build the base, from the bottom up. Just like building a house, you don't start with the roof first. You have to build the house from the ground up. And that is how the party will have to be built.

Jones has pledged to bring in more diversity, and I believe he will have a lot of support in that quest. We need more people willing to bring all people to the table. There's plenty of food for everyone. We need to sway people from the other parties mentioned above to help in our fight. A lot of people feel disenfranchised by both the major parties. Being a former Democratic turned into an Independent voter I know from my own experience, that I was fraustrated with the Democratic party because they quit fighting for what I believe in. I don't want or like it when candidates refuse to fight with all their might in earning my vote.

I came back to the Democratic Party because I know that the other two parties I mentioned don't really have much of a chance to win big. So, I didn't want to waste my votes on never winning. So, this party better start showing they have back bone, "Fight Them Till Hell Freezes Over, Then Fight Them On The Ice," as our next AG likes to say......

[PDittie]

2. A Perfect Storm

is going to hit Austin in November.

The Snooze managed to find enough pessimistic, defeatist folks in the Fort Worth Convention Center to frame their story for 2006 as 'yet another down year, ho-hum', but I have encountered precious little of this kind of negativity as I have traveled on the road with DVO around the state, read these boards, and clicked around the blogosphere.

The Pukes are demoralized, disorganized, and downright terrified of what's coming.

The SCLM will not be televising this Revolution. You won't hear about it from them until it's over, and they're going to be stunned.

[cagoldensun5050]

3. Also amazing

is the Libertarian Party...amazing that they managed to field candidates in 30 districts. :wow:

[PDittie]

4. One hundred and fifty people at their state convention

held this past weekend. We had several caucuses larger than that. Still, they will influence many races and most -- if not all -- of the Libertarians will help us get Democrats elected.

Welcome to DU, cagoldensun5050. :hi:

[cagoldensun5050]

5. Thanks! I also think...

the Libertarians here will probably give a good challenge to the Republicans, and may be even more formidable to the Repubs in some of the more conservative districts (like Badnarik in the 10th). Of course if the Libertarians manage to split the conservative vote in some counties so that the Democrats running in those districts (especially the 22nd!) win, that would be very sweet also!

[redqueen]

6. Doesn't surprise me too much...

considering how ticked off many conservatives are with the GOPranos lately. (ports deal, debt, immigration, domestic warrantless spying, etc etc etc)