Honestly: Should I run for CD-03?

[jburton]

This is currently the Sam Johnson (R-TX) district, which goes from far NE Dallas (me) to Plano/McKinney.

I would not run until Johnson resigns/dies (your mileage may vary) just because Jesus Himself could not beat the guy tete a tete.

But the day is coming soon, and the "numbers cruncher" in me noticed how HUGE the "Blank" section was on the ballot in CD03 this year.

In other words, if you combine the Libertarian/random Indy guy/blank
it was a pretty damn close race.

So send me your opinions!

J

PS-Some of you Dallas DUers know me, but FYI for those that don't: I've run several campaigns before, and that's why I'm interested in this race. Kinda a sleeper race.

[Bombtrack]

1. well can you say a litte something about yourself?

you know, kinda helps one gauge whether you have what it takes.

[Timebound]

2. Go for it!

As long as you keep the people you represent first and foremost in all your decsions, you would be good at it! We need more DU'ers in goverment, anyway!

I'm in North Carolina, so I couldn't vote for you, but I'll cheer you on!

*cheers for you*

[Renew Deal]

3. Run now to get your name out

and then run again when he's gone. BTW, have you been to Camp Wellstone? You will need it.

[jburton]

4. A little more about myself

I should have posted this originally...

Poli Sci degree Texas A&M '99(good TX connection--yes Dems do exist)

Former staffer of Texas NARAL, former Pres of Aggie Dems, general hellraiser in Dallas County. (Good for fundraising and volunteers)

I've got three feet in the interesting transition in DalCO: (Actually, perhaps a trifecta(?)) I am equally loved among several core groups: Deaners (me) GLBT (me) and "People that worked their ass off in several elections 2004" (me).

The usual disclaimers: my driving record is clean, I have a fantastic speaking ability.

If I could describe my "Perfect Candidate" it would be a mixture of Paul Wellstone and Bob Bullock.

===

And some boring stuff: I basically lived at the Frost camp and I ran the Connecticut office of the Sierra Club 4 years ago, and ran the state office of a ballot initiative in Denver. So I have little patience with fancy.

Any more idears?

[Old and In the Way]

5. If you don't mind me asking...............

How will the GLBT issue affect your chances? I can only imagine how the Republicans will attack you on this issue....but maybe there are local dynamics that mitigate this as an issue?

[jburton]

6. good question

I plan to work with the Victory Fund

They worked with Lupe Valdez (along with several others nationwide) where they address "How can you be gay and not be a "gay" candidate"

It worked for her (Hell, even the Dallas Morning Shnews endorsed her) because it's all about moving the focus to real issues.

It would be the only "controversial" thing about me. Which kind of takes everything else off the table. (When I show up I people see I wear a shirt, pants, and shoes just like everybody else, they don't get so "scared" of the homo-sexural "agenda"

BTW anybody up for politics talkin? I'm up til 3. Just PM me.

J

[Old and In the Way]

7. Good.......you don't want to be like those weirdo Republican gays

that have a disconnect between their lives and their politics. Seems the worst thing you can do is try to hide it and then let them validate their warped worldview by making it a campaign issue.

Sounds like you got the right mix of public confidence, political experience, and youth to run a kick-ass campaign. Since you're posting here, I already know you got your head on straight! :-)

[jburton]

8. well thank you

Yeah, I know the inevitable question would be "so, as the GAY candidate..."

And you just push it right back. Stop that shit right there. Cut it OFF.

"So, as the heterosexual newsperson, are you asking me about my personal situation or about what I am here today to talk about; mainly the poor conditions of rural county roads. So, as the non-roads reporter would you mind getting the roads reporter up here to ask me about these issues?"

"Because the voters wanna talk about ROADS!!!" (designated and pre-arranged cheering suddenly takes over ditsy reporter)

Fin.

[ashling]

10. I am a little perplexed by your "perfect candidate"

-and I am not trying to be negative here -

but are you talking about the same Bob Bullock that endorsed GWB, thus adding fuel to the lie that W is a uniter not a divider?

Bob "Lieberman" Bullock?

:shrug:

please expound

[crispini]

9. Well, you've looked at the numbers and I haven't.

But I have to admit, every time I see someone who hasn't previously held SOME office running for a federal-level office, I wonder why they chose to start with (what seems to ME) to be such a BIG office. It just seems to me that a candidate who's running for US House would be well served by having another elected office on his/her resume before trying to go to Washington. You know, sort of the "try something small before you try something big" idea. I mean, not that I don't think you should try, I'd just say maybe you should try something ELSE first and then build up from that.

But, maybe I'm wrong in that perception. :shrug:

[BlueCollar]

11. why not...?

I'd be willing to exchange a few ideas with you...Since we have an election or two to work with and the repukes will be building a record...


on edit: you have to promise me you'll run as a Democrat and not as a "Texas Democratic Party.." endorsed Democrat...in other words you'll have to put principals first.

[Wild Bill]

12. No its a waste of money

Have you looked at the percentage of Democrats vs. Republicans in the district? It runs 30% democrat vs. 70% republican.

You running for congress in the district would be a waste of money.

It would be like a republican running for office in district 30 after Eddie Bernice Johnson retires. Whoever runs in her district and has a (D) by the name will automatically get 70% of the vote.

I think it’s safe to say it’s same in Sam Johnson’s district. Whoever gets the R next to their name will automatically get 65-70% of the vote.

In fact I foresee an existing state senator or state rep running for the seat if Sam retires anytime soon. If that’s the case expect another blow out for the Republicans.

I think you would be very lucky to get 35% of the vote.