Democratic Challenger to DeLay Bows Out

[Judi Lynn]

Democratic Challenger to DeLay Bows Out

By WENDY BENJAMINSON
The Associated Press
Monday, April 25, 2005; 7:27 PM

HOUSTON -- A Democratic challenger who won 41 percent of the vote against House Majority Leader Tom DeLay in 2004 said Monday he won't make a second attempt to unseat the incumbent. Richard Morrison cited family and financial obligations.

"Over the weekend, I had to put pen to paper on how to support my family during a campaign," Morrison said. "To have to begin campaigning now (for the March 2006 primary), I just don't have the money to put aside my law practice long enough to do this."

Late Friday, Morrison said he met with other leading Democrats to plan for a 2006 primary that would leave one of the party's candidates with enough political power to challenge DeLay, renowned for his fundraising ability.

U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson has announced that he'll run in the Democratic primary while Houston City Councilman Gordon Quan has said he is considering it.
(snip/...)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/04/25/AR2005042501129.html



Richard Morrison

Nick Lampson: Gordon Quan:

[TheFarseer]

1. I think the world of Nick Lampson

I know he can run a great campaign and if anyone can beat Delay, he can.

[Career Prole]

2. Morrison cited family and financial obligations...

...but I'm thinking threats from DeLay's operatives. :tinfoilhat:

[mopinko]

4. i suspected dems, myself

now that delay looks vulnerable, it's not a fools errand any more. i wondered if he would be pushed aside.

[merci_me]

5. I think you maybe right and the dems know this time

DeLay will run hard and going after the Dem candidate, like his political life depends on it. Last time, DeLay was forced to spend money, but next time, he knows money won't be enough.

Morrison was all set to run and blogging for support mid week and at the end of the week a couple of new blogs hit the internet, that are Democrat and they want someone who is not Morrison. Besides the fact that Morrison leans conservative and some Dems in the 22nd want a progressive candidate, they brought up somethings that would be used against Morrison next year, by DeLay. That might have cause Morrison to have second thoughts.

http://richardmorrison.blogspot.com/2005/04/please-let-it-be-your-own.html

[Rose Siding]

6. That site's really ugly

:(

Like Schultz said, "I love mankind; it's people I can't stand."

[MeDeMax]

14. thnx for the link, i needed that "inside" info on...

who DeLay's opponents are likely to be...

a morally - chapter 11 - delay may still win if his opponent is weaker.

[annabanana]

9. naw..

His Mom has pancreatic cancer and his wife is expecting their 5th child and money has become a priority. KKKarl had nothing to do with this one.

[Career Prole]

10. Okay...I'll buy that.

And a tip o' the tinfoil hat to you! :)

[beyurslf]

3. In most cases I like the idea of primaries where the Democrats of the

community select a candidate. I do wish here, though, that local party activists and insiders could coalesce behind one candidate and focus on beating DeLay instead.

[Gothmog]

7. Lampson and Quan are both good candiates

I met Richard Morrison at a fund raiser last year and contributed to his campaign. Morrison is a great guy but was not that strong of a candidate. Quan or Lampson will each run a better race against Delay.

Morrison took one for the party and I respect him for that.

[Zen Democrat]

8. Nick Lampson is a great guy.

He was my congressman and helped me a lot. I had a problem with the U.S. Navy getting my son to his father's funeral in 2000. The Red Cross didn't help. I contacted my senators and congressman. Rep. Lampson's office responded by telephone within an hour; I filled out a report and faxed it. The next day my son called me and said he was called in and given a 10-day leave -- and told that he could have more time if he needed it. The problem had been that the Navy was giving him 3 days and because my other son (also Navy) had to travel from a ship at sea in the Middle East the funeral was going to be in 5 days ... the Navy didn't care to hear about this conflict, it was just 3 days from the notification of death and then a deaf ear. Lampson's intervention was prompt and effective. He's really a good guy -- a voice for the working man. He was a target of the DeLay redistricting for that reason. He wasn't a Democrat that voted with the Republicans -- he was a real Democrat.

He's got the political savvy, and a history with DeLay. Go get 'em, Nick.

[Les BOOGIE]

11. Chris Bell would be a dynamite candidate n/t

:dem:

[Mugsy]

12. Bell seeking Governorship.

Bell has formed an exploratory commission to consider running for Texas Gov in '06.

[Merlin]

13. Nick Lampsons website. Go there. Contribute. Let's beat DeLay!

I can't think of a better and more fitting way to expiate the angst of last November than to send DeLay and Santorum to their fucking political graves.

Based on the posts above, I conclude Lampson is the man, and he's a good guy and he's a progressive. Let's get on the man's train now!

http://www.lampson.com/

Go there. Contribute! I just did.