The projections for Democratic turnout in Harris ran 40 to 60,000. The actual turnout was close to 100,000. Also hopeful is the data on the undervote. The undervote is a measure of the difference between the voter totals for candidates at the top of the ticket and those down ballot. That figure was 30+%.
What does this mean about November? Several things. First, out base is more energized than the dismal projections of the national electorate seems to be projecting for November. Voting in primary elections is not that much fun. The ballots are long and, outside of the races at the top of the ticket, few know or care about who is running. To have this kind of turnout is very encouraging and projected to November bodes well. Even more so, the undervote of 30% means that 70% of the primary voters have bought into the whole ticket, into the party itself. It means that they are more likely to vote in November as well.
A strong Democratic voter turnout in Harris in November is a very good thing for Democrats.
Harris County Republican Tax Assessor Collector Leo Vasquez signed an agreement to settle the TDP lawsuit growing out of the corrupt suppression tactics practiced by his predecessor, Paul Bettencourt last week.
But poor Leo, he cannot overcome his deep seated Republican nature. Having made nice in order to end the embarrassing law suit, he now wants to insist that it was all a partisan nuisance, without merit.
Really Leo? So when the Houston Chroncile opined that :
Lone Star Project"But the specified changes in the tax-office procedures for handling registration applications make it clear that the original complaints were anything but frivolous."
- Houston Chronicle Editorial, October 29, 2009
It was making things up, right?
And when you said:
"These attacks are nothing more than partisan witch hunts"
The fact that ....
Lone Star ProjectAs part of a court settlement, Vasquez acknowledged widespread voter registration problems detailed by the Lone Star Project. Vasquez was forced to accept more than a dozen changes insisted upon by Democrats to protect the rights of Harris County voters. (Source: Houston Chronicle, 10/23/2009)
It's Monday, and that means it is time for another edition of the Texas Progressive Alliance Weekly Round-Up. This week's edition is compiled by Vince from Capitol Annex.
Via the estimable Carl Whitmarsh in email. In parentheses are the names of the state Senator for that district. Remember, even if you are not a delegate or alternate, you can attend the conventions. They are open to the public.
You won't be able to speak on the floor, or vote, of course, but you're free to observe (and liveblog if the inclination arises).
I had the great pleasure of interviewing Mike Engelhart who is running for 151st District Court Judge in Harris County. You can check out Mike's web site at Engelhart for Judge
Mike, his lovely wife Eva and their two boys Joey and Zachary
Once you hear the interview, I believe you will be excited about this campaign as I am. We need to keep finding great Democrats like Mike to run for office.
Original Title on DK:
Help! My Cousin’s running for Judge! (Houston TX)
I told the original DK poster that I'd post this for him here, since neither he nor his cousin, the candidate have accounts here -- yet. Here is his post:
Hey Kossacks,
A few weeks ago, I won my first elected office – Union County, New Jersey Democratic Committeeman. Well, the "campaign bug" is apparently quite contagious in my family, as it’s now affected my cousin, Mike Engelhart Engelhart for Judge. Mike is running for Judge of the 151st Civil Judicial District Court of Harris County (Houston), Texas. It’s a trial court judge position – they elect all of their judges in Texas. He’s starting early; the election is in November 2008, but now that he’s officially going to be a candidate (the Harris County Democrats have apparently slotted him to run for the job) he’d like to chat with the Blogosphere (he also has an account on Daily Kos and has posted here over the past several years). So, on his behalf I’d like to introduce Mike to y’all, what his job entails and why you should care (other than he’s my cousin!).
We have this from the "Texas Republicans Follow the Rove Playbook file".
We are all familar with the Rovian sleazeball trick of discovering a terrorist plot as a way of distracting the pubilc, or pressuring Congress in giving in to the Great Pumpkin, I mean Great Decider. Now comes a Texas Republican use of the same bull_ _ _ _ tactic. With the Voter Suppression, I mean ID bill about to face its trial of fire in the Senate, we get this amazingly lucky happenstance from Paul Bettencourt's office.
Its called the "browning and graying of America" and it is particularly advanced in Harris County.
Dr.Klineberg of Rice University has been doing an annual survey of Houston/Harris County attitudes and perceptions since 1982, so his results carry some legitimacy.
link
"I believe that it is very likely that the Democrats will sweep Harris County, all county offices," Gerry Birnberg said.
Birnberg is chairman of the Harris County Democratic Party.
"I don't believe that's all political spin," he said.
One reason for his confidence is a just-released survey. For the second year in a row, more Harris County residents now say they side with Democrats than Republicans: 43 percent to 33 percent.
That's almost exactly opposite of a couple years earlier when more said they favored the Republicans.
I apologize for the inflammatory title, but that will the headline and the line of thinking which will spread around the world over the decision by a Texas sheriff department to not search for the body of a murdered black woman. It will not be accurate or maybe even fair but that will be what people around the world and 10s of 1000s of people right here in Texas will think. I pose this frame to the Harris County sheriff's department because I want them to be aware of the consequences. But first some background.
Despite Stewart ethnicity (African-American), I honestly do not believe there is a racial motive behind the decision by the Harris County sheriff's department to not to search for the woman's body.
The decision was based on the difficulty of finding the murder victim, which some call impossible. In fact, I greatly sympathize with the department which genuinely seemed to agonize over the decision to not search for the woman.
"I don't think anything we could say would adequately console them (the family) at this point. ... We don't expect it to be a popular decision. But we've tried to be as pragmatic as possible," said John Martin, public information officer with the sheriff's office. link
Mr. Martin, I too am a pragmatic man, but there are times when humanity is worth the cost and the decision by Harris County to not even try to search borders on the cruel. How do you tell the family of the murder victim the cost of finding their daughter's body is too much to pay? How do you leave a human being to decay in a heap of trash? We don't need you to make guarantees, but to not even try?
What does it say about a society, Mr. Martin and Harris County, when we turn our backs on the bodies of those victims whom we as a society failed to protect in life? What do you tell their souls (or your own)? Sorry, we failed to protect you in life because we can't be everywhere but now we have a choice after your murder, we choose not to protect you body in death? Even Neanderthal's honored their dead, Mr. Martin.
If cost was a justifiable deterrent, why did we not leave the 1000s of Americans who perished under the debris of the Twin Towers? Though we did ultimately leave 100s of bodies under the debris, it was not before we spent years and millions searching for them to the point where society - and most victims' families - could be satisfied with our efforts. To the point where society could heal.
The point is, Mr. Martin, that we tried. We f'ing TRIED. We did not turn our backs on the dead, despite the cost, because it was important for the living to know that we could survive even something as horrific as this. It was crucial to our wounded nation to know that America was stronger than some cowardly act.
The cost, both in terms of humanity and real dollars, was worth paying for 9/11. And I will say that those same principles apply here.
(Git yer Party on, Houston! - promoted by krazypuppy)
Come join Chris Bell, David Van Os, and many other Democratic candidates, activists, and supporters in downtown Houston for Texas' biggest "Get Out the Vote!" rally!
Election Eve, Monday 11/6, at Hermann Square (in front of City Hall), 900 Smith. Park on the street or underground, or take the Metro light rail to Main Street Square station and walk 4 blocks west.
Bands start at 6:30 pm, and the rally from 7:00 until 8:30 pm. Bring your family and friends! Tell your neighbors! Let's show Texas what Democracy looks like!
Harris County Democratic Party Election Night Watch and Victory Party, beginning as soon as the polls close (7:00 p.m.), at the Sheraton Houston Brookhollow Hotel, 3000 North Loop West. Co-hosted by Congressmembers Gene Green, Sheila Jackson Lee, and Al Green, Harris County Commissioner Sylvia R. Garcia, State Representative Alma Allen, Justice of the Peace Armando V. Rodriguez, and candidates Mark McDavid, Jim Sharp, Herb Ritchie, William Connolly, Leora T. Kahn, Andrew C. Burks, Jr., and Alfred Valdez.
Barbara Radnofsky: Join us at Maria Selma restaurant, 1619 Richmond, Houston 77006 beginning at 7 pm, or online for the webcast.
Chris Bell: Everyone is invited to the Election Night Party of the Chris Bell for Governor campaign, in the Discovery Center Room at the Intercontinental Hotel, 2222 W. Loop South, Houston, TX 77027, starting at 7:00 p.m. For more information contact Katelyn Patterson at 713 524 0009.
Jim Henley: Join us for the Victory Party at El Meson in the Rice Village at 2425 University Blvd., starting immediately after the polls close.
Kristi Thibaut: E-Night Victory Party, 7:30 - 10 pm. Campaign headquarters - 10620 Westheimer. For further information contact 713-978-7701.
Chad Khan: Victory Party for Texas House District 126. Joining Chad is Gary Binderim, Democrat for CD-02. 7:30 to 12AM. Lazeeza Restaurant, 3991 FM 1960 W, Houston, TX 77061. Wireless available for blogging!
Diane Trautman: "Out with the Crabb--In with the Trout!" Victory Party 7:30PM, at the Homewood Suites, 23300 US Hwy. 59 in Kingwood, TX 77339.
James G. Pierre: Victory Party at the Red Hat Jazz Cafe, 924 Congress in downtown Houston (just off the Metro light rail Preston stop), 7:00 pm - until ?
