Since the Sharpstown Democratic Club was generous enough to purchase a ticket to last night's Johnson-Rayburn Dinner and offer the ticket my way, I'll do what I can to offer up a bit of recap for the night to share the experience as best as I can.
For starters, I'd like to let everyone know that seeing me in a tie and fashionable clothing is like redistricting ... a once-per-decade experience. Twice tops. You shan't be seeing me in a tie for a long long time to come.
That out of the way, the night was a good deal better than I'd anticipated. I'm just not the type to do such fancy gatherings on a regular basis in case you hadn't gathered from my previous paragraph of ire directed towards neckwear.
The big ticket of the night was Colorado Senator Ken Salazar. While a good chunk of the speech was typical rah-rah, sis-boom-bah speechifying, Salazar makes up for his not-entirely-attention-grabbing speaking style with the authenticity of his personal narrative of progressivism. The segment of his speech relating Colorado's fling with mid-decade redistricting sounded great and offers a bit of near heroism on Salazar's part by his efforts to derail it. But missing from the recap was that Colorado's state constitution was rather explicit in their prohibition of such activity, where ours is lacking such detail (which is really amazing given the zillion or so amendments to the damn thing). But by the time the Senator got to the point in his speech about how his grandmother worked to provide a better life for her grandkids, Salazar gets to the root of progressive values. At it's core, progressivism must involve progress. Sounds simple, but the movement has yet to really firm up any clear definition as a movement of it's own. The desire to leave a better generation to succeed you is, itself, that very core of progressivism. Granting license to every fleeting whim and desire of the present (be it through the conservative license of irresponsible tax cuts that leave a burden for the next generation or through the liberal license of reckless spending for the sake of reckless spending) is the enemy of progressivism. Though a bit slow-building, Salazar's speech eventually nails the proper middle course in a rather grand way.
The ancillary events of the night, of course, were numerous:
Got to meet David Murff (candidate for CD07) and his wife early on in the night. On a geek note, I'm told the campaign website should be up this week. As uphill as that district is for our side, Murff is a good representative for us in that fight. During the point of the night devoted to recognizing candidates, my ears perked up when former CD07 nominee John Martinez was named as a candidate for the same race. When I saw John later on, things got cleared up upon questioning. With a sly wink and a smile, John assured me that he and David were in conversation and that David would be the likely candidate for our side.
For those unaware, John Martinez deserves a good deal of praise from westside Dems. Apparently, John was asked not to file for the race in 2002 out of concern that an opponent might drive up the GOP vote on the west side. Naturally, such things are anathema to my way of thinking. But John didn't turn tail and get demotivated. He filed in 2004 and actually hit the campaign trail in earnest. He's also kept up with the clubs, organizations, and precinct chairs over time. It takes a big man to know when a new face needs to take a shot at the same pinata, and that appears to be the case now. David looks to have a good deal of energy and enthusiasm for the race, as well as a good network to start out with. It's still steep uphill terrain in the district, but if we can't bother to give it a go, then there's some serious problems with the party.
And just for good measure, if ANYONE ever tells an otherwise sane person they shouldn't run for an office because it will drive up the GOP vote, they should be booted from party leadership.
State Rep. Al Edwards officially registers the lowest decibel level for applause during recognition of officeholders. Tells me people are paying attention, Al. Oh, and check the latest Texas Monthly cover story for a good laugh ... or a heartattack.
Borris Miles (Al's opponent) also in the house, very much a people person. I'm sold on doing whatever I can for Borris and things are quickly getting underway. After all, election day for this race is early March. Borris is quickly challenging every notion I've had of most first-time candidates. Typically, you expect a bit of stiffness, maybe a bit of shyness even. But this guy impresses on a new level each time I've been around him. District 146 is going to be one hell of a campaign.
Nick Lampson gets double praise here. That he'd register the highest decibel level of applause during recognition is no surprise. That he'd also qualify as "Last Candidate to Leave the Room," however, was a pleasant surprise. Not a huge shock that Nick's a hard worker, though. He beat a nutty incumbent Republican in 1996 and he may well do it again in 2006.
Highest decibel moment overall for the night? Possibly the recognition of Lt. Col./State Rep. Rick Noriega and his wife/substitute State Rep. Melissa. Somewhere, there's a State Senate seat (if not something higher) waiting for Rick.
Mayor Bill White's speaking style is still an acquired taste. Hizzonor isn't big on soundbites and witty repartee, but there's a very slow-building accumulation of a pretty good narrative in there. Check back when White starts getting more serious about a statewide run. Again, on a geek note, check the new site. Definitely an improvement over version 1.0 for this campaign.
Got in some quality time with our US Senate candidate, Barbara Radnofsky, which is always a pleasure. One of the silent auction items was a photo taken by Mr. Radnofsky. A real nice nature shot of some mossy greenspace, nothing political, but a breathtaking shot nonetheless. Totally missed in my earlier Q&A with BAR was asking about such things. My bad.
I've repeatedly said how glad I am that I don't reside in Houston City Council District C. Great part of the city, mind you. But as conflicted as I've been over both Herman Litt and Mark Lee, I have to cede some ground that Brian Cweren may well be earning a bit of respect as well. I'd known of Brian's involvement with Houston's Holocaust Museum, which is certainly a feather in his hat. Unbeknownst to my previous googling, however, was the fact that Brian was also a Panel Chairman of the HPD
Citizens Review Committee once upon a time. About the only thing that causes this self-styled centrist to offer effusive praise to former City Councilman Jew Don Boney is that Boney was (rightly) a tireless fighter for getting such a committee into place, often at the sacrifice to his own freedom (Boney was often sent to the slammer on drug charges that mysteriously were dropped as it was about to be uncovered that the drugs were planted). I think there's maybe 10 things under this sun that I agree with Boney on (I also used to listen to his radio show in the old days of the local Pacifica station), but that one ought to qualify the man into a hall of fame for such work. I tip my hat to Brian's persistence in alerting me to his better resume highlights.
Long lost aquaintence Byron Barclay was also spotted making the rounds more effectively than some candidates. I'm now told there's soccer game viewing in my future due to the youngest of the clan. Yet another fan club to establish.
Tablemates of import were City Council candidate Herman Litt and candidate for Attorney General, David Van Os. Yes, the one and the same David Van Os that I've crossed a sword or two with as this fair blog gains noteriety for it's unpredictability (among other things, I'm sure). For fuller disclosure, David and I have exchanged more than a few pleasant emails that more clearly illuminate our views to one another. While I'm sure we'll disagree on a bunch of really weighty matters confronting civilization, I think we're near a point that might be called by some ... chummy? Crap, I thought I had a better term there, but I guess not.
For the record, David is running for Attorney General this time. Not the State Supreme Court. And, more importantly, his stump speeches are more closely tuned to matters that actually involve the race he's running for, which was a major bone of contention I expressed in a certain wave-making endorsement for the other candidate in David's 2004 race. I can only applaud that type of focus.
Although all the major "D" City Council candidates were there, I'm regretting not finding my way to Michael Stoma, who's running against Boy Wonder, Michael Berry. I know nothing of Stoma, which seems to be about par for the course.
I did make a note to nag Ana Hernandez (State Rep candidate, Dist 143) for a possible Q&A. Kuff, if you're reading this, lemme know if you've got something ready to roll with or if we need to collaborate or what. Didn't see the other young attractive candidate, Laura Salinas. Maybe she was there and I just missed her. Or maybe it's a "residency thing" and she didn't want to leave the district for an event. Dunno.
Special kudos to the Peter Brown campaign. Being the glutton for campaign brutality that I am, I love to seek out those campaigns that are working the hardest to ensure a win. Why? Because those are the campaigns that not only get votes for themselves, but they tend to do a lot of good for a lot of other campaigns as well. Lots of campaigns doing phone work, but phones lack the personal experience. As the night wore on, I kept thinking that maybe they'd all just phone it is (so to speak), rely on mail for the real persuasion work, and leave the shoe leather on the shoes. But at the end of the night, I run into Max Cardenas, whom I'd not seen since he worked Scott Hochberg's campaign. Knowing that Max is about the hardest working person in the world, I felt that gleam of optimism that finally ... FINALLY ... someone would be hitting the streets doing some of that nasty, brutish, and totally enjoyable work of blockwalking. Max is now a part of Team Pedro and assures me that Peter Brown's shoeleather will be expended, as well as that of several others. For a campaign deemed a lock for a November win, those guys are leaving nothing to chance. Kudos to all involved.
Everyone else was there, too. Sorry if I missed out on some extremely witty story involving my time with any of them, but it's late and I need sleep.
Wythe. Out.
Things I'd like to see:
-- Rick Noriega run for Lt. Governor in 2006
-- Bill White run against John Cornyn in 2008
PDiddie, you've got that right!! From your lips to God's ear.
Liked your summary of the night, except the part about Brian Cweren. He's an opportunistic, Republican candidate who has wormed his way into more than one Democratic function: Meyerland Area Democrats' September meeting, passing out literature and yard signs; a fundraiser for Peter Brown, he was actually seen outside giving out info as people walked in; now the Johnson-Rayburn Dinner, leaving his business cards on every table.
I probably know what you're going to say, "The City Council race is non-partisan."
The hell it is! I'm going to support a Democratic candidate for every race under the sun. He may be a liberal Republican-surely he's more liberal than Hittner. But there are several great Democratic candidates running for that same spot and I think all Democrats should vote for one of them.
Sorry I didn't get an opportunity to talk to you last night, especially since we were sitting at the same table....weird :)
Kellen:
Do you even know Brian on a personal basis?
If not, what right do you have to pass judgement on him? I'm a liberal Democrat who has NEVER voted for a Republican in my life, but consider Brian to be one of the smartest, kindest, most sincere people I have ever met. And I couldn't be prouder to be supporting his candidacy.
If you'd like to question my Dem credentials, please be my guest. But you'll be hard-pressed
to find any holes in my committment to the Party.
As for the other Dem candidates, are you aware that one of them is funding his campaign w/money from TX homebuilder Bob Perry (the Swift Boat Ad backer that capsized John Kerry's campaign last Nov)? And that the other one has run twice before citywide yet lacks any traction w/in
even his own backyard?
Brian is the best hope for District C. All of us
engrossed in the political process, whether Dem or Republican, should be honored to have someone
of Brian's caliber, personality, & intelligence
running for public office.
Brian Cweren may be the best thing to hit Houston
since slice bread & Hubert Vo.
For those ready to hop on the train to a new
era of responsive leadership, the ride begins
here:
www.brian2005.com
Positive Change is Coming to District C.
Kellen,
While I can appreciate the sentiment, I don't envy the choice Meyerland Dems have in this election. Herman Litt and Mark Lee are two good guys, either of whom would make an excellent City Councilman.
But the larger point is lost on me precisely because I live in District F, which is represented fairly well by the Republican, MJ Khan. We do have an alternative in this election, it should be noted: John Shike is running and I'm sure he'd like people to know that he's a Democrat (this time). But John Shike is not a candidate worthy of support regardless of party and though I'd like to see an upgrade of my City Council representation, the bill of particulars with Khan has been pleasantly miniscule.
I think the reason that nonpartisan elections are a good idea the closer to home we get in levels of representation is due to the fact that, partisan or not, we all have to live with one another. We all have to live in the same neighborhoods, we all have to see kids going to the same schools ... so we ought to find some greater sense of commonality than our justifiable partisan differences might lead us to believe.
I've known Mark Lee through his work with us SD17 folk. He's a great guy and he's got a good mind for dealing with issues that come up at City Hall. He's also got a creative bent that I don't think gets nearly as much praise as warrants.
More recently, I've had the pleasure of talking with Herman Litt on a few occassions and have been greatly impressed with his knowledge and attention to detail of those very same issues. Whether it's this time or not, I think Herman is definitely one of the few people that would make Houston better if he were to serve on City Council.
I'm well aware of Anne Clutterbuck's partisan affiliations, but her community work is also a matter of record and deserves some praise as well. Perhaps it's a sidenote, but I do think if politeness and manners were counted, she'd be well ahead of the game. Not a knock on anyone else in the race, but more a note of Anne's personality, which wouldn't be an altogether bad thing in political life.
Brian Cweren, like Anne before him, is relatively new to my own knowledgebase. What primary he votes for or which Presidential candidate he votes for is of far less importance to me than what type of councilman I think he'd be. To the extent that I've had the opportunity to get to know a bit about Brian and to the extent to which he's made his case as a candidate, I can't say it's been altogether bad.
Now, do each of those candidates have shortcomings or foibles we can all point to and question? Yes. We all do, and those guys are no different. Like you, I'm more than a bit anxious to see a balance of power shift towards more Dems on City Council that will come with Peter Brown's anticipated win in November. But infinitely more important is what the effects are of the next council, what priorities they make, and what amount of progress we can measure in our fair city well beyond their terms of office.
I'm all for being a good Democrat, but being a good Houstonian still ranks higher. If there are differences I have with any candidate out there in any local race, it's typically because of whether or not I think their policies (irrespective of the worldview they fit within) are good for Houston's future or not. The flip side of all that is that, while I harbor my sincerest praise for Jay Aiyer's campaign in At Large #2, I have absolutely no reservation in making Jay's case to my Republican friends as comfortably as I do my Democratic friends. After all, the closer we get to home, the fewer differences we ought to have with our neighbors.
Oh, lest I neglect a bit of courtesy here ... it was good to meet you Friday night, Elizabeth.
You too, Greg. :)
Thanks for your insightful & open-minded
commentary re: the importance of electing
the best representative to the district,
regardless of political affiliation.
I look forward to keeping up with your blog
as the campaign wears on.
Thanks for the great review of the Johnson-Rayburn Dinner Gregg. I am glad you enjoyed it and hope to see you at next years.
As to Nick Lampson, I have noticed for some time that as long as there is someone to talk to, Nick will be there. Compared to some politicians who always seem to be running off to another event, he will stay around until he has talked to everyone. He is a great campaigner and a great guy.