A note on that article, Austin…While the by-line is Sugarland, the article is actually penned by a reporter for the Austin American-Statesmen, which was for all intents and purposes a leftist newspaper until its purchase a few years back by Cox News Services, the right-leaning national chain that owns the Atlanta Journal Consitution, The Dayton Daily News, Palm Beach Daily News and many more.

Here is an article written inside the district, from a week ago in the Pasadena Citizen. But maybe I just like it since I’m quoted in it:

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15870072&BRD=1574&PAG=461&dept_id=532238&rfi=6

RJ - As far as the apathy vote, and first-time voters, I unfortunately think that 2004 was a watershed year for that phenomenon, and that GOTV efforts targeted at infrequent voters will be a big challenge of the Lampson campaign. Nonetheless, it is a weak district ready to fall. During re-districting, DeLay, who felt safe, gave away some of his GOP stronghold neighborhoods to adjacent to District 2 in Beaumont (so that Ted Poe could defeat Lampson).

Additionally, the districts demographics have shifted, with large numbers of new arrivials in Democratic developments like Mission Bend, as well as a significant number of new Asian voters. Take a quick peek at downballot filings in the district, and you will see a part of the Dem strategy—Neeta Sane for County Treasurer (Indian), Farhan Shamsi for JP (Pakistani), Steve Brown for State Rep and Grady Prestage for Commisioner (African-American), Veronica Torres for District Clerk and Rudy Velasquez for District Attorney (Hispanic).

Anyway, just also wanted to say great blog, Austin. I have hit this site many times through Technorati searches, and the writing has always been great…You seem to have a knack for including the perfect combo of hotwords in the perfect proximity.

Stockman can probably raise money and run a decent campaign. We know Lampson will do that. If those two split the 49% opposition to Delay, Delay can keep the 36% and win. Particularly troubling for Democrats is the fact that this is a HEAVILY Republican district. Many conservative voters will be inclined to cast their protest vote for Stockman, not Lampson.

Most politically apathetic people say Congress is bad in general, but that usually doesn’t apply to the hometown representative. Delay’s district can’t say that, since he was Congress pretty much.

It amazes me that Delay would be having trouble fundraising as well. I figured he would get a national funding base due to his popularity and visibility. Unless Republicans are throwing him under a bus…

link

As to Tom DeLay being dead, I seriously think people are underestimating him. I’ve seen way too many thieves and slimeballs re-elected by landslides in races where some people were sure they were done for.

Don’t get the wrong impression that I’m some big Tom DeLay fan. I’ll tell you straight away that Ted Kennedy is a lock for re-election… I’d never vote for him in a million years, but just because he’s a lousy Senator and as corrupt as they come doesn’t mean he won’t roll right over his opposition.

DeLay’s legal troubles are the only thing that can really bring him down. He’ll need to be forced into quitting the race or damaged much worse than he is now in order for the Dems to win this contest.

Q: If Tom DeLay runs for re-election in 2006, in general, are you more likely to vote for the Republican candidate Tom DeLay or for the Democratic Party’s candidate for Congress?

Tom DeLay: 36%
Unnamed Democrat: 49%

Voters’ Opinion of Tom DeLay

Favorable—37
Unfavorable—52

Based on what you have heard or read, do you think the charges against DeLay are definitely true, probably true, probably not true, or definitely not true?

Definitely or Probably True—55%
Definitely or Probably False—34%

Find the poll here:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=delay+district+22+poll+&btnG=Search

Also, you may want to note, given that this is a blog covering third party issues, that this is acutally a four-way race, with independant Michael Fjetland joining the race for the third consecutive time (http://www.mikefjetland.com/). It is also likely that the local libertarian party will field someone for this race, as they did in 2002. All three of these independants are openly right-of-center.

Also, in the minds of the residents of TX District 22, a “generic unnamed Democrat” conjures up the image of someone far more left than Nick Lampson, the former congressman who often is tagged with the “Conservative Democrat” label.

And anyone who thinks Tom DeLay has retained his fund-raising muscle simply hasn’t been paying attention to current events. Not only would they know that DeLay’s money-machine is now almost impotent, but they would also know that Nick Lampson reached $1 million in campaign contributions faster than any congressional democrat campaign in history.

Facing two and possibly three right-wing third party challengers, and a incredibly well-funded and popular democrat, DeLay is in for an interesting year.