11.11.06
Minutes, 11/11/06
GHDC Meeting MInutes
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Mary Kay Green called the meeting to order at 9:10 AM. She opened the meeting with a statement about what Veteran’s Day is all about. She announced that Vicki Bellow’s son has returned from Iraq and is currently stationed at Fort Hood. She thanked everyone who helped out on her campaign.
Robert Jarra of Campaign Strategies discussed the election results and made predictions for the future. He said that Jim Sharp carried Harris County in his race for 1st Court of Appeals justice. That’s a big step.
Democrats won forty two judgeships in Dallas. A Democrat there won the race for District Attorney.
There’s a tipping point, and we’re getting real close to it. Despite the fact that Hubert Vo was gay-baited and immigrant-baited, he won in District 149 with 54% of the vote.
Ellen Cohen won in District 134 against Martha Wong with 54%.
Democrats won in North Dallas and Arlington, which are suburban areas that used to be very Republican. In District 133, Jim Murphy won with only 55.8% of the vote. That’s Joe Nixon’s old district, so we’re closing in.
Turn-out will be up in 2008, which is a presidential year, so our judicial candidates will be able to win next time. In this cycle, Democrats won every countywide seat in Dallas.
There is a lot of potential with the post-baby boom generation, which is the group born after 1965. They are voting. They’ve seen governments fail. They really have no faith in government or political parties. They are naturally skeptical. They have no patience.
They are not partisan, but they will vote Democratic if we give them a product that they’re willing to buy. It’s really important that the state folks give the voters products that they want. These are people that are buying the most home for the buck. People are moving into these areas for affordable housing.
Jim Rine made a quick announcement about the Veterans for Peace entry in the parade downtown today. There is free parking in the Theater District until noon today. The event starts at 10 AM at Hermann Square at City Hall, and the parade will go from Smith and Texas and will last until 2:30 PM.
Max Beauregard commented that Mary Kay Green lost by only 6,800 votes, and there were 51,000 under-votes. We have to emphasize to voters the importance of voting all the way down the ballot.
Linda George said she saw voters in her precinct with push cards from the Texas Medical Association advertising a vote for the straight-party Republican ticket.
Mary Kay Green welcomed the new visitors to our meeting. She related the Treasurer’s report from Vicki Bellow that we have $1,091.25 in the bank.
Max Beauregard announced that DVD’s of the Bill Moyers special on the Tom DeLay-Jack Abramoff scandal are available on the back table for a one dollar donation.
Vicki Bellow aid that Chris Bell came in a close second place in her precinct.
Mary Kay Green welcomed the new visitors to our meeting. She asked for suggestions on where we might have our annual Christmas party in December. She said we might have it on December 9, which is the date on which we will have our regular meeting. She asked whether anyone has any other announcements.
Max Beauregard announed that we have GHDC club t-shirts available.
We revised the GHDC by-laws to allow for the election of club officers in January rather than in December.
Barbara Ashley commented that Mary Kay Green was the top Democratic vote getter in Harris County, and hope that she decides to run next time. She said that Mary Kay Green is very compassionate, and is always there to help. She made a motion that we donate at least $100 to the Mary Kay Green campaign.
Vicki Bellow said that for now we are donating $100 to the campaign.
Mary Kay Green said that she understood that the gift would be for $100. She said thank you.
Max Beauregard introduced Scott Bruns, our webmaster.
Mary Kay Green accounced that Melissa Taylor has resigned from her position as Executive Director of the Harris County Democratic Party. There will be a party in her honor tonight from 6 to 9 PM in Cobain’s, the sports bar that is located immediately behind Chatter’s.
The meeting was adjourned by Mary Kay Green at 10:10 AM.
by Henry Weissborn
GHDC Secretary
Approved by Mary Kay Green
GHDC President
Date: December 6, 2006
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