This is my first diary, and I do not claim it is anything earth shattering. However, this is a top-tier race, and it is my intention to keep fellow Kossacks regularly updated on the progress of the campaign on the ground from a gumshoe perspective.
I have just returned from a volunteer kickoff meeting for Nick Lampson (the anti-Delay) in TX-22 and offer the following report on the flip:
There were about 40 in attendance, most representing groups such as Democratic Women of Fort Bend County, Fort Bend Democrats Grassroots Club, and various local Democratic candidates, along with a handful of grassroots neophytes like myself. Another meeting last night boasted an attendance of 70 or so. The leaders claim that this is extraordinary turnout for mid-March in anticipation of a November campaign. This being my first campaign, I wouldn't know. My guess is that about half the room had never before worked on a political campaign.
We are told that we knocked on 1,400 or so doors over the weekend. I canvassed on Saturday, and that sounds about right. The field director reports a 3-1 majority for Lampson in Sugarland (Delay's hometown) and 6-1 in Clear Lake (between Houston and Galveston)." We checked off numbers from 1-5, and I don't know how close to 1 it had to be to qualify as "for Lampson." My own territory showed preponderance for Lampson with quite a few people not offering their inclination. I assume many of them lean Delay, but kept that to themselves. In any case, the mood seems favorable to Lampson. The district seems to be mostly white-majority Houston suburbs and ex-urbs with some non-white ethnic enclaves, which is pretty tough turf for a Democrat.
The candidate is thoroughly committed to the issues of homeland Security, fiscal responsibility, improved education, and expanded access to Healthcare. I'm not sure that amounts to a core political philosophy such as Republicans claim--smaller government, lower taxes, an aggressive foreign policy, and putting God back in the public sphere--but it is at least as good as most Democratic talking points. I do perceive quality leadership within the campaign and fierce determination among the grassroots. I personally think the candidate and the campaign show great promise.
I will continue to update as progress unfolds (and if enough people care to read it).