24th Congressional District - Marchant vs. Page

[Citrene]

Please join in with us to TAKE BACK TEXAS!

www.garyrpage.com

Marchant was Tom Delay's right hand man in the redrawing of the legislative maps for the Districts. Marchant drew his own district with DeLay's help. Quid pro quo.

The 24th has the potential to be one of the most high profile contests in the state!

[TXDem24]

1. Ballot Access

While it seems like I am new here (with all of one post), I have been following DU for several years now and have met many of the DFW members. I realize this will come across as pandering, but I really need some help.

Currently there is nobody contesting the 24th district, which would be a real shame. Kenny Marchant, the GOP'er holding the seat at this time, was the chairman of the North Texas Redistricting Committee. I was the second to last speaker (at 1:30 am) at the committee hearing the weekend before the Texas legislature rammed the new congressional map through the process. For his efforts, KM received $10,000 in TRMPAC money and a custom built Congressional district. Then he gave $5000 to the Tom DeLay defense fund, donated money to Pete Sessions and most of the Congressional Repugs (he happens to be a multi-millionaire), voted with Tom DeLay 97 % of the time, and campaigned strictly as a "proven leader for George Bush" in the district custom built for him.

Enter 2006. Duh-bya's poll numbers are dropping like pigeons at an NRA convention. Tom DeLay is mired in his own corruption scandals. The U.S. Supreme Court is revisiting the Texas Redistricting (aka "Perrymandering") process focusing on (you may know this answer) ... District 24. The former Martin Frost seat. Add to this his promotion of the "dead-peasant" legislation and "Funeralgate" during his tenure at the Texas "l"egislature ... this seat really needs to be contested.

Time for the obvious question, "What make qualified?". Well, first and foremost, I am not being represented in this current form of Republican-dominated, one-party rule government. Until somebody with the "credentials", or money, or background, or celebrity who thinks like I do and steps up the challenge, then it is up to me. Nothing fancy. If not me, then who? I'm not interested in hanging around and waiting for the "chosen" one while the neo-cons destroy our country.

Now time for the next obvious question, "Why don't you have the money?". First, I am not a Republican. Democrats do not get money thrown at them to run. Second, I spent almost $10,000 of my own money last year to try to be a viable candidate. Third, I live in a George W. Bush economy (which should be the best answer). I am willing to be a candidate; but, this has got to be a community effort. I need $3125 or 500 signatures within my district by 6 pm on Monday, Jan 2. I already have some money put together. Just remember, ten dollars from 300 people is every bit as good as 3 $1000 contributions. I have just restarted the website at www.garyrpage.com, so there isn't much content at this time. Under "Contact Us" is a "Ballot Access" link which connects into Paypal. Or contact me directly through the email address [e-mail].

Deep down in my bones I feel that 2006 may be like 1994, except in the Democrats favor. There are so many disgruntled Repos, newly motivated activists, resurgent Dems, and enough corruption to kill a country to change the tide. But, it we don't have candidates to catch the "backlash", then it's our own fault.

Here's to a better future,
Gary R. Page

[MagickMuffin]

2. First off Thank you

for taking up the mantle in District 24. I don't have any money to donate, but I could offer graphic services.

As far getting more signatures, you should consider the link below. I'm not sure if you know much about Taking Back Texas, but all the info you have to combat the GOP the better. I know they are very active as far as getting out the vote, phone bank work, door to door canvasing, workshops to help campaigns, i.e. how to frame issues, etc.
I found out about them through Meet-up and DFA.
In FW they have meetings once a month
Where: Old South Pancake House
When: Wednesday, January 4 at 7:00PM
1509 South University Drive
Fort Worth TX 76133

http://www.takingbacktexas.org/

I must admit that I've only been to one of their meetings, but I did help to stuff envelopes. That is another way to offer support if you don't have the funds to contribute to a campaign.

Secondly, glad you decided to take an active role here on DU. Your input will benefit us all. :hi:

I was at the lunch the other day at the Texas Roadhouse, although we didn't get a chance to talk it was good for you to come. I signed your petition.

[PDittie]

4. Welcome, Gary, to DU

I met you at the Howard Dean breakfast in Houston last year. I'll be contacting you for some blog exposure on Texas Tuesdays, Blue Texas, and others.

Good luck and keep fighting.

[crispini]

5. Gary was a good candidate last race.

Met him several times. A very hardworking candidate who was at EVERY single community function he could be at. And we really need to have every race contested.

Realistically, the local Dem Party is not going to give him a lot of help on this race. The district was BUILT for a Republican and the numbers are AWFUL. But do we want every race contested? YES! Then let's put our money where our mouth is!!!

I will PayPal you $50 and recommend this thread!

[TexasLinda]

7. Texas Democratic Women has 2 chapters in the 24th

Go to our home page (http://www.tdw.org) and click on the Chapters link near the top of the page. On the Chapters web page go down to the section on Congressional Districts, choose your district, then click on the "Find Chapter" button. I see two chapters with members in the 24th: North Dallas TDW, with 96 members, and Tarrant County TDW, with 58 members. You can go to their chapter web pages to get contact information. TDW chapters are a good place for candidates to find support.

[MagickMuffin]

8. Glad you posted this info

I was unaware of TDW. Good to know you are out there!
The more exposure we can get about all the various groups that can help pave the way for candidates and their campaigns the better off we will be in our fight for government reform.

Thank you for posting and welcome to DU:hi:

[MagickMuffin]

3. Thanks for posting this important information

and welcome to DU:hi:

[Citrene]

10. Thanks for the welcome and for your support of Gary.

I've known Gary for four years and worked with him when he ran last year in the 24th. IMHO Gary truly does have a chance this year and there is the potential to have this be a very important and high profile race for Democrats in Texas and nationwide in 2006.

One of Gary's main issues is true campaign finance reform. He believes that donations should only be taken from potential voters in the race you are running for, with limits of course. Gary does have the support of Lon Burnam, David Van Os, Peter Johnson and many others in the DFW area and in Texas.

Thanks to all of you in advance for helping him in any way that you can.

Peace,
Citrene

[sonias]

6. Wonderful news

I wish Gary Page all the best in taking on old Kenny boy.

Sonia

[TXDem24]

9. Website

For those having problems with the Paypal link on my website, the conflict seems to be with Internet Explorer (no real surprise). The link works fine with Netscape and Mozilla, but some configuration problems with IE. I will try to have that resolved soon as possible.

Meanwhile, thanks to everybody for their support.

To a better future,
Gary

[TexasThoughtCriminal]

11. Eveyone should hear Gary speak if you get the chance

He reminds me of that other common-sense populist, DVO. B-)

[TXDem24]

12. Thanks TTC

I think there is enough manure out there without me adding to the heap.

[sonias]

13. keeping this kicked for Gary

Sonia

[TXDem24]

14. What is the price of democracy?

I was hoping that enough people out there would consider $10 or $20 a reasonable price to provide choices on the ballot. After all, if I received $10 from the 82,000 + people who had voted for me last year, I would have a real solid campaign. In my mind, it is more democratic and less of a burden to get small amounts of money from large numbers of people (as opposed to large amounts from small numbers). The campaign philosophy of seeking large donors and building huge warchests lends to the corruption of the election process. And I am tired of playing the Republican's game with Republican rules on the Republican's home field using Republican referees. It's time for our own game plan.

We need to draw in more people. I would rather have 100 people give me $10 than one $1000 donor. Last time I checked, 100 votes beat 1 in any given race. Democratic candidates are not going to excite their base by chasing after the elusive $2500 donor. Once they get the money, then what? Buy votes?

In simple marketing terms, you need money to sell a bad product. In Republican terms, they have to sell a bad agenda by painting a "happy face" on it using an absurdly Orwellian title (like "Healthy Forests"). Then it's off to the echo chamber in their Republican owned propaganda machinery to brainwash the public.

Democrats don't have the sophisticated propaganda machinery that the Republicans have built up over forty years. What we have is a one-on-one working class message that is only effective when applied directly. And Democrats can't deliver that message if we don't get candidates out of the starting gate.

So, in all sincerity, I am asking you a question. What is the price of democracy? I can't answer that for you.

www.garyrpage.com "True Democracy requires valid choices"