A new Capital Survey Research Center poll in Alabama looks bleak for Obama on the surface.  McCain is taking 47% to Obama's 34% with Barr and Nader at 1% and 2% respectively.

However, follow me over the jump for a little peak underneath this poll's skirts . . .

As many of you know by now, I am running for Judge of the 151st Civil District Court in Harris County (Houston) Texas.  This is a county-wide race, so if you live in Harris County, I'll be on your ballot.  Be sure to vote either straight-ticket Democrat or be sure to vote all the way down the ballot, and in particular, in my race for the 151st.

Also, there's a special election for State Senate District 17 in which, I am told, you'll need to vote separately.  That is, straight ticket voting won't result in a vote for the Democrat in that race (former Congressman and candidate for Texas Governor, Chris Bell).  You'll have to vote separately.

So come see my new campaign video below:

CROSS POSTED AT BOR:

The people of Harris County (Houston) Texas got to read about two more GOP problems in the last 24 hours in their local newspapers.

First, as everyone here has read, there was the nasty button on sale at the Republican State Convention held in Houston at the end of last week and this weekend.  The Houston Chronicle did not seem to run a story about it that I could find.  However, as soon as I read about it on the blogosphere (I think reddit or maybe TPM), I dashed off a letter to the Houston Chronicle.  I believe that was on Tuesday.  Yesterday, I got a call on the machine at home that the Chronicle was publishing the letter.  This morning it was in the paper.

You can read the letter after the jump.

CROSS-POSTED AT BURNT ORANGE REPORT

As you all probably know, I am the Democratic Nominee for the 151st Civil District Court of Harris County, Texas.  This is the county that contains Houston.  It is a huge county, with 1.9 million voters.  Bigger than many states.

For about 15 years, since Ann Richards was defeated by Shrub, the Republicans have dominated this state, and this County.  There are zero county-wide Democratic office-holders.  Our County Judge (head county official), Sheriff, DA, County Attorney, Tax-Assessor/Collector, County Clerk, District Clerk,  all of our county court and district court judges, appellate judges and all through the state Supreme Court are all Republicans.

Houston, in contrast, has a Democratic Mayor (Bill White) and a Democrat dominated City Council.

Read about what's coming in 2008 below:

Something happened recently that was very important for everyone who drives in Texas. All Texas auto insurance policyholders, and thus all drivers, should get on the phone or internet and contact their State Representatives and Senators and tell them to support H.B.2013. This Bill is necessary to fix a major anti-consumer decision by the Texas Supreme Court.

Two other bills discussed below, HB 3281 and HB 2226, are also crucial for Texans.  The first is an important rollback of a part of the 2003 "tort reform" package that killed the jury trial in Texas, and the second encourages and funds solar power, to a degree, in Texas.

First let's discuss HB 2013 . . .

There is a lot of discussion right now, at least in Washington, DC and New Mexico about Republican Senator Pete Domenici and Republican Rep. Heather Wilson being in tremendously hot water over allegations that they pressured the then-US Attorney for the District of New Mexico, David Iglesias, to bring a criminal indictment against local Democrats before last November's election. Apparently, he did not do so. Iglesias has since been terminated for no particular reason by the Bush Administration as one of several such recent terminations. Coincidence? Domenici and Wilson have essentially pleaded the 5th in response to these allegations. Some suggest that this could really cripple the New Mexico Republican party.

Domenici seems to have apologized for having made the call to Iglesias today. However, he denied acting improperly.

It seems like it could have the same type of effect that the congressional page scandal involving Representative Mark Foley, R-Fla., had. A deflating effect that makes people run away from the Republican party in their races, rather than embrace it.

More below the fold:

Harris County, Texas, which includes Houston, is ready to be taken over by Democrats for three main reasons.  First, the demographics certainly are trending towards Democrats.  Second, the County Democratic Party, led by Gerry Birnberg, is finally getting its act together and aggressively recruiting a strong slate of candidates for judicial races and other races.  Third, the County and State GOP machines are showing distinct signs of wear and tear.

In 2006, I believe only three individuals ran as Democrats for civil district judge positions in Harris County.  These are the main state trial courts, and there is not a single Democrat on the 20+ benches in Harris County.  There are no Democrats on the two state courts of appeals in Houston either, and none on the State Supreme Court.  Thus, a consumer really has a tough row to hoe to get a judgment against a big insurer or other big company in Houston, and even if they do, keeping it through the appellate and Supreme courts is even more difficult.

More below the jump . . .