I know I've mentioned this before, but let me harp on it again.

I was in Houston and Sugarland a few week-ends ago, and was again surprised at the huge disconnect between Sugarland demographics and the views of Tom Delay.

Sugarland is the most ethnic (and most muslim) of houston's suburbs. Big mosques, mig temples, the HQ of the North American Ismailis (rich Aga Hhan followers) But these natural democrats atre not mobilized and don't (generally) vote. If the dems mobilzied, there is no reason a strong candidate in Sugarland could scare the bejusus, beAllah, beKrishna out of Tom Delay.

So are the H-town democrats giving that any consideration?

Ikram,

Two items that I didn't mention here: One, Bob Stein said in his presentation that Fort Bend Independent School District is majority non-Anglo. Fort Bend is following the same demographic trends that Harris and the rest of Texas are, though it is not showing the same decline in Anglo population in part because Harris Anglos have been moving there.

Second, I managed to corner Harris County Democratic Party chairman Gerry Birnberg and ask him if the Dems were going to run a "serious, well-funded" challenge to DeLay next year. Birnberg said that Tim Riley was a serious challenger in 2002, and that the DCCC will not support a candidate whom they deem to have no real chance of winning. Unfortunately, I did not have a chance to discuss this with him at any length.

I do believe that DeLay can be challenged, but there's a huge mountain to climb, and there isn't even a working web page for Fort Bend County Democrats. At this point, I don't know where to start.

I understand that given Delay's massive money advantage, name recognition advantage, and edge in the anglo community, he would be very difficult to beat. And I suppose it is unrealistic for Dems to put serious money or time into this race.

I was thinking more of a candidate who would force Delay to spend time and money on his own race, lessening his ability to raise funds and elect Republicans in other districts.

Oh well, perhaps another year. The demographics of Fort Bend are changing so fast. It's just voter mobilization that is lagging (significantly) behind.

(Sorry about putting this comment in the wrong box. Finger slipped)

I was thinking more of a candidate who would force Delay to spend time and money on his own race, lessening his ability to raise funds and elect Republicans in other districts.

You've been reading my mind. I've had a post percolating for some time on this topic, but I've been waiting to see if redistricting will happen first, since the map he drew moves all of the mostly black Precinct 2 out of the 22nd CD and into Sheila Jackson Lee's district. I think that's a great reason to take on DeLay - making him play defense will make it harder for him to raise money for other candidates.

Sorry about putting this comment in the wrong box. Finger slipped.

No problem. This post was close enough. :-)

There are two ways to look at this - ideologically and politically.

If you are really ideologically opposed to Tom Delay, the way to shake him up an maybe alter his behavior is not to find a Dem to run against him, but a more moderate Rep to challenge him in the primary. It would need to be someone who could appeal to that portion of his constituency that holds their noses and votes for him because he is the Republican and they're just not ever going to vote for a Democrat. They're there and they would go to the polls if just to shake him up. Of course Delay would still likely win but he may be more willing to listen and compromise. You may wind up with a "kinder gentler Tom Delay." And yes, I'm serious but will admit that his plan comes with no guarantees. It may just piss him off.

But from a Democrat's perspective, do you really want Tom Delay going anywhere? He is the living caricature of all you are running against. Candidates everywhere can run against Republicans and link them to Tom Delay. Besides, he responsible indirectly for energizing Democrats across Texas with his redistricting plan.

Ikram,

Muslims aren't natural Democrats, so I fail to see what your point is about mobilizing them against Tom Delay...

Who knows, Ikram, maybe that's DeLay's real motive for the redistricting scam; Charles, how did the proposed redistricting look for DeLay on that score?

Anyway, I'd sure send $10 or maybe even $15 :) to someone trying to beat him.

Thanks very much for the link, Charles!