Watch Fireworks New Year's Day Evening

Senator Royce West invites you to a reception and fireworks display as we celebrate "A New Day in Dallas County" on Monday, January 1, 2007. Reception begins at 7:00 p.m. at the offices of West & Associates, 320 S. R. L. Thornton, Dallas, TX 75203. The fireworks will begin at 8:00 p.m. Viewing from the rooftop will be available. For more information, please contact Daniel Clayton or Shay Cathey at (214)948-9378.

Thinking Globally

Gabriela reports: On Saturday, December 16 MoveOn.org planned "See The Truth Parties" featuring the Al Gore documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" at over 1500 homes and public places throughout the nation. Cafe Lago here in Dallas hosted one. Over 70 people attended, some from as far away as Wichita Falls. The movie was shown and at 8 PM a pause was taken to phone in to a national conference call with Al Gore and the founder of MoveOn. Gore emphasized the need for grassroots activity in the case of the environment, moving from local, to city, to state, to federal level. One of the suggestions was to purchase the movie and donate it to schools, libraries, etc. As the congressional session approaches this is the time to begin to put pressure for changes to our world. Those interested in this movement can go to Algore.com or send a post card addressed to your representative c/o Al Gore P.O.Box 121947, Nashville TN 37212-1947.

Hatred And Fear Lose Again

On Tuesday, December 12, the special election for Congress in Texas District 23 was won by Democrat Ciro Rodriguez. He got over 54 per cent of the vote and defeated incumbent Republican Henry Bonilla, who had grown desperate enough to run ads accusing him of not standing up to terrorists. This time trying to scare the voters didn't work, partly because of the Republican hate-mongering over immigration. The incumbent had supported building a futile wall on the border.

Even though most of the votes were cast in Bexar County (San Antonio), which Rodriguez carried, he also benefitted from a major shift in votes in counties on the border with Mexico. In 2004 Bonilla carried Maverick County with 59%; this time he lost it 86% to 14%. Read more at Daily Kos. It didn't help the Republicans that one company hired to build the border wall was just
raided for having lots of illegal foreign workers. Also the state Comptroller has just released a report showing the 1.4 million undocumented immigrants in Texas added $17.7 billion to our economy, and paid over 400 million more in taxes than they cost in state services (read about it at Capitol Annex).

The demagogues still haven't learned. One hate-monger of the far right tried to spread more venom against the nation's first-ever elected Muslim Congressman (Democrat Keith Ellison of Minnesota) over taking the oath of office on the Koran instead of the Bible. His revolting pack of lies has been exposed here and here. Not only Muslim groups, but Jewish ones as well have condemned this garbage.

More Precinct Chairs Elected; Spring Campaigns Begin

Last Saturday the DCDP Executive Committee held a quarterly meeting. Besides announcements and introductions, the only business was the filling of eight vacancies for Precinct Chair. Several elected officials were present, including Judge Don Adams, State Representative Terri Hodge, Dallas County School Board ember Larry Duncan, and Dallas City Council member Ed Oakley. New Judge-elect Bill Mazur thanked the activists for all their help in electing our slate of new officials, several of whom attended. Then the meeting adjourned for a celebratory party.

Three of seventeen likely candidates for Mayor of Dallas next spring showed up (one of whom had just announced that morning; others are still pending). Although the city and school board races are officially non-partisan, candidates do seek support (and personal endorsements) from Precinct Chairs and Democratic activists. The party itself does not make endorsements in those elections, but some clubs and organizations do, notably the Stonewall Democrats. The Roundup may mention candidates who are Democrats, but it won't be taking sides either.

More Local Election Analysis

One of the most fascinating pieces I've read yet on the Democratic sweep in Dallas County is by Eric Folkerth, who among other insights give figures for the very good news about the growing number of Democrats in the suburbs. Read it all at "Why Democrats Won in Dallas County". Another report is at the Lone Star Project. And just to show how right the voters were, read about the losing Republican Judges who stayed away from their jobs to sulk at Dallas Blog.

Flotsam Found Surfing The Web

GOP and DNA?
Blame the voters
Olbermann vs. Gingrich
A Congress that works
Stewart vs. Snow
Bush on The Twilight Zone
Darth Cheney
Problems with reality
Cops Shoot Another Rich White Man

No Newsletter Next Two Mondays

The DCDP Roundup will be out on Tuesday or Wednesday of each of the next two weeks, because the party office will be closed on those two Mondays for the holidays (and for the Inaugural Lunch!). If you have news for the Roundup those weeks, please email it in no later than those Tuesday mornings. Thanks, and best wishes for the season to everyone.

Bill Clinton Campaigns In Texas Special Election

Former President Bill Clinton was in San Antonio on Sunday to support Democratic candidate Ciro Rodriguez in Tuesday's special election for a seat in Congress. (This was redrawn by the courts after Delay's redrawing was found to be illegal.) His presence shows how close this race is, according to this column. Read more, including the predictable Republican attacks on Clinton, in this article. (They are so desperate they have been attacking Rodriguez for "helping terrorists", because he voted for a Republican-co-sponsored bill, which has been praised by the Bush administration, that allowed accused illegal immigrants a fair hearing.) Meanwhile the incumbent was reduced to a rally today with Bush's nephew from Florida, and held a fundraiser with the only person less popular than Bush himself, Dick Cheney.

Along with Clinton at the Rodriguez rally was former Congressman and Mayor Henry Cisneros. You can read a report at B and B blog, and see some amateur videos of Clinton and Cisneros linked on this page. There is some news video at this page (the reporter gets it wrong, saying his victory would give Democrats a third of the House, which will greatly surprise incoming Speaker Pelosi), and another linked on this one (you have to scroll all the way down to "Politics", then click on "Bill Clinton visits S.A. to support Rodriguez for District 23").

The election is tomorrow, but you can still help try to add one more Democrat to Speaker Pelosi's majority by making calls through this online phonebank, or by contributing online at this page.

Have Fun And Help Democrats

This week there are four celebrations where you can also help good Democrats. This Tuesday evening new Judge-elect Lennox Bower will be holding a Victory Celebration and Fundraiser, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, at the Lakewood Theatre, 1825-A Abrams Parkway, Dallas. Have fun and help pay for his campaign. For more info call 214-748-5500.

Then later that evening the Stonewall Democrats will be holding their annual Holiday Party and Gift Basket Auction. This is a big fundraiser for them each year, with the proceeds going to help Stonewall's efforts to help Democratic candidates. They'll also be presenting awards to some people who worked extra hard this year, and hearing from DCDP Chair Darlene Ewing. The party starts at 6:30 PM, at Havana's bar and grill, 4006 Cedar Springs at Throckmorton, in Dallas.

Then Wednesday, another new Judge-elect, Carlos Cortez, will be holding his Holiday Party, from 5:30 to 7 at The Zodiac Room, on the 6th floor of the downtown Dallas Nemian Marcus, at 1618 Main St. They need a head count, so you must RSVP to Dana Kirby at 214-720-0720. Get some shopping done and make a contribution to thank him for his efforts this year.

On Thursday, new Judge-elect Tena Callahan will be having her own Victory Fundraiser, from 5 to 7 PM, at the Law Office of Lisa Mcknight, 4807 Gaston, Dallas. Call 214-528-4191 for more info.

Finally, on Saturday there is another candidate celebration that's not a fundraiser, in the form of the Dallas The Next Generation Community Parade, which is honoring District Attorney-Elect Craig Watkins. It'll start at 9 AM, and go from the Martin Luther King Center to Joe Lewis Field House at Fair Park. Call Gloria 214-428-7799 for more info.

Garland Dems Party And Choose Officers Thursday

This month's meeting of the Garland Area Democratic Club will also be their annual Christmas Celebration with lots of homemade treats. Before that, they will elect officers, and hear Ron Jones provide an "entertaining look" at Parliamentary Procedure. It starts at 7 PM at the Garland Women's Activities Building, 713 Austin St. at Glenbrook, in Garland.

Party At DCDP Office This Saturday Afternoon

The Dallas County Democratic Party will be having an executive committee meeting of the party officers and Precinct Chairs (required four times each year) on Saturday, December 16th. Little or no official business is anticipated (beyond a report that we won all the county-wide races), so it is expected to adjourn quickly into an Open House Party. Everyone is welcome. The time is 1 to 3 PM, at the DCDP HQ office near Fair Park, at 4209 Parry at Fletcher, between Haskell and Peak and two blocks south of IH 30. Call 214-821-8331 for more info.

Watch "An Inconvenient Truth" This Saturday

Across the country the Saturday evening, people will be hosting house parties to view former Vice-President Al Gore's award-winning documentary about the looming planetary environmental crisis. You can find out more about the event at his web site, which also has a place you can enter your zip code and search for parties near you. There will be several in this area, including one at 7 PM at the Cafe Lago, at 9211 Garland Rd #1102 in Dallas (sign up for it at this page), and one at Peggy Henger's in Garland (sign up for that one at this page).

The People's Inaugural On New Year's Day

On Monday, January 1, 2007, the newly elected county officials will be sworn into office. The ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Adams Mark Hotel in downtown Dallas. The ceremony will be followed by a brunch. If you wish to join in the festivities the cost is $35.00 per ticket. Please NOTE: Tables need to be purchased by 12/22 and Individual tickets by 12/27. Contact Sarah at the party office – 214-821-8331.