Rice Harvest Festival a Smashing Success! - UPDATED

Democratic values are alive and well in Katy, Texas! On Saturday morning, October 13, the engelhart4judge.com 2008 green hybrid coasted silently in electric-only mode out to Katy, Texas. We arrived at about 7:30 a.m. to set up our booth. The Katy Area Democrats and I put up our canopy/tent and set up our table and respective banners. I had just gotten mine on Friday and it looks great. It's bright red like my big signs and bumper stickers.

The festival didn't officially open until 10:00 a.m., but there must have been a garage sale going on nearby because there were many early looky-loos loitering about. I was able to put in a couple of solid hours of studying for the board certification exam I took Monday in Austin.



I was armed inadequately for the sun that day, and ended up with a bad sunburn on my face and ears. I am peeling like an onion right now. I had to retreat to the shade every few minutes or risk baking. One poor little girl visiting the booth to our right passed out from the heat. The funny thing was, it wasn't really that hot on Saturday, but the sun was really strong. The little girl was tended to by paramedics, and left several minutes later with her family under her own power.

I shook many many hands as there was a steady stream of visitors all day. The booth to our left was giving out free t-shirts and bags all day, and the one to our right had cute baby-stuff, so we were well positioned.

Just like at the Kingwood Independence Day Parade, I had many well-wishers. Many came by to sign our ballot petition, too. Some said, "Democratic judges in Harris County!? There's no such thing!" I assured them there soon would be.

There were fewer than 5 hardcore Republicans, amongst the 300-350 hands I shook who turned down literature on ideological grounds. One large fellow (bigger than me-- so mountainous, to be sure) said he was a Republican for lots of reasons. I asked him to just name one, and he stopped, and thought about it for awhile, and came up with "pro-life". He agreed, however, that between the war in Iraq and lots of other issues, the current Republicans in the state and federal government, "suck". I gave him my push card, and told him about my views about the courts and government, and assured him I thought I sucked a little less. He promised me he'd visit our website and consider me next November. It seems clear that many Republicans are going to do the same.




There were many many Democrats there, too. They saw the Katy Democrats sign, and did a double-take, and ran over. They wanted reassurance we were real and that we were fighting to take back the County. They could not believe their eyes -- Democrats out campaigning. It was like a mirage to them. But folks, we're for real!

As importantly, there was only on Republican with a booth at the festival that I saw. A Fort Bend County Constable seeking reelection had a booth with the Katy Republicans. There were no judicial candidates that I saw all day. I think they've already given up, if you want to know the truth.

Mike

Political advertising paid for by Michael C. Engelhart, 4402 Holt Street, Bellaire, Texas 77401 in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.