Week Ends in a Flurry
I really feel like our campaign grew this past week. We took off in new directions that we hadn't previously explored. Early in the week, we spent some time working the phones. We had mailed out about 400 pieces of fundraising mail, and on Monday and Tuesday, we followed up with phone time. We spoke to several dozen potential donors, and received a very positive response. Many knew about our campaign, and others were interested in learning more before committing. Some, on my opponent's "Steering Committee" had no idea they were so designated.
On Thursday evening, September 27, 2007, the engelhart4judge.com 2008 green Toyota hybrid coasted silently, in electric-only mode into the parking lot of Robertson Stadium for the Fuerza Latina voter registration drive. I made new friends among the new registrants. And, I shook a lot of hands of the activists, both Republican and Democrat, who had organized the event. There was, I would say, a moderate turnout, but it was definitely a worthwhile evening.
This past weekend was quite full. On Saturday, the hybrid coasted effortlessly over to the Meyerland Democrats picnic. Tom Vinson and his crew put together a terrific steak BBQ with all the fixins. We talked about politics and strategy and how excited everyone is about the upcoming Johnson-Rayburn-Richards dinner on October 20.
From there, I zipped over to the Michigan-Northwestern game that was playing on the TV's at Johnny's Bar on Bissonnet. I quaffed a diet coke and met with fellow Michigan alums who were very excited that one of their own is running for judge.
On Sunday, the last day of the month, the campaign traveled to Old Town Spring for the Long Horn Rod Run. That was an amazing afternoon! There were over 400 muscle cars on display in that little triangle just east of I-45. There were probably 2500 people jammed into the area. The cars were incredible -- gleaming in the sunshine. The hoods were propped open and the chrome on the engines just sparkled as if to say, "please, please take me for a ride and let me loose!" Even standing still, those cars looked like they were breaking the speed limit.
I handed out dozens of push cards and shook many more hands than that. Just like in Kingwood on the 4th of July, I got some grins and some skepticism, but they all, to a person, wished me luck and said they'd get registered to vote (most were already) and tell their friends. I am looking forward to going back there next year right before the general election. I would have stayed a lot longer, but the skies opened up, and people were more concerned about putting the tops up on their little roadsters.
After that, I traveled back downtown to the George R. Brown Convention Center. The Hispanic Book Fair was going on in full force. I am so glad that I came back to town for that. I was able to introduce myself to many many friendly people. I spoke Spanish with most of them and they assured me they were fired up about the 2008 elections and just itching to elect Democrats at every level. In several instances, they were wary when I approached with an outstretched hand and a smile. But when I told them I was a Democrat, they uniformly said, "Good, we need some Democrats in office." I was really energized by the contacts I made at that event.
Later on Sunday, I was very happy to go over to June and Jim Garrison's lovely home in the Rice Village area for a "Patriots for Regime Change" petition signing event. The Harris County Democratic Party and all of our clubs are doing a terrific job with petition signing. All of the 2008 candidates have got to be approaching the 750 valid signature requirement by now. I am.
Finally, the Braeswood Democrats hosted an ice cream social on Sunday night. There were at least two dozen petition signers there in addition to the candidates. 2007 City Council candidates were in attendance, and, gave great speeches. Jolanda Jones stood out because her story is so compelling. Anne Clutterbuck, an incumbent Republican was invited and attended. I can't imagine that Republican clubs have too many Democrats invited to their events. Many judicial candidates were present, too, and we feasted on ice cream and signatures. Scott Hochberg and Gerry Birnberg were there, as was our District Clerk candidate, the ubiquitous Loren Jackson.
I really admire our Democratic Judicial Candidates. They've been sacrificing and working so hard so that we, as a group, can make the changes in Harris County that this community is so hungry for. I have not been to one Democratic event or meeting where there were not at the very least 2-3 other candidates in attendance.
In the upcoming week, I'll be attending the SD 6 Senior Citizens Picnic at the George R. Brown convention center. I was lucky enough to have been invited by Senator Gallegos' office. Saturday, October 6 is a busy day as well, with the Kingwood Area Democrats' brunch, the Chicano Music Festival at the Miller Outdoor Theater in Hermann Park, the Pleasantville Reunion & Voter Awareness Rally at 1422 Ledwicke (The Boulevard), and finally, the SE Pct Judges Annual Luncheon in Tom Bass Park down SH-288 near Pearland. I don't think I can make it to all of those events, but we should have them covered by volunteers and staff.
There are some other events on October 13, including the Tejano Young Dems Roast n Toast dinner on 10/13 that I'd like to go to. However, I will be at the Katy Rice Harvest Festival on 10/13 and 10/14 (we have a booth). I am really looking forward to meeting as many Katy Democrats and swing voters as possible that weekend.
I'll be going dark other than those events and fundraising for the next 2 weeks or so because I have the Civil Appellate Board Certification Exam on 10/15. Wish me luck!
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.
On Thursday evening, September 27, 2007, the engelhart4judge.com 2008 green Toyota hybrid coasted silently, in electric-only mode into the parking lot of Robertson Stadium for the Fuerza Latina voter registration drive. I made new friends among the new registrants. And, I shook a lot of hands of the activists, both Republican and Democrat, who had organized the event. There was, I would say, a moderate turnout, but it was definitely a worthwhile evening.
This past weekend was quite full. On Saturday, the hybrid coasted effortlessly over to the Meyerland Democrats picnic. Tom Vinson and his crew put together a terrific steak BBQ with all the fixins. We talked about politics and strategy and how excited everyone is about the upcoming Johnson-Rayburn-Richards dinner on October 20.
From there, I zipped over to the Michigan-Northwestern game that was playing on the TV's at Johnny's Bar on Bissonnet. I quaffed a diet coke and met with fellow Michigan alums who were very excited that one of their own is running for judge.
On Sunday, the last day of the month, the campaign traveled to Old Town Spring for the Long Horn Rod Run. That was an amazing afternoon! There were over 400 muscle cars on display in that little triangle just east of I-45. There were probably 2500 people jammed into the area. The cars were incredible -- gleaming in the sunshine. The hoods were propped open and the chrome on the engines just sparkled as if to say, "please, please take me for a ride and let me loose!" Even standing still, those cars looked like they were breaking the speed limit.
I handed out dozens of push cards and shook many more hands than that. Just like in Kingwood on the 4th of July, I got some grins and some skepticism, but they all, to a person, wished me luck and said they'd get registered to vote (most were already) and tell their friends. I am looking forward to going back there next year right before the general election. I would have stayed a lot longer, but the skies opened up, and people were more concerned about putting the tops up on their little roadsters.
After that, I traveled back downtown to the George R. Brown Convention Center. The Hispanic Book Fair was going on in full force. I am so glad that I came back to town for that. I was able to introduce myself to many many friendly people. I spoke Spanish with most of them and they assured me they were fired up about the 2008 elections and just itching to elect Democrats at every level. In several instances, they were wary when I approached with an outstretched hand and a smile. But when I told them I was a Democrat, they uniformly said, "Good, we need some Democrats in office." I was really energized by the contacts I made at that event.
Later on Sunday, I was very happy to go over to June and Jim Garrison's lovely home in the Rice Village area for a "Patriots for Regime Change" petition signing event. The Harris County Democratic Party and all of our clubs are doing a terrific job with petition signing. All of the 2008 candidates have got to be approaching the 750 valid signature requirement by now. I am.
Finally, the Braeswood Democrats hosted an ice cream social on Sunday night. There were at least two dozen petition signers there in addition to the candidates. 2007 City Council candidates were in attendance, and, gave great speeches. Jolanda Jones stood out because her story is so compelling. Anne Clutterbuck, an incumbent Republican was invited and attended. I can't imagine that Republican clubs have too many Democrats invited to their events. Many judicial candidates were present, too, and we feasted on ice cream and signatures. Scott Hochberg and Gerry Birnberg were there, as was our District Clerk candidate, the ubiquitous Loren Jackson.
I really admire our Democratic Judicial Candidates. They've been sacrificing and working so hard so that we, as a group, can make the changes in Harris County that this community is so hungry for. I have not been to one Democratic event or meeting where there were not at the very least 2-3 other candidates in attendance.
In the upcoming week, I'll be attending the SD 6 Senior Citizens Picnic at the George R. Brown convention center. I was lucky enough to have been invited by Senator Gallegos' office. Saturday, October 6 is a busy day as well, with the Kingwood Area Democrats' brunch, the Chicano Music Festival at the Miller Outdoor Theater in Hermann Park, the Pleasantville Reunion & Voter Awareness Rally at 1422 Ledwicke (The Boulevard), and finally, the SE Pct Judges Annual Luncheon in Tom Bass Park down SH-288 near Pearland. I don't think I can make it to all of those events, but we should have them covered by volunteers and staff.
There are some other events on October 13, including the Tejano Young Dems Roast n Toast dinner on 10/13 that I'd like to go to. However, I will be at the Katy Rice Harvest Festival on 10/13 and 10/14 (we have a booth). I am really looking forward to meeting as many Katy Democrats and swing voters as possible that weekend.
I'll be going dark other than those events and fundraising for the next 2 weeks or so because I have the Civil Appellate Board Certification Exam on 10/15. Wish me luck!
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.
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