We have produced an ad on behalf of the Fort Bend County Democrats here in the great state of Texas - and we're using the "D word" - Democrat. For those of you who don't know, Fort Bend County is the home (or former home) of Tom Delay.

I've thought about this ad for a while and also thought about how important it is to attack the republicans for what they have done and to tell the voters to vote democrat. I will admit that when I ran against Tom DeLay, I didn't do as good of a job on this as I should have. I watched Paul Hackett fight in a "red" Ohio district and proudly announce he was a Democrat. I have read about the Nebraska Democratic Party running those ads in support of Ben Nelson and the pride it has instilled in the grass-roots. And the message it has given to all Nebraskans that Ben Nelson has done a lot for our state and its okay to vote for him (even if he is a Democrat). I saw Ned Lamont run against the Repub's war and its failure and I took notice.

Finally, I have listened to everyday people in my district who have told me that they want someone who will fight and be proud of who they are.

See the TV ad here

I have seen the other campaign commercials where candidates from very blue states don't identify themselves as Democrats and don't attack the republicans on the national or state issues.

Fort Bend County is seen by the mainstream press as "very red". It used to be very blue and was a good team of conservative rural democrats in the western portion of the county and urban/minority Dems in the eastern portion. Well, as was typical in Texas, Reagan stole our rural Dems and then the Repubs stole the county. The republicans have been selling "cutting taxes," deregulation to "lower your electric bills" and "the school funding system is terribly broken" for 20 years. It has been very effective as a winning campaign slogan, but it's no way to govern. The voters in Texas are beginning to understand that the Gopers have sold them a load of b.s. If you don't believe me, then just check out the Survey USA poll on Bush and Gov. Perry.

See the TV ad here.

During this election cycle we have fielded four county wide candidates: Neeta Sane for County Treasurer, Veronica Torres for District Clerk, Albert Hollan for District Judge, and Rudy Velasquez for County Court Judge. They are very talented and will make wonderful public servants; but I don't believe that they will have the money to go on TV.

There will be a lot of TV in Fort Bend come November, Nick Lampson will be running commercials as well as his opponent and the NRCC. But no one will be running commercials that attack the republican in this state whose policies have run it aground.

See the TV ad here.

Its important to identify democrats with responsible government so that other democrats can be associated with more visible democrats.

We must aggressively fight against the republicans on these issues. It has been their strength, but they have not delivered. They must be held accountable for their actions.

Please give to the Fort Bend Democrats at http://www.fortbenddemocrats.org/contribute.htmso that we can get this ad on tv.

Richard Morrison