Is this the best we can do? No wonder we can't win a race

[HippieCowgirl]

The Web page touts the "hot uninhibited" services of a male escort identified as Todd Sharpe, displaying a blurry beefcake photo and listing a Dallas phone number.

But the number belongs to a salesman and former actor named Tom Malin, a Dallas Democrat who is seeking election to the Texas House.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/021706dnmetcandidate.1d0020a6.html

[acmejack]

1. It's not unheard of for "dirty tricks" to be played

Have you ever heard of Karl Rove? Believe it or not, he has devotees right here in Texas! You may want to ask his campaign WTF? before throwing him to the wolves.

[sonias]

2. He has an opponent in the primary

According to the story Mr. Malin is running for House District 108, which covers much of central Dallas and the Park Cities.

Here are the two candidates that have filed. Maybe Borden is a better choice now. On the other hand, who says a reformed prostitute can't run for the Legislature. There are plenty of prostitutes in the Texas legislature, the kind that sell their votes anyway. I find it more offensive that he spews the standard religious diatribe -" "People don't care where you have been," he said. "They just want to know where you are going. All I know it that the ultimate authority is God. That's what's most important." But hey that's marketing and that can win in Texas. Everything is out in the open now.

State Representative, District 108
Jack F. Borden
P.O. Box 191913
Dallas, TX 75219

Tom E. Malin
3525 Turtle Creek Apt 138C
Dallas, TX 75219
[phone]
http://www.tommalin.com/

Sonia

[GOPisEvil]

3. We can't win a race?

Tell that to Donna Howard.

Oh, and Malin has a primary opponent.

[johncoby2]

4. What's this "we" stuff?

Did you recruit this guy? Did anyone in the party recruit this guy?

This is what happens when someone jumps into a race without consulting his friends, family, and other members of the party. You got to ask the honest question "Should I run for office?", Will you support me? Will you volunteer for me? Do you think I have a chance? and you have to also expect the answer "NO" and act upon it.

When someone gets in then expects support, it puts a burden on those who are working on campaigns that have a chance of winning.

Now, God bless those who stand up and run, but run knowing you have the infrastructure to run.

Oh and also that you were not a prostitute in your former life.

[crispini]

5. AMEN, JohnCoby.

To the OP: Please tell us the extent of your involvement with the DCDP. Are you a precinct chair? Are you a sustaining member? Are you an activist?

And, let's also be realistic here. It would take a really brilliant outstanding highly funded powerhouse Democrat to win HD 108, which includes HIGHLAND PARK, people. I can understand why nobody really wants to take on that uphill struggle. Kudos to those who do.

As far as Mr. Malin, well, he's a nice guy, and I actually kind of like his response, which is dignified and appropriate. Good for him for being honest with the people.

[derby378]

7. Well, with all due respect...

...I can't fault the OP for bringing this up, regardless of her involvement level with the DCDP. Malin may be a good guy and all, but I'd still keep a close watch on both him and Borden to see which one can actually deliver the goods for 108.

Who's going to best represent the grassroots Democrats in Dallas? In short, who will best represent DUers?

[crispini]

8. I can't fault the OP for bringing this up, but I dislike the

"no wonder WE can't win a race." I don't think the jump she made from "former prostitute candidate" to "this proves the Democrats can't pick candidates" is fair or accurate. First, as JohnCoby so very accurately said, very often candidates just pick themselves. Second, if you think there's a problem with the way the local party picks candidates, hell, this ain't Washington DC - you can always volunteer to drive down to the party office and show up for the candidate recruitment committee once a month.

I'm not saying the county party is above criticism, I'm saying that it's LOCAL, and if you see something wrong with the county party, YOU CAN PROBABLY FIX IT. Or at least try.

[derby378]

9. Duly noted - that's one reason I'm getting in on the ground floor

I can't believe primaries are a little over two weeks away - yipes!

[TexasThoughtCriminal]

6. Awww, cripes! The AP picked up this story.

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11407613/from/RS.2/
Just goes to show ya, sex sells and will give you the national spotlight everytime.

*sigh*
I've met Mr. Malin, and though I wasn't impressed with his chances, I didn't give it much thought, as I don't live in that district. If I didn't have much faith we could pick up that seat, I'm sure of it now.