Prompted by Ted Ankrum's diary...........

[David Van Os]

Ted Ankrum is a good man and a fantastically good Democratic candidate for Congress.

The Democratic Party's neglect of his principled candidacy is not acceptable, but it is not surprising.

But I am not going to use this occasion to go on another tirade at the boneheaded consultants and "leaders" about it.

No, this time I blame us. All of us.

How many times have we said to friends, "What are the polls saying in that race?" How many times have we said, "What are the chances of winning that district?" Or, "Can he win that race?"

STOP SAYING these things. STOP indulging pollsters and handicappers. STOP handicapping or oddsmaking. Every time you do it, you reinforce the mentality that results in a great candidate like Ted Ankrum, Maria Louisa Alvarado, or John Courage getting disregarded by the Party establishment.

DON'T be an oddsmaker, a handicapper, or a spectator.

If all the mental energy that went into wondering about whether or not we can win were converted into fighting TO WIN, we would win everything.

I ain't puffing. It's true. The winning attitude will change everything.

Have you heard our courageous candidate for governor, Chris Bell, say lately that Democrats need to learn how to win again? This is what he's talking about. Have you heard me say at some time over the last 3 years that the greatest obstacle to Democrats winning Texas back is defeatism among Democrats? This is what I'm talking about.

It falls to EACH and EVERY ONE of us. FIGHT to win. PLAN to win. EXPECT victory.

"Fight 'em till hell freezes over, and then fight 'em on the ice." It's not just words. It's an attitude, a winner's attitude. DON'T talk about odds, prospects, or polls. DO talk about fighting for, planning for, and expecting victory.

My friends at DU, you ARE GOING to have a NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL in January 2007. I AM GOING to win. Within the month of January, investigative subpoenas WILL be served on the CEOs of the biggest oil companies. By the end of calendar year 2007 those companies WILL be seeking negotiations.

That is MY attitude. Make it YOUR attitude about ALL of our battles. Plan to win and expect to win. DON'T wonder about or talk about WHETHER your candidates can win. FIGHT for them TO win, PLAN on them winning, EXPECT them to win, and DON'T, DON'T, DON'T play oddsmaker in relation to yourself.

DON'T speculate about what next week, next month, or next year may bring. Take one step at a time, live one moment at a time, fill one day at a time - always with your focus on making EACH moment another moment of WINNING.

Am I getting through?

DVO

[Sopianae]

1. Exactly!

I would also add that we have to go on win or lose. That's how the Republicans got where they are right now. They just kept working at it no matter what for 30 years. We can never sit back. We cannot give up because of a few setbacks nor can we take our victories for granted.

[sonias]

2. Well said as usual David

Not only are you the hardest working candidate on the trail, you are the vision of the party for us. We believe you can win. We know we can win. No more naysayers.

Sonia

[WestHoustonDem]

3. Wow! Yes you are getting through. David - you're an inspiration.

PDittie, Lisa0825, Smarty Pants Liberal and I are all attending Wellstone training this weekend. You are a true progressive in the Wellstone tradition. Your name has come up more than any other candidate - and to resounding applause by every Texan in the class.

Several of them begged for a ride in my Van OsTang. I obliged.

[Lisa0825]

4. Keep on rockin' Davd!

I was very proud to hear your name mentioned several times at Camp Wellstone - Houston, before anyone knew we knew you, and the resounding applause when you were mentioned during a role-playing exercise made me proud!

Your messaage IS getting out there, and people are connecting to it. You don't pander to polls because you are a man of principle, not one who follows the direction of the latest wind.

I still remember the first day I heard you speak, and the first time I got to sit and talk to you one on one, that rainy day in Texas City. I knew back then that you were someone who would represent me, and do so powerfully and with determination.

Thanks for speaking for me.

[Czolgosz]

5. K & R

[Lithos]

6. Winning is an attitude

That is practiced each and every day.

I am not a loser, neither is anyone else here. Let's go get 'em!

L-

[Vincardog]

7. David we better have NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL in January 2007

IF not I want to know what happened to all those people I told to vote for you.
We have the votes we just need them to be counted correctly.

[splat@14]

8. Yep! We really need your approach in Tx!

Kick & nominated. You have 3 votes from this household in Willis!

[cosmik debris]

9. K&R

And a large THANK YOU DAVID!!!!

[Melissa G]

10. Texas Is Going to have a new Democratic AG and when we do

it will shake the whole country awake! I am PROUD to be voting for David Van Os, the AG who is going Whup Big Oil! I am Proud to be voting for David Van Os, one of the most inspirational and hard working candidates in TEXAS and maybe The whole US of A!!!:yourock: