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April 11, 2005
Chris & Alison Bell -- On Redistricting and Stem Cell Research
As many readers know, former Houston Congressman and City Council Member Chris Bell is seriously exploring a run for Governor of Texas next year. He's off to a good start, striking a reformist tone and talking of a New Mainstream in Texas. As Houtopia has written, this kind of sensible approach to woo independents and the few remaining moderate Republicans is likely the only way a Democrat can win statewide in 2006.
In an op-ed in Sunday's Houston Chronicle, Chris makes the very strong case for a return to accountability in the U.S. House of Representatives, via non-partisan redistricting. We wholeheartedly concur. Fewer than 30 seats out of 435 were competitive in 2004. Entrenched incumbency rules the day in the House, and goes a long way toward explaining the polarization, inflexibility and poisonous atmosphere in this once great legislative body. Sam Rayburn must be rolling over in his grave. We salute Chris's (and others) efforts in this regard.
Many readers may do not know that Chris's wife, Alison Ayres Bell, has been waging her own very difficult battle with breast cancer. Today she pens her own eloquent appeal for sanity on the stem cell research issue, and throws in a nice plug for her husband's candidacy as well. Way to go, Alison.
Posted by houtopia at April 11, 2005 11:10 AM