Kesha Rogers' Campaign Shakes Up Dems and GOP

(HOUSTON) The first poll numbers released for the Texas Congressional races caused a stir in "official" circles of both Democrats and Republicans, as the expanding and deepening mass strike ferment was reflected in the polling for Kesha Rogers, the Democratic Party nominee in the 22nd CD. According to the poll reported in a posting on a Google site attributed to "The Skeptical Michigander," Rogers is within 13% of incumbent Republican Pete Olson. In comments on this result, the author wrote that Pete Olson, "a freshman in the 22nd...lucked out when the LaRouche advocate Kesha Rogers won her primary. She'll get no support from the establishment, although maybe running on an `Impeach Obama' platform will help her."

Several top Democrats confided that they had seen reports on the poll. One said he was very happy for Kesha, as he would never have expected her to be so close. He added that there are many Democrats who would like to see her win. A leading Harris County Republican strategist would only say that he was surprised, and not very happy, but acknowledged that he expects the race to get even closer, unless Olson "comes out much stronger" against Obama, which he admitted was not likely. All agreed that the growing unpopularity of President Obama has become the major factor in the November 2010 elections.

The anti-Obama sentiment, which Rogers' supporters noted even at the recent Texas state Democratic Party convention in Corpus Christi, was further indicated in the decision by the Democratic Party candidate for Governor, Bill White, that he would not change his schedule to appear with Obama when the President visits Texas next month. White explained to Fort Worth radio station WFAA, "I don't appear with a lot of peopled who come through the state of Texas. I am running for Governor of Texas, and I make plans. I don't go where other people go." In his speech at the Democratic Party convention, White did not mention Obama once.