I won the four-way primary, but not by 50%+1, so I am in a runoff. I am the last Fighting Dem left, that was in an opposed primary in Texas. During the primary campaign, I concentrated on the freshman Republican incumbent's shortcomings to show how I would run against him. I was loathe to criticize any of my Democrat opponents because Texas Democrats don't want to see us beating up on each other. Now that I am in a runoff, though, I think it would be fair to point out just why I think I'm a better candidate than my runoff opponent.
When I was serving four tours in Vietnam, I learned that democracy was not a gift bestowed by the American Government and that American troops' sacrifices would not make any difference in the outcome of another country's civil war. Half a million troops didn't make a difference in Vietnam. And 135,000 won't make a difference in Iraq.
When I was Chief of Environmental Compliance at NASA, I learned first-hand how corrupt TOM DELAY is. He tried to pressure me into allowing a contributor to do a job at Johnson Space Center using equipment that violated the Montreal Treaty to protect the Earth's ozone layer. He tried to get me removed when I refused and he and his staff didn't stop calling me and my bosses until I asked him if he wanted to read about it in the Washington Post newspaper.
When I was Head of Conservation and Renewable Energy Commercialization at the Department of Energy, I started the Government energy efficiency standards that have doubled US energy efficiency since 1980. I have a letter on my wall, and the pen he used to sign the Act, from Jimmy Carter thanking me for helping get "The Wind Energy Resources Act of 1980" through Congress.
When I was Deputy Head of the Superfund Hazardous Waste Cleanup Program at EPA, I learned how lobbyists can destroy the effectiveness of a good idea. All the Superfund money is now spent; much of it went to legal fees, and most sites have not been cleaned up.
When I was Chief of Quality Inspections at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, I had to go public in the Wall Street Journal about quality breakdowns at the Commanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant near Dallas to get the utility management's attention to fix the problems. Then, I had to look for another job. You can read the article on my website.
When I was a Diplomat in Australia, I studied a country with a Universal Health Care System that combined "Medicare for All" with inexpensive private health insurance. It is an excellent model for the US. I also saw a country with a "Living Wage". Both of these things help make Australia the very good place to live that we all have heard about. I will use my experience to work for these things in the US.
What was my runoff competitor doing while I was learning these things and a lot of others? He was running a bookstore in Austin and writing poetry. These are admirable things, but they don't do much to prepare you for the important issues facing Congress, today. Evidently, others agree, since I received the endorsement of every major newspaper editorial board and Democratic club in the District after head-to-head debate. The Austin-American Statesman: "One of the four Democrats, Ted Ankrum, is clearly the best choice". Houston Chronicle: "The Chronicle urges voters to support Ted Ankrum". Austin Chronicle: "It is Ted Ankrum who offers the best chance". The Texas Women's Political Caucus rated me as "Highly Qualified". They didn't rate my competitor at all.
So why the runoff if I'm so good? My competitor says that it is because he is "promising to impeach George Bush when he is elected, and Ted Ankrum won't." Every Democrat may want this, but winning in this normally Republican District means that you have to get crossover votes from people that have voted Republican. If a Democrat has to make this promise now, the nomination isn't worth having because it's a sure loser in November. If Paul Foreman cannot resist trading off his own personal interest in this runoff with that of having a Democrat win in November, perhaps Democrats should take notice.
You can read more about me at Ted Ankrum's Home Page and contribute HERE. Thank you for your attention and help.