June 9, 2006, 2:13AM
Dems lay platform for revival
Delegates see state convention as the first step in party's comeback
By CLAY ROBISON
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
FORT WORTH - Texas Democratic activists prepared to open their state convention today, hoping to boost some long-shot candidates and reclaim some long-lost political turf.
Several thousand delegates will elect a party chairman, applaud speeches ringing with optimism and vow to strengthen the grass roots and rebuild the party.
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Some political watchers predict it will remain Texas' minority party for several more years, regaining strength as the growing, heavily Democratic Hispanic population increases its political participation.
But Democrats say they are optimistic about their prospects now, encouraged by Republican ethical scandals in Austin and Washington, as well as by President Bush's political struggles, which, they hope, will rub off on Perry.
"Democrats are on a trajectory to return to majority party status in the state in the next 10 to 15 years," said Southern Methodist University political science professor Cal Jillson.
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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/3953508.html