Democrats vying to take back Texas (good mention of Van Os)

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA121805.01B.whyrun.2be67d6.html
AUSTIN — Underfunded, so it seems.

Relatively unknown, so far.

But they say they are not to be underestimated.

They are Democrats vying to do what no one of their political persuasion has done since 1994: carry their party's banner into victory in a statewide race.

Never mind that political experts give them — at best — little chance of winning next November in the Republican-red state. They believe in themselves, their message and the chance that lightning will strike.

"Some of the professional cynics who operate in the embedded corporate media need to open their eyes and understand that ordinary people everywhere are fed up with power-grabbing 'Bushite' government in both the United States and in Texas," said San Antonio lawyer David Van Os.

Van Os said the “Democratic Party is historically the party that raises its strong arm on behalf of the people against the powerful, fighting to ensure that the vision of the Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776 lives always as the goal and the promise of this great society.”

He said he will carry the Democratic Party banner “with great pride in my fight to restore government to the people of Texas as their Attorney General, and will open that banner to all the good people of this state, regardless of current party affiliation, who are sick and tired of government by one-party corporate mouthpieces, and who want their democracy back.”

Van Os said that “fighting to restore government to the people” means defending the people against the predatory exercise of monopoly power by big corporations, defending democracy from being ripped off by the buying and selling of public votes for private gain; defending the Constitution and Bill of Rights of the people of Texas, fighting to preserve the ownership of government by we the people, using the tools of office that the founders of Texas wisely provided to the people’s lawyer, the Attorney General.

“This is my State, I love my State, I’m fighting mad over what is being done to it, and now I’m going to do something about it,” Van Os said.

"Those coming before us who founded self-governing democracy intended that it last forever. For my part I will not let it go down, and my part is clear to me. This state belongs to all the people, and they are entitled to a people's lawyer as Attorney General who’ll fight to restore it to them."

Van Os said the "Democratic Party is historically the party that raises its strong arm on behalf of the people against the powerful, fighting to ensure that the vision of the Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776 lives always as the goal and the promise of this great society."

"This is my State, I love my State, I’m fighting mad over what is being done to it, and now I’m going to do something about it," Van Os said.

Henry Knight of the Progressive Populist Caucus said the following:
"David Van Os has dedicated both his professional and private life to fighting for the little guy. He has sacrificed financial rewards and his private life to be the advocate of the people in Texas. David has been training for the job of Texas Attorney General for most of his life.

David Van Os is the man that has been standing up and saying 'No' when others are afraid of stepping on corporate toes. David is not afraid to speak his mind and to support the Democratic Party even when the Democratic Party appears to be fractured. I cannot wait for David to start taking on some of the corporate giants that now rule our state. There is no single person more qualified to receive my support and my thanks for all of his efforts to help Texas."

Backbone Campaign Executive Director Bill Moyer said, "David Van Os is neither weak-kneed nor a bleeding heart. He exhibits strong, principled, and compassionate progressive leadership, leadership with backbone. His impressive grasp of history, and his commitment to the Constitution and the guiding principles of this democracy, make him the perfect progressive Attorney General candidate for these pivotal times."

Moyer continued, "Hell with the DLC, poll-addicted Democrats who allow their opposition to define them. We need more candidates to follow David's lead into the patriotic and righteous battle to protect and advance our democracy. We look forward to his election for Attorney General of Texas. It'll be a great day for Texas and a great day for our democracy."