That's a pretty good piece, though the visuals give the cumulative impression of a "lonely libertarian," which is at odds with Smithers' history as a successful volunteer organizer. At least the piece acknowledges him as a real person with stature in the community, and does not try to play the "loony" card we see so often.

I have mixed feelings about Smithers' "consumption tax" idea. On the one hand, I can't fault him for wanting to eliminate the hateful (and much hatED) Income Tax. On the other hand, I would like his proposal better if it didn't involve swapping one tax for another. Still, if that is the only practical way of getting rid of Income Tax, then it's not such a bad deal, considering the benefits we would accue in increased privacy and lower costs of compliance. Unfortunately, I don't think even a consumption tax can fly (especially a "revenue neutral" one), because it would put the ongoing spotlight on our obscene tax bite -- which would be good for the body politic but NOT good for politicians, motivating them to oppose it at every turn.

Good luck to Smithers.

Sorry. Mea culpa. I really MEANT to write "Smither," not "Smithers," but my flying fingers would not cooperate. Too many years of watching Simpsons, I guess. D'Oh. My apologies to the candidate, and again, good luck. :-)

Is there some way for those of us who are already giving all the cash we can afford to the campaign to do something more to help Smither in the polls?

When I did a Google News search for Smither, there was next to nothing, and then when I did a Google News search for Texas District 22, I saw an article saying the Democrat would likely win here:

http://www.cqpolitics.com/2006/09/lampson_says_no_to_special_ele.html

And the same website makes no mention at all of Smither here:

http://www.cqpolitics.com/06map.html

Shouldn't websites like this need to add a third color for Smither? :-)

Getting Smither included in such things is generally a task for his press secretary. Agitation (phone calls,LTEs, etc.) from locals tends to work better than anything from outsiders. I know you'd like to help out, and I understand it's frustrating.

One thing you *can* do remotely is make phone calls on behalf of the campaign. Click on "volunteer" below "action items" on the LP's website, check the box saying you'd like to make calls, and leave an explanatory note.

Looked like a pretty good spot to me. I think he has a good shot at winning one for the big L. The confluence of events, Delay's scandal, and this being Texas give him a good shot IMO