A Democrat with a record of cutting taxes, boosting education and cultivating bi-partisan support can win a statewide election, Houston Mayor Bill White told an assemblage of local Democrats meeting Saturday morning. White is running for the U.S. Senate, hoping to replace Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who has announced she will resign her senate seat to run for governor against incumbent Republican Rick Perry. In a state where Republicans have dominated in statewide races for more than a decade, White contends that Texans are ready to have leaders who are competent, engaged and politically moderate. "We deserve to have someone who will do what's right for all Texans, not just the right wing of the Republican Party," White said to applause from an audience of 34 party faithful assembled at Andrews Restaurant in Bartonville on Saturday morning.  He said it's time to have representation for all people, not just the special interests.  

     Speaking to an audience made up of proud Democrats, White's message was focused on practical and pragmatic solutions to issues like job growth, improving education and providing affordable housing for responsible people of moderate income.
White struck a chord with the audience speaking about efforts he has led to encourage high school graduation. Though not directly involved in direction of schools, White has been a leader on education issues and decries the increasing number of students who fail to graduate high school. He says the numbers are actually more abysmal than school districts are reporting. White has backed a program called Expectation Graduation, which has made significant headway encouraging students who have dropped out of school to return and earn their diplomas.  White explains that education is so vital to the future of the United States that citizens, not just educators, have a stake in success. Noting there are a lot more adults than there are youngsters aged 14-18, White described how volunteers in Expectation Graduation find out which high school students don't return to school each fall, then knock on the doors of their homes to find out what has happened.  Often, they find that a family is in economic duress and another income is needed, White says.  Expectation Graduation helps find jobs near schools and is working to create high schools structured like community colleges to offer evening classes, so students can hold a day job, but still work towards a brighter future.   

     Good naturedly acknowledging he lacks the former cheerleader good looks of Hutchison and Perry, White says he has the ability to engage voters.  "I've never lost an election and I don't intend to lose this one." White has been re-elected twice as mayor of the nation's fourth largest city, receiving 86% and 91% of the vote.  He claims Houston leads the nation in job growth and has been able to cut property taxes and increase the senior exemptions each year. He also reports that Houston has experienced a significant reduction in crime during his tenure. White has received a John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage award for his efforts to help Hurricane Katrina victims who fled to Houston.  White notes that the effort involved a lot of volunteers and private citizens who helped hurricane victims take care of immediate needs for food and shelter, then to find jobs and permanent homes.   

     Speaking in calm, measured tones, White stressed that it is important for Democrats to engage voters with a knowledgeable discussion of issues, not shout at Town Hall meetings. When an audience member pressed him to work to prohibit adjustable rate mortgages and more tightly regulate the credit card industry, White diplomatically disagreed, suggesting his approach would be to let educated consumers make their own decisions, based on their values and personal priorities.  White advocates a system where local financial institutions, which know the real estate market and economic situation, are able to issues mortgages and retain some financial stake in repayment.