In Dr. No in trouble? Dr. Ron Paul has a fairly new congressional district and he may be way out of line for it's voters. Having most of the coast line in the upper Texas coast you would think Ron Paul would be trying to help his folks prepare for storms and recover from hurricanes. But no not this Member of Congress he voted against funding for the victims of Rita.

For years he as been following a very libertarian policy of no government is the best government. He even thinks the government should not try to control drugs or prostitution. If folks want to kill themselves so be it is his feeling. But now according to the Lone Star Project he may finally have an opponent that could retire him to his home in Lake Jackson.

As the report says "Shane Sklar, (is) clearly one of the more impressive and capable young congressional candidates in the country". And if you meet Shane you would agree. He is handsome, articulate and knowledgeable.

Here is the Lone Star Project's report on this race:

"Most people following Texas congressional races, both in Washington and in Texas, are focused on the crucial need to retain valuable Texas Congressman Chet Edwards and on the outstanding chance that Nick Lampson will claim Tom DeLay’s congressional seat, whether DeLay is ultimately the GOP nominee or not.

What many observers have overlooked though is that after the fall-out of Tom DeLay’s mid-decade remap of Texas, Republican Ron Paul was left with a redrawn Congressional District 14 quite different from the one that originally elected him in 1996. The district still leans decidedly Republican, in national and statewide races, but has shown a willingness to give Democrats who are conservative with legitimate local roots some benefit of the doubt. Paul’s vulnerability didn’t show during the 2004 election because Democrats were unable to recruit and field a capable opponent. However, this year, the Democratic nominee is Shane Sklar, clearly one of the more impressive and capable young congressional candidates in the country.

With scant attention outside his home area and little support from national Democrats, Shane Sklar has put together a professional campaign team and quickly built an impressive profile as an unapologetic conservative Democrat, with real world experience in agriculture, business and in government. He displays in-depth knowledge of the district, an eagerness to be an “advocate congressman” and an astute understanding of how difficult a task he has undertaken. These qualities contrast nicely with Paul, who has earned his reputation as an elderly, obstinate ideologue more concerned with tilting at personal ideological windmills than responding to District needs.

The Lone Star Project is not yet predicting that Shane Sklar will win his race against Ron Paul. However, Sklar has clearly moved himself into the range of a “sleeper” candidate who should be on everyone’s watch list and who may be able to take advantage of a better political atmosphere for Democrats in Texas, and nationally, than in recent cycles. Without question, he is an ideal example of the young attractive political talent that Democrats must recruit and support over the next decade if they are to return as the dominant party.

Shane Sklar Biography * Native of the 14th District and a 4th generation rancher * Executive Director of the Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas over the last four years * Former staffer for Rep. Chet Edwards. Also a Field Director for Edwards' successful 2000 re-election campaign (Bio adapted from Shanesklar.com.)

The new 14th District of Texas Different district may look for a different leader Click the graphic below to see the dramatic changes in TX CD 14 since 2000 * The current District is made up of just 39% of the 2002 district

Sklar Earning Favorable Local Coverage

Democratic congressional candidate Shane Sklar'. …shows the kind of leadership his incumbent opponent cannot provide for the 14th Congressional District, for Texas or for the nation…

Given how longtime U.S. Rep. Ron Paul's narrow reading of the U.S. Constitution restricts what he thinks Congress can do, it is impossible to expect such leadership from "Dr. No." (Victoria Advocate, Editorial: Real Leadership, 6/1/2006)

Ron Paul – Tired and Out of Touch Ron Paul is 71 years old and set in his ways. Meanwhile, the 14th district is changing. * Abandoned District on Hurricane Disaster Assistence: The new 14th district is anchored on the Texas Gulf Coast which was rocked by Hurricane Rita, where thousands of Texans lost property and millions of dollars in private and commercial damage occurred. Incredibly Ron Paul voted against Federal assistance for Hurricane relief.

Shane Sklar, a Democrat running against Republican Congressman Ron Paul, accused Paul of hypocritically touting Texas hurricane relief funding in a bill, which he actually voted against…But while Paul took credit in a press release for the Texas funding in the bill, “the release fails to mention, however, that Paul voted against the bill.” (Baytown Sun, June 25, 2006) * Paul suggested Bush impeachment: Displaying how Paul is out of step with main stream Texas Republicans, he was caught suggesting that President Bush be impeached and forced to back track on his statement. * "Paul was quoted as saying during an interview on the Alex Jones Show, "I would have trouble arguing that he's been a constitutional president, and once you violate the Constitution and be proven to do that, I think these people should be removed from office." (The Victoria Advocate, July 13th, 2006)

Encouraging Poll A poll conducted by the Sklar campaign shows that while he remains relatively unknown, Paul could be headed for trouble. * Paul’s reelect is at just 33% * Congressional approval is at just 26% * 61% of Republican’s disapprove of the job Congress is doing

Ron Paul - Reelect 33%

Someone New 48%

Campaign Funding Sklar Faces Typical Challenger Fundraising Obstacles, but Paul May Losing Steam * Despite steep obstacles, Sklar has had modest fundraising success. * Paul's fundraising has fallen off pace of previous campaigns. At this juncture in 2000, Paul’s last serious challenge, Paul had $704,530 on hand. Today he has $395,290, 44% less, signifying either dissatisfaction from his donor base and/or a fading candidate"