Chris Bell conference call

7:06: Things get rolling. Chris gives big props to us Texas bloggers.

7:08: Standing room only crowds at his speaking engagement in Dallas. More than a thousand Aggie Democrats? I guess that's a good thing.

7:12: Chris says we should look for a decision in July. This is a real exploratory effort.

7:16: He hopes to raise 10-20 million dollars to be competitive.

7:20: We're talking about his chances in San Antonio.

7:22: "This is a marathon, not a sprint."

7:26: I ask about KBH (had to be me) and we agree that Perry will probably be the nominee. We also agree that Hutchison won't be the same candidate after the GOP primary.

7:29: A bipartisan commission to look at reforming our overall financing system.

7:32: God's Politics by Jim Wallis book review from Greg and Chris. I really need to read that book.

7:39: Kinky Friedman will be taken seriously.

7:40: Democrats voting in the GOP primary is more unlikely.

7:45: The New Mainstream isn't about Democrat or Republican. It's about helping those that need helping.

7:47: He can work with Republicans.

7:49: Working with down ballot candidates to help them out. Lots of message discipline.

7:52: Texas is in a position to have the best schools in the country. It's gonna take some work. Chris is invoking JFK for education reform. He's speaking my language.

7:55: No cookie cutter school system.

8:00: "Be prepared to hit back." I like the sound of that.