With the referendum on a new Houston arena "less than
two months off, there is a scant sign of a well-financed
political coalition like the one that formed last year and
was largely credited with defeating the 1999 arena plan,"
according to Eric Berger of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Berger
noted that the Harris County Republican Party signaled
Thursday "that it wasn't going to oppose the deal before"
the November 7 election," and with some changes, "it might
even endorse it." IHL Aeros Owner Chuck Watson, a key
financier of the anti-arena campaign last year, "has closed
his political pocketbook and plans to focus on his part
ownership" of the Texans. Anti-arena activist Mary Williams,
on the arena deal: "I don't see anyone out there right now
who is willing to stand up and fight it." Berger added:
"Arena supporters aren't ready to write off the threat of
credible opposition -- either well financed, or from a
committed public officeholder or large community
organization leader -- but they believe Houston voters feel
more positive toward the arena" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/9).
