Burnt Orange Report

DFA Training and Dean

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

This past weekend I attended the DFA/21st Century Democrats training at the Huston-Tillitson (historic Black college) in East Austin. For the details on that, I would read RedPeg who has an excellent report. I actually met Trei, the writer over there which was awesome. Check out some of his pictures and also mine.

On Sunday, there was the big Rally, highlighted by Howard Dean with all the local candidates up on the stage as well. With about 1000 people in attendance and a lot of media, the organizers were more than thrilled.

This was the 12th time I have been with Dean at some function. The others being...

Ruta Maya fundraiser- Austin
Sleepless Summer- San Antonio
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee endorsement- Houston
Fundraiser- Houston
Bill Bradley Endorsement- Manchester
Ames College Rally- Iowa
Caucus Night Speech- Des Moines
Bloggers Breakfast- Boston
Dean Delegates Meeting- Boston
DNC Speech- Boston
Texas Delegation- Boston
Austin Grassroots Training Rally- Yesterday

Dean spoke for a very long time, more than I've heard before. The angle was local, with some of his stump speech mixed in. But there was more of a focus on Texas, and running for office, and what we need to do as a party to build it in Texas and win in the future.

Now as far as the other candidates went, I have some comments about a few of them. Lorenzo Sadun (Congress TX-10) gave a really great speech, spiced up with democratic (small d) idealism. Kelly White (TX House- 48, West Travis County) was much improved in her speaking abilities from this spring when she spoke to the University Democrats. (Her opponent is apparently doing poorly in his fundraising while she has a quarter million or more). Greg Hamilton (for Travis County Sheriff) was by far the best local speaker, an amazing law enforcement Democrat that will help with the African American turnout locally. Mark Strama (TX House-50, North Travis County) was absent.

I have some really interesting information related to 3 races here in Austin that I will post soon, after I can verify it or decided whether it's ok to post. Keep an eye out in the next couple days.