(SD24 is my home district where I was elected as a national convention delegate in 2004. Mike Cable actually expressed interest in writing for BOR months ago and he may be coming on board for the summer. Never though we'd have some Abilene area coverage now did ya? - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
This was our first convention as well. Both Camille and I became delegates specifically to work for Glen Maxey, so we definitely experienced some disappointment, but we also came back fired up to win in 06 and 08.
In the early afternoon on Thursday, I was on the road from the Anson Summer School Program back to Abilene, eager to head out for Fort Worth. I already was proudly wearing my Maxey lapel sticker. My niece Jenny was with me, and she immediately asked about the sticker. I tried to explain, as best I could to a seven-year-old, why we were going and how we wanted Glen to win. Jenny got a very serious look on her, and asked “What are you going to do if he loses?” I told her that her Aunt Camille and I would be sad for a little while, but we’d get over it. She still looked serious, and said "Uncle Mike, you know people do lose sometimes, right?"
Yes, Jenny, I know. We were sad for a while, but now we’re over it. I’ve already sent out important emails, worked on our county party website and blog, and started planning grassroots outreach for our Democratic Party 4th of July picnic. And I finally got around to writing this brief piece on our convention experience. |
| We arrived at the Courtyard Marriot about 4 pm Thursday, after an easy two and a half hour drive from Abilene. After unpacking and freshening up, we walked down the block and had a leisurely dinner at Bennigans. Then we headed to Red Paddies for the Drinking Liberally event. We had a blast and I got to meet the legendary Anna of Annatopia. We also met Charles “Chuck” Beatty, who is running for County Judge in Ellis County. If you are in Ellis County, vote for Chuck—he’s a great guy. We stayed to the end, about 11 pm, and then returned to our room for a good night’s sleep.
By 8 the next morning we were at Team Maxey HQ for our briefing and assignments. I reintroduced myself to Glen—we had last met in 2003 on Texas Rangers for Dean trip to Iowa. I also finally got to meet Karl-Thomas Musselman, who was coordinating things for SD 24, since SD 14 was well covered, and Fredericksburg is his hometown. After the meeting we grabbed stickers, buttons and literature.
I crossed the street to the Hilton to buy smokes, and while there introduced myself to David Van Os. He asked me to help coordinate his Taylor County Campaign, and I agreed.
Next was the exhibit hall--we talked to folks about Glen for about 45 minutes, and then got in line for credentials about 10 minutes early. The credentialing area was absolute chaos. The convention center did not allow enough room on the back side of the booths for people to line up, and it was sheer pandemonium. We talked to some Taylor County folks, and reintroduced ourselves to Dian Ruud, who is now our new SDEC Committee Woman. We were almost the first ones in line, and they hadn’t distributed the goodie bags yet—all we got was a Shamu pen. Camille spent the rest of the day complaining that she didn’t get a C-Span tote, although we returned to the Credentials booth on Sunday and she got one.
By this point we were hungry, and crossed the street for a fundraiser for Chuck Beatty. As I mentioned earlier, he’s running for County Judge in Ellis County, and really deserves your vote. He also had the best cheap lunch in town. For a two dollar donation you got a hotdog, chips and iced tea. They also had beer for sale. Camille insisted I get a picture of her and Chuck, with his Super Bowl ring visible—he has two of them.
We returned for caucuses. Camille worked the door and inside the Black Caucus. I worked the door at the Technology Caucus. People were streaming out of caucus complaining about how boring it was, so after the halls cleared I headed back to Team Maxey HQ and helped hang signs in the main hall.
Next was the SD 24 caucus. We won the nominations committee battle for Glen, electing Daniel Melder of Lampasas, who ran on a “no recommendation platform.” We also elected Dian Ruud as our SDEC Committee Woman.
Knowing we could see all the speeches later on the Internet, and being tired, we decided to skip the opening of the convention. We finally ran into Margaret, who teaches with me in Anson. Margaret also became a delegate just to work for Maxey. She was there with her mother, and we all went to eat at Bennigans again. Then we drove out to the Maxey/Urbina-Jones party at the Rahr Brewery. The band, Bombasta, was great. We stayed until about 11:30, and left just as Glen arrived. I introduced Margaret and her mother to Glen, and then it was back to the hotel for some much needed sleep.
At 9 am we were back at Team Maxey HQ. We all distributed Maxey literature and signs all morning. I didn’t even enter the main hall until close to the time to vote for State Chair. I helped our County Chair, John Pettit, gather the Taylor County delegation—I have a very loud, “middle-school teacher’s voice” that is useful at times like this. Taylor County went 10 for Maxey, 6 for Richie, and these votes were apportioned for a total delegate strength of 24. SD 24 went 79 for Maxey, 67 for Richie. At this point I thought we had it won. Our vote went very smoothly, although we were one of the districts where Richie folks tried to use proxies. Fortunately, the Chair announced that these proxies would not be accepted.
When they announced the run-off results, I quickly did the math, and realized it was a long shot for victory. We called the Taylor County delegation back together, and again voted 10 to 6 for Maxey. SD 24 went 91 Maxey, 79 Richie. By this point we were famished, and crossed the street for some Mexican food. We were there when we heard that Maxey had conceded. Yes, Jenny, people lose sometimes. We returned to HQ and listened to Glen and Rick talk about the race. We said our goodbyes to Glen and Karl-Thomas, and then worked out some of our sadness at Poorboys over a few beers.
But we’re over it, and already back at work to elect Democrats. I truly believe that Boyd Richie heard Death knocking on his door, and hope he pays heed and works with us. If not we will be back in 2008. I made some great connections with folks like Dian Ruud, TJ Mabrey and Daniel Melder of Lampasas, Karl-Thomas and Anna, and David Van Os.
We will continue crashing the gates.
Thumbs up to all of the hotel, restaurant and bar staff we encountered. We received nothing but exemplary service
Thumbs up to the live blogging crew, and to the convention for providing them access.
Thumbs down to the convention center for their lack of handicapped access.
Thumbs up to Bombasta.
Thumbs up to the Permanent Convention Chair for shutting down the booing while LaKeesha Rogers spoke.
Thumbs down to every delegate who couldn’t or wouldn’t vote for Glen because he way gay.
And a great big thumbs up to Glen and all the Team Maxey volunteers. We’re not going anywhere. |
