Thank You DCCC; Cool it Lone Star Project

HEY...MOST TDP ..INSIDERS DIDNT LIKE CIRO EITHER (0.00 / 0)

AT LAST THE ONES I SPOKE TO IN ORDER TO LINE UP A BIG...6 FIGURE CONTRIBUTION TO CIRO BEFORE NOV 7TH...FROM A SOUTH TEXAS BUSINESSMAN..OF THE TDP INSIDERS I SPOKE WITH ALL SAID...HES NOT OUR CANDIDATE..WINK..WINK...SO LOOK FOR A FUNDRAISER WITH A BIG CONTRIBUTION  FOR CIRO AND YOULL FIND OUT  WHO THE MAN WAS...

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by: jorge adrian vergara @ Wed Dec 13, 2006 at 20:52:44 PM UTC

Sorry..old habits are bad...my bad (0.00 / 0)

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by: jorge adrian vergara @ Wed Dec 13, 2006 at 20:53:24 PM UTC

What the hell? (3.00 / 1)

Um, hello? Does everyone in the blog-world remember how much NO ONE BELIEVED that the challenge to Delay's redistricting map would ever matter?

The LSP, the TDP, and others who fought for the redistricting battle on the Supreme Court was the reason there was ever this race in the first place.

Did they win the whole thing? No, the DCCC, the TDP, and a dozen other groups did tons of work, and they all deserve recognition. But this race never happens if they hadn't gone through the legal battle.

I'm sorry that arguing before a Republican Supreme Court and convincing them that the redistricting map crafted by Delay was illegal isn't impressive enough for you, but they do deserve some credit for the work they did.

Now, a very great man once said that some people rob you with a fountain pen.

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by: Phillip Martin, Progress Texas @ Wed Dec 13, 2006 at 22:15:44 PM UTC

who said it wouldn't matter? (0.00 / 0)

And was this before or after the LSP was wasting a lot of energy pushing for their own map that was not going to be approved? Remember the Jackson plan?  The map that Ciro just won in is not the one they argued for even.

The lawsuit obviously was important, but I'm not into revisionist history here. And on the ground, it's the people and money that won it and the D-Trip soooo brought it when it comes to that category.


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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Wed Dec 13, 2006 at 23:09:44 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

which is why (0.00 / 0)

LULAC and MALDEF were clearly mentioned in that post along with the TDP.

I didn't see any of them having to rush out with a big presser about why they were important.

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Wed Dec 13, 2006 at 23:11:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

MALDEF presser: (0.00 / 0)

MALDEF SUPREME COURT VICTORY YIELDS ELECTION OF LATINO-PREFERRED CANDIDATE IN TEXAS 23RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

"...The election was the final step in a legal battle waged by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) to restore District 23 to its former status as a Latino opportunity district."

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by: Joe @ Wed Dec 13, 2006 at 23:18:04 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

LULAC presser: (0.00 / 0)

"'Hispanics in District 23 were able to elect their candidate. This was our goal from the beginning,' said LULAC National President Rosa Rosales...

...In June, LULAC spearheaded the historic LULAC vs. Perry Supreme Court decision."

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by: Joe @ Wed Dec 13, 2006 at 23:22:42 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

well (0.00 / 0)

Was it send less than 3 hours after the close of voting? Wasn't in any of our inboxes. Then again, you have a real job and are supposed to get these things.

Plus MALDEF and LULAC did a hell of a job in fighting the lawsuits to keep early voting open.

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Wed Dec 13, 2006 at 23:23:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Hm. Thought it was (3.00 / 1)

Chris Bell that got this party started.

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by: PDiddie @ Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 13:58:12 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

In defense of the Lone Star Project (2.50 / 2)

LSP played a huge role in the Voting Rights Act challenge that changed the shape of US CD-23.

I didn't see LSP's self-congratulatory email, but I know that such emails can be very annoying.  Nevertheless, LSP did much good in the Voting Rights Act case, and -- without the restoration of the Tejano vote in US CD-23 -- Bonilla would have been easily re-elected in the DeLay gerrymandered district.

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by: StopBonilla @ Wed Dec 13, 2006 at 22:35:55 PM UTC

Should we also blame them for John Courage's loss, then (3.00 / 1)

because the redrawn map hurt his campaign?

I'll save you the trouble. Of course not. 

You put things in motion, and no matter how smart you are or how much you've planned ahead, unexpected developments will always arise.

The redrawn district did lead to this victory, but it did not do so by itself.

DCCC, the TDP, any number of other participants in this campaign are all critical elements. Take any one of them away, and we're left once again looking at the one that got away.

It didn't get away this time, and that's to be celebrated-not spun.

Before you win, you have to fight. Come fight along with us at TexasKaos.

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by: boadicea @ Wed Dec 13, 2006 at 23:23:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

haha oh yeah (3.00 / 1)

This gets at my point and why my post was directed at people who won the immediate election. Because if the LSP wants to take credit for starting it all, then they should also take credit for screwing over John Courage (who according to Matt, would have won or nearly won the old 21st). Obviously they are not, and they shouldn't have to. And like has been said elsewhere, then should we go back and thank Tom DeLay for making all this possible. It's gets insane.

No, the point was a matter of taking credit for the amount due. And not being irritating me me me me with their email releases.

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Wed Dec 13, 2006 at 23:32:04 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

LULA & MALDELF (0.00 / 0)

If they were players, they were playing illegally.

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by: notgonnatell @ Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 05:39:58 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I'm just kind of tired (3.00 / 1)

of the cheerleaders taking credit for the victory on the field.

Where is the DOJ's announcement of their tireless efforts to enforce the VRA?

How about the three judges who redrew the district's boundaries?  Where's the self-congratulatory e-mail from them?

Should we also thank Tom DeLay for being an over-reaching asshole of galactic proportions?  Seriously, doesn't he deserve a little credit here, too?  Sowing the seeds of one's own downfall and all.

For Christ's sake, the credit goes to Ciro; those who walked, called and donated; and the DCCC, most certainly, for the resources they poured in.

Everybody else needs to stifle themselves.

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by: PDiddie @ Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 14:08:08 PM UTC

I sort of read the we as meaning we as Democrats (3.00 / 1)

Not we the LSP. But whatever, it would be nice to post Matt Angles response to McBlogger,

Make no mistake, the lion’s share of the credit for the Democrats’ win in CD 23 goes to Ciro Rodriguez, his campaign team and volunteers, and the outstanding support provided by the combined effort of the DCCC, TX Democratic Party and the DNC.  Enormous credit also goes to the hard and effective work by organized labor, Hispanic advocacy groups and the progressive community overall.

I am of course very proud of the work the Lone Star Project played to raise funds, conduct research, and help coordinate the tenacious fight against Tom DeLay’s mid decade redistricting scheme.  The final stages of the Court battle alone cost well over $250,000.  At a time when spirits were down, and DeLay was riding high, it was important that we fought back.

I founded the Lone Star Project with the strong belief that facts, presented clearly and forcefully, are one of the best ways to promote Democratic views, values and candidates to both the media and the voters.  I am continually grateful to those who support the Lone Star Project’s goals. 

I also strongly believe that when mistakes are made, they should be acknowledged and corrected.  When rereading the Lone Star Project release, written quickly following Ciro’s victory, it has an unintended, but clearly immodest tone.  I apologize and will work hard to do better.

Matt Angle
Director - Lone Star Project

Mcblogger

Prisoner of hope.

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by: comeon @ Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 16:05:53 PM UTC

That was very graciously delivered (3.00 / 1)

Modesty achieved.

Before you win, you have to fight. Come fight along with us at TexasKaos.

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by: boadicea @ Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 16:33:44 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

cool stuff (0.00 / 0)

I'll put it in a post later today when I'm done with my paper.

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 19:29:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Matt Angle: Hardest working man in Texas politics (3.00 / 1)

I loved the article and thought Congressman Frost was only pointing out that he is proud of Matt for the work he has done at the Lone Star Project.

Two seeminlgly long years ago, when Tom DeLay was still large and in charge, and everyone in Washington was writing Texas off, I know I because I happen to live in Washington, Matt Angle continued to work hard pulling money and talent into the state. He was crucial in funding and staffing the talented group we now have at the TDP as well as recruiting strong candidates for TX State House races, which resulted in a 5 seat pick-up.

With regard to Ciro Rodriguez, I think it's important to remember that just about everyone in Texas thought redistricting was a closed case after 2004, and that it was Matt and the Lone Star Project which fought to get the top lawyers and big money in place to continue that fight which did directly result in Henry Bonilla's illegal district being re-drawn. Henry Bonilla's redrawn district is the primary reason Democrats had a chance in that district--make NO mistake about it.

In that way, Matt was a very important part of Ciro's victory as were many others, but I don't think Congressman Frost was trying to hand all of the credit for everything over to Matt as McBlogger implies.

As for Matt's self-promotion, I don't know what McBlogger is talking about. Most people outside the inner circles of Texas and DC politics probably haven't even heard of Matt Angle. He is a behind the scenes guy who works hard to get the job done. Yes he uses his email list to talk about the accomplishments of his group. Who doesn't? BOR certianly does!

I'm glad Congressman Frost used his column to give Matt Angle some recognition for a job well done. There are plenty of people in Texas politics who's contributions are grossly overrated, but Matt isn't one of them.

In the words of John F. Kennedy "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." It seems to me like some of the "McBloggers" of the world who are soooo concerned that Matt Angle might be taking too much credit for his work should ask themselves what they are doing to contribute to Texas Democrats.

It's easy to sit around and play arm-chair quarterback "Oh Matt should have helped John Courage, oh Matt is taking too much credit for Ciro" but the reality is, few if any in this state can honestly sit back and say they did more to help Texas Democrats this cycle than Matt.

I thought long and hard about writing this post, mainly, because I really don't think Matt needs someone like me to defend his work to the blogosphere.

However, I for one would like to say thanks to the Lone Star Project, and especially to Matt Angle for not giving up on Texas.

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by: Ki @ Thu Dec 14, 2006 at 17:49:30 PM UTC

Cut it out (0.00 / 0)

All of the hate mail about those in our own party is getting old.  This divisiveness is how the Dems lost what we had - and it's how the Repubs lost what they had.  The constant bitching about a press release from an organization is stupid and childish.  People have invested their lives - not to mention their hard-earned money to building organizations that battle the right wing monopoly on think tanks, legal challenges, research, message development and paid and free media. And press releases are good for everything we do because imagine that one person - one voter - might see it and decide to join the effort.  WHICH IS WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT. 

Companies, non-profits, campaigns, ad agencies, football teams, etc. all write press releases about good works that they have done.  It's called PR.  It's business. 

How many of you were excited and proud that we won the rose bowl and were national champs last year.  Well according to your logic - we didn't.  We didn't play, coach, or even attend one practice.  And what about those players who didn't play in the rose bowl - they weren't national champs either.  Anyone can get dressed up and sit on the sidelines.  But do you know how many people in this town have national champion rings from 2005?  Hundreds - maybe thousands.  Vendors to the UT Football team have rings.  Why?  Because when the team wins, we are all winners.

No campaign is won or loss by one person - aside from possibly the candidate.  No one group can or has done it all themselves.  Without all of us - Moveon would have reached the heights that it did.  So maybe you don't get everything you'd like out of them, but you damn sure got what you needed.  E-mailed press releases and that got millions of people -millions of voters - who decided to join the effort.  WHICH IS WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT. 

Ciro lost elections in 2004 and in Spring of 2006.  How many people got the blame.  He won in Dec. 2006 - and the blame can't get spread far enough and fast enough.

Cut it out. 

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by: tired of weakness @ Fri Dec 15, 2006 at 14:30:50 PM UTC