A Message from Charlie Urbina-Jones

Hello? (0.00 / 0)

Come on folks, show some love to the first post on Charlie. :(

Please read the Community Guidelines and How to Rate Comments.

---

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 03:37:02 AM UTC

First post (0.00 / 0)

Well I want to know the specifics of Urbina-Jones plan for the party.  So I'm anxiously waiting for either the web site of the Texas agenda to make a more informed comment.

---

by: sonia @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 03:41:11 AM UTC

here it is since karl can't seem to open his (5.00 / 2)

The Texas Agenda
“Having a vision is great but having a plan is even better…”

Since November I’ve been traveling all over Texas talking with the People and listening to what they think the Texas Democratic Party needs. I’ve done this because I believe in the Texas Democratic Party. I believe that the People are the party and without the People we lose who we are as a party… it’s time we give the party back to the People.

The Texas Agenda is a collection of the insight and ideas we’ve heard from Democrats all over Texas. It’s an outline of the things I hope all Texas Democrats will help me with when I become State Party Chair. Keep in mind the Agenda will keep growing as you contribute new ideas because without you the party does not exist. It is you the People who are the heart and soul of the Texas Democratic Party.

• Our party should be run from the ground up not the top down. For this state to turn blue we need to win at the local level first. We need to build a strong foundation to support all Democratic candidates regardless of what they’re running for. 
• As Democrats we must ensure that all local parties have the necessary resources they need to do their job at the grassroots level, whether it is getting basic office supplies, improving technological resources or providing information for walk lists, phone banks etc.
• As Democrats we must mount a coordinated campaign to help our statewide Democratic candidates defeat the Republicans in November. We can do it and we can win!!
• We need to ensure that every candidate has full access to all resources and technology available from TDP along with the full support of our staff year-round. 
• “Our Diversity is Our Strength”, our leadership should reflect this and we should embrace and protect the views of all Democrats. I believe that every Democrat has full and equal ownership of our party.
• We believe that every Democrat should have the opportunity to run if they choose to do so. I intend to offer regular regional candidate training/informational sessions so that regardless of how much candidates can raise they have the basic tools they need to run competitive campaign.
• We need to encourage and support more women to run for elected office. With over 50% of the Texas population being female I believe our elected leadership should reflect this. We will aim high and elect women to the courthouse, the statehouse and eventually the White House.

• We need to find alternative financial resources (from the grassroots to large donors) and keep enrolling sustaining members; many people do not give because they are not compelled to. We need strong leadership, a strong message and an effective statewide infrastructure.
• As Democrats we need to encourage and empower our youth, they are our future. We must mentor and guide them for the benefit of the state and national party.
• With our environment in danger we need to promote business savvy, eco-friendly ideas for legislation in Texas and in DC. We must protect our natural resources now and ensure they exist for our future.
• We need to run a fiscally responsible party, we need to update our procedural process, encourage more dialogue from everyone, use our resources efficiently as well as effectively and be honest with Texas Democrats.
• With a country that has over 1,600 registered religions; 250,000 churches, temples, mosques and synagogues- we are without a doubt a country of faith. We need to protect the rights of all Texans and ensure the ability to pursue our own personal beliefs.
• As Democrats we need to ensure our current elected officials have a way to communicate so they can work together on legislation, local programs, and statewide initiatives. We’re a family; we need to work together as a team and more importantly as Democrats!
• As a party we need to ensure that Democrats from across the state have access to proper assistance in the field.
• As individual Democrats we need to promote, follow and encourage the ideas we support in our Platform. This is who we’ve decided to be, this is our plan…let’s follow it.

As Democrats we need to ensure JUSTICE, EQUALITY & FREEDOM for all Texans.

If you honor me with the opportunity to serve you and this great party I pledge to protect, fight and help restore our government back to the People of this great state.

In the spirit of Justice, Equality & Freedom,

Charlie Urbina-Jones
Candidate for Texas Democratic Chair

To add your voice to the Texas Agenda post a comment to the website www.UrbinaJonesforTexas.com (coming soon) or email: UrbinaJonesForTexas@yahoo.com with Texas Agenda in the subject line.

Political Adv. Paid for by Urbina Jones for Texas Campaign, Rosie Gonzalez-Treasurer. 8000 Donore Place, Villa 65, San Antonio TX 78229

---

by: texasaustin2000 @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 08:36:17 AM UTC

I think I can support Charlie (0.00 / 0)

In what will obviously be a hair-pulling, eye-scratching, knockdown-drag-out between the Establishment and the Outsiders -- aka Old Guard vs. Young Turks -- I like the compromise candidate.

He also, by all appearances, is the bonafide grassroots populist in the contest.

I expect he'll have strong support from the Tejano Democrats across the state.  And maybe it's time we elected a Hispanic to the position. *shrugs*

---

by: PDiddie @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 11:22:46 AM UTC

Is it really all that different? (0.00 / 0)

I haven't done a side by side comparison of Maxey's plan, but the two seem to have alot (most) of the same talking points. I don't think the vision is going to to be the deciding factor for most people, although lack of any new vision should be a disqualifier, it's who can get the job done. I think Maxey has the better track record.

---

by: matthew_lt @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 15:01:32 PM UTC

It kind of reminds me (0.00 / 0)

Of the race for DNC chair last year as the momentum for Dean grew all the other candidates decided that the 50 state strategy was a great idea, that the state parties needed to be rebuilt, the grassroots needed to be cultivated...

Hope is not a plan.

---

by: Dave In A Cave @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 15:17:42 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Good (0.00 / 0)

Well at least someone else has the same progressive visions for the party. So I dont think anyone could go wrong voting Urbina-Jones in, but I am still going to stick by my support for Maxey.

Wonder when Boyd Richie will put his manifesto out there, if at all?

---

by: John McClelland @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 15:57:08 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

What about at home?? (0.00 / 0)

What has Charlie Jones done at home for the Bexar County Democratic Party?
Bexar County should be bluer and we should not be losing Democratic seats to Republicans and those who shill for Republicans. The Party infrastructure is in shambles there and rebuilding the BCDP should be Texas Democrats' top priority. The demographic shift is proof that we must make Latino outreach the focus of grassroots activism.
At this point, and I'm not going to support Charlie just because he's Latino or just because I know him.

He hasn't proven that he can organize Bexar County, much less anywhere else. 

---

by: Tejana @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 16:10:32 PM UTC

bexar (0.00 / 0)

i don't get a vote for chair on the 22nd of april, but he seems like as good a candidate as any of the others, if not one with less baggage.

tejana, you can't blame charlie for the mess in bexar county. bexar is like the mideast. families fighting for thousands of years.

sorry tejana, but charlie jones ain't jesus, just a guy who sounds like he is trying to help.

i don't know anyone who doesn't like the guy.

did maxey or boyd ever fix bexar in their 20+ years of beinf involved?

hell, by that standard they should both be disqualified since they were driving when this ship ran aground.

especially boyd, how long has he been an sdec member?  and yet he still can't seem to enact his "vison" for the party? really? leadership baby!

and maxey, the great organizer. hmmmm, organizer of what? karl and the bloggers? awesome.

yeehaw!  anyone else think it might be good for the party to elect someone other than a white guy for something?

---

by: texasaustin2000 @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 16:34:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Wait a minute (0.00 / 0)

I'm not blaming Charlie Jones for the Bexar mess, yet I AM holding him accountable for not being part of the solution. Comparing San Antonio to the mideast is not funny and it's incredibly insensitive. Changing the party infrastructure starts at the grassroots level - the precinct level - and no, it doesn't involve a blog.
I'd like to know what he HAS done in Bexar County, how much money he has raised for the local party and candidates, how influential he is with the local leadership there. These are all legitimate concerns and they WILL be posed to Charlie this weekend in San Marcos.

---

by: Tejana @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 16:52:59 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

haha (0.00 / 0)

how much money has boyd ritchie ever raised? or glen?

i'll have to check the ethics commission and tally up all of their contributions. shouldn't take that long.

obviously, if charlie is involved in that factional divide you call SA, he isn't on your side. sounds like the ole crab in a bucket problem to me...

---

by: texasaustin2000 @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 16:55:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

$$$ (0.00 / 0)

If you'll check back, Glen raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for NNN (and given that challenge, that's impressive), the most of any candidate in this race, not to mention how much he has raised for local candidates and campaigns.

You want to talk fundraising, Maxey's done it.

Please read the Community Guidelines and How to Rate Comments.

---

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 17:26:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

$$$ (0.00 / 0)

really? maxey raised hundreds of thousands of dollars? from who?  what did he spend it on?  you think they'll give him money again given his failure to break 30%?

WHAT he is is willing to spend money on seems just as imporant as raising it....

---

by: texasaustin2000 @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 19:38:12 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

oh come on (0.00 / 0)

everybody knows that hatin' on the gays is a recreational sport in texas, EVEN AMONG DEMOCRATS.  (and yes, i'm disgusted by this)

Fudd's first law of opposition: Push something hard enough and it will fall over.

---

by: annatopia @ Fri Mar 17, 2006 at 04:46:55 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

funny? (0.00 / 0)

and i do think it is KINDA funny to compare sa to the mideast.

---

by: texasaustin2000 @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 19:41:04 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Well, if no one likes the mideast comparison... (0.00 / 0)

you could use the Balkans.

Maybe they could use a Marshal Tito to bring them all together. Maybe they could resurrect the Yugo brand at the Toyota plant.

Tejana, it's not meant to be insensitive... it's just that from an outsiders perspective it seems like there are many competing factions in SA who would rather kill one another than unite.

---

by: The Trey @ Fri Mar 17, 2006 at 02:45:57 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Except (0.00 / 0)

Maxey doesn't live in San Antonio.  Imagine what you'd be saying about Maxey if the Travis County party was as much in shambles as the Bexar County party is.

Urbina-Jones has run for County chair before and lost, he's run for Congress and lost.  Not that the losing necessarily disqualifies him, but ask around and people will tell you how/why he lost.

That disqualifies him in my book.

thejeffersonian.blogspot.com

---

by: Cincinnatus @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 16:56:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

baller (0.00 / 0)

no, but he does live in texas. and only an hour from san antonio.

i'd say that unifying bexar county is about as difficult as fighting the gaymar amendment.

maxey failed at that.  in such a devestating fashion that it appears to have affected our statewide ticket.  who the heck would want to run statewide after maxey's campaign garnered 25%?

not it. takes bigger balls than I have. Chris Bell Balls!

---

by: texasaustin2000 @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 17:02:25 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Prop 2 Didn't Keep People From Running (0.00 / 0)

Any potential candidates lack of a set of big brass ones did.

And you don't have to talk to me about Chris Bell, I completely agree with you.

And are you telling me that local activists should start getting involved in counties that they do not call their home? 

If so then the question becomes, what has Urbina-Jones done for the county Deomcratic parties in every single heavily Republican county in a one-hour radius of San Antonio?

thejeffersonian.blogspot.com

---

by: Cincinnatus @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 17:11:19 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

But it kept winners from running! (1.00 / 1)

What we are left with is not even second string, it's third string.  You need look no further than the abject failure of the Radnofsky campaign.

---

by: Wanderer @ Fri Mar 17, 2006 at 04:20:43 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Winners? (0.00 / 0)

Radnofsky was running waaay before Prop 2/HJR 6 was even an issue.  So was Bell.  He had to square his wife's cancer away, but if that hadn't been there he would've been in the race "officially" much sooner than August.

And these winners you speak of are also extremely savvy.  They wouldn't have run for that Senate seat against KBH even if there had been no Prop 2 or if Prop 2 had failed.

And there are very few 'winners' left in Texas, and those that are around either had their new district to represent and consolidate(Chet Edwards) or... well, that's about all I can think of.

thejeffersonian.blogspot.com

---

by: Cincinnatus @ Fri Mar 17, 2006 at 06:01:46 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

David Van Os (0.00 / 0)

Was also running before the November elections if I remember correctly. As were the Alvarado team.

Please read the Community Guidelines and How to Rate Comments.

---

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Fri Mar 17, 2006 at 06:25:50 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

You are absolutely right (0.00 / 0)

n/t

thejeffersonian.blogspot.com

---

by: Cincinnatus @ Fri Mar 17, 2006 at 07:01:03 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Exactly (0.00 / 0)

---

by: Tejana @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 17:27:06 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Ironic...He has helped.... (3.67 / 3)

I'm from San Antonio and I've seen the way the party there runs. When we do get good candidates they torpede them if you don't bow down to one of the political machines!!! You must own KEVLAR to be a Democrat in Bexar County, it may not be the middle east but it's damn close!

Did you know he was one of the lead mediators between the party & the plaintiffs. He was the one who got the activists talking to the SDEC members, he was the one who helped get the first CEC meeting rolling. Which looked to be working out fine until a state field director blatantly lied about what the CEC voted on (which could of caused a halt to the primary). And that could of resulted in another lawsuit against the TDP & the DNC since they pay his salary.

Did you know the local party was in violation of NUMEROUS party rules, that the Chair lied about $$$, that he ignored & refused to convene the CEC? He said it was HIS PARTY to run as he wanted. Nice job Bexar Cty Dems...you elected that piece of work.

I helped Charlie on his first campaign...did you know the DNC recruited him and then hung him out to dry because he didn't use their "DC" agenda & talking points. He stuck with his beliefs that he could help the people of the 23rd by listening to their needs.

He's also a founder of the Texas Democratic Veterans Assoc and worked numerous years will the late Willie Velasquez & Southwest Voter.

To my knowledge every campaign he has managed (GRASSROOTS STYLE) he has won...he's never used consultants on any of them. Talk about not the norm.

And Charlie will be the first to tell you-you should NEVER vote for someone because you like their demographics! So this makes me think you don't even know what he stands for and who he is.

I live in Corpus now and let me tell you I love my home but it's so much safer in the political scene down here.

---

by: CoastalBendgirl @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 17:29:12 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

A little Stalinism never hurt anyone (3.00 / 1)

"...an internal revolution to bring us back to our roots"  - sounds like warmed over Stalinism to me.

Maybe after our next "Party Congress" in June, we can have a big-ass show trial and purge the "establishment" right out of the party. Counterrevolutionary Soechtingites like me will get an ice pick to the back of the head while right-deviationist Malcomites and ancien regime Slaglephiles get sent to a gulag at Big Spring.

I can't wait for the giant portrait of Maxey off of Lavaca & 10th and all the little "blue" books.

---

by: Tom Stevens @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 16:27:54 PM UTC

Troglodyte! (3.00 / 1)

"Little Blue Books"? How Twentieth Century! Everyone knows the Maxeyite masses would carry Blue Ipods!

Hope is not a plan.

---

by: Dave In A Cave @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 17:03:30 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

ROFL! (0.00 / 0)

If it's a free Nano, I'm in.

---

by: Crispini @ Fri Mar 17, 2006 at 04:51:00 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

How is this any different? (0.00 / 0)

From Maxey's plan?

And how random were the environment and faith points?  Not that I disagree with them, but everything else is talking about party infrastructure, fundraising, candidate recruitment and grassroots involvement and then- bam- you're hit with the environment and faith.

thejeffersonian.blogspot.com

---

by: Cincinnatus @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 17:00:13 PM UTC

One more thing (0.00 / 0)

And if the plans are the same, then you have to look at which one would execute it better.

Maxey has a track record, Charlie does not.

thejeffersonian.blogspot.com

---

by: Cincinnatus @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 17:02:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

of what? (0.00 / 0)

track record of what? putting together the party's lists? yay.

---

by: texasaustin2000 @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 17:04:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Even if that's all it was (0.00 / 0)

Which it isn't- that's more than Charlie's done.

thejeffersonian.blogspot.com

---

by: Cincinnatus @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 17:12:42 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

hello (0.00 / 0)

i dunno. why don't you ask him?  he's been around a while cinni.  and he isn't nearly as grumpy as maxey. he might even stop and have a conversation with you. even if you aren't one of his little bloggers.

---

by: texasaustin2000 @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 17:17:06 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

hi (0.00 / 0)

and not nearly as grumpy as you seem to be. :)  want to talk to Glen? call him up. 443-2004

Please read the Community Guidelines and How to Rate Comments.

---

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 17:29:49 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

And where is the leadership? (0.00 / 0)

The local leadership isn't getting behind Charlie just yet and neither are the community leaders in SA.

---

by: Tejana @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 17:32:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

You might want to look down... (0.00 / 0)

Yep look to the grassroots.

I know Glen and really like him-he's a great guy but the only campaigns he's won are his own. Ironically Charlie's the opposite, every campaign he has managed for the past 20yrs he's won.

I truly belive if the DNC hadn't cut & run he'd be in DC not that idiot, Bonilla. And let me tell you the TDP didn't help either. The TDP has done the "you're on your own" bit too much to minority candidates...hell they did it to Morris Overstreet when he ran for AG.

If you looked to the South & West you might find out more about him.

And some insider info-he was asked to pay 20k to local self-proclaimed political queen JoAnn Ramon so she could "win" the Bexar Cty Chair election for him-he told her to take a flying leap! Now that takes nerve.

---

by: CoastalBendgirl @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 17:41:19 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

campaigns? (0.00 / 0)

Were you referencing Glen's personal races for statehouse, because yes he won those for 11 years.

But if you were referencing the races his run for others at you did for Charlie, then I'm not sure I follow. Glen's run races for multiple countywide candidate, including this cycle.  And most of the time, they have won, in fact, almost all the time.

I don't see how that is opposite. I see that as both accomplishing a similar goal. Winning races. Which at least 2 candidates in the race have some experience with.

Please read the Community Guidelines and How to Rate Comments.

---

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 17:51:26 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

good enough? (0.00 / 0)

11 years of winning races in a liberal district. seems good enough for me. lets make naishat chair!

---

by: texasaustin2000 @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 19:39:24 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

check again (0.00 / 0)

It was a Hispanic district. And that is not liberal by default.

Please read the Community Guidelines and How to Rate Comments.

---

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 19:42:48 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

haha (0.00 / 0)

yes, in austin it is.

---

by: texasaustin2000 @ Sun Mar 19, 2006 at 21:46:25 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

mm (0.00 / 0)

not really.

Please read the Community Guidelines and How to Rate Comments.

---

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Sun Mar 19, 2006 at 22:21:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

have faith (0.00 / 0)

now you hate people who want to talk about faith?

it ain't random if you have it. those without it wouldn't understand i guess.

---

by: texasaustin2000 @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 17:03:58 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yup (0.00 / 0)

I hate people of faith.

Wait a minute, I am a person of faith!

Does. Not. Compute...

thejeffersonian.blogspot.com

---

by: Cincinnatus @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 17:13:28 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I think we all know who the choices are ... (0.00 / 0)

Here in the netroots it seems to come down to Maxey and Urbina-Jones, unless your netroots are in the "New Mainstream." Bell endorsed the insiders pick.

---

by: matthew_lt @ Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 17:50:35 PM UTC