TDP Reports Big Success in 2008, 2010 Not Far Off Though

Rewriting the Press Release (5.00 / 1)

Sadly, money is the primary objective of political campaigns run by consultants commissioned on how much they spend, not the only or best sort of that mercenary lot. A rather better model would be a straight fee for creative proficiency.

Money is, however, just one constraint among several on the functions of a political party. It is not even the most important one in this state, where the Texas Democratic Party still regards itself as an extension of the Texas Legislature, not as the instrument of a popular majority. Doctrine is a more nearly binding constraint in today's competitive situation: Our actual doctrine is Jim Crow collaboration in monopoly rent-sharing and bi-partisan concession-tending. But, the other party is waging "politics as war", reciprocating nothing of our tender regard for their unrealized moderate potential.

None of this is to diminish the significance of political finance or to suggest that the TDP should not be more vigorous and, above all, much more innovative and robust in its approaches to political enterprise.

So, since that great GOP innovation -- the self-financing zillionaire candidate -- and the even greater Democratic innovation -- leadership PACs, what is new since almost a half-century ago?

One innovation might be a critical, investigative, engaged press. But, we already have the Texas Observer. Another might be the truly marvelous blogospheric medium. And, yo, we have that, too. So, why not both at the same time?

Such innovation might start with the question of how 14 kcontributors @ 78 $/contributor only accounts for about 1 out of 4.5 $MM that the TDP claims it spent effectively on, ... what? Infrastructure? More like superstructure.

The TDP claims credit for five wonderful developments that it surely had at least a little to do with. But, its only actual goal, vaunted plan, or ... whatever was picking up five Texas House seats. And, it fell at least two short of that, indeed, the TDP welcomed back Craddick D and long-time DNC seat-warmer, Al Edwards.

So, does the BOR care to reveal exactly which races the $4.5 was "invested" in?

The important underlying question is how can the TDP be self-sustaining or self-governing, if it is a mere conduit for over four times what it claims to have raised?

Just about Ronnie Dugger's first decision upon creation of the Texas Observer was that, despite Minnie Fisher Cunningham, Frankie Randolph, and the rest of its original patrons, it would not be a party "house organ". I wonder, has BOR ever had that conversation with whoever, exactly, is its own "gatekeeper".

   

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by: JRBehrman @ Tue Dec 30, 2008 at 21:17:48 PM UTC

Speculating (5.00 / 2)

I know they spent over $1 million helping the State Supreme Court candidates.  

As for the other money, I am not sure.  I don't work for the TDP.  However, they have a staff that works on finance, communications, field, and a talented executive director.  All of that costs money and so does the rent and bills.

Of course if you are curious, please feel free to contact your SDEC member since they are the governing body of the TDP.

Help build a progressive movement in Texas. Join Progress Texas.

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by: Matt Glazer @ Tue Dec 30, 2008 at 21:22:23 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Irony (0.00 / 0)

I believe Mr. Behrman is a member of the SDEC.

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by: David Mauro @ Thu Jan 01, 2009 at 20:07:54 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I should (0.00 / 0)

think that being a State Democratic Executive Committee Member would give you access to the budget. This sounds like a protest, since your wrote here back in May '08:

To quote Glen MAXEY, Obama Floor Manager in the State Convention, "[Democratic] Party governance is broken."

Every decision the State Democratic Executive Committee ("SDEC") has made during this primary cycle has been wrong, and, as many of you saw at the district conventions, these decisions created massive, statewide chaos. Moreover, it appears that the dysfunction in the SDEC cost Barack Obama as many as 36 state delegates from this caucus.

The SDEC's cycle of incompetence and indifference will create major problems for Barack Obama, Rick Noriega, and the county-wide Democratic candidates in Harris and Fort Bend Counties, unless we bring it to a stop at the state convention. For this reason, I am running for State Committeemen SD 13.

 

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by: Elsbeth @ Thu Jan 01, 2009 at 20:43:25 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

ethics.state.tx.us (3.00 / 1)

go to the TEC website and you can see exactly where money was spent.

and, btw, al edwards got elected against a horribly flawed guy with a reported fetish for liquor, guns and the Godfather. (oh yeah, he shot a guy, too).

i've never been accused of loving how the TDP is run...i can't think of anyone in the last 20 years that loved the way the TDP was run.

we are still growing and learning how to be an effective party and do smart things.  boyd ritchie's worst move all cycle was taking a question from a larouche supporter in austin...not a bad year by my estimation.

he has certainly exceeded expectations and (in my estimation) is getting better every day.  the real test will to find his ceiling.  is it high or low??  all indications are that ritchie is learning fast, acting decisively and taking good advice from traditional and non-traditioanl sources.

not sure what you are going for, but asking outsiders what insiders like you are doing with the money is a little odd.

BOR is not an echo chamber or a mouthpiece for the TDP. you will find a vast range of thoughts and opinions on big issues/ideas/personalities of the day...most of them thoughtful and reasoned.

Please refer to KT's signature.

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by: colin @ Fri Jan 02, 2009 at 01:04:00 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Success incomplete, to say the least (0.00 / 0)

Amid all of our success, ground gained, etc., we still failed to cash in on a majority in the Texas House, when it was virtually handed to us.  Perhaps there was too much money going into the wrong pockets.  In the final analysis, losing house races which should have been slam dunks (not to mention a Senate seat in Houston) may reveal the kind of business irresponsibility that we have consistently attributed to the Republicans.  

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by: notrickperry @ Sat Jan 03, 2009 at 17:47:51 PM UTC