| Last night at the monthly Texans for Obama meeting in Austin, Ronnie Earle came ready to win supporters with remarks about his priorities for the future Texas. While he clearly stated that he is not "yet" a candidate for the Governor's office, it's clear that the former District Attorney of Travis County is giving strong consideration to the race. He should--Earle is poised to be the immediate front-runner upon entering, and would provide the exciting candidate Democrats up and down the ballot need in 2010.
Earle's not-a-stump-speech focused on three themes that would likely form the basis of his platform in a potential gubernatorial bid: prosperity, public safety, and equal justice under the law. Tapping in to his long career in law enforcement, he emphasized a need to crack down on drug cartels, and stressed a need for not only tough prosecution, but smart prevention. In his three decades of service as Austin's D.A., it's clear that Earle knows much about how Texas can do better.
In his comments on the decline of the middle class in Texas, Earle made it clear that he sees a need to move Texas in a different direction, which he described as towards "more general prosperity." Earle enumerated several key issues on which this prosperity-push would focus, namely education, jobs, health care, transportation, and the environment. However, he demured from offering specific policy proposals, repeatedly stating that he wasn't a candidate yet.
Earle also stressed the importance of civic engagement and working together, in terms of the citizenry and law enforcement agencies, and as good neighbors. Calling for an end to bureaucratic turf-war, Earle seems full of ideas of how Texas government can do more for the people of Texas, and less for the powerful few who control so much of the business in the Capitol.
One thing was very clear from Earle's remarks: he's not running for Attorney General. After three decades of supervising lawyers, Earle stated plainly that he's ready to be free to speak his mind. So if he's going to run statewide, it looks like Governor will be his office of choice.
Earle stated that Texas leaders need to "set the tone of the discussion." His comments show that the former D.A. shares the same frustration of many Texans every session as sensible legislation gets vetoed and right-wing wedge issues prevent meaningful, needed reform. "Texans are pretty smart people," Earle said. While they may not always vote as he does, Earle seems convinced that they're willing to listen. And with the economy in deep trouble and neither Rick Perry nor Kay Bailey Hutchison providing any real solutions, voters are ready to listen a Democrat.
Progressives, Democrats, and Texans who want a governor who will listen to them in return should hope that Earle gets into the race. He's got strong ideas, he's already solid on the stump. Best of all, it appears that he's already considering the shape of a potential bid: a strongly-grassroots, supporter-driven campaign with an emphasis on personally connecting with the voters. Earle stressed that groups such as Texans for Obama can trump the moneyed interests that control politics, touching on the Obama campaign and the current battle for health insurance reform.
Ronnie Earle needs to get in the race. He's eminently qualified, he's got a long record of public service to the people of Texas. He's funny, he's smart, he's simultaneously self-deprecating and proud of his work as Travis County's DA for over three decades. He's a great candidate. All he needs to do is get in the race, and give Texans a chance to elect the leader we deserve.
Later today, I'll enumerate more of the reasons why I think it is imperative that Earle enter the governor's race. But for now, if you want a solid Democratic candidate, consider joining one of the groups below and growing the support for Ronnie Earle.
On the Internet:
Facebook Group "Draft Ronnie Earle For Texas Governor"
www.draftronnie.com |
