Texas State Democratic Convention Focuses Attention Away from Winning Elections in Texas

This is completely unacceptable! (4.00 / 3)

I don't understand how smart people can be so misguided and unorganized!

What the heck do they think is more important than winning elections?  IMO, winning this election BIG TIME is all there is on this earth!  It is all that matters and if it's not the most important thing then we are lost!

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by: TXsharon @ Thu Jun 01, 2006 at 23:35:35 PM UTC

Whatever people say (3.75 / 4)

when it conflicts with what they do, believe what they do.

No matter what Boyd Richie says in his interview with Phillip, what this tells me is that the current leadership of the Texas Democratic Party-including Mr. Richie-don't take their own candidate slate seriously.

I was just on the Travis County Dem site, and considering becoming a sustaining member. I can probably carve out the cash from my budget.

But I will not put any money to support leadership that has lost its way so thoroughly as the Old Guard has.

I know that a lot of people have worked hard for many years. I appreciate that.

The fact is, however,  that what the TDP has been doing for years is what has marginalized this party in the eyes of ordinary Texans.

That means things must change.

And I don't mean acting like a party that has no nominees to promote.

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

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by: boadicea @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 00:13:08 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I don't have much money to give right now (4.33 / 3)

but anything I give will go straight to the candidates.

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by: TXsharon @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 00:54:31 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

the first contribution (3.00 / 2)

i ever made was $50 to Maxey for Chair because I am tired of shit like this

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by: David Mauro @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 05:20:20 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I'm giving directly to candidates (3.25 / 4)

I'm on a fixed income and every cent is budgeted. I budget in order to be able to give to that which  really matters to me. This year the races of some of the middle -down the ticket candidates really matter to me.

I don't give through PACs or other organizations. I work with them, and encourage folks to work together for the candidates. I volunteer my time and give what I can. This year a little bit matters. In other years it probably wouldn't be noticed.

I think we should help them get elected. Then we can concentrate on rebuilding the infrastructure that is broken. If we focus only on the tools and ignore the candidates we have technology and no vision and soul.

Actually just bypassing one meal out and sending it regularly to campaigns adds up -- especially when it is multiplied by others doing the same thing.

Faith Chatham

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by: faithm @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 03:23:55 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

2002 (4.00 / 4)

At least then there was a coordinated campaign and everyone was talking about the ticket and people were honestly excited. I remember back then and compared to now, it's pitiful and a disservice to great candidates like Hank Gilbert. Kudos to Hank and David Van Os for trying to create a coordinated campaign, but seriously, it shouldn't be them that have to do this. Either the Party or the top 2 ballot spots should be doing something but we've yet to see anything.

Sadly, it seems to be shaping up as a 'fend for yourself' year.

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 00:47:58 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I was volunteering as a letter (5.00 / 1)

writer for BAR but, honestly, she has so much more than the other candidates. 

We need to all stick together and not every man for himself.

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by: TXsharon @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 00:53:06 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

volunteer (4.00 / 2)

for someone who knows how to run a disciplined campaign and not piss away money.

unfortunately, that rules out both BAR and Bell right now.

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by: David Mauro @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 05:21:33 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I am (4.33 / 3)

I'm volunteering for David Van Os

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by: TXsharon @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 10:41:12 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Oh and (4.00 / 4)

I offered to blog on Daily Kos for BAR and they just turned up their noses.  Said she has her own blog.  So I put one up for David and it was the #1 blog on DKos for about 24 hours.

Politicians who don't use the blogs are completely out-of-touch with the people!  Even Jimmy Carter has blogged on Daily Kos.

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by: TXsharon @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 10:43:21 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

There's a phrase for that strategy (3.50 / 4)

It's "divide and be conquered".

Even if a particular candidate wins, what kind of leader is s/he if s/he does it by running away from the slate?

A piss poor one, and I wouldn't give much for his chances against a hostile legislature or in a divided Senate.

Hey, but I'm just a chick with a blog, right?

Better leave this to the professionals.

Pah. Probably better I'm not able to be an observer at the convention. I might have a stroke from the stupidity.

*Breathe, Boadicea. Breathe.*

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

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by: boadicea @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 01:08:00 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Maria and Dale and Fred deserve credit too (4.00 / 4)

I'm so impressed with the way David Van Os, Maria Luisa Alvarado, Hank Gilbert, Fred Head, Dale Henry and Valinda all work together. I haven't met Valinda yet but the other candidates mention her frequently and it is obvious that they are pulling for each other. 

This ticket is superior to any ticket I've seen in Texas in 20 years. They understand that they'll have to win without help from the party. There is little infastructure. Where there is infastructure, there seems to be some barrier or personality which restricts access to the candidates to that resource.

However, I believe that decent qualified human beings are held in esteem by most Americans. Most people trust other people as messengers more than they trust media. This time we need to carry our message to our neighbors and friends and co-workers. 

We need to encourage these candidates. I hope every reader of this site who is going to be at Convention will make posters, and gather up anything that can possibly be carried to the Convention Center which can be used to create the LARGEST DEMONSTRATION for these candidates when they enter the arena. They have worked so hard, spend so much of their own money, listened to so many nay sayers who only discouraged and dismissed them, (and insulted them to boot) for so very long. It is time that WE STAND UP AND SHOW THEM HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE THEM.

There will be bowls at each booth to accept donations large and small. If folks will drop checks -- even $10 or $20 dollars into their bowls, that will buy them gasoline money to go to the next courthouse on their whistle stops.

Come by the booths and invite them to gatherings in your back yard or at some place in your neighborhood. Little things make incredible differences in these campaigns. What you think is too small to matter is really important this year.  If you don't know how to get started, find me. I'm a delegate from Sen 9 Tarrant County but will hopefully find an alternate who will allow me to spend some time at David's and Hank's and Dale's booth (all together).


Faith Chatham

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by: faithm @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 01:37:19 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

bake sales for america (4.00 / 4)

I hate that that is basicly what we are down to in terms of financially supporting the downballot candidates.

Please read the Community Guidelines and How to Rate Comments.

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 01:39:33 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

the sad (4.00 / 4)

thing is that they really arent THAT far down ballot

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by: David Mauro @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 06:03:50 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

In Terms of VOTES in the Primary they are top of the ticket (4.33 / 3)

Hank Gilbert and David Van Os got more votes than either Bell or Barabara.

It confounds me that people who are PAID consultants for the party refuse to look at the numbers and back credible candidates for Attorney General and Agriculture Commissioner!

I'm hoping we win with the slate but we need to work for everyone. What the party is doing is working against these candidates and it makes me mad.

Faith Chatham

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by: faithm @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 14:44:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I just confirmed with Hank that he had the largest percentage of votes in a contested race (5.00 / 2)

David Van Os was unopposed so his numbers top Hank's. But Hank had the highest percentage of votes in any contested race on the ballot. These are strong candidates. We need to look at the WHOLE SLATE and PULL for all of them. Splitting the candidates up and showcasing a couple and treating the others like second class unimportant folks just doesn't say much in my book for PARTY UNITY. It also hurts Bell and Barbara. They get separated from the rest and folks aren't as enthusiastic because it seems that they are getting special favors. The reality is that the party and traditonal democratic donors aren't doing much for them either.

Faith Chatham

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by: faithm @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 16:04:11 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

They're like adolescent kids (5.00 / 1)

Pining for the boy or girl who's already going to the prom with someone else.

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

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by: boadicea @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 16:11:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Hey Faith (3.00 / 2)

Tell Hank that Trey from Bob's campaign said HOWDY next time you talk to him!

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by: The Trey @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 01:20:31 AM UTC

Will do (3.67 / 3)

Send him an e-mail. He'd really welcome some campaign help. Have spoken with Maria Luisa, Hank and just got a call from David Van Os. All of them are in a quandry by this scheduling snafu.  Maria has been invited to speak at a large gathering Friday night and has been trying to find out when she'd be speaking at Convention. Today they still don't have a schedule for her. So she's accepted the other engagement. She'll be at Convention during the day Friday but not Friday night.  They really should get schedules ironed down early and communicate them to campaigns and MEDIA.  This is just not very good. However, when the Chair quits right before the Convention, that creates chaos. It's so easy to blame the guy who inherits it and its difficult to get your feet on the ground and know what is what on a new job while implementing plans made by others when you weren't around.

Faith Chatham

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by: faithm @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 01:26:27 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Hank is awesome (4.00 / 4)

As I have said prior, Gilbert is totally real and I wish there was more support for him to work with.  Maybe we could round up some bloggers here and have a grassroots driven campaign, cause I'd be willing to bet that he's one of the highest voter getters on the ballot, just on name alone. I mean, serioulsy, he's running for Ag Commissioner, his business cards are brown and white, and his name is Hank.

As to your other point, this would be much easier if we hadn't had the chair quit. I mean, it's not like he was too terribly busy doing anything at the Party so why not just stick around. Oh well, water under the bridge, even if it's kinda grey colored.

Please read the Community Guidelines and How to Rate Comments.

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 01:30:48 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Karl, bloggers for Hank can really help a lot (4.00 / 4)

Hank and Maria both deserve some support by the bloggers. I think Hank is the candidate who has the best chance of winning on the entire ticket. Yet he's been told by so very many people within the State Democratic Party that he doesn't have a chance that it is criminal. I threatened to go beat up one of the State Party consultants a few months ago if he didn't stop discouraging my candidates. Leta Kay, Ben Z. Grant's campaign manager, told me that the consultant had done a number of decent things for other people so she pulled this ole girl back in to protect the nay sayer.  I think Hank got more votes than any other Democrat on the state wide ticket in the primary. He pulled really good down in the Valley where Maria Luisa dominated.

I have grown to know Hank during this campaign and my respect for him continues to mount day by day. He is hard working. He has credentials for the job he's running for which exceed any candidate I've seen run for that office in my life time.  (And that's a pretty good number of years). In addition to his 14 years teaching agriculture, he is a business man and understands the challenges of small business owners. The Agriculture Commmissioner in Texas is responsible for marketing Texas products and for MAIN STREET development for small towns and villages.

He doesn't have time to blog. I talked to him tonight (and to Maria Luisa too). I gave both of them a 1 minute primer on how to use the blogs.

Both Hank and Maria do much of their own driving. Maria said that when she travels with David and Rachel, she learns a lot. She sees David blogging while Rachel is driving.  Maria hasn't even been able to keep her own blog very current. When you are creating your own grassroots organization and traveling all the time, it is difficult to do everything you'd like to.

If folks will help them out some, that will really be appreciated.

Faith Chatham

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by: faithm @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 01:49:14 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

if these people came on (3.33 / 3)

BOR and asked for someone to help with their blog, to help drive them, to help with their campaign I guarantee people would do it.

Hank & Maria Luisa are working hard but they cant do it by themselves. They should come on BOR and have a dialogue with potential volunteers.

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by: David Mauro @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 05:24:08 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Hey, they're driving all over Texas (4.00 / 4)

To campaign, the least we can do is click over  to their websites.

Hank's campaign site

Maria Luisa's campaign site

Perhaps spare them a campaign contribution or two for traveling money?

Hank's site is down at the moment, but it's actually pretty nicely done.

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

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by: boadicea @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 05:33:42 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

yeah (4.00 / 2)

gilbert really does have a nice website

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by: David Mauro @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 06:03:19 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I agree. I spoke with both Hank and Maria Yesterday about that (0.00 / 0)

David, I agree 100% with that. I spoke with both Hank and Maria Luisa yesterday and urged them to register with Texas Kos and Burnt Orange Report and comment and post diaries. I think this can fuel their campaigns tremendously. Especially if the bloggers will get behind them and take their messages to the streets. David, work on them when you're with them. Let's circle the wagons and help tehm on this. If they see we (the blog community) are behind them helping them, they'll find the time even in the chaos of a campaign.

Faith Chatham

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by: faithm @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 13:27:51 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

WHATS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE TICKET? (4.20 / 5)

The TDP has 3 key note speakers on Friday. All nice folks but hardly spell binders.I have not heard when our state wides are scheduled. Rumor has it that they finally get platform time late Saturday after the state chair and resolutions fights.
Well, gee whiz. Party officials and resolutions are important : that's party identity stuff. But without candidates; why do we bother?True, we may take our usual electoral drubbing. But we may not. Besides, win or lose, our candidates have already distinguished themselves by stepping forward to answer our call. They have put their lives and fortunes on the line for public service and scant reward Parties contest elections and help shape public opinion ( or should we stop this hassle and hand it over to corporations and the mega rich?) Our candidates are the spokespersons who mirror our hopes and our future visions.We should work hard for them and not fail to thank them for their rigourous tour of duty.
Let them speak at our convention on Friday when guests have a right to be on the floor.After all they are the guests candidates too!

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by: harriet @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 03:55:30 AM UTC

They have listened to us a bit but there is more needed (0.00 / 0)

Mr. Ritchie phoned me shortly before lunch. They have some things scheduled which they are doing in an effort to help the candidates (such as a meeting with a media consultant). Seems to me that during the convention might not be the best time for that however,  Only my opinion. Hank and David probably won't use the consultant.

LATEST NEWS ON SCHEDULE: Reuben just phoned David Van Os and told him that the state wide candidates will be presented at the Friday night session and Chris Bell will speak Friday night. Boyd Ritchie told me that Chris will be given 15 minutes to speak.

WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE THEM DO:
I urged Boyd to cut Chris Bell's speech on Friday night to about 8 minutes and allow the other candidates 2 minutes each during that Friday evening session.

Boyd said that wouldn''t work because a 2 minute speech will take 3 minutes and there are 10 statewide candidates.  I urged him reconsider it. He told me he wouldn't promise to do something he knew couldn't be done and wouldn't work.

By my math, since Chris Bell is already scheduled to speak, if Chris speaks 8 minutes, there are only a maxiums 9 more candidates to speak. (Really there will only be a maximum of 8 other statewide candidates available to speak Friday night because Maria Luisa Alvarado will be the guest speaker at a meeting elsewhere Friday night and won't be back in Fort Worth until Saturday morning.)

So if they cut Chris Bell's Friday night speech from 15 minutes to 8 minutes,  they'd have 7 minutes to apply toward the other canddiate's 2 minute speeches. They'd only have 8 other candidates in the house so that should only make the Friday night session go another 9 minutes to accomodate the additional speakers.  Even if having them each speak 2 minutes means that it takes 3 minutes per speaker as Boyd told me it would (and he's probably right) the meeting still won't be extended all that much longer.

What is gained by this?
1. Each state-wide candidate has twice as long as a 1 minute TV commercial to state his or her case in front of the entire assembly on Friday night.
2. The entire slate is presented together instead of being separated and feeding into the perception that the party is only backing one horse in the November horse race.
3. The candidates all get to speak during the Friday session when guests are allowed in the arena. I believe that Saturday is a closed business session and visitors are excluded.

IN ADDITION TO FRIDAY, ALL CANDIDATES SHOULD BE GIVEN A FULL TEN MINUTES ON SATURDAY:
Ofcourse the candidates need to be allowed more time about noon on Saturday. They deserve their full ten minutes too! They have put a lot of time and money and sacrifices from time with family and opportunities to make money at everyday occupation to run for office. I think that deserves a few minutes of our time to LISTEN to WHY they BELIEVE and what they need from us in order for them to win.

CLOSE THE CONVENTION WITH CHRIS BELL:
I think it would be great to close the session with a full 10 minute speech by Chris Bell. It would be great to have him come forward again and send us out on the high note. This way everyone would have their full time -- plus get a few words in during the evening session.

Hank called and said that Rueben phoned him and told him the revised schedule. He was told that Barbara will be the only one to speak Saturday morning.

Boyd said he got the speeches moved from late Saturday to noon Saturday. David is pleased about that. He sees noon Saturday as prime time. It is definitely better than later on Saturday afternoon after everyone has gone home. We'll have lost some delegates. However, the later in the day, the more we dwindle down in size. 

My Preference:
I'd prefer that they let us take care of convention business and hear the candidates Saturday morning and move the workshops to the afternoon. Ofcouse I wasn't put in this world to arrange everything and see that everything is done the way I think would work best.

Communication and Timing:
I'm glad that Reuben and Boyd responded to calls that they communicated with the candidates today.

Honestly, however, whether we had a chair or not, waiting until less than a week before the convention to firm up the schedule and to communicate with candidates about when they are scheduled to appear at the convention is too late. These candidates have been left in limbo not knowing when they can plan other things. Convention is when they need to be able to have strategic meetings with folks who can help in their campaigns. They can't plan a side meeting with folks if the party planners don't firm up the schedule and let them know what they are supposed to be doing and when they have some flexible time.

This isn't really something, I think, that should be laid at Boyd Ritchie's feet. Reuben is the Executive Director and he's been on board the entire time. He probably needed someone else to sign off on it, but it's his baby and I think this time it lays at his feet.

I still think they should let the candidates speak two minutes Friday night and give them their full ten minutes each on Saturday at noon.

I'd much prefer to finalize convention business and hear the candidates before noon Saturday and then have the workshops as optional events.  Some of us have already participated in some of the workshops in other places. They are the lowest priority in my opinion. However, the party wants us to see them because that is the dog and pony show they are counting on to convince us that they are really working hard for us and deserve to keep their jobs and have us give money to pay the rent on the office in Austin.

Faith Chatham

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by: faithm @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 20:46:26 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

As someone... (5.00 / 1)

...who's father used to be the Executive Director of the TDP, I can attest that schedules are almost always "finalized" not much further than a week out. What's more, it is much easier to get press coverage around Noon on a Saturday than late at night on a Friday (remember: reporters are people, too). That gives reporters time to write their stories Saturday, and file them for the Sunday and/or Monday papers.

It seems the situation is going to work out well for everyone.

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 @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 21:10:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

The Friday night would be for the delegates and activists guest mainly (0.00 / 0)

They need the Saturday slots, but we should at least let them a few words Friday night too!

Faith Chatham

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by: faithm @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 21:22:00 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Good point about reporters but past failures to schedule doesn't justify current failures (5.00 / 2)

I hope that the press will actually show up and cover the convention. In the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex, media ignores most Democratic events.  I'm hoping that there will be good news coverage of the convention.  The media decides what they will and won't cover. There is no law on the books anymore which requires them to give fair coverage to both parties (or any party for that matter.) They usually decide to cover things which they consider entertaining rather than govermental events.

I think one reason that bloggers have grabbed onto this Convention Priority Thread is that we have been operating for years in with a void of leadership in key roles in the Democratic Party in Texas. Folks agree that we need a change. There is disagreement about who and what is needed in order to improve things. We know we must impove. Any election cycle shows that we are dismal failures at communicating our strengths and integrity and vision to the voting public of Texas. I hope all of us will continue to examine what we hear, read, know and see as we select SDEC members and State Party Chair. Instead of those offices being what they've always been, I think we must DEMAND more from those who seek those offices and we must WORK HARDER with those who win those offices, even if the person we vote for doesn't win.

About the history of the party not getting the schedule firm earlier and communicating to the candidates earlier; failing to do it earlier in the past still doesn't justify CONTINUING to DO IT BADLY! One of the companies I owned had a division where we coordinated special events for clients. I used a team of people to do what Mary Beth is doing alone in the Democratic Party Headquarters. She is to be commended on her tireless efforts to make this convention happen in the best possible way despite horrid things beyond the control of the Party or even the Convention Center (i.e. street construction, hotels closing for renovation and being sold to new owers, etc.) I suspect the resignation of the State Democratic Party Chair six weeks prior to the convention didn't make her job easier, either! Hey, and she's a volunteer!

On the schedule however, that is not her responsiblity. It was the responsiblity of other people at the State Democratic Party. What I've experienced over the years is that when you plan an event and set goals and dates for accomplishment, you usually get things completed. If you think that it's great to wait until the week before the convention to firm up the schedule and to communicate with the candidates and other key people when and where they are to be.. then you'll wait until the last minute and do it that way.  However, if you see having a schedule set and communicated several weeks (or maybe even a month prior to the event) as an important part of implementing a smooth, well- planned and executed event, you'll set a goal to complete the work necessary to firm up the schedule farther in advance of the event and you'll do it.

Now that being said, most events have unforeseen things occur which requires some flexiblity in the schedule. There are usually some adjustments which are made to the schedule. However, what I've witnessed this year goes far beyond minor last minute adjustments. It appears that the work necessary to cofirm the things you need to check off in order to publish a schedule weren't done until recently.  That's not good. That is one thing that should be remembered and should be done better in the future.

I'm hoping that instead of hearing "This is acceptable because it's how it happened in the past" we'll move forward and continue to find better ways to do things together each and every time. Texas Democrats are an incredible group of folks with skills, heart, intelligence, integrity, passion and resources. We need to be moving together and using all those gifts and talents together to reflect the reality of the strength of the Democratic Party in Texas. Right now I don't think the "Texas Democratic Party" truly channels and reflects the REALITY of the many diverse strengths and skills of the people of Texas who are Democrats.

The Convention is important because it is when the world looks at us and judges us by what they see and hear.
How we do the convention is important. It is also when we come together on the biggest scale. It is obvious that many people care about it. Just look at the activity on the blogs for the past three days on Burnt Orange and Texas Kos regarding PRIORITIES for Convention Planners and you'll see that many people care.

I really think the most imporant thing we need to consider when choosing a leader for our Democratic Party in Texas

1. is to select a person who comprehends the PRIORITIES the party must have

2.  and is skilled at working with others to communicate those priorities and

3.  to see that the work is completed which is necessary for translating these priorities into goals

4.  and those goals into milestones of accomplishment!

The person at the top need not be able to do everything. But he or she must be able to see the broad picture and be able to work with individuals and groups of people who can do the many things necessary to turn the Party's PRIORIITES, VALUES, VISIONS into realites.

Faith Chatham

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by: faithm @ Sat Jun 03, 2006 at 17:14:24 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Faith, were we separated at birth or something? (5.00 / 1)

I've had similar experiences, and once again I have only this to add.

What. She. Said.

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

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by: boadicea @ Sat Jun 03, 2006 at 18:43:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Whoa, fact check needed... (4.00 / 2)

Just an FYI, as I recall, the last time we elected a Governor, Ann Richards chose to speak on a Saturday at a convention in Ft. Worth, thinking it a better press and delegate day. And all the statewides joined her on stage. 

So the day one speaks may not matter as much as all might indicate. Please consider:

1. The convention doesn't begin on Saturday until 11am, as always (nothing new here, it allows committees to meet starting at 8).
2. No way people will sit through a litany of speeches Friday night after a long day of travel and caucuses...because the crowd starts leaving for parties or sleep. So the speeches are always split between the two days.
3. I heard the statewides may join Bell on stage Friday night after his speech, and then get another appearancce when they speak in ballot order on Saturday, as soon as the convention convenes, so delegates should still be there. I also hear nothing is set in stone - which is also normal at conventions.

Remember, we have candidates for the legislature and Congress, and they all want to speak, too. Frankly, many of the best speeches and the best interaction with them at a convention comes at the Friday caucuses, where delegates can see them up close. We'll all get to hear our candidates and talk to them - and more importantly - work for them after we leave Ft Worth.

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by: getreal @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 04:13:20 AM UTC

That's not an excuse (3.67 / 3)

for the schedule not to be set yet. We're less than one week out. These candidates are juggling commitments.

I want to see the standard bearers who are working their tails off get some support from this convention that's a lot more than lip service.

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

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by: boadicea @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 05:36:52 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

regarding the possibility... (3.67 / 3)

...of getting together with Chris on the stage Friday night -- it is interesting that you have heard more than I have!

David Van Os

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by: David Van Os @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 08:49:26 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

i think (5.00 / 1)

its more depressing than interesting

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by: David Mauro @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 13:12:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Well, y'all are nicer than I am. (5.00 / 1)

Or you misspelled "suspicious"

Nope, you're probably nicer than me.

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

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by: boadicea @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 13:16:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Boyd Ritchie just phoned me and said the candidates would be presented with Chris Bell Friday night (5.00 / 2)

Boyd returned my call a few minutes ago. He said that he'd managed to get the ten statewide candidates speeches moved up from late afternoon to noon on Saturday and that Chris Bell would speak for 15 minutes with keynote speaker Wesley Clark Friday night. He said that they would present the Statewide candidates Friday night but they will not have time for them to speak. I pushed him to shorten the other speeches and give the statewides two minutes each and he said that would take three minutes each and they didn't have that much time.

He said he'd read this journal and the one on Texas Kos and respond to it when he gets to a computer. He's been traveling and is still on the road right now.

Faith Chatham

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by: faithm @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 17:33:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Have you gotten your information from State Party since 4 P.M yesterday or is it just rumor (5.00 / 3)

Late yesterday afternoon Reuben who is in charge of the schedule told me that the state candidate won't probably be allowed on stage until Saturday.
Hank Gilbert said he'd heard they might let the two top of the ticket canddates on earlier but they were shuffling the others to late in the convention. This favoritism is what separates Barbara and Bell from the rest of the pack. And honestly, those who are running together helping each other in their campaigns are winning the hearts and minds of the people and the other two are folks we are wishful in hoping something propells them into winnning.

EVERY CANDIDATE IS UNDERFUNDED. Different folks have different opinions about who has or hasn't got a "snowball chance in hell of winning." I'm guoting when I use that phrase. It's not something I normally say. But David and Hank and others I really care about have been told over and over by folks who have no vision and don't believe Texans are able to recognize the truth when they hear it that no matter what they do they won't win. That is ABSOLUTE not true. It isn't even the kind of manure that comes out of a horse and eventually makes the garden grow.

I'm sick of hearing folks who are supposed to know more than I do about how to get candidates elected continue making shortsighted, bigoted decisions and failing to back these fine men and women who have put their personal lives on hold and their personal finances on the line to run for public office on the Democratic Ticket this year. One of the duties of the SDEC and State Democratic Party is to help encourage qualified Democrats to run for and win public office. If they continue to ignore the needs of these campaigns, fail to support the candidates in little and big ways, fail to mobilize the activists and donors in the hinterlands of this vast beautiful state...  In simple shorter sentences, if they continue as they are the Democratic Party in Texas is dead. They cannot raise money to pay their own salaries UNLESS THEY SHOW US RIGHT NOW THAT THEY MAKE A CHANGE. The way they show us that they are past their muddle minded leadershipless mindset and ON TARGET is to SHOWCASE THESE CANDIDATES -- EACH AND EVERY ONE ON THE TICKET FROM THE BIGINNING TO TH EVERY LAST BELL FO THIS CONVENTION.

This convention is their chance to show those of us who are fearful that they haven't covered the bases very well in the planning that they have greatly exceeded our expectations.

If we have a really good convention despite the construction which prevent most delegates from staying closer than 8 miles from the convention hall, then they go away with a big check mark. If it fizzles and it only an infomercial on the infrastructure of the Democratic Party and cat-fights in caucuses as folks fight over SDEC member positions and State Chair, it will be a total waste of time and money for many people. 

The only thing that unites all of us is the DESIRE to BEAT REPUBLICANS in November. Our best hope for having our hopes fulfilled rests in the campaigns of some of the folks  in the middle and down the ticket. If the party continues to EVEN APPEAR to be bettin only on the top one or two horses, then they show us that it's time to replace them.

I don't know if Mr. Ritchie is or isn't an insider or traditionalist. I am not convinced either way. I need to see him lead and get this schedule FIRM and PUBLISHED and HAVE IT HIGHLIGHT ALL THE CANDIDATES EARLY and THROUGHOUT THE CONVENTION. If he shows me by ACTION right now that he can turn the train wreck of misplaced priorities in the Texas Democratic Party around and put us all on track headed in the right direction, I'll back him.  If he doesn't, I'll fight his election. I'd rather back someone than oppose them. But he has a golden opportunity to win my vote and endorsement right now. It won't cost him one cent. He merely needs to do the right thing and do it fast.

Faith Chatham

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by: faithm @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 13:47:36 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

What. She. Said. (5.00 / 1)

Every word of it.

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

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by: boadicea @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 14:08:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

COULDN'T AGREE MORE (5.00 / 1)

>>>This favoritism is what separates Barbara and Bell from the rest of the pack. And honestly, those who are running together helping each other in their campaigns are winning the hearts and minds of the people and the other two are folks we are wishful in hoping something propells them into winnning.<<<

This is just dumb. Assuming this is true, is this Chris just not wanting to share a stage?

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by: The Trey @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 15:16:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

IMNSHO opinion (5.00 / 1)

It's Chris trying to triangulate his way to a win with 40%.

He's thinking the downticket offices-who have to fight for a win the old fashioned way- will bring out people who might vote for say, Carole of the many surnames, or maybe even Kinky "cool title, governor" Friedman.

It's a 90s strategy, and we're in a new century.

Even in Texas.

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

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by: boadicea @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 15:33:57 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

If every candidate is underfunded..... (0.00 / 0)

mobilize the grassroots. Get the middle class faithful going. I play keyboard in a country band, as you saw on my MySpace Web site, Faith. A recent gig that we played was a fundraiser for a local political candidate in East Texas. If there's a candidate needing to do a fundraiser in the Athens area or in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, our band will be more than willing to consider any bookings for any fundraisers for them, as long as we're compensated reasonably. If you want to get the ball rolling on that, email me at sfagrad02@yahoo.com and I'll get the fire lit. I don't call myself a partisan Democrat, but our band has an appetite for playing our hearts out. Take it as a win-win offer.

www.completethewar.com

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by: sfagrad02 @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 21:18:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

They can bring them back at close of convention for a crescendo (0.00 / 0)

They should give them the floor early in the convention. Then if they want to end on a crescendo, they can bring the candidates in at the end and let Bell end the convention. At the Tarrant County Senatorial Convention they kept things in an uproar by changing the order of the speakers. Initially Art Brender told me that candidates spoke on Saturday morning so that they could go to Dallas and Houston and other places later in the day. Then that week I was told by the scheduler that the candidates would speak Saturday afternoon. I expected everyone to be gone but it worked out pretty good. However, the delegates were local and they didn't have to drive 5 to 10 hours to get back home. So even though many usually left at noon, the statewide candidates speeches held them at the convention.

However, several candidates did not make it back to Fort Worth to speak because they rearranged the schedule late in the game.  This time, they need to present the candidates on Friday and let them speak. They can bring them back to close the convention but they need to let them speak eariler before many of the delegates hit the road.

Faith Chatham

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by: faithm @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 16:09:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

speakers & money (5.00 / 1)

As far as I know, Bell is scheduled for Friday night. So to me, it would make sense to give the other candidates their 15 mins of fame around the same time Bell speaks.

So long as everyone is done talking before 10pm, that should work out for everyone (last train back to Dallas is a special 10:35pm if anyone is interested in using TRE/DART to go back and forth that day)

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by: John McClelland @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 16:01:10 PM UTC

They only get 10 minutes (0.00 / 0)

I agree with you.

Faith Chatham

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by: faithm @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 16:10:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Just out - convention speaking schedule (5.00 / 2)

I just got the news from Ruben Hernandez, the state party executive director, on the speaking schedule of the statewide candidates. Chris Bell will speak Friday night, Barbara Radnofsky will speak between 11:00 AM and 12:00 NOON on Saturday, and the rest of the statewide ticket will speak one after the other beginning at NOON. Maria Luisa Alvarado will start this part of the program at 12:00, I will speak at 12:15, and so on. Originally the plan was for the statewide candidates to speak later in the afternoon on Saturday, but they have been moved up to a better spot in the schedule.

It would have been better for all the statewide candidates to speak on Friday night to showcase the Texas Democratic Party's resolve to carry the state across the board. However, because of invitations and commitments that were already made, I think the train was probably already too far down the track several weeks ago to make that happen at this point. Under the circumstances, a program highlighting the statewide ticket at noon Saturday is a good resolution in my opinion. Most of the Coinvention delegates are still very much present and interested that early on Saturday. 

There is no question but that this change was made because of the large amount of feedback the state party has been getting on this in the last few days. It is very encouraging to know that so many Texas Democrats want to push our statewide ticket and fight to win our state back for the people this year up and down the ballot. I am proud to be on the statewide Democratic ticket with Maria Luisa Alvarado, Hank Gilbert, Fred Head, Valinda Hathcox, Dale Henry, Judge Bill Moody, J.R. Molina, Barbara Radnofsky and Chris Bell. It is a great ticket of Fighting Democrats who stepped up to the plate from out of the grassroots with winning attitudes to take on the beast right in his belly. We're all fighters. We'll fight till hell freezes over, then fight on the ice.

David Van Os

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by: David Van Os @ Fri Jun 02, 2006 at 19:21:53 PM UTC

Candidates Should Take Center Stage (4.33 / 3)

Everything we do at the convention is important but Electing Democrats, in my mind, it the most important. We need people to come away from the convention with the gut excitment and tunnel vision focused on ELECTING DEMOCRATS.  I know no better way to ignite that "Fire in the Belly" determination than to hear our candidates speak.

By listening to the Candidates they will have a focus.  They will return home and tell their friends and family why they are Democrats and about the terrific slate of candidates we have. They will work harder to "Get Out The Votes" for a candidates they know and can identify with.

Thanks TDP for listening to the people.
Carolyn Salsberry

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by: Carolyn Salsberry @ Sat Jun 03, 2006 at 20:42:58 PM UTC

They moved in the direction but didn't exactly LISTEN (0.00 / 0)

The polls on burnt orange and Texas Kos show that the majority of respondants think the candidates should speak Friday night. The second largest group believe they should speak Friday and before Nooon on Saturday. Almost no one chose afternoon or late afternoon. The majority of the candidates speeches (except for Chris Bell's on Friday night, and Barbara's which will be at 11 a.m.) will be Saturday from noon to 1:30.

We'll be in workshops Saturday morning.

Faith Chatham

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by: faithm @ Sun Jun 04, 2006 at 06:32:19 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Here's where the poll totals for BOR & Texas Kos are published (0.00 / 0)

http://www.burntorangereport.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=984


Faith Chatham

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by: faithm @ Mon Jun 05, 2006 at 04:17:08 AM UTC