Burnt Orange Report

All the supporters of you-know-who are going to be very upset with you and everyone else for even suggesting someone else run. Particularly someone viable. Finally. I might Kinky on hold.

I hope Bob Gammage does run. He certainly has the background and doesn't appear to have any baggage. Every other candidate so far, both Republican and Democrat, is reminiscent of a cargo hold on an airplane that is so overloaded it keeps the airplane from getting airborne.

Who is better? Him or Bell?

Read Bob Gammage's resume. Ask around about the Dirty 30. Then ask the question.

Every other candidate so far, both Republican and Democrat, is reminiscent of a cargo hold on an airplane that is so overloaded it keeps the airplane from getting airborne.

you just went on metaphor probation snooks.

You are just jealous you didn't think of it first matt.

Met bob gammage in New Hampshire for Clark. That dude rocks. This is awesome news.

Well if you think it's awesome news, email the lovely lady who started this "exploratory committee," Kat Oeffinger. If BOR will provide her email address. Not sure I should be the one to. I think it's awesome news too.

And I also think Bob Gammage not only can get airborne but can probably break the sound barrier once he does. Stuff that in your metaphor Matt.

It's in the post which is elsewhere as well, so it's fine to e-mail her at tx_demkat@yahoo.com

Or leave a comment here, I'll be letting Bob Gammage know about this comment thread, so people are more than welcome to leave there thoughts here for him.

Judge Gammage obviously can run circles around Chris Bell (or Chip Staniswalis). But I'm a tad offended that Karl-T casually refers to him as "Bob" a dozen or so times in his post. Have you no manners or respect? I'm twice as old as Karl-T, and Senator Gammage (whose duplex I used to live in) is almost twice as old as I am. Can't we be a little respectful?

"Here come da judge......."

Karl, how old are you?

Anyone who knows Bob Gammage would know he is the kind of guy that would want you to call him Bob.

He may have official residence in Llano, but he works for a Law Firm called Hill Gilstrap in Tarrant County and spends considerable time there. Actually, he spends considerable time everywhere, as his practice sends him everywhere traveling.

I don't know a whole lot about Bob Gammage, but I know that John Oeffinger is an extremely capable and effective organizer. I certainly haven't been very impressed with the folks running the Chris Bell campaign.

I've met Bob Gammage around 10 times, maybe, as I worked for Wes Clark grassroots and then for Kerry. I have a particularly favorable impression of him. He is articulate and politically 'charged' along with just being a nice guy.

He spoke passionately at a Kerry Meetup here about just why we should make such an effort to elect not only Kerry but to also see that Travis County and the surrounding area elected Democrats as judges; he spoke equally passionately about the need to uphold the law and keep it free from abuse by large special interest groups.

As much as I have wanted to, I haven't been able to muster the necessary enthusiasm for Chris Bell that would get me out there working for him on the grassroots hustings, but Bob Gammage is a different story.

What great news! I had heard rumors that a Democratic heavyweight was considering a run, and am glad that Senator Gammage is the one. No offense to Congressman Bell (who very well might win the primary), but the Texas Democratic Party needs a seriously contested primary at the top of the ticket to increase visibility and help with fundraising. I am so sick of the Kinkster getting all the press and all the $$$

Fingers firmly crossed.

Sounds interesting. This may make me think things over.

That said, we still need a quality candidate for Lt. Governor, the most powerful (if not top-of-the-ticket) office in the state. Regardless of what Justice Gammage decides to do, I hope he can scour his rolodex for a good candidate.

Incidentally, the whole "Armbrister wants to retire thing" leads me to ask - could he be talked into running?

I wish Sandlin would run for Lt. Gov.

And get crushed by Dewhurst's millions? The guy spent $28 miilion last time. Geesh.

WhoMe:

I know a lot of 70-year-old folks who don't mind people half a century younger than them using their first name. But in print? In such a casual fashion? It's not that I think Justice Gammage would be offended. I simply think that Karl-T would be embarassed. But maybe I'm just old fashioned.

By the way ... Congressman Gammage fought shoulder-to-shoulder in the Texas House with a young state representative from Midland and fellow "Dirty 30" member named Tom Craddick.

Craddick apparenty has forgotten what he fought for.

I'm holding out for Bill White.

CREDIBLE Dems need to get on board our statewide ticket for next year now - we're headed for a recession next year which always results in alot of working class white men in Texas suddenly figuring out which side their bread is buttered on.

I just love all this overwhelming support for Chris Bell every time someone else decides they might run for governor.

If Chip Staniswalis switched parties and were eligible to run for public office, he would once again trounce Chris Bell in the primary.

You can hold out for Bill White for about 4 years, as he has no intention to run this go round, and rightfully so.

I think you people got something mixed up, the last serious of comments are not mine, they are the grassroots supporter who wrote it on one of the linked sites. Because there wasn't anywhere else in the post where I was using just "Bob"...

Karl-T:
My comments were not meant as a slam on you or anyone else. I grew up in East Texas and hold some fairly old-fashioned (maybe even outdated) notions of how we refer to folks. But I still like "Mister" and "Missus"; "Yes'mam" and "No sir" "thank you" "please" and hand-written notes.

I never called Bill Clements "Bill." I despise Dave McNeeley because he always called Governor Bullock "Bob." I call Rayford Price, Billy Wayne Clayton, Gibson D. Lewis and Pete Laney "Mr. Speaker." None would be offended by me using their first name. But I would be offended if I did so.

I don't approve of children calling their parents by their first names -- I prefer Mom and Dad -- but I know it's in vogue these days.

In any event, Mister Gammage can be called Judge, Justice, Senator, Representive, Congressman, etc. If he told me, "Just call me Bob," I would refuse. It just makes me feel uncomfortable.

In what is probably a recognition of my nerdiness ... in law school, professors hosted parties for the students and wanted to be called by their first names. I refused. This is not a big deal, but it's just the way I prefer to behave.

Please don't think my previous comment was critical of you, Karl-T. I just happen to have this stange personality defect.

Understandable. :)

I would enthusiastically support Judge Gammage.

I would let him appear in a Blackglama ad with me. I would even buy the coat myself. I firmly believe a woman should dress for the man and he should pay for it, I think women's liberation stops at the doors to Neiman-Marcus in other words, so that's an indication of how impressed I am with him.

Let's just hope we can call Gammage, "Governor."

He really is one of the most down to earth politocs I have ever met.

If anyone would like to send a message to Bob Gammage (you can preface it with any honorific you prefer, or just Bob if you like) please feel free to send it to tx_demkat@yahoo.com.

Bob is very interested in hearing your reasons both for and against his potential candidacy for Governor. I will certainly pass along all but the profane.

I've seldom met a more thoughtful and articulate politician. AND since i have to admit my yawn meter is set pretty high, they have to be inspiring as well.

Bob Gammage is one of those gifted individuals who can actually burn the barn down with a stump speech.

This race isn't just about his running for office. Every time, EVERY TIME Bob speaks about getting into the race, he talks about the need for a strong ticket to help ALL Democratic candidates on the ballot in 06.

Snippet from a personal correspondence:

BOB GAMMAGE: "If we are going to rebuild and re-shape the Democratic Party into a viable, competitive organization again, we've got to expand our membership. If we are going to reclaim legislative seats, the courthouse, and local offices, we've got to excite folks enough to maximize down-ballot turnout. I've spent most of my life working long and hard to solve and prevent problems and to make things better for all of us. Now I see people at the helm of our state and national governments who are doing their best to destroy that work to benefit their cronies and financial supporters at the expense of our children .... "

We're going to have to get serious about taking back Texas-from the courthouse to the capital. Now's the time, this is the place to begin.

"Now I see people at the helm of our state and national governments who are doing their best to destroy that work to benefit their cronies and financial supporters at the expense of our children .... "

Well, I love Kinky. I really do. But if Gammage runs, he has my vote.

"...he talks about the need for a strong ticket to help ALL Democratic candidates on the ballot in 06."

And that is something, quite frankly, that has been missing in this state for some time. A sense of party unity. Most candidates only talk about themselves. Not the party or the other candidates. As if they alone can change it all.

I could list a hundred reasons why I think Gammage would be the best governor we have seen in a long time. All based on his resume. His experience in the various areas of government which have been corrupted by Democrats as well as Republicans.

It's one thing to talk about ethics and principles and reform. It's another to have proven yourself. Gammage and the other Democrats who were part of the Dirty 30 did so a long time ago. I suspect they have not forgotten. It's a shame that the Republicans, Craddick in particular, have. Who better to remind Craddick of what he once stood for and no longer does than someone who stood beside him in calling for a return to ethics in the legislature?

Where does this idea that the Dirty 30 was some Democratic front group come from? Led by ... Fred Agnich. Tom Craddick. Ray Hutchison.

PULEEEEEZE!

From time to time during the last election cycle, I had the pleasure of working with Bob Gammage and his wonderful wife Linda. As a political novice, I was taken aback at how they so graciously shared their political knowledge, experience, contacts, and most importantly, friendship.

Several messages Bob repeatedly spoke on were the importance of having good viable candidates up and down the ticket, grassroots organizing, and waging an aggressive campaign. If he decides to run and wins the primary, Judge Gammage could run a campaign that will put the opposition on the defensive. And because of his personality and communication skills, I suspect he would do it in a way that Texans would appreciate.

Realistically, since this is Texas, any Democrat running for statewide office has about a snowball’s chance. But if anyone could pull it off…. Well, Bob Gammage is one leader I’d follow to the gates of hell. He will certainly raise the level of excitement.

Governor Gammage. Sure has a ring to it. What a message that would send to the nation and world—George Bush’s successor defeated and sent packing. Count me in.

We already have a candidate for Governor.

But we have no candidate for Lt. Governor, which is a more powerful position.

Mr. Gammage should run for Lt. Governor.
It is shameful to have no candidate for Lt. Governor at this point.

Not exactly. Maria Alvarado for better or worse will otherwise be the nominee. Also, Tony Buzbee was stated as a likely candidate by the TDP. Might want to ask them about it first.

Anything to get him out of Llano. He's not very popular here.

Well, I have to say I not surprised that so many people believe in Bob. We have always had the highest respect for him, not just for his political knowledge, leadership, commitment to Law, but for his compassion to better the future of every Texan. Bob is an outstanding family man; he is genuine in all he stands for. He would gladly give you the shirt off his back; you would not even have to ask. If he is passionate about something, you can bet he will put his heart and soul into it. And Linda will be right beside him supporting him all the way. And as done in years past, he will have his entire family & extended family supporting his campaign trails. I can think of no better candidate with such a proven track record & resume!! Let's all rally behind Bob! Bob’s niece, Beth Jones & Family

I met Mr. Gammage January 11th. I must say that I was extremely impressed with his idea's and past experiences. Mr. Gammage took the time to speak at a small informal forum in Lockhart, Tx., there were no other canidates, or respresentitives for the candidates for Governor there. This man took time from his busy schedule to visit with us. For me, this says a great deal about Mr. Gammage. I enjoyed his message and totally agree with his views and goals
I really think Mr. Gammage is what Texas needs.

Good Luck Mr. Gammage, You have my vote!!

We think that Bob Gammage is the ONLY choice that Democrats in their right mind should choose to be Governor of Texas. He is a long time personal friend and we KNOW Bob Gammage and what he stands for and will NOT stand for! Texas and Texans need him to direct this floundering ship of state. Perry is no leader. Perry follows the money.