Throughout the primary season, the Texas Blue did not endorse. We wanted badly to remain neutral while still bringing you news and analysis throughout the primary season and then, later, throughout the extended presidential primary process as well. Yesterday the Democratic primary officially ended and Barack Obama became the Democratic Party's nominee. Today it is a point of pride for me to personally endorse Boyd Richie for Texas Democratic Party chair.
Later this morning (or tomorrow morning, for you night owls who read this before bed), I'll have an interview with current TDP Chair Boyd Richie, who is running for re-election at this weekend's state convention. Before I do, though, I wanted to highlight some of the successes we, as Democrats, can be proud of since Richie became Chair:
Doubled 1st quarter fundraising from 2006 to 2008 (from $303k in 2006 to over $623k in 2008), which includes $100,000 raised exclusively online.
An e-mail list that has surpassed 289,000 names as of mid-April.
Field, communications, and grassroots success that has led to more Democrats in the Texas House, more Democrats in Congress, a sweep of Dallas County, and more.
Successful lawsuits to get Tom Delay off the ballot and to stop illegal attempts at voter suppression by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott .
Additionally, Richie has been endorsed by dozens and dozens of well-known Democratic leaders across Texas. Among the names we all recognize includes:
U.S. Senate candidate Rick Noriega, Congressman Chet Edwards, and House Leaders Rep. Jim Dunnam, Rep. Garnet Coleman, and Rep. Pete Gallego -- of which the latter three were named Texans of the Year by Texas bloggers in 2007
Numerous Clinton supporters, including State Senator Leticia Van De Putte, Former State Chair Bob Slagle, Harris Co. Commissioner Sylvia Garcia, and State Rep. Richard Raymond
Also, numerous Obama Supporters, including Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, State Senator Kirk Watson, State Rep. Mark Strama, and Former State Chair Molly Beth Malcolm
This isn't to say Richie deserves a free ride this time through the Convention -- and I don't think he's going to get one. But rather than having an interview where we only hear about what we can read on the website, we'll be publishing an interview that goes a little deeper into the goals, ideas, and purpose of Richie's re-election campaign.
As Phillip pointed out earlier today, there are some odd happenings going in the Texas superdelegate world that relate to the chair and vice-chair of the party.
This is a very twisted story that has mostly existed in the inside world and probably gives some light as to why Chairman Richie finally endorsed Obama yesterday.
First off, I believe Vice-Chair Roy Brooks is still running and I've heard rumor of one other unnamed candidate for Texas Democratic Party Chair.
The issue at hand is somewhat played out in that article. It's party about Obama, partly about who is going to Denver, and partly to do with feelings about 'traditions'.
For some time now, it has been an unwritten gentlemen's agreement that if we have an Anglo chair of the Texas Democratic Party (which seems to have always been the case), then the Vice-Chair would alternate between being Black or Hispanic. The way that is chosen is that each cycle, the Black or Hispanic caucus at the state convention votes on a nominee internally at their caucus on Friday, and that's typically been rubber stamped through the party official nominations committee and then pushed through without debate to be ratified by a floor vote of the full convention.
The issue this year is multi-layered as to what might happen.
There is pressure to end this practice all-together, either by having an African American or Hispanic to run and win the chair, which would obliterate the agreement altogether. This 'agreement' is seen by many as a racist holdover from the era of Anglo conservative Democrats controlling the state party.
This year it is theoretically the Hispanic caucus's turn to select a Vice Chair. There are various factions which have a long history of infighting in this caucus which go back decades. The factions there are less interested in making sure an Obama Hispanic is elected than "their" Hispanic. It's likely that it will be a Clinton Hispanic nominated because most of them are anyways and as previously state, their interests are parochial before presidential.
That leads to the problem of an Obama controlled convention refusing to ratify the "Hispanic" choice at either the party official nomination committee stage or when it comes before the full convention for a vote. We are talking about a superdelegate after all which an Obama controlled convention has little interest in giving away simply because of "tradition". This year's delegates are not rubber stampers at all.
Layered on top of all of this, there are latent (though not organized) feelings that are leftover from the 2006 TDP Chair race between Boyd Richie, Glen Maxey, and Charlie Urbina Jones (and that LaRouche woman). But because so many of the delegates are brand new this year, their mood pretty much overrides everything else.
So the real question is: what is the mood of the new delegates?
I don't know yet. I do know that they are probably going to take out half of the SDEC and a couple of DNC members which has a good many of the 'establishment' freaked out.
Some have said that the lack of an organized announced opponent plays to incumbents' advantage at this convention. I disagree. I may be proven wrong, but I don't think there will be a whole heck of a lot that is "organized" about this convention and candidates (for delegate, SDEC, DNC, committees, chair) will win or lose on the mood or direction of the convention.
Shorter me: An orderly, timely convention benefits incumbents. Chaos will kill them.
According to sources in both presidential campaigns, Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie and his wife and DNC member Betty Richie will announce their public support for Barack Obama.
Both are Democratic superdelegates, though as chairman of the Texas Democratic Party, Boyd Richie's superdelegate vote is dependent upon his re-election at the Texas State Democratic Convention June 6-7. Barack Obama's delegates are expected to control the Texas convention by a margin of at least 10% points.
This brings both Obama in parity (14-14) to Clinton among Texas confirmed announced superdelegates according to Burnt Orange Report. Only 4 remain unannounced or with their own unique "issues"- Congressman Nick Lampson, DNC Member Linda Chavez-Thompson, Former DNC Member Bob Strauss, and Young Democrats of American President David Hardt.
Update: One of them is now official. Here is the statement from Boyd Richie.
"Today, I am proud to announce my support for Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States. I believe Senator Obama is the candidate who can best provide the leadership and change Texans desire. Too many Texas families find themselves unable to make ends meet, much less save and invest in the future, due to Republican policies that burden the middle class and divide Americans. Senator Obama has the skill and ability to unite Americans from all walks of life and put our country back on the right track."
"I am also grateful for Senator Obama's commitment to help build the Texas Democratic Party. Senator Obama and his campaign understand something that Texans have known for at least a couple of years - that when Democratic candidates invest the time and resources necessary, Texas Democrats have the numbers to compete and win across every region of our great state. We made progress in 2006, and in 2008, the Texas Democratic Party is more energized, better organized, and we are poised to make significant gains this fall."
"This was a difficult decision to make, because I have great respect for Senator Clinton and her Texas supporters. I sincerely appreciate how hard she worked in Texas to deliver a message that resonated with so many voters, and I commend her campaign and the important role she played in the historic participation our Party is experiencing this year. As always, the Texas Democratic Party will conduct party business with absolute fairness and respect for every Democrat, without regard to whom one supports in the primary or convention, and I am confident Texas Democrats will unite and work together side by side to win this November."
And Betty Richie's statement...
"Today, I am proud to announce my support for Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States. As a member of the DNC representing the Non-Urban/Ag Caucus, I strongly believe Senator Obama can provide the leadership rural Texas needs and deserves. Under the current Republican
administration, rural Texas has clearly been put out to pasture. Whether it is trying to deal with skyrocketing diesel fuel prices or having access to quality healthcare, Republican politicians continue to ignore our needs."
"Under Senator Obama's administration, there is no doubt the issues of concern to rural Texas will be put front and center. The futures of our families are far too important to leave in the hands of any Republican. It is time for a Democrat to put our country and our state back on the right track."
"Because I have such great respect for Senator Clinton and her historic campaign, this endorsement was not easy to make. But I believe in my heart it is the right decision for rural Texas and the Texas Democratic Party. It is time for our Party to unite and move forward to victory in November. Only by working together can we accomplish this goal."
While most of these I think readers were aware of, here is the list via email from the Texas Democratic Party chair Boyd Richie today.
Today, I'm excited to announce the officers who are working with me to plan this convention:
Chair - Senator Kirk Watson
Vice Chair - Senator Leticia Van de Putte
Parliamentarian - Bob Slagle
Secretary - Amber Goodwin
Honorary Co-Chair - Representative Yvonne Davis
Honorary Co-Chair - Representative Rene Oliveira
Watson, Goodwin, and Davis are Obama suporters while Van de Putte, Slagle, and Oliveira are for Clinton. Of course, by the time we get to the Texas state convention, none of that may matter. We'll see.
The Texas Democratic Party raised $600,000 during the first quarter of 2008.
The TDP raised $100,000 of its first quarter total online. Online fundraising was likely given a big boost from the TDP's Debate Watch Party, yet another example of how this year's presidential primary helped Texas Democrats.
R.G. Ratcliffe of the Houston Chronicle reports that at least $100,000 came from the Texas Democratic Trust.
TDP Chairman Boyd Richie talked about how important building a small donor base was to insure success this fall.
"In response to our efforts to build a more effective grassroots organization, both on the ground and on line, we are developing the kind of donor base that can sustain a growing Texas Democratic Party as we strive to regain majority party status in Texas," Richie added. "As the driving force behind our Party, enthusiastic grassroots Texas Democrats can make the difference in key victories this November."
While I'm not sure what actual job or capacity "honorary" co-chairs of a convention have, Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie has announced today via press-release that he is naming Rep. Yvonne Davis (pledged Obama superdelegate) and Rep. Rene Oliveira (Clinton supporter) to those positions.
"Representatives Davis and Oliveira are senior Democratic House Members who have provided outstanding leadership for all Texans, both in the Legislature and the Democratic Party," said Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie. "I'm proud to appoint these two outstanding Representatives to serve as Honorary Co-Chairs of our State Convention, in recognition of their leadership and that of all our House Democratic leaders who have relentlessly fought for the priorities of all Texans against Republican politicians who have failed the people of Texas."
Included were the two state representatives responses.
"I am honored to help lead our Texas Democrats through the convention process. Right now, Democrats from every corner of the state, including the Rio Grande Valley, are ready to rid Texas of the Republican Politicians who have failed us," said Representative Oliveira.
"As a member of the DNC and former member of the Texas SDEC, I am excited about the opportunity for Texas Democrats to come together at the state convention and prepare to win in November! Democrats offer the leadership and vision for change to create the best Texas we can be. When Democrats win in Texas, all Texans will win!" concluded Representative Yvonne Davis.
TDP Chair Boyd Richie has recommended state Sens. Kirk Watson and Leticia Van de Putte to chair the State Democratic Convention in June.
From the press release:
"It's a privilege to recommend two outstanding individuals, Kirk Watson and Leticia Van de Putte, to serve as Chair and Vice-Chair at the Texas Democratic State Convention," said Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie. "I'm confident both Senators Watson and Van de Putte will serve in these important roles with the character, quality and fairness they have exhibited throughout their careers as we work to leave the State Convention as a united party moving toward victory in November."
I think Chairman Richie has made two excellent choices. He also wisely selected one Obama supporter (Watson) and one Clinton supporter (Van de Putte).
"I'd be honored to serve as Chair of a Convention that will kick off a promising general election campaign for Texas Democrats, a campaign that can restore responsibile leadership in Austin and Washington."
- Senator Kirk Watson
"I'm thrilled by the unprecedented turnout in our Democratic Primary and convention process, and I'm looking forward to a convention and fall campaign that can change the face of politics in our state and our country."
- Senator Leticia Van de Putte
Richie's recommendation will now to go the SDEC for approval.
(Anyone who was at the SDEC meeting Saturday understands how important this issue is to discuss. So please do. - promoted by BOR)
Yesterday, January 12, 2008, the state chair of the Democratic Party and the majority of the SDEC disenfranchised me. Yesterday the Texas Democratic Party embraced heavy-handed procedural tactics worthy of Tom Craddick.
My residence is in Senate District 25. Zada True-Courage is one of my SDEC representatives. At yesterday's SDEC meeting Zada's husband John Courage - who has run two inspiring, spirited campaigns against Lamar Smith for U.S. Congress - sat in Zada's place by lawful proxy and served as my representative.
John Courage is the founder of an organization called the True Courage Action Network. In just one year's time, TCAN has taken the lead as a single-minded champion of campaign finance reform. John is of the opinion that the influence of big money in our political system has corrupted the system and is destroying democracy. Does any reader of this blog disagree?
(We welcome TDP Chair Boyd Richie, who is posting the latest in our "5 Years Ago" series. Thanks for all you're doing, Chairman Richie, and we all look forward to working with the Texas Democratic Party over the coming year! - promoted by Phillip Martin)
In the aftermath of the November, 2002 General Election, Democrats were left without any statewide office and had lost control of the Texas House as a result of the first round of redistricting battles. At the time, I was a State Democratic Executive Committee Member from Senate District 30 and I felt the same frustration and angst that our fellow Democrats were feeling statewide.
Democrats were losing races even though our candidates offered better choices and opportunities for Texans, but it was clear our candidates and our Party were not effectively communicating our message to voters. In the months to come, analysts and consultants would try to determine what went wrong. But after that dark day in 2002, we were never presented with a course of action to turn things around and we learned that there was no quick fix to taking back our state.
In the meantime, a "new" Republican controlled Texas Legislature was trying to undermine the choices of voters by attempting to pass a mid-decade redistricting map drawn and forced on the Texas Legislature by then Congressman Tom DeLay. In the short run, after ten months and three special sessions of courageous Democratic opposition, Delay won the battle. But in the long run, 2003 was the beginning of the end for Republicans in Texas. They had gone too far and Texas voters were taking notice.
