Last weekend, thousands of Texas Democrats flocked to Corpus Christi for the Texas Democratic Party State Convention. Bill White spoke before the packed convention hall on Friday night. (Watch the video here). White's speech was strong, and the behind the scenes work done by his campaign at the convention was, if possible, even stronger. By the numbers:
- 25,000+ - E-mails sent from their convention hall booth.
- 1,300+ - Volunteers that signed up online after the start of the convention.
- 7,000+ - Stickers distributed to convention attendees.
- 1,500+ - Yard signs handed out at the convention.
- 1,000+ - Number of sign-ups at the Bill White for Texas convention hall booth.
- 75 - Total number of of staff and volunteers shaking hands, hanging signs, and passing out materials to support Bill White at the convention.
The Bill White campaign team's organization at the convention made a tremendous impression on everyone in attendance. As you'll see in the pictures, video, and newspaper stories below, it's clear that Bill White and his campaign team hit a home run in Corpus Christi.
For a quick look at the visuals of the convention, check out Bill White's Flickr stream for the Texas Democratic Party State Convention:
As the pictures show, Bill White worked the convention, and the prep work was incredible. Nearly every convention attendee carried a sign while he spoke -- making for fantastic photos and video from Texas press. The campaign arranged for a standing-room-only area in the front, where over 100 convention attendees crammed near the front to cheer for White. Once the speech was over, White worked the rope line.
One of the best reviews of White's speech was from Bob Moser of the Texas Observer, who has been critical of White's messaging in the past (saying not to long ago that "Bill White's campaign was approximately as thrilling as a bowl of cold gruel"). But Moser was singing a different tune in his post, "Democratic Convention: Bill White Delivers (Oooh-La-La!)":
It’s fair to say that Bill White gave the speech of his life in accepting the Democratic nomination in Corpus Christi on Friday night. Now, ye cynics might say that’s not the highest standard in the annals of political rhetoric—and you’d be right. But, hand to God, it was a fine piece of oratory—and one that suited the moment to a T, drawing a razor-sharp contrast between White and incumbent Gov. Rick Perry. And while it was not delivered with preacherly fury or Obamaesque eloquence, it was the right kind of speech for White to inhabit comfortably: a little funny, a little sarcastic, a little uplifting, and appropriately plainspoken.
Moser wasn't the only member of the press impressed with White's speech. It helped that, on Saturday morning after his speech, White set aside nearly four hours for one-on-one interviews with reporters. The headlines and stories coming out of the convention reflected a focused, determined candidate intent on taking it to incumbent Governor Rick Perry in the fall:
White wasn't only talking to the press, though. His campaign team actively worked the convention hall. At the most prominent booth at the state convention, the Bill White for Texas campaign team signed up volunteers, and let them sit down at computers to send e-mails to their friends. Everyone who sent 25 e-mails to friends got a free Bill White t-shirt. It was a great example of simple field work being done, even during the convention -- with over 1,000 volunteers signing up there at the convention, and another 1,300 signing up after the convention started from all corners around the state.
Overall, it was a fantastic weekend for the Bill White for Texas campaign team, but much work still has to be done between now and November! The latest poll showed the race tied 43-43, but that is nothing we can take comfort in. Rick Perry is a career politician who knows every dirty trick in the book, and he's in this campaign for himself. He will do everything he can to hold onto power -- unless we get active and stop him! Here's how you can help today:
CONTRIBUTE
We can't run the campaign without you.
PERSONAL FUNDRAISING
A great way to make a lot of small contributions add up. Create an account, email a link to your friends, and see how effective a fundraiser you are.
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN
Stay informed of campaign events in your area and news that impacts the campaign.
VOLUNTEER
No campaign can succeed without the efforts and hard work of volunteers. Please take a moment to let us know what activities you can help with to make this campaign successful.
SPREAD THE WORD
Email your friends and help spread the word about the success Houston has experienced under Bill White's leadership.
Finally, here's the video of Bill White's speech. Enjoy!