DarkSyde's
Louder Than Words this morning I think is an excellent message to heed. While it's great to feel pumped up after YK, patting ourselves on the back isn't going to win us elections.
While Yearly Kos was tearing up Las Vegas, the Texas Democratic Party was having its convention in Fort Worth. Others have diaried how the establishment effectively shut out the reformers, and it really looks like the TDP is more interested in having a nice cushy office than winning statewide office. It's sad.
So, this is an appeal to the candidates: Push the consultants and party big-wigs aside for a moment, step outside the bubble of your campaign staff for a moment, and spend thirty minutes watching the news tonight. Why? Follow me after the jump.
I'll wager that you, Ms/Mr Candidate won't see a peep about your campaign. I'll also wager that you will see either a story or commercial for your competition.
Your staff won't point this out to you. They're insulating your from reality.
Are you counting on the netroots to tell all of Texas your story? Don't. We're good, but we're not that good. If you want people to know who you are and what you believe in, you're going to have to get the ball rolling.
I live in District 22. Nick Lampson, shame on you. You have the advantage at this moment in time. You are the only candidate. Delay is gone. The Republicans are prohibited from doing anything to select a new candidate for a couple of weeks. You have the entire stage to yourself - a free opportunity to frame yourself and your vision for District 22 before the Repugs have a chance to twist you into a pretzel. Why aren't you advertising on either TV or radio? (radio would probably be a cheaper way of hitting the district) Don't play defense. Go on the offensive now by telling us who you are and what you intend to do when elected. Do it now before there's a competitor that can push back. Hold some press conferences and events to get some free ink. You're currently in oblivion. Why?
Chris Bell, where the hell are you? Every night, I see Rick Perry's slimy haircut telling me how he's "kept his promise" and managed to fund our schools while providing billions in tax cuts. Where is the pushback? Where is someone reminding Texans that Perry wasted millions of our tax dollars in redistricting special sessions that put the needs of DC Republicans ahead of Texans? I see Strayhorn spots. I hear Willie Nelson pushing biodiesel and Kinky Friedman on the radio. I never hear or see the name Chris Bell. If I didn't read the blogs, I wouldn't know that the Democratic Party bothered to run a candidate this year.
David Van Os is doing a whistlestop tour of the state. I give him props for trying something different and reaching out to the rural areas. The state party owes David by backing him up.
Barbara Ann Radnofsky: I haven't heard one word from you since the primary. Where are you?
If the issue is money: then tell us what you need, put up a bat, and let's raise some cash - then do what you say you're going to do.
If the plan is to keep your powder dry: then get out there anyway. Time's a-wastin. Keeping your powder dry is playing defense. Don't let the voter's impression of you be set by the Republican Slime Machine. Get out there now on offense and tell your story.
If someone like me knows your name and wonders where the hell you are, then someone like my wife doesn't even know you exist.
We're the netroots. We're here to help you. But we can't win you this race by ourselves.