It is really easy to dismiss Texas as the home of W and Tom DeLay. It is easy to forget it is also the state that gave us Molly Ivins. It really does need to change. It has been a backasswards and recalcitrant state. I want it to change. I cannot do it by myself. I am going to shamelessly ask for help. I need candidates and I need money for the candidates I do have.
There are too many Republicans running unopposed in Texas. Now while the plea for write-in candidates is a nice gesture it isn't going to get anybody elected. Right now we have Bill White running for Governor and at least one person, a newly minted member of Daily Kos, running for the State Board of Education. Judy Jenningsdropped by here about ten o'clock Tuesday night. She managed to get a few people to notice her and like any good candidate visiting the Great Orange Satan replied to comments. I told her it would be better seen if she came earlier in the day and absolutely come by more often.
I know we are all about better Democrats around here. I know Chet Edwards pissed of a LOT of people by voting against HIR. He had to. He is better than the other options. Keep giving money to him. This is the bottom line, Chet Edwards is better than the alternative. That extends to the larger problem, there are simply not enough Democratic candidates running for office. It ain't gonna be me. I absolutely sucked as a County Chair. Or at least I thought so.Juanita Jean maintains that there are worse. I still kick in money when I can, put up signs, tote boxes and help out when I can, but people like Judy Jennings that actually have a clue how to run a campaign and have a good head on their shoulders deserve our help.
From her website
As a board member, I will accept the recommendations of scientists on the teaching of science, of historians on the teaching of history, and of educators on the best ways to reach all of our students, who come to school from diverse backgrounds and with a variety of learning styles and needs. I will work collegially to move past the unproductive contention that has been the hallmark of this board toward developing a public school system worthy of this great state and the vision of Sam Houston.
Is that good enough to kick in some bucks?
I know I am not doing a great sales job. It pisses me off that John Carter is getting off without even having to break a sweat to march right back up to DC and co-sign crap like the Birther Bill and that has flavored my days with bitter bile.
That brings me to Bill White. Help get him elected. Do NOT give me BS about Texas Governor being weak. The Gov gets to send the Lege back to work for a special session, which is GOING to happen when redistricting comes up for the next round. If you give a damn about capital punishment in Texas then elect Bill White. If you give a damn about ANY candidate in Texas, give money to Bill White. I know a lot of you are and I thank you. Those of you that are not and can afford to do so, I can think of very few people that are more deserving than this man.
Are you surprised that there is a Democratic party in Texas? Have you forgotten that while the two biggest population centers in Texas went blue, so did the vast empty of Brewster county? I maintain there is a untapped resource here. I don't know how to make the Democrats I know more involved. The ones I saw get fired up in the last election did so because of Obama. That excitement was palpable. Then we got down to the other end of the ballot and saw the unopposed races and suddenly reality set back in again. Dammit. That has got to change. Makes me want to holler. About all I am good for these days. Hollering. But, I guess somebody has to do it.