Gun Owners Caucus - Texas Democratic Party 2008 State Convention

[derby378]

We had no less than 70 people crammed into our room. I've had one person tell me that we had perhaps a hundred jockeying for space. It was literally standing room only.

The Gun Owners Caucus was addressed by Democratic US House candidates Larry Joe Doherty (TX-10) and Eric Roberson (TX-32), US Senate primary candidate Ray McMurrey, and Texas House candidate Daniel Boone (District 73). They were also addressed by Alice Tripp of the Texas State Rifle Association as well as yours truly.

I gave away free gun locks as well as what one fellow DUer calls "the best convention swag ever" - programmable LED message fans. Hey, I just figured that it gets hot and humid in Austin this time of year, and a fan would come in handy, especially one that flashed whatever message you like.

I need to share pictures, transcripts, etc. with everyone here pretty soon. This was a terrific experience that almost made me forget that I didn't elevate to full delegate this year.

[benEzra]

1. Awesome! (n/t)

[virginia mountainman]

2. Where any "anti civil" rights groups on hand??

[derby378]

3. Well, the Brady Campaign usually staffs a booth at the convention

But then again, the TSRA has been at the convention at least since 2006.

Some of those Brady folks definitely know who I am now. And I sure didn't see a "sensible gun laws" caucus on the convention roster, either. If the Bradys want to organize one, they have the freedom and the opportunity to do so - and me, I'm going to start working on the bylaws for our caucus again with the feedback from my new friends from across the state.

[virginia mountainman]

4. Someone needs to point out to the Convention folks..

That the Brady Campaign, is run, by rethugs...


Edit, Keep on Fighting the Good fight! :toast:

[Xela]

5. Way t o go!!!

derby,

This is one astounding accomplishment.

I've seen you handling this project from the ground up, and your work is nothing short of amazing.

Xela

[derby378]

7. Thanks!

There were a few glitches, but overall I was very happy with how the whole thing turned out.

Next time, I definitely need to plan for more people to show up. I'd probably better start collecting swag tomorrow...

We're gonna do it again in 2010, don't worry! :hi:

[beevul]

6. Some media noticed, too.

"It's the sheer number that's impressive," said Houston Democrat Chris Bell, the gubernatorial candidate who gave Gov. Rick Perry a hard run in a four-way election in 2006.

Convention planners had to rent extra chairs.

"We have so many new people now," Bell said. "This is the beginning of the Democratic ascent in Texas."

The numbers apparently include groups previously unseen at Democratic conventions. Meetings Friday morning included a gun owners' "Second Amendment Caucus" and a home-schoolers' caucus.

http://www.star-telegram.com/state_news/story/687320.html

Nice going man.

Bummer I live so far away, it sounds like that would have been alot of fun.

[SteveM]

8. Great job! Looking forward to a complete de-briefing...

You'll make full delegate soon enough; I was a state delegate in '74 and twice-elected precinct chair from the old Hyde Park (Austin) Precinct 232.

[derby378]

9. I'll have a total of three videos from the Caucus

One's already done, and two others are in the works.

I've already started contacting attendees to get their feedback on the proposed Caucus bylaws. We'll probably need to get together for another meeting in the near future to ratify the bylaws and elect actual officers.