Texas Gubernatorial Race May Heat Up

[sharonking21]

Democrat and former Texas Supreme Court Justice, Bob Gammage, is considering getting into the governor's race. I sincerely hope that he does--he has also been a Texas Representative, Texas Senator and US Congressman. He campaigned hard in Texas for Wes Clark in 2004, then just as hard in Texas and in other states for John Kerry.

He's a really good guy too, so I hope he does run.

Further, I know (especially from comments he once made on a torture research paper I did, but also from other contacts with him) that he despises the heavy-handed rule of the far-right Republicans both at the national and Texas state levels.

For more, see:
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/2456

[Jai4WKC08]

1. This is wonderful news

I've heard such great things about Gammage, both his character and his ability to literally enthrall a crowd.

Wouldn't it be fabulous to win the TX Governor's Mansion? Talk about kicking Bush and all the other Repubs in the teeth! Let us know when there's a place to send money. I can't send much, but an early show of numbers can be almost as important as the total dollars, since showing a broad base of support can help attract the big money.

Recommending this one.

[Texas_Kat]

2. At the risk of sounding a little partisan.....

since I know Bob Gammage pretty well, I'll have to say he both understands and APPRECIATES the grassroots. Hell, I'd have to say he IS a grassroots Democrat and understands both the power and the effectiveness of the internet.

He has accomplished a lot in his career, was one of the Dirty 30 (http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/DD/wmdsh_print.html), and is a fiery and impassioned speaker.

I've heard Bob speak and seen him mobilize the entire room to get out and work to win. Bob's from Llano (rural Texas) so he understands a lot about the heart of Texas.

And he can light a room on fire

He also understands what has happened to Texas Democratic politics over the years. Disaffected Republicans stop and listen to him because he makes sense to them. He can speak the language that's important to all Texans. Real Democratic values, family, faith, community and above all COMPETENCE!

I didn't plan on trying to write a persuasive post. But, we have to have a strong candidate at the top of the ticket. We need an inspiring, competent and compassionate candidate who understands the issues facing ALL Texans. We need a gubernatorial candidate who can deliver an aggressive 2006 campaign message. We need a messenger, with a compelling public message about what the Democratic Party believes in. We need a messenger whose presence at the top of the ticket will help generate turn-out for our down-ballot candidates.

[Sooner75]

3. I'm with you guys

In 2003 and 2004, I spent a fair amount of time with Bob and Lynda Gammage in connection with the campaign for Wes Clark, and I have to say that I'd be very pleased to see Bob run for governor.

Spend 30 minutes to an hour with Bob Gammage and you'll hear what needs to happen to build a better future for Texas and what needs to happen to get the Texas Democratic Party back on top. Afterwards, you'll conclude that you just heard the "straight-up" truth from a guy who's honest enough and smart enough to lead us there.

That said, I have to also say that I like Chris Bell, the guy who's already announced his candidacy in the gubernatorial race. Bob and Chris are both great forward thinking straight shooters. They'd BOTH be great as governor. The problem is WHO can actually get there? I'm sure that Bob has much more of a statewide network than Chris has, and that's huge.

Either way, it'll be an uphill battle to get Texans to step back and quit votin' Republican like Pavlov's dogs whenever an election rolls around.

[calimary]

4. Welcome to DU! I'm not from Texas and I, too, am with you guys.

This guy sounds like the real deal. ANY Democratic victories ANYWHERE are a great thing.

:toast:

[Texas_Kat]

5. I really like Chris too

He and his family have had some real challenges to face in the last couple of years and they've come through them.

I think to take Texas away from the corrupt, pandering Republicans in control, we're going to need someone like Gammage. Knows everybody in old-Dem (preRepublican) Texas politics and not only appreciates how effective grassroots politics is, but actually has worked as a grassroots political activist. So he's the best of both worlds.

I think that Chris may be too nice to succeed in the race this time around. Texas politics has always been mean, but this one is going to demand someone who can hit them back -- where they live.

[Tom Rinaldo]

6. This is sounding very interesting

Bob Gammage has served in Congress plus he's already run and won a State Wide Texas election, for the Supreme Court, so he has the credentials and the experience in Texas politics to be a serious player. Plus this is a guy who was willing to do door knocking in New Hampshire in the winter trying to elect a man he believed in, then he turned right around and worked his ass off for Kerry/Edwards once his guy was out of the race. My kind of candidate, someone who doesn't think grass roots politics is below him, someone who is known and trusted by people who I know and trust.

God I would love to turn Texas Blue. I understand that at least one other good Democrat is interested in running for Governor, but Gammage seems like the kind of person who can really win, plus he represents my values. I really hope he decides to go through with this.

[11 Bravo]

7. Does Kinky Friedman even register in the polls?

I believe he's running as a libertarian, but as someone with absolutely zero knowledge of Texas politics (other than the demonstrable fact that Tom Delay is a pig-fucker)I'm really out of the loop on this one.

[Neil Lisst]

10. he's definitely going to pull votes

he appeals to anyone who is counterculture, and he'll get some votes from that

[Texas_Kat]

11. Kinky's got a huge hurdle

45,000 (valid) signatures to accumulate from registered voters that do not vote in the March 06 primaries. That means anyone who wants to vote for other candidates running in other races in the primaries can't vote at all -- and still sign Kinky's petition. So primary voters are not just sitting out the Governor's race, but ALL races in the primary.

He can't even start collecting signatures till after the primaries are over next year, then he has about 2 months.

It's an effective way to destroy what's left of the Democratic party in Texas, though.

[Adelante]

8. This is exciting

I remember this guy by name from '04. I hope he decides to do it.

[Neil Lisst]

9. Bob Gammage would be AWESOME!

I love Bob. He's old school Texas Dem.

Ron Kirk can't win, but Bob might.

I love Kinky Friedman, but not that way.

[Paranoid Pessimist]

12. Is Kinky Friedman still running? n/t

[BrightKnight]

13. Bell making noise

Shouldn't Bell be making a little noise? I have not heard him chime in on anything yet. You can't win Texas from the sidelines.

I am in favor of anyone that brings passion to the race.

[Czolgosz]

14. That would be GREAT! I had met Chris Bell the other day and he didn't

seem wholly excited about the race (although he's a great guy). I certainly think any Gammage candidacy would be a surprise to Bell, and he might give Perry-bot-2000 a hell of a run.

[texpatriot2004]

15. Well, goodness knows we need all the good guys we can get in

Texas to combat the corrupt Rethugs who have taken over with their Fundie freak friends.

[Catamount]

16. Talking of the governor's race, I read that simple Scotty's mom..

Carole Keeton Strayhorn is running for governor too!
No wonder he's sweating so much these days...just think of the implications!

[Sooner75]

17. Republicans only see Perry vs. Strayhorn

In olden days, every race used to be effectively over once the Democratic nomination had been won. These days, the conventional wisdom is that the Republican nomination is all that matters. Republicans hold EVERY statewide office in Texas.

Carole Strayhorn has already been hammering Rick Perry with the radio ads that refer to her as "one tough grandma." She likes to hammer him about school financing -- the lack thereof. I really doubt that she'd be any more effective than Governor Good Hair.

Bob Gammage would nail BOTH of them....especially in a debate.

[Zen Democrat]

18. Bob Gammage was my Rep back in the '70's.

Back when he was flip-flopping the seat with Ron Paul.

Last time I checked, Chris Bell was still contemplating getting into the governor's race and had not committed.

My take is that Bell is waiting a little longer to see what the shake-out is on Carole Keeton (McClellan Rylander) Strayhorn vs. Rick Perry. The old-line Republicans in Texas are ready to declare war on the Fundie takeover of the state party, and if Perry wins the primary they will sit on their hands in 2006, opening up a big chance for the Democratic win. Rick Perry is bound tightly to the Fundies, including old Ralph Reed himself. Perry's connections to people close to Abramoff, and perhaps Abramoff himself, may do him in.

If Strayhorn gets the nomination, the old-line will come out in force for her -- which will make it extremely difficult for a Dem to get in. Strayhorn is not a member of the Christian Right Machine.

I think Chris Bell will wait to see what the polling looks like for the next few months before making a final decision.

But whether Bell is in or not ... I think Bob Gammage would be a hell of a candidate for us. He's a great Democrat.

[NoPasaran]

27. Bell announced back in August

But it seems like he's been invisible since then. And I say that as someone who likes Chris Bell and has even thrown a couple of bucks his way. He just doesn't seem to be catching fire. I hate to jump ship on a fundamentally good guy who I think would make a great governor, but I'm willing to at least take a look at Bob Gammage.

I agree that Carole Four Names isn't part of the religious wacko group---so I think she is doomed in the primary. But I hope she draws enough blood and is nasty enough that in November moderate repubs stay home or cast a protest vote for Kinky if they can't bring themselves to vote for our guy. Or course, that's assuming that moderate republicans actually exist in larger numbers than unicorns!

[sharonking21]

19. This is also on Burnt Orange Report

http://tinyurl.com/dqwlt

[loudsue]

20. Voting machines in Texas are some of the MOST CORRUPT

in the country. Check out the old threads about all the voting problems in Texas.

Until the Black Box Voting issue is addressed, Texas is as screwed as Florida and Ohio.

:kick::kick::kick:

[Texas_Kat]

24. Actually Black Box voting problems take a back seat

to problems with voter intimidation, slammed voter lists and plain old incompetent election judges. Most Texas counties still use paper and a pencil.

One of the things that Gammage is very strong on is a "protect the vote' effort. Not just poll watchers, but active participation in ballot boards in each county.

If we don't have bulldogs on our side, (Kerry had none, Sanchez started only 30 days before the election in 2002) we're gonna have trouble.

It doesn't take a hacker to change the vote. It can be something as simple as DPS cops hanging out in the parking lots of polling places to turn voters away in some areas.

There's the famous Ft. Worth Rail Road tracks story...... if you want to hear it, ask.

[sharonking21]

28. I do

what is the Fort Worth RR tracks story?

[ctaylor1973]

21. Getting Votes in the South

If we are to get some control back in Texas (or else where) we have to show people we are ready to take the issues to the mat.
Here in Texas we have people in and out of state who are just pissed off that people in New Orleans. We have to remind these people, get them involved, get them established, get them REGISTERED TO VOTE. I am not an organizer or planner. Just a guy who thinks that with the right campaign we can give the REP. a run for their money down here in Texas or in the whole of the south.

Here are the issues as I see them:

- if the storms had been a terrorist attack we would have been screwed. this was not 9-11 we had 4 weeks to prepare.

- the Reps. where prepared for the storm (they where setting up construction contracts for there buddies)

- it wasn't a matter or black or white in New Orleans it was a matter that the poor (uneducated, non-voting poor)where left to suffer.

I am willing to work very hard for this effort. Can anyone help me? We need to:

-get these people established as citizens of the state they are in so the REP. Party cannot block them at the voting booth in the 2008 elections.

-remind them of what the REP. party did for them in the first 24 - 72 hours after the storm.

- get other states in the south doing the same thing.

[sharonking21]

22. I think you are right

We really need to get these people registered to vote in Texas. How do we find them?

[ctaylor1973]

23. dont know

[merci_me]

25. one way to find them "piece by piece"

is to check with your county/city records, showing where the county/city is paying for vouchers for apartments. It should be a matter of open records. In Houston, those records should be available through the City Controller's office or that office can tell you where the records are.

Then you hit those apartment complexes and just start registering everyone. It doesn't matter where they're from, if they aren't registered, they need to be.

Also, you might try to find a "leader" among the evacuees or other apartment dwellers and get them to help you get the info out, about registration.

[Imagevision]

26. With Bush self-destructing 06 is beginning to look hopeful...!