With temporary committees and State Democratic Executive Committee meetings on the agenda tomorrow, Democrats are beginning to filter into downtown Corpus Christi for the state Democratic convention. Ahead are fights over party rules that partially govern the “PrimaCaucus”, our delightfully frustrating Presidential delegate nominations process; a challenge to the re-election of State Chair Boyd Richie; countless resolutions and drafting the party’s platform.
But who are we kidding? The state convention is all about candidates, glad-handing, fund raising and momentum-building. And, the drinking Blogger’s Caucus Friday night. And more parties.
Democratic success in November will hinge on whether the party faithful get their mojo back and resume their gradual return to political prominence. It’s been a long walk in the woods, oh-fer-29, according to the Richie’s challenger. The energy of 2008 produced some wins, but statewide success continues to be just around the corner. With Bill White at the top of the ticket, there’s potential for victory, but only with enthusiasm.
I’m looking forward to hopefully finding some energy in Corpus Christi — other than washed-up tar globs on the beach.
• Texas Lobby Spending Dipped in 2009.
• But Top Hired Guns Not Tightening Belts.
Austin—Special interests spent up to $344 million on Texas state lobby contracts in 2009, dipping below the $348 million that they spent in the previous legislative year (2007). This marked the only time in a decade when lobby spending did not skyrocket from one legislative year to the next, according to a new edition of Austin’s Oldest Profession, Texans For Public Justice’s biennial analysis of the Texas lobby.
By the end of 2009, 1,690 lobbyists reported that 2,866 different clients paid them up to $344 million to execute 8,166 paid lobby contracts. Despite the rare contraction in lobby spending, the state’s top lobbyists reported that they are raking in more money than ever before.
As usual, Ma Bell’s reincarnation—AT&T—trounced all comers, spending up to $9.3 million on 117 lobbyists. Energy Future Holdings Corp. came next. Together with three of its subsidiaries, this energy giant spent up to $7.3 million on the lobby.
The State Democratic Executive Committee met at the Marriott Round Rock to canvass the statewide primary results and continue its work planning the 2010 state convention. Runoff elections were ordered for eleven races in districts that cross county lines; however, none of the statewide races in the March 2 primary required a second ballot.
In addition to the statutory business, the Grassroots Committee met. It is the first meeting since I was appointed to chair the group. We received staff updates and learned that the state party is producing a massive amount of training materials, primarily in the form of webinars. Nineteen sessions are on the calendar and more are added each day. Each session is recorded and is typically offered on-demand. Subjects include precinct organization, use of the Voter Activation Network (VAN) statewide Democratic voter database, targeting and campaign training.
TDP staffer Bill Brannon is also crisscrossing the state as part of a rural initiative that seeks to build Democratic performance in hundreds of counties with less than 150 thousand residents. Once a backbone of Democratic support, rural Texas has become difficult for Democratic candidates. Meanwhile, the economic hardships of rural Texas continue to go unaddressed by the Republican-dominated state government.
At the beginning of the current term, the Grassroots Committee set goals for itself, so we spent some time evaluating ourselves against those goals.
Ultimately, we seek to develop a statewide organization with grassroots activists working in every precinct in the state. To reach that goal, we work with staff to produce training materials (such as our Grassroots handbook). We recruit and train county chairs and local activists. We also work with affiliated organizations in Democratic-leaning organizations.
A significant aspect of our advocacy on behalf of the grassroots is rewarding and recognizing their work. Members of the committee nominated 22 activists to receive a certificate of recognition from the committee since the previous meeting.
The committee, on behalf of the grassroots activists in the state, took time during our meeting to assess the performance of the state party. We recognized the significant efforts of TDP staff, particularly Sondra Haltom, Brian Pendleton and Brooke Heller. The committee also praised the state party’s tools and training, including the VAN and the high quality call lists it produces.
The committee acknowledged a few areas for improvement, including the tendency to horde information such as email addresses in “silos”. Vacancies in county parties are often difficult to fill. And as much as the VAN is appreciated, there are still data accuracy issues. The committee expressed a desire to increase accountability by developing a set of metrics by which our members will be evaluated. They will include the number of new precinct and county chairs and other performance markers that each committee member can strive to reach.
Finally, the committee discussed the need for local activists to develop their general election plans. Over the next eight months, supporters and volunteers must be identified in every part of the state. Campaign events, rallies and fund raisers must be planned. And by October, the full organization must engage in an aggressive Get Out The Vote effort. Our Grassroots Handbook has all the details.
It was good to see at least two of the the Democratic candidates, Farouk Shami and Bill White, get some free media on statewide TV last night. Let’s hope people watched. (If anyone missed it it can be viewed online here). It was not a contentious debate, which usually makes for better TV, but it was one where those watching were able to get a good sense of both candidates.
It’s clear that White will lean heavily on his experience bringing people together as Mayor of the fourth largest city in the United States, and Shami will lean heavily on his success as a self-made business man. Because of the non-contentiousness of the debate there really wasn’t a winner/loser situation. Both had certain things to do and, of course, each voter has certain things they want to hear. White was trying to get his name out and not make any gaffes, he did that. Shami too was trying to get his name out and also show he can be a credible Democratic nominee for the governor of Texas. And that last part is what I’m still not sure about with Shami.
I’ve never been one who thinks that just because someone can run a business, they can run a government. I don’t think it translates to good government most times. Some of the answers to his questions, and the harping on the governor as CEO, seems naive and seem to imply a top down type of management style. That’s not likely to work very well with the legislature. That being said there are many areas where I agree Shami on the issues.
White for his part has a very good command of the issues and where he stands on them. Spent a good amount of time attacking Perry, and some time attacking TxDOT. His answers on education, health care, and job creation/training were good. While White made a few good comments on transportation, hopefully he will come around to to raising the gas tax sooner, rather than later.
AAS, HChron, Burka, have some analysis. The Texas Tribune has it’s analysis including post debate Q&A’s with both candidates.
There could have been much better questions, delving deeper in the budget, health care, and education. There certainly should have been something on the Texas Enterprise Fund, on Perry’s cronyism and the the governor’s appointment power in general. The bottom line is at least two Democrats go to debate and they both did good for themselves and the Democratic Party in Texas.
All I can Say is WOW!! We had a great turn out today in support of Mayor Bill White and his run for Governor of Texas! It was a pleasure to have Diana Maldonado as our host and the Williamson County Democratic Party for allowing the use of their office for this event. While I saw a fair number of old faces in attendance, I am overwhelmed at all the new faces!
The WC4BW Team is also thankful that many of the local candidates were on hand as well. This is very inspiring to our team and to the Bill White Campaign as well. The momentum is definitely building and we can do a lot good work between now and the primary, and even more between now and November! Thanks to all of you who attended today, and spread the word. Your help is compounded by the help you recruit in this campaign effort! Let’s make this happen!
I posted about the exclusion of the other five candidates for governor from tonight’s debate here, an entreaty that fell on completely deaf ears. I also had a compilation of news and blog articles on Shami last month, and my 2007 meeting on e-Slate issues with White, before and after.
We have two candidates vying to be the next Chair of the Williamson County Democratic Party (WCDP). They are Paul Stempko and Gregory S. Windham. The WCDP Communications Committee had the candidates put together their biographical information and their answers to several questions, which can be perused here, In Their Own Words . . .[PDF]. From the questionnaire on why the chair of the WCDP is so important.
The strength of the Texas Democratic Party depends on the hard work of volunteers and political activists
in the county parties. County Democratic parties are the focal points of political campaigns and building the Democratic Party. The people who take leadership roles in their local Democratic Parties are critical to the local, state, and national Democratic Party success.
During each Democratic Party Primary Election, Democrats throughout Texas elect the local leaders of the Democratic Party, including a Precinct Chair for each voting precinct and a County Chair to lead the local party for the next two years. The Precinct Chairs and the County Chair make up the Executive Committee that organizes Democrats in the county to support Democratic candidates, handles the finances of the local party, and runs the primary election.
County Chairs are expected to lead their county’s Executive Committee. In order to do this, they must work closely with candidates, precinct chairs, party activists, and the Texas Democratic Party staff to build a network of volunteers. They provide critical support to Democratic campaigns and are essential to turning out the Democratic vote and winning electoral victories.
The will also be appearing at a candidate forum next Saturday.
“MEET THE CANDIDATES” PUBLIC FORUM
WHO: Candidates running for County Chair of the WCDP
The Candidates are:
Paul Stempko
Gregory Scott Windham
WHEN: Saturday, February 13, 2010, 2:30-4:00
WHERE: Moody’s Restaurant
309 N Hwy 183
Leander, TX 78646
WHY: To become an informed voter!
This is the only event where both candidates are scheduled to publicly present their arguments for why we should elect them.
County Democratic Party Chairs are elected at the Primary Elections.
Your only chance to make your voice heard will be during the March 2, 2010, primary election or during early voting (begins Feb. 16).
Come. Meet them. Mark you calendar now!
SPONSORS:
West Williamson County Democrats
East Williamson County Democratic Club.
Questions?
Contact Karen Carter 512-260-6965;
KarenCarter2008@aol.com
Via Williamson County for Bill White, they are hosting a “Kick Off” event:
Williamson County For Bill White Kick off WITH MAYOR BILL WHITE!!
Please join State Representative Diana Maldonado as she hosts Mayor Bill White for the Williamson County for Bill White Campaign Kickoff!
Date: Saturday, February 6, 2010 Time: 10:30am – 1:00pm Location: Williamson County Democrats Office, 110 North Interstate 35, Suite 170, Round Rock [MAP]
