Live from the Texas State Democratic convention

[crispini]

Well it's been a fun 24 hours so far. I arrived last night and attended the opening reception and the blogger's caucus (the bloggers had free beer, yay!). My fellow delegate and I attended a few issue caucuses today, all of which were very interesting. This afternoon we started our work in our Senate District delegations, electing our committee members. Obama delegates controlled our SD, so we took a goodly chunk of the committee seats, although not all. We didn't finish our SD caucus elections this afternoon, though, so we will return tonight, but I suspect we will do better than some of the other SD's, since we got through a lot of our elections.

We're in general session right now, and boy howdy, there is some ENERGY here for the good work that we are doing in Texas. We have made some real gains in this state and we WILL make a lot more in the fall. There is a lot of discussion about unity and going forward and we have a BIG HALL full of fired up Democrats! State Senator Kirk Watson has just finished showing that he CAN speak... hee... some people may remember him as the Obama supporter who embarrassed himself on MSNBC ... but he really is a good guy and a great candidate.

More as things progress, until the battery dies!

GO TEXAS DEMS!

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

1. Anybody that says "boy howdy" can count on a K & R from me...

...seriously, thanks for the update. Keep us posted.

[blogslut]

2. sweet!

Keep us updated as much as you can!

Thank you for your service to our state!

[blogslut]

3. Burnt Orange report has a couple of bloggers there

Here's a link to their Twitter feeds:

http://www.burntorangereport.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=5938

[crispini]

6. There is a lot of good coverage at the Austin American Statesman site too.

There are two bloggers here from the AAS as well.

Are Rick and Karl updating their twitter feeds? I'm not getting updates.

[blogslut]

8. Looks like they're being updated

At least Matt's is, says updated 1 minute ago

I shall check out the Statesman too. :)

[blogslut]

31. You know, you're right

Those Twitter feeds are slow as hell. I like your stuff better :)

[crispini]

37. LOL. Thanks! :)

[PDittie]

52. Live-blogging here as well:

http://brainsandeggs.blogspot.com/

[crispini]

4. We just watched a GREAT video about the progress of Texas Dems

We are doing REALLY well in this state. Followed by a great video about Rick Noriega, the NEXT DEMOCRATIC SENATOR from Texas! :woohoo:

[blogslut]

5. Texas is ready to turn Blue

So sayeth Howard Dean @ the Rules and Bylaws meeting last Saturday.

It could happen. Texas could go Dem!

Yeeehaw!

[crispini]

7. RIGHT ON!

Al Green -- from Houston I think -- is introducing Rick Noriega right now.

[blogslut]

9. Go Rick!

As soon as the paycheck clears, money is going to Noriega, Obama and the DNC from me!

I hear John Cornyn is scared shitless. That's always a good thing.

[crispini]

10. I'm starting to update my flickr photostream.

Click on the link in my sig for pics!

[blogslut]

11. neat!

Thanks! Let's pray for long battery life for crispini!

[crispini]

12. Do you come by the Texas forum much?

I ran into sonias at lunch today but I didn't manage to meet tammywammy yet. Derby378 did a really good job leading the gun owner's caucus this morning -- first one ever. (ha!) They had a big turnout. Unfortunately, ginbarn's blood pressure went up this afternoon and she's at the hospital. Hope she's OK.

[Texasgal]

13. Hey Crispini!!

Thank you for donating your time to the Democrats of Texas! YOU RAWK!!!!

We should meet up! I'll buy you a beer!!!

[crispini]

17. haha thanks.

where are you?

[blogslut]

14. Not as much as I should

But I will tonight. :)

I'm a good Dem but a very lazy one. :hi:

[crispini]

24. There won't be much going on there tonight, but c'mon by!

We are all here at the convention, I think, at least most of the regulars. :D

[Melissa G]

28. ((((ginbarn))))Just Talked to Derby, ginbarn is under observation

for at least 24 hours. Thinking good thoughts and adding her to my prayers.

I was hoping to party with y'all but sonias, tammywhammy and I went to Esther's last night after catching the early part of the blogger's caucus. We saw PDittie, johncoby,and some BOR folks.

Maybe we can catch up tomorrow night or Sunday?

[crispini]

29. I'll be around tomorrow night!

and probably in SEVERE need of lots of drinks.

Will PM you my cell. :D

[Melissa G]

34. Sounds good! I have an early party for the local political crowd

but I will look forward to watching you down a few later in the evening! :beer:

[blogslut]

15. kick

crispini's flickr feed:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/crispini/

[crispini]

16. sorry I disappeared

I ran up front to get a shot of Chelsea with the good camera. She talked a lot about unity. We are ALL talking a lot about unity tonight.

Right now they are giving ALL the state house reps a chance to say a sentence or two. Thats a LOT of talking. Haha

[crispini]

18. we only need five seats to take back the texas house

cool!

[blogslut]

19. more kickage

:)

[crispini]

20. pics of tx state reps up on flickr now

[Tatiana]

21. Thank you for these updates crispini!!!!! n/t

[crispini]

22. I can't believe they let ALL the state reps speak. OMG.

Dudes, it's almost 9:00 and we have at LEAST another hour of work to do.

It's time to break out the flask. :P

[crispini]

23. Tim Kaine about to speak. nt

[Lone_Star_Dem]

25. Color me green with envy

I really wish I could have attended.

I kind of am, if only via proxy. The delegate I helped seat is having the time of her life I'm sure. It's better to spread the political flame to others since I know I'm safe from burning out. However, I've not heard a peep from her, and I thank you for keeping us abreast of the events. :)

[crispini]

27. Aww.... she's probably crazy busy. I know I am.

The only reason I blog is 'cause I can do it sitting down. LOL.

All of the elected officials are definitely getting behind the unity line. I think the majority of the delegates are trying to as well. :hi:

[Lone_Star_Dem]

33. That report from the trenches does my heart good!

Keep the Democratic spirit alive in Texas. If we work for it, they will vote for it!

Obama for President and Rick Noriega for US Senate in 2008! :bounce:

Have fun and represent us well. :hi:

[bleever]

26. Hey, crispi!

Rock the party, girl.

:hug:

[crispini]

30. Hi Bleever!

We're doing the good work. :D

GO TEXAS DEMS!

[crispini]

32. report of the credentials committee.

Thank GOD, we're doing business.

Over 180 challenges were considered by the temporary credentials committee. they were able to resolve most without objection. Yay!

[crispini]

35. Senator Kirk Watson is permanent chair

[crispini]

36. Committee annoucements are being made. nt

[crispini]

38. We're waiting on tabulations to hear the presidential preference.

[blogslut]

39. sweeet!

And exciting!

[crispini]

40. The laptop battery is fixing to die.

I'll post from my iPhone until it dies too. :)

[blogslut]

41. A true Texan

You said fixing :hi:

Let's hear it for your cell phone!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

43. Ahh, true...but at least she didn't type...

Fixin', like how I type 'cause instead of because. And I'm only a carpetbagger!

[crispini]

46. LOL nt

[Lone_Star_Dem]

42. That's what I call dedication!

For all of us: thank you for your service above and beyond your battery capacity! :patriot: :P

[crispini]

44. SD 16 going back into caucus

still no tabulations report

[crispini]

45. Tabulations is going to report out tomorrow morning

All SDs are going back into caucus if they need to.

[crispini]

47. we're still here

we're electing national delegates now.

[PBS Poll-435]

48. Please find me a candidate for TX-32!

And KICK

Cuz your there

In our Statehouse

With Yur disease.

[crispini]

49. eric roberson

he's here, he's a great candidate!

[PBS Poll-435]

50. Thanks!

And have a great time at the convention!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

51. Have a great time!!

Back when I used to be a delegate to the State Convention, you couldn't get people interested, and one delegate would represent about ten delegates who were not there.


That said, there is nothing sadder than a drunk Democrat at a State Convention, riding the elevators, checking the hospitality suites, and looking in vain for booze at three o'clock in the morning. :D


I'm so glad that so many people are FIRED UP and READY TO GO!!!!

:toast: :bounce: :toast: :bounce: :woohoo: