Boyd Richie to Not Seek Re-Election

[The Philosopher]

from Burnt Orange Report

BREAKING: Boyd Richies announces that he will not seek another term as TDP Chair and will continue to serve to provide a smooth transition over the next 14 months until a new chair is elected at the State Convention in June of 2012. I have posted his full statement below the live blog.

...

Letter from Chairman Boyd Richie on not seeking re-election:

Dear fellow Democrat,

I want to share with you the following statement I've just released.

"Every day, as both state and national Republicans wage war on working families, the vital nature of our mission becomes more obvious.

"Knowing how important our work is - it is a very real and special privilege to be Chair of the Texas Democratic Party. I've enjoyed wonderful experiences, met scores of remarkable people, and I've learned a lot.

"As a three-time candidate for Party Chair, one of the things I've learned is that there is always a little friction between running for the position and doing the job. And frankly, we don't have time for that.

"Betty and I have reached the difficult but honest conclusion that, at this point in time, our Party needs a Chair who is not encumbered by also being a candidate.

"Therefore, I have two announcements today. First, I will not seek re-election. Second, and perhaps more importantly, I will dedicate the next 14 months to working with you to build the strongest, most prepared Texas Democratic Party possible

http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/11135/april-9-sdec-meeting-live-blog">Click Here To Read More

[sonias]

1. We are in serious need of re-building

Just not sure who wants to take the reins.

The ad might read:
Texas Democratic Party looking for a miracle worker to lead a rebuilding effort in the state.
:(

[PDittie]

2. Richard Raymond

Seems to be the best bet. (At least he's won an election before.)

[AgainsttheCrown]

3. Raymond's won...but not statewide

If no one wants the job, then we may get someone incompetent.

We need a strong corporate-influence-free Democratic party so that when the Republicans completely frak things up they can fix the damage with meaningful reforms.

[PDittie]

4. And I'd like to

be able to shit glazed doughnuts (as Jon Stewart has said). No offense intended to you personally.

The Republican wing of the Texas Democratic Party has been in charge since Lloyd Bentsen defeated Ralph Yarborough for Senate in 1970. Don't believe me? Would you believe Wikipedia?

The campaign came in the wake of Yarborough's politically hazardous votes in favor of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and his opposition to the Vietnam War. Bentsen made Yarborough's opposition to the war a major issue. His television advertising featured video images of rioting in the streets at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, implying that Yarborough was associated with the rioters. While this strategy was successful in defeating Yarborough, it caused long-term damage to Bentsen's relationship with liberals in his party.

Bentsen's campaign and his reputation as a conservative Democrat served to alienate him not only from supporters of Ralph Yarborough, but from prominent national liberals, as well. Indeed, during the 1970 Senate race, the Keynesian economist John Kenneth Galbraith endorsed George Bush, arguing that if Bentsen were elected to the Senate, he would invariably become the face of a new, more conservative Texas Democratic Party and that the long-term interests of Texas liberalism demanded Bentsen's defeat.

Forty-plus years now. During that time Texas Democratic voters became Reagan Democrats, then Republicans, and now TeaBaggers. (I'm describing my dad now, a union man who voted D all his life, until 1980).

Sixteen consecutive years of 100% GOP rule at the state level. A super-minority in the statehouse (and nearly the state Senate). Since 1994: Ann Richards to W to Rick Perry. We're not even slowing their roll.

Boyd Richie's greatest claim to success was getting AT@T to sponsor the Texas Democratic Party conventions. (Now keep in mind, just in the past few years delegates could have chosen Glen Maxey. Or David Van Os.) Do you know who occupied the chair before him? Molly Beth Malcolm. Before that? Charles Soechting. Before that? Bill White.

That's fifteen years' worth. See anything slightly progressive there?

Maybe you forgot that Soechting resigned specifically to keep Maxey from getting elected. That's OK if you did, because I had, too.

This trend just ain't a-changin' in my lifetime, and probably not in our children's lifetimes. Sorry about the brutal truth.

[AgainsttheCrown]

5. Oh I am aware

That it's a pipe dream. Yet I still dare to dream :donut:

[CoolOnion]

9. I voted for Glen Maxey.

Sure hope we get an actual Democrat this time 'round.

[TxVietVet]

6. I've recently moved back to Texas.

WTF happened to the Democratic Party? Where's the leadership? I've been gone 22 years and it's like I've returned to a whole new state, ruled by conservanazi idiots and pulpit pimps. Why is there no opposition? I know the conservanazis play the race card heavy because I deal with their supporters everyday. The would dance in the street full of joy if Obama is harmed. They hate him and anything associated with liberal and progressive ideas. In the town I'm living in now, I'll bet there are more criminals in the downtown offices and county government than in the poor sections of town.

Clue me in. I've voted Democrat since I first could vote. I have NO plans on voting for a conservanazi. I just won't vote. My town has cancelled councilman elections because they have no oppostion. Go figure. :wtf:

[sonias]

7. This is the worst is has been in my lifetime

Really. It was so much better two years ago. We had real hope about taking back the state starting with at least the Governor's race. You already know the score from Nov 2010. A tsunami hit Texas just like it did the rest of the country. :cry:

Very devastating for our re-building efforts.

I think we have officially hit rock bottom. No where to go but up.

[TxVietVet]

8. I hope so. I'm going to talk to my local TDP rep and see what's up.

I just can't believe some of the people. They are ate up with the conservanazi bu$hit BAD.