Malcolm to Resign as TDP Chairwoman

[Gman]

via email from the TDP therefore, no link

AUSTIN – Saying she “can no longer devote the necessary time and attention this job requires,” Texas Democratic Party Chairwoman Molly Beth Malcolm informed the State Democratic Executive Committee today that she is resigning her post to focus on her family responsibilities.

“As I said several months ago, I intended to fulfill the remainder of my third term as Chairwoman of the Texas Democratic Party,” Malcolm wrote (attached). “There were important projects to complete, and I wanted to pave the way for the next Chair.

“However, family comes first. My obligations at home are now such that I can no longer devote the necessary time and attention this job requires,” she stated.

Malcolm wrote that she leaves with “many warm memories” and ticked off a list of accomplishments, including:

Achieving financial security and erasing the party’s debt
Improving communications and party message
Re-establishing the state party as a player in the national party
Creating a Veterans Caucus
Initiating a grassroots training program
Recruiting young people in to the party

Malcolm’s resignation is effective October 25. That same day, the 64 voting members of the SDEC will meet and hold an election for a new chair.

Malcolm’s letter is below:

September 16, 2003

Dear SDEC Member:

As I said several months ago, I intended to fulfill the remainder of my third term as Chairwoman of the Texas Democratic Party. There were important projects to complete, and I wanted to pave the way for the next Chair.

However, family comes first. My obligations at home are now such that I can no longer devote the necessary time and attention this job requires.

In accordance with the rules of the Texas Democratic Party, this letter serves as written notice that I am resigning as Chair, effective October 25. On that date, the State Democratic Executive Committee will meet in Austin and hold an election for a new chair.

This has been a very difficult decision. Serving as the TDP Chair has been a tremendous honor. I take comfort in the fact that we have an extremely able and experienced staff that can provide a smooth transition for the next chair.

I leave this post with many warm memories. During my five and a half years, the Party has achieved financial stability and is no longer in debt. We vastly improved our communications and delivered a message that sharply contrasted with the Republicans’ hard-hearted, extreme conservatism. I also am proud that we were able to re-establish the state party as a key player in the national party. Plus, we created the Veterans Caucus, initiated a new and improved grassroots training program, and successfully recruited young people into the Party.

Thank you so much for your help. Thank you for the honor of serving you. I’m not going away completely. I’ll continue to serve our Party, only now in a way that does not conflict with my family responsibilities.

Proud to be a Democrat,

Molly Beth Malcolm

###

I've always had mixed emotions about Molly Beth. While she is a really neat person, no one has been happy with where the TDP has been going in the last several years. Nevertheless, even though she is a former Republican, no one can question her loyalty to the Democratic Party.

Personally, I place FULL BLAME for everything that has happened in Texas for the last 8 or so years or so squarely on the shoulders of Bill White, who skillfully pulled off the overthrow of one of the best chairs the party ever had, Bob Slagle. Like him or not (no one is lukewarm on Slagle), at least we elected and reelected Democrats to state office when he was there. Bill White was never a strong state chair.

White had the nerve to send me a fund raising letter for his run at the mayorship of Houston. I laughed and pitched it into the trash.

[E_Zapata]

1. So, was that coup of the TDP chair 8 years ago the precursor

to Bob Bulloch handing the Texas Dems over to George W?

Or did Bob put out the red carpet for the Bush coup before Slagel left?

[FlemingsGhost]

2. Two very good questions.

Like Florida, the Texas political corpse is completely rotted from the inside out.

Interesting how both owe their fates to a man named "Bush"...

[Gman]

3. Actually, the coup happened after Ann lost to Bush

Keep in mind the fact that Ann beat herself by pissing off all of her supporters in one way or another over the course of four years. You can't blame Slagle for that one even though White used it to say "it's time for a change." Previously White had been an undersecretary of somthingorother in DC and a big fundraiser in '92 for Clinton. In spite of Clinton's popularity, White didn't come close to carrying Texas.

The only other statewide office holder that lost the year Ann lost was Jim Hightower. He lost to now governor Rick Perry.

It was in the fall of '95 that White overthrew Slagle.

[VolcanoJen]

4. Not LBN... locking

This story was first reported here at LBN on Tuesday, September 16, in this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=118507

Thanks!
VolcanoJen
DU Moderator