An Open Letter to Dallas County Democrats

[derby378]

Fellow Yellow Dogs, Liberals, and Progressives:

Approximately one year ago, this former Republican found himself actively involved in the political process - as a Democrat.

My conversion to the Democratic party was fueled by much more than hostility to the Bush administration's policies. Howard Dean, current DNC chair, inspired me. Congressional Democrats such as Senator Barbara Boxer and Senator John Kerry convinced me. Interaction with grass-roots Democrats across Dallas County helped make a believer out of me. Last year, I had faith that we not only sent a Democratic President to the White House, but we would also reshape the political landscape of Dallas County with a fresh infusion of "blue" blood.

And then came November 2, 2004.

Sitting in the Iron Cactus restaurant in downtown Dallas that night with my wife, who became a Democratic state delegate for the first time in her life earlier that year, we saw the election results trickle in and watched helplessly as Democrat after Democrat in the Dallas County elections fell victim to the Republican juggernaut. The only ones to escape were Judge Don Adams, Judge Dennise Garcia, Judge Lorraine Raggio, and Sheriff Lupe Valdez.

But to hear the news from Susan Hays, Dallas County Democratic Party Chair, one would think we had turned Dallas County blue overnight. In her words, "we tipped the County Democratic, shocking the media and the Republicans."

As a famous judge once said, "Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining."

We are indeed grateful for the handful of Democratic victories we have achieved. The election of Sheriff Valdez has indeed shocked many political experts.

But when you consider the total number of Democrats who ran for office in Dallas County, the realization settles in - we got our collective butts kicked, pure and simple. In an election year when, more than ever, failure simply was not an option.

We can assign blame to Karl Rove, Tom DeLay, the redistricting debacle, and touchscreen voting machines - and I agree that they all share the lion's share of the blame.

However, the results for Dallas County show Bush beating Kerry by roughly 50% to 49%. All we needed was an extra push from the DCDP organization, and we could have handed the Bush campaign a major embarrassment by turning a prominent parcel of "Bush Country" into a Democratic stronghold.

But certain individuals in the DCDP pulled their punches in the final months. They began to lobby for diverting Dallas County activists to campaign for voters in "battleground states" instead of taking care of their own communities. The overall mood within the DCDP appeared to be that Dallas County was a lost cause, so why bother trying when we can milk votes out of Arkansas or Louisiana. And I feel that DCDP Chair Susan Hays was helping nurture that mindset.

It frustrated the grass-roots Democrats. I know it certainly frustrated me.

And now for a short history lesson:

Back in 1996, when Bob Dole was the Republican nominee for President, he tried to soften the Republican Party's position on abortion, proposing that a "declaration of tolerance" for supporters of abortion rights be included in the GOP national platform. For his trouble, Dole found himself facing a showdown at the national convention in San Diego from Texas Republicans unless he relented. In the words of Texans United for Life president Bill Price, "This sends a very clear signal to Sen. Dole...that there is a rogue elephant from Texas on the way." (Price boasted that at least 85 of the state's 123 delegates had sided with hardline anti-abortion forces within the GOP by signing pledges.)

We all know what has happened in the Republican Party on the national level since then. The "rogue elephant" from Texas has taken over, inflicting the likes of Tom DeLay, Kenny Marchant, and Pete Sessions on America via Capitol Hill - not to mention Connecticut "carpetbagger" George W. Bush, who still occupies the White House despite his disappointing record as President over the past four years.

Here's a modest proposal. Maybe a "rogue donkey" is needed to kick down the complacency and ennui that has engulfed the Democratic Party structure in Dallas County and prime the party to realize actual, tangible political gains in 2006. This means greater interaction with grass-roots activists and organizers, more aggressive outreaches to Dallas County voters, and an end to "business-as-usual" campaigning.

The March 25 announcement by Susan Hays that she is stepping down as DCDP chair should not be seen as cause for a celebration. She has worked very hard for local Democratic candidates and campaigns, and the position of DCDP chair can often be a thankless one. Truly, the people I met at the DCDP are "the forgotten doing the impossible for the ungrateful." And that includes Susan.

But, as we have learned to our sorrow since Bush's second inauguration, the ante has been raised. Social Security is in mortal peril. Tax increases loom over the heads of lower-class and middle-class Texans, while the rich get off with lower property taxes. The CIA has been purged of any prominent agents who were critical of Bush. Unfair bankruptcy laws threaten increased hardships on those who struggle with family illness and misfortune. And now Congress, with the blessing of the White House, feels it has the power to impose an oligarchial "rule by decree" when they dislike a ruling by State or Federal judges.

All of the previous developments are because of a Republican majority in the Texas Legislature, the US House of Representatives, and the US Senate. Not to mention a second term for George W. Bush in the White House.

2004 was our window of opportunity to stop the damage before it started. We blew it.

But in 2006, we may be able to start repairing the damage.

Everything is in place to truly turn Dallas County blue. The vote tallies from 2004 show that victory in our county was closer than we realized. And now KXEB 910AM broadcasts liberal and progressive talk radio for Dallas County listeners, breaking the monopoly of conservative AM "hate-radio." And the grass roots, though bowed, are not broken - and they are itching for the opportunity to send more Democrats to public office in 2006.

But first we need a rogue donkey. A donkey that will break down the old paradigms of the DCDP structure and make its voice heard throughout Texas and the United States.

If Texas Republicans can radically transform their party, Dallas County Democrats can do the same with our own party. This is not an unattainable goal.

We thank Susan Hays for her labors, and we welcome her to perhaps once again assume the role of DCDP chair sometime in the future.

In the meantime, we all have much to learn and even more to do in preparation for 2006.

My benediction and final affirmation is a simple one: "Better dead than red."

Thank you for indulging me.

[bluestateguy]

1. Kerry did better in Dallas than Carter, Clinton and Gore

I think the tide will turn Dallas County blue in 2008.

[derby378]

2. I'm hopeful for 2006 instead

I want to see the look on *'s face when he has to give the 2007 SOTU in front of a Democratic House and Senate, knowing full well that impeachment is now a very real possibility.

[ChickMagic]

3. Freaking Park Cities voted Kerry

and Frost, and some other dems. They have always, and I mean always, voted repug.