Chris Bell's speech to the SDEC

[crispini]

Interesting excerpt:

First, we can’t afford another two years in which the people in this room are treated like props while Austin insiders pick our nominees like they’re casting yet another sequel to Cannonball Run. The SDEC is the grassroots leadership of this party, but for too long you all have been stuck at the kids table when you all should be at the grown-up table where the decisions are made.

Oh SNAP!

Sounds like he's made up his mind to me.

I like this part too:

We’ve tried to out-Republican the Republicans, and all we’ve gotten for it is a demoralized base, demoralized donors, demoralized activists, and demoralized leaders. Our unwillingness to challenge the other side has given us the most corrupt and incompetent Texas government in a generation. It is our duty to restore Texas pride.

Our struggle for relevancy in the 21st Century in Texas is no longer about Ralph Yarborough versus Lloyd Bentsen, the liberals versus the conservatives. It’s not about narrowing the definition of a Democrat down to its purest essence. Our charge is to reach out to the true silent majority—the New Mainstream. Our duty is to articulate a positive vision of the future that unites all Texans. And we do this by talking about Democratic values, which I believe are the true shared values of Texans, and not by abandoning them at the first report of gunfire.

This is what I am talking about when I talk about the New Mainstream. Rick Perry can put a fence around his folks and tell the rest of us “Adios, MoFo,” but Texans want a leader who has the moral courage to apply something as radical as common sense to our problems and who has the vision to lead us into a tomorrow worth fighting for.

more....

http://www.chrisbell.com/speeches/A_Vision_for_the_Democratic_Party

[shance]

1. He's terrific.

I hope he runs.

[PDittie]

2. This speech kicked ass

We'll know for sure in a week or two, but count on Bell being in the race.

He's our best shot by a long shot at taking Austin back.

[sonias]

3. A Democrat with a spine

That's how I sent the speech link out to my friends. It's time to stand up and stand with Chris Bell in the fight to take back our state.

Sonia