Slagle and Soechting endorse Frost for DNC Chair

[NoPasaran]

January 5, 2005

Dear Fellow Democrat,

When we choose the next Chair of our Democratic Party, we have the
opportunity to elect a leader who is both tough and smart, a proven
fundraiser, a skilled tactician who knows how to beat Republicans, and a
fighter with a lifelong record of commitment to the core values of our
Party. That person is Martin Frost.

No one considering a race for DNC Chair will raise more money, outwork, or
outsmart Martin Frost. He has proven it at the local, state, and national
levels. Tom DeLay and Karl Rove may think they defeated him with their
scandalous redistricting scheme, but with Martin Frost as a full time DNC
Chair, it will be their turn to lose.

In Texas, Martin put more resources into local and state party organizations
than any other Democrat. Even when he faced no serious opposition, he built
and funded organizations for national and statewide candidates. He developed
a multimillion dollar party program to turn out base voters in marginal
districts. The result: during Bush landslides, we held our Texas House and
Congressional majorities prior to redistricting. And even then, the battle
Martin waged along with our State legislators inspired Democrats nationwide.

When he faced a 65% Republican district in 2004 after redistricting, Martin
raised $4 million and involved hundreds of volunteers in an extraordinary
campaign that held the Republican to 54% while helping elect the first
Democrats, including minority and women candidates, to countywide office in
Dallas in almost 20 years. When we turn 65% Republican strongholds into
marginal 54% territory, we can win anywhere.

Just as he did in Texas, Martin proved himself at the national level. As
DCCC Chairman, he reorganized the committee, developed a regional polling,
research, and message plan, and invested funds in state party turnout
efforts. The result: at a time when the pundits said it couldn’t be done,
Democrats picked up 14 seats in the Congress.

Martin Frost is an effective communicator who knows how to utilize the
skills of candidates and other party leaders who know the language of their
states and communities. He knows how to develop a plan, raise the money to
pay for it, and make it work. No one is better qualified. Let’s elect
Martin Frost, get to work, and win again.

Sincerely,

BobSlagle
Former Texas Party Chair,

Charles Soechting
Chair, Texas Democratic Party
Current DNC Executive Committee Member

[PDittie]

1. I still like Dean, followed by

Simon Rosenberg.

Martin comes in a distant third for me.

Run for Governor, or run for Senator in '06, Mr. Frost.

[johncoby2]

2. Frost for Senate yes, for DNC chair?

Im not quite sure of this. Does Frost make me want to get out and walk the streets spreading the word about the Democratic party? No.

I dont believe Dean was right for President for a number of reasons, but for DNC chair, I think he is exacly what we need.

[sonias]

3. I like Frost but he's not my first choice either

Looks like our Texas Democratic party wants the status quo. Why be the opposition party when we can just go on losing. Yeah that's the ticket.
:mad:

Sonia

[NoPasaran]

4. But we're getting so GOOD at losing!

Speaking of losers, can you BELIEVE this:

Two of the newest DNC candidates will be making their debut's this weekend at the Southern Regional DNC meeting in Atlanta. Ex-OH Dem chair David Leland and ex-TX Dem chair Molly Beth Malcolm both are on the official list of candidates set to attend the 1/8 meeting. Nearly four hours has been set aside for the DNC candidate forum. C-SPAN will air the forum on 1/9 at 6:30pm and again at 9:30pm.

http://www.mydd.com/section/democrats

[sonias]

5. What a joke

What kind of record does Molly Beth think she's going to run on? Zero wins under her leadership - enough said.

I think her reasoning might be that she thinks she can sell herself as being from the South, you know, that win the South back strategy. Well Martin Frost is from Texas too and he's got a lot more going for him than you Molly.

News of the weird TX style.

Sonia

[crispini]

6. I'd rather have Dean.

He'd send a strong signal to the grassroots that they are what matter. Appeal to the base! We've gotta do better at that.

[sonias]

7. A whole lot of us would rather have Dean

The DFT (Democracy for Texas) organizers here in Austin are going to the DNC meeting and they will be strongly lobbying for Dean. And we all have our part to do as well. It may be too late to convince Slagle and Soechting but they are not the only DNC TX members. Write your DNC members, they're the ones that will decide.

The Draft Howard web site has addresses for the DNC members both nationally and for Texas. Just select TX from the pulldown menu and
http://drafthoward.com/index.php?id=19

Do it save our Democratic Party.

Sonia

[thethinker]

8. I have a lot of respect for these guys

I have a lot of respect for Slagle and Soechting. I value their opinion.

But, I would rather see Dean as leader of the DNC. He has energy, brains, and the ability to raise money. The party needs someone like Dean to get it back on the right track again. Dean understands the grass roots of the party and can energize people.

[sonias]

9. I think both of them are just playing the good old boy system

once again. No doubt Martin Frost paid his dues in Texas Democratic Politics and he did a good job. So as a tip of thanks to Mr. Frost, the TX boys are lining up behind him. Bad move for the national party.

Martin Frost was supposedly a great fundraiser back in the days. Things have changed. His contacts in the defense industry have moved over to the repuke side now. He's not as well known nationally as Dean is. The fund-raising model has changed. If we're going to make fund-raising such an important part of the DNC chair, then Dean is better at it than Mr. Frost.

I hear all of the candidates are talking about the 50 state strategy now. The leave no state behind in DNC funding. That's something Dean picked up a long time ago during the primaries. Even the swing states don't want the DNC spending all their money in their states alone.

We have got to change this party at the local grassroots level and Dean has that down.

Sonia

[crispini]

10. Well, Martin did actually raise either the same

amount or a little MORE than his Rethug opponent. And, his campaign office was dy-no-mite.... it was amazingly organized; the man either knows how to run a campaign or knows who to hire (or both). And, I give him this, he knows strategy.... the whole "sign-gate" incident was brilliant; he had exactly what he needed up his sleeve to use against Sessions. There are a lot of good things to be said about Frost; he is a wily pol, and that's not necesssarily a bad thing.

BUT, I agree that Dean knows how to communicate with the base in a way that Frost does not, and that's what we need... here's hoping he'll get it and he can do it! :toast:

[Justitia]

11. Dean over Frost

I really like Soechting, he speaks up and freely about the nat'l party ignoring us, so maybe he thinks Frost will improve that situation :shrug:

His endorsement of Frost is disappointing but expected.

Martin Frost is good, but Dean is the right man for the job.