Ann Richards on the 2004 Election

[Ramsey]

I was at a luncheon today at which Governor Ann Richards spoke. I'd like to paraphrase some of her witty comments for you all.

We are now entering the predictable part of the campaign season, when every single Democrat knows how to give a better speech, write a better policy, give a better TV appearance, debate better and generally run the entire campaign better than the candidate. This happens every time, because we Democrats care so much, so passionately. One Democrat says, well Kerry came here tonight and he talked about the sequoia trees, but he didn't say a word about the maple trees. How can I get the people around here to vote for Kerry if all he's going to talk about are the sequoia trees, when the important issue around here is the maples? I am here to tell you that John Kerry can't talk about every issue everywhere he goes. And you shouldn't complain when he doesn't. I am here to tell you that this is not just John Kerry's election to win. It's my responsibility and your responsibility to make sure John Kerry wins too.

Every day I talk to the people around me and I tell them to register and to vote. I don't have to tell them vote Democrat, because they aren't stupid, they know that Bush has the worst record of any president on every issue, from education to health care to this ridiculous war in Iraq where 1000 people have died and 200 billion has been spent. It's just that their lives are too busy and too stressful, working 2 jobs, taking care of their kids, worrying how to pay the bills. So every day I tell the woman at the checkout counter at the grocery, who fills my prescription, who drives my cab and who cleans my building, be sure to register and to vote this November.

I've got two pieces of advice for you. One, understand that the people who are running the campaign have experience and know what they are doing. They are getting their message out, although you may not always hear it. Second, stop your whining and bitching, get off your duff and make sure Kerry wins. Support your local candidates and make sure your friends and neighbors vote.


When asked about Bush's success, Governor Richards said W is a good communicator because he is always on message. We might think, and the Democratic candidate might think, boy am I sick of this stump speech, let's change it around. And when asked what time it is, the Democrat will tell you about the history of clocks, the import duties and then maybe tell you what is if he can remember the question. When George Bush is asked what time it is, he answers: America is safer because I got rid of Saddam Hussein. He may get tired of saying it, but the public is just beginning to hear it.

[swag]

1. What's her DU handle?

[mourningdove92]

2. Boy did she ever lay it on the line.

Are we listening?

[cthrumatrix]

33. we better

[Larkspur]

3. But I have legit complaints about Kerry

and I'm not interested in working on his campaign. He doesn't pay me enough to do so.

[Ramsey]

8. I think that was her point

That's what everyone thinks.

One woman at the lunch said she didn't think Kerry was hitting hard enough or getting across a clear enough message, and Governor Richards pointed right at her and said: And you're going to whine and moan about that until election day, aren't you. You're going to vote for Kerry, but you are going to complain every day until now and then. But I am telling you, he is doing is best and he will continue to do his best.

[Julien Sorel]

10. Wow.

The Democratic Party absolutely needs to get her out there saying that.
If not her, somebody.

[Julien Sorel]

9. I don't want to eat my spinach.

I don't like it, and you can't make me.

[Larkspur]

28. That's right!! I hate spinach. Blech!!

I don't consider windsurfing off Nantucket an example of Kerry working hard on the campaign. I don't see why I should make an effort when Kerry would rather going windsurfing or skiing when he should be campaigning. I have a real job that pays my bills, and it comes before Kerry's campaign, in my opinion.

[TriMetFan]

31. Boy are you for real?

Everyone needs some down time. Go have a :beer: and chill.

Peace

[Larkspur]

38. Well, then why doesn't Kerry ask former Sen. Torricellit of senate ethics

violations fame to change those Dean-Osama ads to Bush-Osama ads? Those ads were effective against Dean, so why wouldn't they be effective against Bush, who deserves those more than any Democrat? This way Kerry can windsurf off Nantucket and those ads could be helping change the "frame" of the Prez campaign battle.

[TriMetFan]

39. Dude chill.

Dean lost get over it. Its time to back the Person that Won. If that would have been Dean that would had been great too. But its time to move on. Tight up the belt, suck in the bottom lip and go out there and get the vote.

Peace

[Larkspur]

41. As my sig line says, I'm voting for Kerry

Can't you read?

[Arkana]

32. So then I guess

you would take issue with * taking a break from campaigning as well...?

[Larkspur]

36. Bush is the incumbant and the enemy. Someone should remind Kerry

when he goes on vacation when he should be campaigning.

No, I don't like Bush's vacations, but I didn't vote for him, nor do I support him.

Kerry has the same attitude as the British aristocrats, who think the serfs owe them their loyalty and labor.

[yardwork]

4. Thanks, Ann!

....stop your whining and bitching, get off your duff and make sure Kerry wins. Support your local candidates and make sure your friends and neighbors vote.

[Darby]

5. I have been so wondering where she is - we need her front&center

[Ramsey]

11. She's campaigning all over the country

She has events every day until November. She is at another event here in Philly this Saturday. She said she would be on Nightline talking about the debates this week. (About which she also said: As if that amounts to a hill of beans, talking about the upcoming debates instead of the issues important to the country.)

[Julien Sorel]

6. And there's a smart politician.

Thanks a ton for sharing this. If we could get her out there on the talking heads show once or twice, nobody would worry about the Democratic message.

I remember when she described Bush's daddy as a "Walking toothache of a man," I think in he keynote address in '88. I laughed my ass off at that, and I still smile a little thinking about it.

[Onlooker]

7. Thanks for posting that

She's really great, and her remarks are right on target.

[NYCGirl]

12. Ann Richards is a pistol! Remember her description of Bush !?

"Poor George. He can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth."
;)

[Ramsey]

14. Here's the joke she opened with

I know many of you may be surprised to hear that our nation's founding father was born in Texas. Yes indeed, and when he was a boy, he chopped down the family's mesquite tree. His father came to him and said: George, did you cut down that mesquite tree, because that was the only shade for 30 miles. And George said, Father I cannot tell a lie, I took my little hatchet and cut down that tree. His father said: George, we have to move to Virginia now. George said: Have I shamed the family so by chopping down tree that we have to move to Virginia. To which his father said: No, because if you cannot tell a lie, you'll never amount to anything.

Now we've been trying to keep that story a secret all these years, thinking it made Texans look bad, and the George W comes along and exposes us all!

[flpoljunkie]

13. Thanks, Ramsey. Ann Richards is a gem. Wish ALL DUERS would take her

advice--stop bitching, whining, posting bad news and do all they can in their day to day lives to promote our candidate--he is our candidate and we need to support him--dammit!

[AuntPatsy]

15. She has definately been missed as Governor of our fair state...

What a great and inspiring and right on the money speech...thank you for sharing..

[crispini]

16. awesome!

I (heart) Ann.

[MazeRat7]

17. Ok thats two in the past week

that have made me proud to call Austin home. First there was Molly's article and now Ann's comments.

WE LOVE YOU ANN....

<pity pot>

For everyone else: do you have any clue what it is like living in the belly of the repug beast ? Austin is the most progressive city in Texas but at the end of the day it doesn't matter. This state, once the proud home of many a yellow dog democrat, has been taken over by the likes of Gov. Good Hair, the Bug Killer, and Buffy the Christian soccer mom.

(Rednecks have always been a known commodity so I don't mention them specifically)

Anyway... its hard sometimes standing tall when you are so seriously out numbered. However, on the upside, our folks here do know how to fight and no one has "given up". We will be there on election day, even if we don't get any EV's for Kerry.

</pity pot>

MZr7

[cheshire]

18. I love Ann she makes everthing she says count

The tree analogy is perfect, so is the fact that we change our speach. Bush can't think so hasto stay on same speach. Oh and the whiners should see themselves and stand up, there are plenty on DU.

[Ramsey]

19. My goodness

These threads fall fast, just took me 30 minutes to drive home! So, kick.

[Freddie Stubbs]

20. She said that "W is a good communicator?"

I agree 100%.

[Ramsey]

22. She did

In fact, I think she used the word "excellent". And I think she would know. She wasn't sugarcoating it. She was saying he is ruthless and focused.

[Freddie Stubbs]

23. He communicated better than she did in 1994 and

he communicated better than Gore did in 2000.

[GOPBasher]

21. Get people registered!

Yes, yes and yes. New voters will vote against Bush.

[cthrumatrix]

24. well said ...and she is right

[mcar]

25. Amen, Ann!

I'm so sick of democrats tearing Kerry down because he didn't say this or do that. We need to be supporting him.

We should send this to Bartcop. I've stopped reading him lately because he's tearing Kerry down so much.

The media read these pages; they hear and see what we and other democrats are saying. Ann is right; republicans stay on message, regardless of the reality. I'm not suggesting that we descend into la-la land like they do, but really, is it too much for us to support our candidate instead of cutting him down because he's not doing and saying things exactly to our specifications?

[mbali]

26. Go, Annie! Go, Annie! Go, Annie! Go, Annie!

"every single Democrat knows how to give a better speech, write a better policy, give a better TV appearance, debate better and generally run the entire campaign better than the candidate . . .

"I am here to tell you that John Kerry can't talk about every issue everywhere he goes. And you shouldn't complain when he doesn't. I am here to tell you that this is not just John Kerry's election to win. It's my responsibility and your responsibility to make sure John Kerry wins too . . .

"I've got two pieces of advice for you. One, understand that the people who are running the campaign have experience and know what they are doing. They are getting their message out, although you may not always hear it. Second, stop your whining and bitching, get off your duff and make sure Kerry wins. Support your local candidates and make sure your friends and neighbors vote.


I LOVE it!

[kodi]

27. Horse$hit. She's telling us to shut up and get in the back of the bus.

sorry annie, democracy does not work that way.

as the rest of us go about our lives, we leave it to the alleged professionals to make government work for us. if we are not happy with the results we have every right to scream about the inadequacies.

politicians are not royalty. they are not above criticism and they certainly are not above our contempt. if they don't want the criticism, do better or get the hell out of the business and get a real job like the rest of us.

never forget, these polticians work for us, not the other way around.

[Texas_Dem]

29. I disagree

I think we need to work WITH politicians. Kerry is not going to get elected unless we work with him to that end. We need to register voters, donate, phone bank or whatever one is capable of doing.

You are however correct about having the right to complain about results. But if you contribute like Anne Richards suggests, then you will find that some of the inadequacies you scream about are yours (and ours).

[kodi]

42. politicians work for us, not the other way around

they are merely vehicles for the expression of popular will in government. they are to be ignored or discarded when ineffective.

all politicians are liars, if you don't know that by now you never will.

as to blaming me other other citizens for the inadequacies of the politicians or political process, i emphatically reject that argument.

i am convinced that if we could hang a couple of these sons-a-bitches every few of years, they would do what the people want instead of lining their own pockets with our money.

you honestly think that you have influence over the kerry campaign or his potential presidency? think you can get from him what you want? good luck.

US lobbists spend a quarter of a trillion dollars to influence government decisions. only a fool thinks they can outshout that kind of influence.

kerry, and every other politician would sell their own mothers for another election victory.

you are putting too much faith in kerry. he is no different than any of them.

yet, what is valuable is the ability to employ constant pressure on him and other politicians, and never, ever trust them at their word.

the largest impact on my life is derived from what local politicians do, not those on the national scene. i am politically active in my own community and badger my town and county officals constantly to do what i want them to do. they are thieves in the night who need constant watching.

kerry and bush too.

politics is not religion, yet i detect around here the scent of true-believerism way too much and its not healthy.

for me, the election boils down to mistrusting kerry less than i mistrust bush.

[mbali]

34. A political campaign is not a democracy . . .

Only a fool would make his campaign strategy decisions based upon the popular will of the most vocal people in his party. That's not how elections are won.

Once he gets in office, his governance must reflect the wishes and desires of his constituency. But the methodology for running his campaign should not be determined by the thousands and thousands of amateur observers who get most of their information about the campaign from CNN, MSNBC and DU, but don't have a clue what's going on two states away from them, much less how to run a national campaign.

Kerry's doing fine. And he'll do even better if people get the hell off of his back, get behind him and help him carry out the campaign he's determined will win the election.

[BillZBubb]

30. Even as an Ann fan, I find this speech condescending and weak.

It's the old corporatist crap: "You peons quit your bitching, we elites know what we are doing".

I distinctly remember complaining about HER poor campaign against Shrub. She should have beaten him like a drum, but she got taken out. She was wrong then, and she's wrong now.

We should be working hard for Kerry, but we also have every right to make constructive criticism. In fact, that criticism has already started to produce some results.

[Larkspur]

37. Bingo!!!

Yes, that is what I thought of Ann's speech. It reeks of aristocratic and corporate elite snobbery.

I have a real job that pays my bills. Kerry lives in 5 mansions, 5 more than I do, and if he loses this election, he'll still be in the millionaires club -- US Senate, while the rest of us wonder of Social Security will be there for our retirement.

[TriMetFan]

35. Governor Richards is so right.

And to tell y'all the truth I think we are all a bunch of cry babies. We need to go out and get people to vote. You don't have to go door to door. This might sound out there, but all you got to do is, if you see some one at the bus stop, store, gas station, etc.. all you got to do is ask if they are registered to vote. Thats it. I do this every single day. You don't have to give a big speech. Just say "are you doing better today then 4 years ago?"


peace

[ClassWarrior]

40. kick

:kick:

[Catfight]

43. I concur! Let's sprint to the end folks! n/t