I disagree on some things in your article Why Texas Hasn't Flipped Blue. I do not think that Collin Allred and Roland Gutierrez were significantly different on issues. Money and the fact that Allred more constituents did play a role. Roland was the better choice simply because he is more dynamic and forcefully speaks out against Republican policies. We missed the boat on this one.
Now as to why Texas hasn't turned blue. Texas Democrats are not the most progressive Democrats in the country. That is a misnomer and that's the problem. Our platform does not reflect what is important to the average Democrat in the state anymore. Our platform has gotten way too long with way too many causes. The 2024 Democratic Platform is 69 pages long, compared to the Republican Platform that is 42 pages long.
The Texas Democratic Party Platform and the Democratic National Platform both need to be streamlined and focused on items that are most important to families, the working class, and senior citizens. Look back to Woodrow Wilson, FDR, JFK, and LBJ, Ann Richards, and more. They championed and focused on what was important to the common people. Look at a list of major Democratic accomplishments since the 1920's: Social Security, Medicare, Equal Rights, Women's Rights, Affordable and Fair health insurance, FDIC, expanded Veterans benefits, fair and equal taxing, and more. Those are the things that are still important to Texas Democrats.
There is no need to list every category of human being and elaborate on how we will fight for their rights as if they are somehow different from anyone else's rights. We fight for the rights and protection of ALL HUMAN BEINGS. Separating issues by categories is counterproductive and makes easy targets of the Party as well as the people we are trying to protect.
Lastly, The Texas Democratic Party simply must add Propositions to our Primary ballots! Voters need to have a say on important issues and what they want our Party to focus on and fight for. It gives real time information to our elected officials and our Party and reflects real time opinions of our people. Do you want Democrats to come to the polls to vote? Give them important issues and let their voices be heard. I guarantee you that we would have known that Texas Democrats are just as concerned about the border as Republicans are. Take a look back at Republican Primary ballots. Their ballots list Propositions. Notice how many of those Republican Propositions are now laws. It does make a difference and it does mean something to Democratic voters.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response! You’ve brought up some really important points, and I appreciate the opportunity to engage in this conversation with you.
Regarding Colin Allred and Roland Gutierrez, it's true that name recognition and financial resources played a role in Allred’s primary win, and I think we can both agree that Roland’s energy would have made a real difference in mobilizing voters.
You also raised a valuable point about the platform length. I would argue that the detailed nature of our platform reflects the complexity of issues that Texans face daily, but I can see the case for making it more concise and easier to communicate.
Your comment about the accomplishments of past Democratic leaders like FDR, JFK, and Ann Richards is spot on. There has been a lot of talk recently about economic populism and the need for Democrats to message behind that.
I think your point about ballot propositions is extremely compelling. It's something I hadn't thought about before, but I will put some thought into it now.
Thank you again for taking the time to write such a thoughtful response. These are the kinds of discussions that strengthen our movement, and I’m always happy to hear perspectives like yours.
In the 80s state party leaders were conflicted whether to "lose on principle or govern" (hint: the "lose on principle" side won). The Rs chose to run on governing.
For 4, maybe 5, election cycles the DNC has thrown money into Texas -with all the above mentioned baggage attached. For 4, maybe 5 cycles the TDP has watch in horror as state wide races ran red.
I've advocated this before: spend the national money elsewhere. Let Texas Democrats BE Texas Democrats.
and we don't need national money. see any shortage of money around here? We seem not to ask biz to finance the party that promotes their financial well being
Last i checked the per capita income in most dictatorships is about $15/person. IOW the ocracies,,,put....olig.....aut,,,,,,are bad for biz. You can't afford to buy groceries much less cable..
Thanks again for a very informative article. Is it possible that Texas is not flipping blue also because of voter suppression, as explained in the article below?
It is the DC consultants they don’t invest in ground game. If each county club had gotten 10k we could get out the vote. But consultants don’t get a cut of that. So they don’t. That is the problem.
I disagree on some things in your article Why Texas Hasn't Flipped Blue. I do not think that Collin Allred and Roland Gutierrez were significantly different on issues. Money and the fact that Allred more constituents did play a role. Roland was the better choice simply because he is more dynamic and forcefully speaks out against Republican policies. We missed the boat on this one.
Now as to why Texas hasn't turned blue. Texas Democrats are not the most progressive Democrats in the country. That is a misnomer and that's the problem. Our platform does not reflect what is important to the average Democrat in the state anymore. Our platform has gotten way too long with way too many causes. The 2024 Democratic Platform is 69 pages long, compared to the Republican Platform that is 42 pages long.
The Texas Democratic Party Platform and the Democratic National Platform both need to be streamlined and focused on items that are most important to families, the working class, and senior citizens. Look back to Woodrow Wilson, FDR, JFK, and LBJ, Ann Richards, and more. They championed and focused on what was important to the common people. Look at a list of major Democratic accomplishments since the 1920's: Social Security, Medicare, Equal Rights, Women's Rights, Affordable and Fair health insurance, FDIC, expanded Veterans benefits, fair and equal taxing, and more. Those are the things that are still important to Texas Democrats.
There is no need to list every category of human being and elaborate on how we will fight for their rights as if they are somehow different from anyone else's rights. We fight for the rights and protection of ALL HUMAN BEINGS. Separating issues by categories is counterproductive and makes easy targets of the Party as well as the people we are trying to protect.
Lastly, The Texas Democratic Party simply must add Propositions to our Primary ballots! Voters need to have a say on important issues and what they want our Party to focus on and fight for. It gives real time information to our elected officials and our Party and reflects real time opinions of our people. Do you want Democrats to come to the polls to vote? Give them important issues and let their voices be heard. I guarantee you that we would have known that Texas Democrats are just as concerned about the border as Republicans are. Take a look back at Republican Primary ballots. Their ballots list Propositions. Notice how many of those Republican Propositions are now laws. It does make a difference and it does mean something to Democratic voters.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response! You’ve brought up some really important points, and I appreciate the opportunity to engage in this conversation with you.
Regarding Colin Allred and Roland Gutierrez, it's true that name recognition and financial resources played a role in Allred’s primary win, and I think we can both agree that Roland’s energy would have made a real difference in mobilizing voters.
You also raised a valuable point about the platform length. I would argue that the detailed nature of our platform reflects the complexity of issues that Texans face daily, but I can see the case for making it more concise and easier to communicate.
Your comment about the accomplishments of past Democratic leaders like FDR, JFK, and Ann Richards is spot on. There has been a lot of talk recently about economic populism and the need for Democrats to message behind that.
I think your point about ballot propositions is extremely compelling. It's something I hadn't thought about before, but I will put some thought into it now.
Thank you again for taking the time to write such a thoughtful response. These are the kinds of discussions that strengthen our movement, and I’m always happy to hear perspectives like yours.
All of this!
In the 80s state party leaders were conflicted whether to "lose on principle or govern" (hint: the "lose on principle" side won). The Rs chose to run on governing.
For 4, maybe 5, election cycles the DNC has thrown money into Texas -with all the above mentioned baggage attached. For 4, maybe 5 cycles the TDP has watch in horror as state wide races ran red.
I've advocated this before: spend the national money elsewhere. Let Texas Democrats BE Texas Democrats.
"Let Texas Democrats BE Texas Democrats." THIS needs to be a slogan.
and we don't need national money. see any shortage of money around here? We seem not to ask biz to finance the party that promotes their financial well being
Last i checked the per capita income in most dictatorships is about $15/person. IOW the ocracies,,,put....olig.....aut,,,,,,are bad for biz. You can't afford to buy groceries much less cable..
Thanks again for a very informative article. Is it possible that Texas is not flipping blue also because of voter suppression, as explained in the article below?
https://hartmannreport.com/p/trump-lost-vote-suppression-won-c6f
It's definitely a factor. But there are a lot of aspects to it.
Last year i drove back and forth from Cowtown to Dallas........45 minutes to maybe 1;15 each way.
twice a month.
what's he yapping about your readers ask?
I mention this to contrast with Allred who made 1 , count em 1, trip his entire campaign.
I would have never known about him if it weren't for his slick middle of the road commercial where he mentioned his wife alot.
Beto had an office in FTW and yard sign in every yard.
Not a Allred yard sign,
It is the DC consultants they don’t invest in ground game. If each county club had gotten 10k we could get out the vote. But consultants don’t get a cut of that. So they don’t. That is the problem.