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June 11, 2006
Conventioneering
Houtopia has just returned from the Texas Democratic Party state convention in Ft. Worth; it was, as always, an interesting affair.
Several thousand delegates, members of the press and pols converged on the Ft. Worth Convention Center to see the party's nominees for statewide office, U.S. Congress, the Legislature, and various local offices, as well as to caucus and elect party leaders, most notably a state chair.
Young County Attorney Boyd Richie narrowly defeated former State Representative Glen Maxey to head the state party for the next two years. A surprise choice for the new vice chair prevailed after some masterful politicking by a particularly effective Houston City Hall staffer, and the Asian American Democrats of Texas succeeded in obtaining two new seats on the State Democratic Executive Committee -- a wise move to welcome with open arms this growing minority to full representation within the party.
Gubernatorial nominee Chris Bell delivered an excellent speech on Friday night, again making his case for a new mainstream in Texas, which is the right message, given the party's need to appeal to ordinary Texans in charting a course back to power.
Other speeches varied in quality, but retired general, past and perhaps future presidential candidate Wes Clark's Friday night keynote address stood out. (Disclosure: Houtopia was an early and enthusiastic 2004 Clark supporter and volunteer.)
Clark has grown immensely as a public political figure since his novice run two years ago for the world's highest office. His deep understanding of public policy and commitment to this country have always been evident; it's the delivery that has improved. He is still a work in progress, but definitely on the right track.
Clark writes his own speeches, and the lyric is mostly of good quality. What has changed about his performance is how much more comfortable he is in his own skin these days before audiences large and small. Serious policy fare is now peppered with appropriate political red meat, and accented with a light, humorous touch that reveals a warm, regular guy underneath that formal military bearing.
American politics is often derided as a popularity contest. That's probably an over-simplification, but there is no doubt personality matters to voters. Just look at the current White House occupant. Serious wonks and insiders love to pillory George W. Bush as an incurious, incompetent bumbler, but noone can deny his keen understanding of the importance of connecting with voters on a basic personal level. Despite his privileged upbringing and life, Bush (with Karl Rove's help) successfully sold himself as an everyman to an unwitting American electorate -- to the country's great detriment.
Wes Clark now seems to be finding a balanced recipe for sucess in 2008 -- the sober, thoughtful approach to public policy he has always shown and that we so desperately need today, complimented by a likeable, accessible persona to reach those who are not yet (if ever) scratching beneath the surface.
The question is, of course, will Clark make another run for the White House? For now he's adopted an interested, if coy attitude. It is early, after all, and the field is fluid. Given the problems we face and the frankly lackluster group of current contenders, we sure hope he's in.
Posted by houtopia at June 11, 2006 08:08 PM