Bob Gammage for governor?

[NoPasaran]

Former legislator, congressman, and justice Bob Gammage is considering throwing his hat into the ring for governor. I've been supporting Chris Bell since he began his exploratory campaign, but I have to admit that I've been disappointed in the way his campaign seems to be faltering. I really think we have a shot at taking down Goodhair, but we're going to have to generate some excitement of our own or that idiot Kinky is going to own the headlines and the repukes will own the governor's mansion. I know that Gammage was part of the Clark movement---I assume he understands the grassroots. Is he the guy who can win in 2006? Your thoughts, please...

[sharonking21]

1. I really like Bob Gammage

and will readily support him if he decides to run. I think he can inject a little pizzaz into the campaign, for one thing. He has impeccable grassroots experience, both old-style and new-style. He and John Oeffinger were the two people most behind the Draft Clark movement in Texas. Further, he has undeniable gravitas, having already been a Texas Rep, a Texas Senator, a US Congressman, and a Texas Supreme Court Justice.

I just heard about this on Saturday and already I'm busy constructing all kinds of lists that might help him if he makes the decision to run.

See also my post here on DU:

http://tinyurl.com/9mtxt

Plus a post on the Clark Website initated by someone else.

http://tinyurl.com/c5jrq

[Texas_Kat]

2. At the risk of sounding a little partisan.....

since I know Bob Gammage pretty well, I'll have to say he both understands and APPRECIATES the grassroots. Hell, I'd have to say he IS a grassroots Democrat and understands both the power and the effectiveness of the internet.

He has accomplished a lot in his career, was one of the Dirty 30 (http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/DD/wmdsh_print.html), and is a fiery and impassioned speaker.

I've heard Bob speak and seen him mobilize the entire room to get out and work to win. Bob's from Llano (rural Texas) so he understands a lot about the heart of Texas.

And he can light a room on fire

He also understands what has happened to Texas Democratic politics over the years. Disaffected Republicans stop and listen to him because he makes sense to them. He can speak the language that's important to all Texans. Real Democratic values, family, faith, community and above all COMPETENCE!

I didn't plan on trying to write a persuasive post. But, we have to have a strong candidate at the top of the ticket. We need an inspiring, competent and compassionate candidate who understands the issues facing ALL Texans. We need a gubernatorial candidate who can deliver an aggressive 2006 campaign message. We need a messenger, with a compelling public message about what the Democratic Party believes in. We need a messenger whose presence at the top of the ticket will help generate turn-out for our down-ballot candidates.

[sharonking21]

3. PS

Love your logo at the bottom and especially your name for Perry: Goodhair

Here is something I wrote way back in in 2003 that vein. Sent it out via Email as a 'real' bulletin.

GOVERNOR PERRY DECLARES COASTAL BEND A DISASTER AREA

Tuesday, July 15, 2003, 5:05 PM CDT, Austin, Texas: Governor Rick Perry of Texas declared 10 counties from Galveston to Corpus Christi disaster areas today in the wake of Hurricane Claudette, which hit the Coastal Bend today with 80-110 mile-an-hour winds and torrential rains. He announced from the capitol steps Tuesday that he is rushing 3,000 cases of Aqua Net to the hard-hit areas. Eager to join in the assistance, the Speaker of the conservative right wing majority of the Republican House said that Legislators, currently working hard on gerrymandering federal voting districts, have vowed to take up a generous collection from their own pockets to be used for relief efforts; so far this has reached a total of $28.36.

[NoPasaran]

4. I wish I could claim the logo as my own work

But I actually stole it from PinkDome. It looks lovely on a tshirt.

[Adelante]

5. Thread in GDP

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2249257#2250659

:kick:

[sharonking21]

6. Something on Burnt Orange Report on this

http://tinyurl.com/dqwlt

[crispini]

7. Well.

I only saw Chris Bell speak once and I must say he didn't really inspire me to open my wallet and/or hit the streets. This was a few days after Katrina hit and I was ready to shout and scream over the horror that was going on in NOLA and he gave us a speech that felt like "more of the same" to me. I glanced over the BOR article and he certainly seems qualified and worth a look -- but me, I usually make up my mind after I've seen 'em speak, and I obviously haven't done that yet. However, I would most certainly be open to someone other than Bell.

[jobycom]

8. I met him once at former Senator Ralph Yarborough's house.

I had no real impression of him then, but the fact that Yarborough liked him puts him way the Hell up on my personal approval poll. I've not seen anything inspirational about Chris Bell, though I wish him all the luck in the world.

[merci_me]

9. This one tears me up

I was a Bell supporter from the very start and can't begin to say how much I admire what he and Alison have done this past year, despite terrible personal odds. If Chris is the Democratic nominee, I will work hard for him.

However, when I was told about two weeks ago, that there was a possibility that Bob Gammage would come into the race, my heart skipped a beat. Many people asked him early last spring and he said no. It seems he's had a few groups give it the old college try, one more time, with gusto. So if he will do it, I'm in.

I've known Bob and Lynda Gammage for a couple of years and think they're great people. Several months after meeting Bob, I heard him speak before an audience for the first (and only) time. I knew virtually, everything he was going to be saying, but the way he was saying it, actually brought tears to my eyes, and laughter and fight. He totally captured the bi-partisan audience.

I know he campaigned for Wes Clark, in various parts of the country, both nitty-gritty door to door and up on the soap box. The reports back to Texas, from New Hampshire to Arizona to Wisconsin, he just grabs people. And he didn't stop with Wes. When Wes dropped out and endorsed Kerry, Bob didn't miss a beat. He was right back out there for the rest of 2004, working tirelessly for Kerry.

Mary

[sonias]

10. I think Gammage is going to jump in

http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/content/metro/stories/11/18gammage.html
Former Texas justice mulls Democratic gubernatorial bid
Llano lawyer Bob Gammage, a former Texas Supreme Court justice and U.S. House member, says he might enter what he sees as a sleepy two-man race for the Democratic gubernatorial nod in 2006.

(snip)
Gammage, 67, a mediation attorney whose consideration surfaced this week on blogs, including the Democrat-oriented Burnt Orange Report, said he's weighing whether he can raise enough money to run a campaign and whether his candidacy would attract grass-roots support.

"If I can bring all the pieces together, we're going to do it," said Gammage, who last year supported the presidential campaign of Gen. Wesley Clark, a Democrat. "I see a terrible need out there."
(/snip)

Sonia