Barbara Radnofsky: We Can Take Back Texas If We Believe And Step Forward To Act

Barbara Radnofsky, one of my favorite candidates in recent memory, has launched a federal PAC, Believe U.S., which is designed to help get Texas Democrats the resources they need to step forward and take the reins of Texas.

During a trip last week through San Antonio, Canyon Lake, New Braunfels, Marble Falls, Kingsland, and Austin last weekend, she gave an excellent speech in San Antonio. She has kindly agreed to let me reprint it here:

San Antonio is the best place to laud those who step forward. A small group of courageous Texans, given the option to quit, stepped forward, across a line in the sand at the Alamo. The siege of the Alamo delayed Santa Anna and paved the way for victory at San Jacinto.

To delay Santa Anna and General Cos’ soldiers massing in huge numbers and ultimately attacking from the north, The Texans at the Alamo used the cannon left previously at the fort. They turned the enemies own cannon to their advantage.

Texans accepted help from outsiders. Davy Crockett and his Tennessee marksmen, with only sharpened sticks as their barricade, made an impregnable line not pierced until the Alamo was overrun. Contemporaneous accounts said that Crockett survived the battle, only to be killed after capture. He sacrificed all for his Texan friends and is revered in history for his help.

Texas Democrats have the same opportunity today to save our Republic.

1. We will step forward.

2. We will build on our friends’ work - the actions of those who have endured the long sieges and fought the battles behind us, to pave the way to victory.

3. We will expose the opponent’s actions and lay the groundwork for victory. Their cannon have misfired, hurting Texans. In their zeal to protect partisan politician interests, our opponents have hurt Texans. The republican domination of Texas for much longer than a decade has raided our pocketbooks, damaged our economy, robbed us of children’s health care, poisoned our environment, relocated business, and deprived us of a voice in the presidential selection process. Texas veterans are abandoned. We are bottom of the barrel in most domestic indicators, including transportation and rail safety, education and health care, economic performance, the environment, emergency preparedness and ability to respond to disasters.

4. We will accept help from outsiders but retain our own independence and identity. We’ll appreciate those who help us, who share common goals.

Believe U.S, a new federal PAC, will accept donations from across the country. Believe U.S. is committed to providing financial support to great Texas Democratic candidates who support solid democratic issues (ex: providing veterans the benefits they’ve earned, health care reform, national security) and fostering a national recognition of the potential Texas Democratic victories in 2008 and beyond. We can take back Texas if we believe and step forward to act. We believe we can foster national recognition of the importance of Texas for the national political scene. The 2006 election proved the Republican base beatable. Governor Rick Perry was only able to capture 39% of the vote, and Texas was the location of two of the most remarkable Democratic victories in what were once considered Republican only areas - the Congressional districts of Nick Lampson and Ciro Rodriguez.

We have the opportunity to make a huge change in Texas but we need good leaders and a citizenry prepared to help. Texans are ready to step forward. Texans are now ready to vote democratic. We must remember the Alamo.

This speech was given on Friday, March 23 during Barbara Ann’s book tour to introduce her second book, Stepping Forward. The book is a look back at the lessons learned from her 2006 U.S. Senate campaign and how those lessons demonstrate potential for victory for Democratic candidates working to better Texas. If you are interested in ordering the book please visit Lulu.com to purchase a copy.

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