Texas voters stick a fork in Ann Richards and her liberal pals

San Antonio Express News | 11/7/2002 | Roddy Stinson

[The South Texan]

Roddy Stinson: Texas voters stick a fork in Ann Richards and her liberal pals

Web Posted : 11/07/2002 12:00 AM

"You can stick a fork in George Bush because he's done." — Ann Richards, speaking at a Houston rally for Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton on Oct. 28, 1992 "Stick a fork in Ann Richards and her liberal sidekicks because they are cooked." — The Texas electorate, sending a message to the Texas Democratic Party on Nov. 5, 2002

As late as 6:45 Tuesday night, Richards, a former one-term Texas governor, was telling CNN's Larry King:

"We are going to have an unprecedented turnout in Texas. ... Tony Sanchez could win. But it's harder for him than it is, say, for Ron Kirk or John Sharp, who I think will be the lieutenant governor. And Kirk Watson, who's a smart young man, the mayor of Austin, will become the attorney general."

Actually, Watson — the supereminent darling of Democratic liberals — hasn't been mayor of Austin since the fall of 2001 when he resigned his mayoral post to run for attorney general.

But that minor Richards goof pales when compared to her bold — and remarkably incorrect — last-minute prediction of a virtual sweep of the state's major elected offices by Texas Democrats.

The proof of her predictive blunder is in the numbers.

As this is edited early Wednesday evening ...

U.S. Senator

John Cornyn, 55%; Ron Kirk 43%

Governor

Rick Perry, 58%; Tony Sanchez, 40%

Lt. Governor

David Dewhurst, 52%; John Sharp, 46%

Attorney General

Greg Abbott, 57%; Kirk Watson, 41%

The magnitude of the Democratic defeat approaches breathtaking.

In 1998, in the lieutenant governor's race, Sharp, the Texas Democratic Party's brightest star, was defeated by Perry, a popular, two-term agriculture commissioner, by only 2 percentage points.

Four years later, Sharp — the Democrats' most electable candidate and the favorite politico of Texas pundits — lost by 6 percentage points to Dewhurst, a little-known and not particularly popular land commissioner, who had one campaign theme: "John Sharp is an out-of-step, tax-and-spend LIBERAL."

True or not, the "liberal" tag stuck, and that was sufficient reason for voters to knock out the Democrats' best candidate.

But Sharp's fall was a soft landing compared to the crash of Kirk Watson, the only unabashed liberal in a top position on the Democratic ticket.

Last February, Texas Monthly pundit Paul Burka predicted that during the 2002 campaign Greg Abbott would describe Watson with "just four words: liberal Austin trial lawyer" ... and Watson would counter "by trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear by asking, 'Who do you want fighting for you?'"

Texas voters provided a resounding answer to that question on Tuesday when they buried liberal Watson under a landslide of Abbott votes.

Which leads to an obvious conclusion:

Ann Richards must not have cleaned her crystal ball before palavering with Larry King Tuesday night.

Not that her way-wrong predictions will bother King or CNN's slanted-news managers.

As long as Richards is ambulatory and ready, willing and eager to put a damper on Bush Republicans, she will find a place in the lights, cameras and interview chairs of TV network big shots.

In response, Texas voters will just continue to do what they do best: watch quietly, listen politely, smile knowingly and flock to the polls to baste Miz Ann and her political pals.

To contact Roddy Stinson, call (210) 250-3155 or e-mail rstinson@express-news.net. His column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

[csmusaret]

I don't know how old she is, but she puts her socks and bra on with one motion.

[tang-soo]

I lived in Texas several years ago when she ran for another office (can't remember what but before she was governor). The commerical she ran over and over again said only one thing ... "vote for me because I stand for what Texas is all about". Empty headed dufus. Is that how you spell dufus?

[strela]

If she ever got a facelift, she'd have an instant beard.

[MadIvan]

"Top of the World, Ma (Richards)!"

Regards, Ivan

[FreedomPoster]

>>With the GOP now controlling the state legislature, do we get to take a second look at re-districting?

That's a good question. I've seen commentary that it's a possibility here in GA, where we are likely to have a Republican State Senate tomorrow after a few State Senators do the party switcharoo.

[DallasDeb]

Any talk of rescinding the Robin Hood law? I'm tired of paying humongous school taxes, part of which are going to other districts that may be "poor" because of poor management or fraud. (My 2002 school tax is more than $2200--THAT'S NEARLY $200 A MONTH!!!!)

[DrewsDad]

It looks like all the pieces(house 88-62,senate 19-12,Gov.,Lt.Gov, and AG) are in place for redistricting. It is ridiculous to have the Rats up 17-15 in House seats with a 55-60% statewide Republican voting trend. It just shows you how gerrymandered it was. Hopefully, we'll gain 4-6 congressional seats in 2004.

[MAWG]

That's good! Thanks I think.

[MAWG]

Hey Dallas I'm in Houston and just got mine : $3,042.00. Sucks dont it?

[RckyRaCoCo]

Looks like we need to get 2 more Carville(trash)Cans for the 2 Texas pampas arses, Ann Richard's/Molly Ivans. Make sure they're big enough to fit their mouths.

[waterstraat]

George Bush truely loves ex-gov Ann Richards!! She is the one single person who is most the responsible for making him president.

[Illbay]

Poooooooor Anne! She was born with a gorilla mask on her face!

[Illbay]

That was a detestable cartoon, btw. I wrote to the Chronicle and said, "Gee, I wonder if your O-so-bright cartoonist remembers back when Texas was a thoroughly Democrat state from top of ticket to the very bottom, and getting elected simply meant winning the Democrat primary? Did he worry and fret about 'checks and balances' then?"

I'm sick of the hypocrisy.

[Illbay]

Paul Bettencourt (Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector and one of the brightest stars in the Texas GOP) was on Mike Richards' (no relation to Anne) radio show on KSEV here in Houston yesterday, and he simply said "redistricting" when they got around to that question.

I think redistricting only happens after each census if I'm not mistaken.

But you're right: For the Dems to have 17 of the 32 Congressional seats is WRONG, no two ways about it.

[Illbay]

I didn't realize this. Are you sure? If so, that's a golden opportunity for the GOP--and the rest of the nation.

[Dog Gone]

The Chronicle, and especially their cartoonist, are truly hateful people and their hypocrisy would be laughable if it weren't so maddening.

[Ulysses]

I've seen commentary that it's a possibility here in GA, where we are likely to have a Republican State Senate tomorrow after a few State Senators do the party switcharoo.

Did you get the e-mail press release just now from Sonny Perdue about the "Unity Tour" throughout the state tomorrow (Friday, 11/8)? It lists the itinerary for Gov.-Elect Perdue's tour to LaGrange, Savannah, Augusta, etc. On most of the stops, the schedule reads "Rally and Press Announcement" or something like that. I know there's a lot being made about some of those State senators from those areas switching. Could be in the majority as early as tomorrow!

[Illbay]

And the cartoonist isn't even very good. I've never seen a more prosaic bunch of drivel ever before. Even the cartoonist for the Birmingham (AL) News back when I was growing up--and he wasn't very good--was more clever than this guy.

[Bubba_Leroy]

Poor Ann.........she was born with a silver boot up her butt.

[Ditter]

Did you hear about Ann Richard's face lift?

When she came out from under anaesthesia the Dr. said "I have good news & bad news"

"The bad news is you still don't look very good, but the good news is I took out enough skin to make a pair of boots".