Fmr. Tex. Gov. Ann Richards Dies

AP News Alert | 9.13.06

[mhking]

This just crossed my desk...

AUSTIN (AP) -- A family spokeswoman says former Texas Gov. Ann Richards has died at her home.

[umgud]

RIP. The woman had guts, regardless her politics.

[sam_paine]

Ma Richards spoke at my UT graduation.

Unlike this ding-dong Strayhorn-Keeton-Grandma-Onetuff-Gillespie whatever the heck her name is, Ann Richards was the real deal.

One tough Granny. RIP.

(An aside....can frmr Gov's go to the Tx State Cemetary in East Austin?)

[NormsRevenge]

Ann Richards

Ann Richards brought a vitality and outrageousness to the governorship that had not been seen in decades. Born Dorothy Ann Willis, she grew up in Waco, where she made her mark early on as an outstanding student who excelled at debate and participated in Girls State. She married her high school sweetheart, David Richards, and the young couple moved to Austin, where Richards became a teacher. The couple had two daughters and two sons.

Richards spent her free time volunteering on political campaigns for candidates such as Henry B. Gonzalez, Ralph Yarborough, and Sarah Weddington. Encouraged by her husband, she eventually entered politics herself, winning election in 1977 as the first female commissioner of Travis County. Unfortunately, Richards' triumph ushered in one of the most painful periods of her life. Her marriage to David broke up, and she was also forced to confront her heavy drinking. Richards later admitted, "I smoked like a chimney and drank like a fish." She entered rehab and emerged sober.

She was elected state treasurer in 1982, the first woman to hold statewide office in years. Her devastating wit and folksy speaking style made her a national figure when she gave the keynote address at the 1988 Democratic Convention. Two years later, she was elected governor of Texas.

[World_Events]

rest in peace

[BallyBill]

I couldn't help but to like her. I even laughed at some of her Georgie jokes.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

What do you want to bet that he or Laura or both will attend her funeral.

He should, or at least make a statement. Bush admired and respected Richards, even during a bitter 1994 campaign.

[Rte66]

I knew her and it was hard not to like her. Ever vote for her? No way. But like her, yes, I did. RIP, Ann!

[MozartLover]

It was great theater.

She may have been on the wrong side, but may she RIP anyway.

[PeaceBeWithYou]

FOB Ping.

[Zack Nguyen]

God bless her family.

[eddie willers]

She also had a great line about Ginger Rogers doing everything Fred Astaire did....except backwards and in high heels.

[tobyhill]

Prayers for her family and may she rest in peace.

[Petronski]

I liked her "pure Texan" attitude.


RIP

[Dubya]

Prayers for her family.

[TRY ONE]

If, by chance, she does approach St. Peter, I hope she has her mouth closed. No sailor on the face of the earth has ever had a more caustic mouth than 'ol Ann.

Most likely, however, the "F---ing this and that and the G-- D--- this and that" has already lit up the sky!

[1L]

I honestly don't have many good things to say about her, but I am sorry to hear of her passing.

[NormsRevenge]

Cancer -- esophagus.

Yup..

she admitted a while back..

"I smoked like a chimney and drank like a fish."

[eleni121]

Richards epitomized the strong Texas gal.

---

How about crude Texas gal.

I have several female acquaintances in Texas and they are nothing like Richards...mnore like the first lady Laura..now that's a class act. A real Texas gal.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Everybody deserves respect in such times (and their families). Their legacy can be determined later.

[lonestar]

I'm sorry she's dead.

I didn't like her and I don't like rattlesnakes.