On this Independence Day, I am proud to be an American. Even with all of the issues we have in this country, it’s truly great to live in a place where we can settle the majority of our disputes in court and at the ballot box, instead of at the end of a gun.
But it’s time to realize that the United States is at a great point of transition, and it’s up to us in the here and now to see it through. Most of the infrastructure that forms the backbone of our economy? It is the legacy of Americans from the mid- 20th century… they built our interstate system with their hands. So far we are not contributing to that legacy… instead we sit back and hope that it will “hold out” through a divisive, stagnant federal government. But stagnation is not the American way. As our nation grows more diverse, and our infrastructure falls away, it’s time for us to take up the banner and create the America we want, instead of just settling for what others left us. We will be a more diverse nation, we will reach a new level in the continuing struggle for Civil Rights, and we must build a 21st century infrastructure.
On this Independence Day, we celebrate what Americans (all immigrants by the way) did to create this nation. We honor their deeds as an important part of our past. But I believe this day is just as much about our future. Let’s be the nation that we know we can be… that we are called to be. It’s time to be the New America.
The Texas Progressive Alliance stands with Wendy as it brings you this week’s roundup.
Off the Kuff points to two recent polls about abortion to note that the people really aren’t asking for more restrictions on reproductive choice.
Horwitz of Texpatriate asks the question on everyone’s minds: will the Senate Democrats stay or go in the Second Special Session?
Rick Perry thought he learned more from the life of Wendy Davis than she did, so he mansplained it to an anti-choice organization last week. And even Joe Straus was appalled. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs observed that this mansplaining business is a much more common form of testosterone poisoning than anyone previously knew.
WCNews at Eye on Williamson says it was a bad week for voting rights, A sad day in the United States.
At TexasKaos, Libby Shaw tells us about http://www.texaskaos.net/diary/7362/the-night-texas-turned-blue”>The Night Texas Turned Blue. Wendy Davis made us all proud.
This week at McBlogger, Cap’n Kroc has a message of welcome for the people newly energized by the Filicluster.
CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme hails the Supreme Court ruling on DOMA, but check out what the DOMA ruling means in a state like Texas.
The Ghost of Sam Houston makes an appearance at Darth Politico to talk Wendy Davis, Democracy, the rule of law, and the importance of civil disobedience.
And here are some posts of interest from other Texas blogs.
Jim Rigby pens an open letter to the women of Texas.
Iain Simpson contemplates the connection between whistleblowing and civil disobedience.
BOR explains what the SCOTUS decision on UT’s admissions policy means.
State Rep. Mark Strama announced his plans for the future.
Nonsequiteuse places the blame for Tuesday’s debacle in the Senate where it belongs, and reminds us that the fight is far from over.
Until one week ago, most people in the United States had never even heard of Texas State Senator Wendy Davis. I’ll even wager that most Texans didn’t know who she was. But they’re sure starting to find out now. In that 168 hours, her Twitter account skyrocketed from 1,200 follower to upwards of 127,000. She’s been interviewed by every national news network under the sun, and even gotten major write-ups in international papers like the Guardian and Le Figaro. It’s sufficient to say, that over the last week, she became a Democratic superstar and a national sensation.
I guess that’s what a well-publicized 13 hour filibuster can do for you. When you get #StandWithWendy trending on Twitter, your name becomes known. And sure, I agree with Kathleen Parker of the Washington Post… Wendy Davis shouldn’t be praised solely because of one filibuster. But it seems that the national media has done what they typically do.. focus on the event to build the person, instead of starting with the person to build the event. And as the national media’s attention shifts, they have started to sour on Davis’ prospects, partly due to a new PPP poll that predicts a slim chance of her making it to the Governor’s mansion. Luckily the GOP is going right along with them on this, and that will prove to be a big mistake. People need to know that Wendy Davis isn’t your bargain basement politician… she’s a real political fighter, with real guts.
Wendy Davis is someone that has beaten the odds her entire life. She was a poor, single mother at the age of 19, with no college education. But even then, Davis saw that her life could be more that her immediate surroundings. She put herself through community college, earned a scholarship to Texas Christian University, graduated with High honors, and went on graduate from Harvard Law School. All the while, raising a family. When she finally decided to run for State Senator of District 10, Davis once again faced a tough road. As a Democrat in a solidly Republican district, she beat the male, Republican incumbent Kim Brimer in a nail-biter race. Also worth noting, her former City Council seat is currently held by the wildly popular LGBT politician Joel Burns.
So that’s how Davis became a State Senator in 2008. Most GOP operatives blamed her victory on the “Obama wave” (eventhough John McCain clearly won her district) and saw Davis as a novelty that would be easily beaten in 2012. They of course thought wrong. Senator Davis won reelection in 2012 from a during a bitter campaign battle. Here’s an excerpt from the Texas Tribune’s 2012 election night article…
State Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, narrowly clung to her seat on Tuesday night, fending off Republican state Rep. Mark Shelton in the most-watched legislative race of the Texas election…
Her win kept Republicans from coming within one vote of the two-thirds majority needed to render Democrats virtually powerless in the upper chamber. And it gave hope to Texas Democratic Party officials, who see Davis as a rising star and a potential a statewide candidate.
The Tarrant County district was hardly a certain bet for either candidate. It has traditionally leaned Republican: Gov. Rick Perry won the district in the 2010 gubernatorial race; U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., won the presidential vote there in 2008.
“I think it’s really a reflection of people wanting a bipartisan voice,” she said. “People rose above partisanship in the way they voted tonight. They voted for integrity, for a fighter.”…
Clearly with Davis, HD10 has started some new traditions.
But what happened with the previous races is critically important for Texas Democrats, and national Democrats to understand… thanks to the make-up of HD10, Wendy Davis is well-practiced for a statewide race. Her district is virtually a microcosm of it, and she has figured out what Democrats need to do in order to win there. That’s why you’re not going to see her spewing hardcore “left-wing” ideology. Instead Davis carefully speaks about Texas values, and limited, but effective government. She has carefully crafted a message that allows her to appeal across party lines and political philosophies. This is exactly why I wrote back in February that Davis is the top Democrat prospect for a statewide victory. She’s a pro at this stuff.
So I have to agree with Andrew Kaczynski over at BuzzFeed… winning statewide is “not likely” for a Texas Democrat…
But thankfully… Texas is a state that never cared for “likely”. Senator Davis, the ball is in your court.
