GregsOpinion.com

Two Texas votes in the bank for Martin Frost: Bob Slagle and Charles Soechting. The significance of this, however, is that there had previously been chatter about the Texas delegation voting as a bloc vote. If that's still true, then Martin Frost is chugging up the ranks of the major players in this vote.

I'm well aware of the pressure on many Texas Dems in this vote ... Martin Frost is not one to take the DNC gig and neglect his home state. He wears grudges like badges of honor and he's got a few scores to settle that I wouldn't mind seeing settled. There's also a very real perceived benefit to many Texas Dems in having a Lone Star represenative sitting in the DNC offices (jobs, perks, power, etc ...). And I'll reserve any missives about how misguided these endorsements are out of respect for these two in particular. Soechting earns high marks in my book for endorsing Chris Bell in the primary campaign for Congress as well as his efforts in candidate recruitment last year with very little time on the job. Bob Slagle was one of the best party leaders we've had in our history.

But the facts of the matter come down to this ... there was a time for coping with the shifting electoral winds and that time has passed. Slagle and Frost represent the era of coping with the South's long slide towards conservatism. Ask either how to defeat a Republican in a GOP-friendly district and the list of solutions is likely to be incredibly bare. What's needed now is a transformation ... one of the few words nobody will ever assign to Martin Frost's tenure as congressman and campaign activist. With that, I'll respectfully disagree with the contents of the emailed notice ....

January 5, 2005

Dear Fellow Democrat,

When we choose the next Chair of our Democratic Party, we have the opportunity to elect a leader who is both tough and smart, a proven fundraiser, a skilled tactician who knows how to beat Republicans, and a fighter with a lifelong record of commitment to the core values of our Party. That person is Martin Frost.

No one considering a race for DNC Chair will raise more money, outwork, or outsmart Martin Frost. He has proven it at the local, state, and national levels. Tom DeLay and Karl Rove may think they defeated him with their scandalous redistricting scheme, but with Martin Frost as a full time DNC Chair, it will be their turn to lose.

In Texas, Martin put more resources into local and state party organizations than any other Democrat. Even when he faced no serious opposition, he built and funded organizations for national and statewide candidates. He developed a multimillion dollar party program to turn out base voters in marginal districts. The result: during Bush landslides, we held our Texas House and Congressional majorities prior to redistricting. And even then, the battle Martin waged along with our State legislators inspired Democrats nationwide.

When he faced a 65% Republican district in 2004 after redistricting, Martin raised $4 million and involved hundreds of volunteers in an extraordinary campaign that held the Republican to 54% while helping elect the first Democrats, including minority and women candidates, to countywide office in Dallas in almost 20 years. When we turn 65% Republican strongholds into marginal 54% territory, we can win anywhere.

Just as he did in Texas, Martin proved himself at the national level. As DCCC Chairman, he reorganized the committee, developed a regional polling, research, and message plan, and invested funds in state party turnout efforts. The result: at a time when the pundits said it couldn?t be done, Democrats picked up 14 seats in the Congress.

Martin Frost is an effective communicator who knows how to utilize the skills of candidates and other party leaders who know the language of their states and communities. He knows how to develop a plan, raise the money to pay for it, and make it work. No one is better qualified. Let?s elect Martin Frost, get to work, and win again.

Sincerely,

Bob Slagle
Former Texas Party Chair,

Charles Soechting
Chair, Texas Democratic Party
Current DNC Executive Committee Member

UPDATE: Via the comments ... Molly Beth Malcolm is officially not a candidate for the DNC gig. On that note, I think I should add that I, too, am not a candidate for DNC chair.