Fero Sighting in the Statesman

» Statesman: Austin political operative a man of his word? (Laylan Copelin)

More good news for a Texas Democrat. Well, depending on how you look at it. Kelly Fero got axed for his anonymous blogging in the Travis County DA runoff. But if you ask me, it's a hit worth taking. Laylan Copelan sits down with Kelly Fero for a pretty decent interview. A little full disclosure on my bias here: I'm a fan of Kelly's. That goes back to his work with John Sharp. And say what you want about the 2002 Dream Ticket campaign, I think it's a pretty good side of the debate to be on to suggest that Texas would be a better place if John Sharp were the Lt. Governor.

Copelin covers quite a bit of Fero's history - including his musical success and how he got his start in politics. Regarding the EnronOwnsTheGOP.com incident, I'm not remembering that as particularly "anonymous" on Fero's part. That seems like ages ago, so maybe I'm forgetting a period in time when it was anonymous.

The portion of the article that I think is entirely accurate is Fero's personal anonymity. Copelan recounts a few folks to say they wouldn't know him if he walked in the door due to never having met him. I can only add this much ... the photo in the article is the only photo I've seen of Fero ever. Then again, my own tangential efforts in the 2002 cycle were distant, remote, and short-lived.

Copelin concludes thusly:

Though many Democratic consultants see Fero as a self-promoter who takes too much credit and undercuts their business, none would criticize him publicly.

"All the Democratic consultants in town may be giggling" over Fero's run-in with Keel, one consultant said. "But we're wary of getting dragged into anything that doesn't make us money or advance the cause."

Fero waves off criticism.

"I'm a boring old granddad," Fero said, whipping out pictures of three grandchildren, "who never got over the fight for social justice."

I don't know many consultants that don't view one another the way Copelin suggests Fero is viewed. But I'll do one better than Copelin suggests ... I'll praise Fero publicly. As far as I'm concerned, he's the best in the state. Just ask the lady who fired him about his effectiveness.