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Cynthia Phillips's avatar

Apparently, you have been reading my mind, Michelle. I have thought every single one of the things said in your post. I kept thinking DC Democrats would get it together but they did not. They wrote us and other Red states off, convinced we were incapable of progressivism. Thank you for setting the record straight on the deep progressivism of Texans.

I knew this of course, being from Hays County and having a Texas Democratic grandfather pretty active in progressive Democratic politics. Those were good times.

Texas laws from the olden days are still very progressive, although Abbott, et al will eventually get around to trying to change that. I remember explaining to my boss, a liberal Democrat from New York City, about the Texas homestead exemption and other laws that protect debtors. His jaw was dropping, coming from a state with laws almost in reverse that protect business over consumers. No one expects that from Texas. But, we are full of surprises.

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tim koss's avatar

ahh the big shots fiddle whilst MAGA burns down the house: "Martin came under criticism after reportedly telling DNC officers and staff in a private conversation that Hogg had “essentially destroyed any chance I have to show the leadership that I need to.” He reportedly added, “I don’t know if I wanna do this anymore."

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Michelle H. Davis's avatar

Jeeze 🤦🏻‍♀️

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tim koss's avatar

whose ur GP?

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Virgin Monk Boy's avatar

🔥 This hit like a lightning bolt to the spine. As a Texan who’s been mistaken one too many times for a brunch-bloated centrist from the coasts, I just want to shout “THANK YOU” from the nearest Buc-ee’s parking lot. The Texas Democratic Party isn’t just progressive because it’s fashionable—it’s progressive because our survival demands it. We’re not sipping spritzers with tech billionaires; we’re organizing in the damn trenches, dodging both bullets and bullshit.

And yes, it’s maddening watching independent candidates cosplay Texas Dems while throwing shade at the very platform they’re stealing from. You want the vision without the solidarity? Nah, that ain’t it.

This piece doesn’t just defend Texas Democrats—it reclaims them. And honestly, it’s about damn time the rest of the country recognized where the real progressive fire is burning.

Stars at night, baby. Big, bright, and way to the left. 🔥🌹

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Aldo Mena's avatar

I'd like to preface my comments by noting that I am a loyal Democrat. I am not trying to disparage anyone, but Robert O' Rourke has some of us confused in El Paso. In last year's mayoral runoff, O' Rourke endorsed a candidate who, although ostensibly a Democrat, received extensive funding from a Republican political action committee conspicuously named Project Red Texas. This particular mayoral candidate has a very close relationship with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and was instrumental in appointing Heather Wilson, a former Trump cabinet official, to the presidency of the University of Texas at El Paso. I know people claim that local elections are nonpartisan, but I think we are all sophisticated enough to realize that there is no such thing anymore. The Republicans certainly understand this. In any case, what are your thoughts about O' Rourke on this particular endorsement? Is it okay to endorse candidates who receive money from Republican PACS?

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Michelle H. Davis's avatar

That’s interesting. Honestly, I don’t know if Beto intends on running out acting like a support arm. I didn’t hear about this, but I’m going to look into it.

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Mubashir Saleem's avatar

We completed our race in NYC and got our candidate elected in the primary! Now lets hope it translate to future victories for progressives across the nation. This is the first time to actually create a democratic party that can fight

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Michelle H. Davis's avatar

So excited for y’all!

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Mubashir Saleem's avatar

Me too. We won in a landslide in round 1 of RCV. I cant express how fucking incredible it is. It was so incredible that the campaign wasnt expecting to be that effective and they had to switch speeches because of how much the landslide was

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Sean's avatar

I know it’s just a primary, but what are your thoughts on how Zohran’s wins could move the needle for progressives elsewhere.

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Michelle H. Davis's avatar

I was just talking to someone about that last night, I think it’s a playbook other progressives should follow.

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Liza Hameline's avatar

That me yelling “we love you Kendall!” In the background!

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Michelle H. Davis's avatar

💙💙

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tim koss's avatar

one thing that the godfathers of Texas liberalism didn't have to do is compete against MAGA ........they could speak to a reasonably literate culture.........we no longer live in such a place....its up to us to talk to voters on their terms....like it or not.

Candidates, tell voters what u plan to do FOR THEM and that means Kendoll, stop hanging with Beto the well spoken darling of elites libs and take a squad to an East Austin Walmart and camp out for a week...

Kendoll has been in FTW 3 times in 2 months....i have read no reports of him talking to a non-voter

Everybody was thrilled at the speechifying, but u couldn't walk 1 block away from the event and find any Hispanic who knows anything about what we are selling...

no one cares about abortion, guns, tax cuts for Elon, Tell em their granny is getting kicked out of the nursing home, or the kids school meal is canceled , or their abuela no longer gets meals on wheels or the local hospital is either closed or there are long waits.......

.and each and every day a squad in front of every walmart. TDP can afford that our of Kendoll's travel allowance.

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Michelle H. Davis's avatar

Everything is going to be okay.

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Shekhar S.'s avatar

Well said. However, do all elected Texas Democrats follow those values cherished by the Texas Democratic Party consistently ? Wasn’t it just the other day when you had written about five Texas Democrats who voted against some of those values?

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Michelle H. Davis's avatar

I believe it's the majority of our elected officials, but we have some that suck. And I intend to call them out more often.

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Eva Camacho Guzman's avatar

Michelle, I shared this article with Senator Jose Menendez yesterday.

It was at that rally. I told them you help me know How they Vote. 😁

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Michelle H. Davis's avatar

Thanks! He shares my stuff sometimes.

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