Petty politics by Glen Maxey

[johncoby2]

Hey folks,

I've been asking about the candidates for chair of the party over the last few months. Maxey's name has come up and many think he is good for the job, but this whiny ass email from him just pisses me off royally.

The last thing we need in this stupid party is petty politics and that is exactly what Maxey is doing. If Maxey wants to be chair, grow up, quit complaining and start contacting the SDEC members who will vote for you.

Until then shut the *uck up and get back to work so that we all can get back to doing what is important, that is electing our candidates.

I'm pissed, you guys. Not at Maxey, but at his petty attacks and the way he is going about doing things.

But then again, who the *uck am I except someone who wants to beat the hell out of DeLay in Nov?

[nick_DFT]

1. Clueless Coby

It is just as easy for me to argue that the politics of rushing to elect an interim chair for the 49 or possibly 30 days before the state convention are incredibly petty and scheisty.

Why was it that the same thing happened last time around, and the delegates got shut out? Maybe the fact that nearly 3/4 of all the delegates to the state convention were first-timers..and a majority were not there because of any action of the TDP.

Unfortunately, there are people who would rather stay clueless.

During the 2000 election, the popular belief was that Bush would win the popular and Gore would receive the electoral. I received an email from a friend urging Dems to support the electoral college, because undoubtedly the goopers would try to eliminate it.

When the opposite was finally clear, I got an email from the same individual saying that we must abolish the electoral college!

This turned me off, because I would rather see someone take a legitimate stand for something.

What is the difference between Perry doing what he did with Allen and Baxter and this?

Why not leave it to the vice-chair?

And furthermore, John--why are you so afraid of a democracy? How many people on this list would prefer the election of who will lead our party to be by 63 people as opposed to the thousands of people who got themselves duly elected as well? I opt for the people. Anyone?

And moreover--are you happy with the state of the party, John? Ask the county chairs how much support they get from the party.

I've got a suggestion for you. Instead of bashing Maxey baselessly on a blog, why don't you get in touch with him and address your concerns? He has posted his contact information countless times on various blogs so that people can do just that. Odds are you may still not support him, but at least if you voiced some of your concerns and he couldn't respond to them, you would have a basis to go off of. But I have a feeling he could respond to em. Go ahead...give it a shot...nudge...I know being able to personally contact someone who has potential to be in a position of leadership is a strange thing these days for Texas Democrats, but give it a shot. You might like it.

Glen Maxey:

Email: [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]
Office Phone: [phone] (This may not be live yet, he just moved into a new office.)
Cell Phone: [phone]

Lemme know how it goes. Go on...go on...

[johncoby2]

5. I have a call into him.

Will update when I hear something.

[johncoby2]

6. By the way....who are you?

I find it very disturbing getting a post like this from someone who wont even say where they are from, who they are, what their name is, or what even their gender is (as if that matters)

I think my profile is pretty specific. I have nothing to hide.

[crispini]

2. John, you know I have a lot of respect for you.

Because you are an activist that works hard and gets things done. Furthermore, because you -- like me, I hope -- are the kind of person who is always willing to ask themselves, "What is the best thing for us as Democrats?" and stand up and do the right thing.

But you have to admit that as you dig deeper into the layers of ANY organization, personal politics comes into play. I know this from a ton of firsthand experience up here in Dallas county. I could write you a short pamphlet on the power players, the factions, what they can do, what they have done recently, etcetera. I will be happy to go on at length either in a PM or if I see you sometime and get a chance to buy you a beer, but not on a message board where my words could be interpreted wrongly or taken out of context.

Anyway, it is a sad reality that sometimes people do NOT ask themselves, "What is best for us ALL?" but rather ask themselves, "What is best for US, faction X?"

I like Maxey because he strikes me as both an activist who is willing to work hard, whose heart is with the grassroots, but ALSO a person who is well aware of the political landscape and the subtle waters of the various factions, which, like it or not, we have in the TDP and in the various county parties as well. And I think that's where this email is coming from.

[nick_DFT]

3. Email?

Crispini, what's your email address?

[crispini]

13. Just sent you one.

[johncoby2]

4. you guys are missing the point

The SDEC meetings are open. He has access to the same members as we do. He can call them and petition to be the temporary chair. If he doesnt want to, then shut up and run in the open election with all the delegates.

That is ALL I am saying. We do not need any damn whining about it.

And I still dont know if I am considered an "insider" or "status quo" or part of the problem. Nothing like pissing on people before you know them.

I do not like this style. It does nothing but generate controversy just like it is doing here. And it might make good working people in the party want to quit. And that is NOT good for the party that needs good workers.

[nick_DFT]

7. Hey John

Listen, man.

We have had some disagreements on this forum.

I am all about coming together, believe it or not. I am SURE from what I have read that you are not only a good activist and Dem, but someone who REALLY cares as well. You wouldn't be posting on here if you didn't, right?!

It's just this sort of stuff REALLY gets me going. It's something I care greatly about.

Ever since I have been in Texas, I have not met a single person that is really stoked about the state of the party. I have seen the stuff Maxey has done and it is very impressive. He has his downsides, but he is identifying them and working them out.

He doesn't want to be like, the PUBLIC FACE of the party...but rather more of a CEO type. Someone who can get these tools implemented, get support to the county chairs, precinct chairs, and activists.

To answer your question, I am on the steering committee of Democracy for Texas. I didn't know there was more on the profiles that you couldn't see. If you could let me know where to fill stuff out I will.

Actually, do me a favor. Give me a ring or an email.

[e-mail]
818.631.8248

Let's talk about some of this stuff. At the minimum, we can agree to disagree...right?

We ARE all in this together. I just feel an HONEST debate needs to be had. I hope you understand.

[WestHoustonDem]

8. I agree totally with Nick on needs of the Democratic Party

in Texas. I agree with John that petty politics are out of order, but it's unrealistic not to expect that there are currently back room deals going on, that led to Soechting deciding to step down early.

That said, I'm not convinced Maxey is the best choice. The No Nonsense in November campaign fell flat on it's face and the organizational structure was horrible. I've heard from folks involved and there were personnel in key positions that had to be worked around rather than with. Those kinds of issues should not have been allowed to fester. I don't know who's to blame, but there should have been checks in place to make sure everyone was pulling their weight.

I'm on the DFH ESC, but I speak for myself. I know Maxey has many strong supporters in DFH and DFT. I'm just not convinced either way yet.

[johncoby2]

9. I didnt know he was involved with NNIN

And you are right. It was a disaster.

[WestHoustonDem]

10. He was at the helm for NNIN. That's why I have reservations n/t

[merci_me]

11. I have to agree with Lyn

As I said in another topic, there are people with DFT/DFH and a couple of other groups, whom I would have assumed, supported Maxey. The ones, actually only a handful, but still 100% of the ones I spoke with
last month, were not supporting Maxey. Who knows, in light of the latest news, there maybe some rethinking it all.

I have no preference at this point and don't know if we even know who all will run or if I'll be a delegate, but the debate is enlightening.

[crispini]

12. I don't perceive the email as whining.

I perceive the email as Glen letting his supporters know what is going on.

I understand about controversy making good working people in the party wanting to quit. You think I didn't see that here up in Dallas? There were NEW precinct chairs at that legendary DCDP meeting where all of the shouting occurred. I know, 'cause I was sitting next to this one guy who was freaked out about the whole thing, and I'm sure that some other new chairs probably quit over it, but unfortunately the reality is that sometimes party politics gets ugly. I offered the guy a swig from the flask :evilgrin: and told him that sometimes this shit happens and last I checked he was still around.

I guess what I'm saying is if anyone feels like they need to avoid it for their own sakes they should do so. I know one activist who just want to work her project and her precinct and ignore all of this shit, and that's her prerogative, to keep her sanity.

But it's hiding our heads in the sand to pretend that it doesn't exist.

[nick_DFT]

14. NNN

Here are some clips of comments I wrote on BOR about the NNN race. I know where it was successful and where it failed, but this was not exactly a standard campaign..

>>
And as far as records go--I always get a kick out of watching people like you talk negatively about the Prop 2 results. I personally shared an office with Glen during that race. I watched him get in at 8am or earlier each day and go home after 3 every night. 3 am, that is.

Glen and his strategy forced the right to address the actual issue. They could no longer skim by on the happy family talk, they had to address the county employees in Dallas and Travis losing their benefits. They had to address that it was already illegal. Say what you will, but if it were not for Glen Maxey, it would have been a LOT worse. I'm curious what you would have recommended, JayRo. Go straight at it, head on? Like in Kentucky? I think they got 13% of the vote. Guess what--how easy is it to get the press to cover your side in a race like that? It's pretty difficult. But Glen brought attn to the f-ed up wording. We called Republicans. They tattled. To who? The press. Who calls us for our side? The press. These are campaign tactics. Did you realize that nearly every single paper in the STATE endorsed our campaign? I think Lubbock and like, Lufkin didn't. JayRo, do you think that just *happens*? Um, no. It happens by going to editorial boards. Who represented No Nonsense at those boards? Glen Maxey. So JayRo, let's be real--does ANYONE on this BOR *really* think that an anti-gay marriage bill WOULDN'T pass in Texas? I mean, seriously. I did, because when I work on campaigns, I believe in them. But if you really think there was any possibility of anyone being able to win that race, then you're showing off your naivety. So let's be real. And on top of that, I would rather have someone TRY something. What do you think the levels of homophobia are at in Texas? Hey, not even Texas--how bout in the Democratic Party? If you believe that internalized homophobia does not exist in the Texas Democratic Party, you must have your blinders on.
>>

At one point during the Prop 2 campaign, I went to dinner with Glen, and he was in kind of a down mood. I asked what was up, and he told me:

"In a couple weeks, I am going to become a second-class citizen. And nobody cares."

Glen worked his ASS off on that race. Where was Soechting? Where was the Democratic Party?

After the race, it was me who was down.

Glen turned to me on election night and asked me if I had really believed we could win. And I said yes. Because that's the energy he brings. Glen creates an atmosphere of hope. An atmosphere of change.

He then said to me--if you had told me 20 years ago, when people with HIV were simply trying to stay out of PRISON (quarantine issues, look up your history), that we would have an open debate about gay marriage and wedge issues, that 26% of the voters in the state of TEXAS would vote FOR gay rights, and that nearly every newspaper (and certainly every major paper) would endorse that position--I would have told you that you were crazy.

I think he is right.
>>

[nick_DFT]

15. I just feel...

like using the NNN campaign to cite as a "failure", falling "flat on it's face" is just wrong.

If anyone wants to, we could talk about the countless positive things that Maxey has done for Democrats in Texas. Excuse me, but an election about gay marriage in Texas?

Yeah dude, we are SO winning that one. The record for states with similar initiatives is 0-11.

If it were say a .500 average, or 6-5, or even if a SINGLE other state had won theirs? I think the argument would hold more water.

But they didn't. And we didn't. And considering how difficult, how insanely difficult it is to fundraise for an issue like that where people feel they are lighting their money on fire? Yet Maxey was able to bring attention to it for what it was, as well as securing each of the major editorial endorsements in the state. He controlled the media, that's for sure. Each and every time he wanted to have something covered statewide, it was.

If there is anyone out there who could have done better than Glen on this one, then maybe they should be running for chair, too. But what's worse--putting yourself out there in a campaign that essentially is destined to lose--be real!--or not being heard of one bit? What was Richies involvement on the NNN race? Urbina-Jones?

I would rather have someone who will put themselves out there, be a straight shooter, tell it how it is and be in the thick of it, than those who will tiptoe around things in order to attempt to please everyone.

[johncoby2]

18. What does it matter if you lose?

This is newbie thinking. Try it a few times. Be a straight shooter, shoot your mouth offf, and lose. It gets old. Real quick.

There is a way to be tactful and stick to your beliefs. There is a way to persuade. Its what we call politics.

Look how well the straight shooter in the White House has done.

[WestHoustonDem]

19. The criticisms I have about NNIN are not simply that we

lost the campaign. I had several friends involved in the campaign and there were managerial issues. At the local level, people who were ineffectual were allowed to stay in place and leave the people doing the grassroots work to work around them, causing great frustration. In a well run campaign, those kinds of situations must be recognized and corrected.

[meg]

16. Thanks John

That letter really turned me off, too. First, there is the implication that Richie or someone else is explicitly plotting against Maxey and against the delegates to the state convention. No proof, just insinuation.

Next, there is the mis-stating of the rules. I don't see an excuse for that since the rules are online and Maxey was an assistant to the rules team for a time.

Finally, there is the implication that Maxey is an outsider when in fact he has worked for the SDEC as a staffer and a contractor.

[muse]

17. I don't know if this makes good people want to quit, but it makes me want

to ignore all of this.

That is for sure.

Too confusing. And, there is too much to DO.

I'm a doer and I want to back a winner.