Rest in Peace Ann. We will miss you.

[Avalux]

She was the last gasp of a Blue Texas; before Rove and Delay hijacked this state. She was also the unfortunate victim of what has become maistream Republican politics - character assassination.

Funny, brilliant and just a plain ol' Texas gal who ended up being the first woman elect Governor of Texas. She did it with grit and determination and the help of the now famous one-liner at the Democratic National Convention in 1988:

"Poor George, he can't help it...He was born with a silver foot in his mouth."



"We cherish the special place in our hearts
that will always be reserved for you.
We thank you for the gift
your living brought to each of us.

We love you.
We remember you."

[acmejack]

1. Amen.

Go with God, Gentle Lady.

[PDittie]

2. Glen Maxey's account

from BOR:

It was 1982 and I was a candidate for the Legislature in Brazos County, an uphill race against the chairman of the House Appropriations committee. The campaign volunteers had already made the decision to go have evening margaritas at the Ramada Inn bar as part of the daily routine, since the campaign sucked.

So one day Erma Jefferson, one of the most outrageous Democrats I had ever met, asked the group if Ann Richards could beat the incumbent in her race for State Treasurer. Someone in the group responded, "Hell no. You gotta have balls to win in Texas!". The group laughed. Fast forward three months.

I"m now in Austin (unsuccessful in my bid for the Lege) and working for the 1982 coordinated campaign. I"m working for Jim Hightower, and the other great team that year (Richards, Mauro, Mattox, et al). Erma Jefferson and friends show up in Austin. They've come with a gift for Ms. Richards. And they asked me to deliver it. When I did, and Ann opened the velvet box, it held a real set of jewels. There on the velvet pillow were two balls accompanied by a note:

Dear Ann:

You can't win in Texas without a set of balls.
We hereby donate Glen Maxey's balls, since he doesn't need them.

Sincerely,

The Women of Brazos County

Go read the rest. Also from the Chronic:

Texas Monthly superimposed Richards' face on a model dressed in white leather, riding a white Harley-Davidson with the headline: "White Hot Mama."

Cryer still remembers Richards' initial reaction: "I only wish I had thighs like that woman," the governor said.

...

She also loved attending movies, although she was known to talk too loudly for her friends' comfort. Still, Richards recently made a filmed "announcement" for the Alamo Draught House, a theater in Austin.

The announcement shows Richards leaving her office and walking into a movie theater, as she says: "Turn off your cell phone, or Ann Richards will take your ass out!"

[sonias]

3. Glen's account is getting a bit hot

Nothing wrong with saying Ann had balls. She had that virtual set as well as a great set of ovaries. That was some woman!

Sonia

[babylonsister]

4. That's a beautiful picture; she sure was a knockout! nt