Bush Says, Texas Has Lost One Of Its Great Lesbians er Daughters,

[trumad]

In a statement issued by the White House, the president said he and first lady Laura Bush "are deeply saddened by the passing of Governor Ann Richards of Texas."

He said Richards "loved Texas, and Texans loved her," and that "as a public servant she earned respect and admiration."

The president said Richards "became a national role model, and her charm, wit and candor brought a refreshing vitality to public life."
http://www.kwtx.com/breakingnews/3919241.html

by digby


It is probably inappropriate to bring this up on the sad occasion of her death, but the passing of Governor Ann Richards tonight brings to mind one of the most despicable political campaigns in American politics. I have a feeling that Governor Richards would understand, though --- she didn't seem to care too much for stiff propriety --- and it may be just the right moment to remind every Democrat running for office right now to watch his or her back.

The Bush family hated her for saying that "poor George" line at the 1988 convention. When Junior ran against her for governor, Karl Rove got their revenge for them.

Ann Richards was a socially progressive and inclusive governor of Texas, appointing a few gays and lesbians to state boards and commissions. In 1994, Rove pinpointed this as an issue certain to help George W. Bush win election in a conservative state. Of course, Rove was not about to let his candidate broach the subject himself. Instead, he worked through Republican operatives in East Texas. Rumors soon began to circulate through coffee shops and agricultural co-ops that implied Gov. Richards, an unmarried woman, might be a lesbian. Without identifying the topic, she acknowledged she was being hurt. "You know what it's about," she told reporters, dismissively, after being asked about the rumors. "And I'm not talking about it."

But Republican state Sen. Bill Ratliff from East Texas, who was also Bush's regional coordinator for that part of the state, was quoted in newspapers as criticizing Richards for "appointing avowed homosexual activists" to state jobs. The rumors were then given a form of legitimacy and widely reported. Then just as he did with Kerry and the Swift Boat controversy, Rove had Bush step forward as a voice of understanding and reason. "The senator doesn't speak for me," Bush told reporters. "I don't know anything about what he's talking about. I'm trying to run an issues-oriented campaign."
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_digbysblog_archive.html#115821048274501213

[napi21]

1. YEP, that's exactly what happened! It worked so well, Rove

continues to use that same tactic through today!

[opihimoimoi]

2. Someday soon, these and other dispicable actions will come back to

haunt them...mean while, hope they sleep well at night...

[Shakespeare]

3. Indeed! That's why I posted this last night:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2131721&mesg_id=2131721

[ComerPerro]

4. but somehow, this same group of assholes thinks its beneath contempt

to remind people, one time, that the Vice President has a lesbian daughter (which was already well known and admitted by the family) when he is actively working against homosexuals and embraces discrimination