Ann Richards A Political Giant
Ken Hughes
September 14, 2006
Most people loved Ann Richards, a few hated her and everyone connected with politics respected her. She was the quintessential Texas politician. She followed in the footsteps of John Nance Garner, Sam Rayburn, Lyndon Johnson, Sam Huston and even Judge Roy Bean to an extent. Ann Richards possessed a little of each of these men and proudly displayed it when it would do her the most good, Ann Richards was a Texan all the way.
She could be as profane as any oil rig roustabout and as gentle and charming as a Texas debutant. She could be what was called for at the moment. Ann Richards could play hardball with the big boys and often did and she usually won. She was compassionate in her support of minority rights. She was passionate about women’s rights.
Ann Richards had a sharp wit and used it when the situation called for humor to make a point. A friend who knew her once told me she carried a notebook in her purse, when a clever thought came to her or when she heard something she could make fit into her vast accumulation of witticisms she would jot it down for later use. Ann Richards had one of the finest commands of Texas English as any prominent person who ever represented from the State. She was a master at knowing what to say and when and how to say it. Most politicians would give their right arm to have her vocal skills.
In her address to the Democratic National Convention in 1988 she probably made her most famous statement “Poor George can’t help it he was born with a silver foot in his mouth” she was referring to George Bush [one.] however her most compelling quote and the one she should be remembered for may have been “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, She did it backwards and in high heels” she said that in a speech championing women’s rights.
Ann Richards wasn’t without her critics and she wasn’t blunder free. More than once her quick wit got her in trouble. Calling George Bush [two] a jerk may have cost her the gubernatorial election in 1994. Until her loss to George Bush she had been a rising star in the national Democratic Party that seemed to be the kiss of death for Ann’s political career. By her own admission she said Bush was better at staying on message of his intentions as governor when elected.
George Bush beating Ann Richards for governor of Texas began the long tedious Bush-Bashing area by Democrats. This has caused many Liberal Democrats to put their hatred for Bush ahead of their love of country. Ann Richards has been off the political radar for several years. It could be she didn’t care for the hostility and partisan politics I’d like to think that. It’s more likely health considerations than principles that kept her sidelined. She was after all a 24/7 political activist.
Ann Richards will be missed by Democrats and Republicans alike, she earned her place in history it wasn’t given to her. From an early age her parents told her she could be anything she wanted to be, she wanted to be a politician, she wanted to make a difference. She chose to be a Democrat rather than a Republican if God can forgive her for that one indiscretion I’m sure the people of Texas and the rest of America can forgive her as well.
And so Madam Governor we wish you a pleasant journey to wherever providence takes you. “Via con Dios”, May God be with you.
She could be as profane as any oil rig roustabout and as gentle and charming as a Texas debutant. She could be what was called for at the moment. Ann Richards could play hardball with the big boys and often did and she usually won. She was compassionate in her support of minority rights. She was passionate about women’s rights.
Ann Richards had a sharp wit and used it when the situation called for humor to make a point. A friend who knew her once told me she carried a notebook in her purse, when a clever thought came to her or when she heard something she could make fit into her vast accumulation of witticisms she would jot it down for later use. Ann Richards had one of the finest commands of Texas English as any prominent person who ever represented from the State. She was a master at knowing what to say and when and how to say it. Most politicians would give their right arm to have her vocal skills.
In her address to the Democratic National Convention in 1988 she probably made her most famous statement “Poor George can’t help it he was born with a silver foot in his mouth” she was referring to George Bush [one.] however her most compelling quote and the one she should be remembered for may have been “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, She did it backwards and in high heels” she said that in a speech championing women’s rights.
Ann Richards wasn’t without her critics and she wasn’t blunder free. More than once her quick wit got her in trouble. Calling George Bush [two] a jerk may have cost her the gubernatorial election in 1994. Until her loss to George Bush she had been a rising star in the national Democratic Party that seemed to be the kiss of death for Ann’s political career. By her own admission she said Bush was better at staying on message of his intentions as governor when elected.
George Bush beating Ann Richards for governor of Texas began the long tedious Bush-Bashing area by Democrats. This has caused many Liberal Democrats to put their hatred for Bush ahead of their love of country. Ann Richards has been off the political radar for several years. It could be she didn’t care for the hostility and partisan politics I’d like to think that. It’s more likely health considerations than principles that kept her sidelined. She was after all a 24/7 political activist.
Ann Richards will be missed by Democrats and Republicans alike, she earned her place in history it wasn’t given to her. From an early age her parents told her she could be anything she wanted to be, she wanted to be a politician, she wanted to make a difference. She chose to be a Democrat rather than a Republican if God can forgive her for that one indiscretion I’m sure the people of Texas and the rest of America can forgive her as well.
And so Madam Governor we wish you a pleasant journey to wherever providence takes you. “Via con Dios”, May God be with you.
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