Texas is known for its colorful political landscape. We’ve included both men and women in our election process, once women got the right to vote.
The words “all men are created equal” led to a literal interpretation that “men” meant only “men”. Silly result, that one. In all fairness, this was not only a Texas issue. Arguments about voting went something like this: “Well, don’t make a Federal case out of it.” Significant clarification ensued, in the form of the 19th Amendment, ratified by Texas in 1919, and women became voters. So, sometimes it pays to make a Federal case out of it.
Ma Ferguson: First Woman Governor of Texas.
Back in the day, Texas had a woman governor, Miriam “Ma” Ferguson, who became governor when her husband, Jim, was impeached, convicted and barred from seeking the governorship again. This was quite an intelligent decision by Ma, because otherwise, the Fergusons would have to vacate the governor’s mansion.
And don’t you hate an unplanned move? For Ma, the governorship was just a nice extra.
There was quite a long pause between Ma, who became governor in 1924, and the next woman governor of Texas, Ann Richards. Richards and her opponent, Clayton Williams, spent a record $50 million on the race. Alas, Claytie had a serious case of boot-in-mouth disease and committed some memorable gaffes, including a joke about rape that likened the crime to bad weather–“if it’s inevitable just relax and enjoy it”–thereby costing him the women’s vote,
(he forgot about the 19th Amendment),
allowing Ann to overcome a 20-point, come-from-behind deficit in the polls. She was elected governor in 1990.
In the interim, the governorship was occupied by men, bless them, of all stripes and abilities. Alcohol and corruption were part of the mix. One governor, W. Lee “Pass the biscuits, Pappy” O’Daniel, was a hillbilly flour salesman. Another, George T. Woods, refused to wear socks. During The Unpleasantness with the Northern Neighbors,
you know, the Civil War,
Pendleton Murrah fled to Mexico before completing his term. Edmund Davis, who narrowly escaped hanging by Confederates, became the first GOP governor of Reconstruction Texas in 1869. He lost his re-election bid in 1873, barricaded himself in his office, and called for backup from the United States president, Ulysses S. Grant. In one of his more sanguine decisions, Grant wisely said no and Davis gave up.
This is where the origin of the phrase, “Some matters are best left to states” came from.
But, these governors were mere mortals. Rising above them all was Sam Houston, a true rock star from the Lone Star State. In 1836, Houston became the hero of Texas Independence by defeating the feared Santa Anna at San Jacinto in 18 minutes. It was a surprise attack on the Mexican army during a siesta,
and who doesn’t get sleepy after a plate of great enchiladas?
Houston was President of the Republic of Texas, first Governor of the State of Texas soon after it entered the Union, and the living embodiment of Texas legends. He was the gold standard, to which all Texas governors aspire, and to which all of them fall short. Literally. Sam the Man was the original tall Texan. His mystique still reverberates here and likely explains why so many starry-eyed politicians covet the top job.
It wasn’t the cache of those other guys, that’s for sure, especially the one without socks.
- Twice elected to the Texas House of Representatives
- Elected Texas State Treasurer in 1990
- Author of three books about women in America
- A United States Senator since 1993
But, you can’t go too far in political circles without landing in a tell-all book. Kay turns up in the new Matt Latimer tome, Speechless. Matt met her in an elevator once and reports that
As the elevator proceeded downward, the senator turned to her…aides. They were the ‘purse boys’. That was the nickname staffers gave them because their job seemed to consist of carrying Sen. Hutchison’s purse around Capitol Hill…As one of the boys quietly held her purse, she started to fish through it. Then she issued a list of instructions.
“Now I want you to take my purse back to the office,” she said.
“Yes, senator.” The purse boy responded.
“Take the nail polish out and put it in the refrigerator.”
“Yes, senator.”
“Take the rest of the makeup out and put that in the refrigerator too.”
“Yes, senator.”
“Then put the purse by my desk.”
Well, where to begin? First, a woman’s purse is a fascinating mico-environment. At various times, my own handbag has contained almost everything except nuclear launch codes. So, I understand the curiousity about contents. Second, I’d never thought about makeup in the fridge, but on a hot day it makes sense, so I appreciate the beauty tip. Most importantly, Matt said nothing about the purse itself, but you know it had to be a Birkin. I totally respect the authority inherent in a powerful accessory.
But, onto more important things. What has Kay done as a Senator that’s helped us here in Texas? Thanks to the Dallas Morning News, it all became clear:
“As a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, [Hutchison] has designated $8.6 billion for Texas military bases, transit projects, research and other causes in the last six years.”
Wowza. That’s billion with a capital “B”. Largesse (aka jobs) coming home to the citizens of Texas. That’s some heavy lifting, girlfriend. You might need a Sam’s Club shopping cart. And don’t we appreciate it, too!
Texas State Capitol: Pink Granite.
The Republican primary takes place in March 2010. Stay tuned. If history is any indicator of the crazy-quilt nature of these Texas contests, there will be repeated skirmishes (aka debates) along the way.
For those who wonder if I have a preference, my dream contest would unfold with KBH the victor over Goodhair in the primary. Then, I’d like to see a woman Democratic opponent run against Kay the Republican, going toe-to-toe on pithy issues like healthcare and cap-and-trade…while wearing fabulous shoes. Because, a woman’s place is in the dome. Pink granite dome, of course.
