A Real Nice Chat

I one-upped Spacedark in the etiquette department by ringing in to the Chris Bell blog/chatfest last night at about the halfway mark, and then having the nerve to ask questions that probably already had been asked and answered. Bell was a real gentleman, but exhibited his quick wit. "That's ok," he said after I apologized for breaking into the middle. "Go ahead. We'll just all laugh at you."

So I asked him about his slogan, "the new mainstream." Yep, already talked about that, but he added a few items, mentioning specific issues like the CHIP program, and summed up by saying that it was about real ethics and morality, not the largely phony, hypocritical stuff the right-wing talks about. If you go to his web site, he does mention his religious affiliation, and talks about some of the volunteer work he's done through his church, but does it in a way that illustrates his sincerity (talks about actual details, doesn't trumpet this stuff on the main page, and spends a lot more space on describing how his ethics would be translated into public policy). Bell made clear again that he's in favor of an approach that puts the real problems of Texas first, as opposed to putting party first as current Republican leadership has done.

"So," I persisted, "how would you work with Republicans like Tom Craddick if you are elected, given their record [of divisiveness]?" He obviously recognizes that in Texas the power of the governor is limited to the use of the bully pulpit, and the veto pen, and he's clearly given thought not only to the campaign, but also to what might come next. He suggested that he has a good relationship with Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, and talked at some length about the ways they might work together, but allowed that Speaker Craddick "...would be more of a challenge." Bell talked about being able to talk to anyone. He said he even attempted to work with Tom DeLay regarding commuter rail service, while Bell was a Houston city councilman, before DeLay stabbed him in the back. So, he supposed he would just lay out to the speaker that the election was over and that they could accomplish more by working together than by the House passing legislation he was not prepared to sign.

At this point in the conversation, Spacedark saved my bacon by asking some penetrating questions about education. At least I hadn't asked what he thought of blogs, which was on my list. I'll let SD talk for himself about the details of testing, as I'm no expert, but education was clearly on Bell's priority list. He said "I'm no fan of testing," but that "accountability is important," and you have to have some way of measuring it. He said he wanted to "take a page from John Kennedy," and set a goal of having the premier system of education in the country in ten years, alluding to Texas' current rank of, what? No. 47? We are great in Texas at making a silk purse out of a sow's ear, so maybe we can turn that into a cheerleading yell. "We're No. 47!" Nah. Probably way too risque. I wanted to ask about funding, but I was betting this too had already been covered. In any event, clearly there will be more opportunities for such chats, so I shelved this one.

I think it was Charles Kuffner who asked about how he thought he'd work with other candidates, downballot, if Bell were the Dem nominee. Bell quickly mentioned Rahm Emanuel, current chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and their strong relationship. Clearly, reversing the effect of the Republican Congressional district gerrymander will be tough until after the next census in 2010, but Bell considers that a priority he is already trying to help with. That alone should be music to the ears of Dem activists. Otherwise, he appeared reticent about trying to put his stamp on candidate recruitment, and at least until he is the nominee, that would seem to be an overreach.

Things appeared to be wrapping up by this point, but I ventured one more question, asking him how he perceived his hiring of Joe Trippi as a campaign consultant, and how that would influence his campaign. Trippi's company has already completed a redesign of the Bell web site that debuted a couple weeks ago. This was a real softball, as it provided an opportunity for him to mention that they are introducing a trademark Trippi idea, fundraising houseparties, with the first one to be held June 12, roughly the anniversary of the introduction of Bell's ethics complaint against DeLay.

Overall, I was impressed that Chris is a mensch, meaning that everything about him screams sincerity, integrity and determination, not a bad image to present to voters. He also has the voice and good looks of a former television broadcaster, which won't hurt. His association with fighting corruption is a great place to start a campaign, and his team will clearly use that for everything it's worth. Bell obviously understands that his ultimate success will depend upon fundraising, and that partly depends upon the willingness of party insiders to back him. Nevertheless, his timing is good, as party activists want a new face they can become excited about. If the house parties go well, that could be the signal for the insiders to get on board this train before it leaves the station.

No doubt that Bell would need some good fortune to be sworn in as the next Governor of Texas, but taking a page from Kathleen Sibelius' successful campaign in Kansas, he is clearly hoping for Gov. Goodhair to survive what promises to be a brutal Repub primary. And I'd say that, even if you think someone else might eventually make a superior nominee, Chris Bell deserves praise for having the character to take a stand and do something about Tom DeLay. And he deserves support now for being willing to get out front and take a shot at Rick Perry while others hang back and sniff the wind.

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