Sometimes it difficult to separate rhetoric from reality, and self-promotion from authenticity during a political campaign. Sometimes the best measure of a candidate is to find something he's said or done that can't be attributed to campaign rhetoric:
In digging through some old archives, I ran across this speech from Bob Gammage from early in the Draft Clark days -- on the occasion of opening the Draft Clark HQ in Little Rock -- August 9, 2003. An appeal from Bob to get someone that had retired after many years of service to answer the call once again. Whether your choice in 04 for president was Wes Clark or not, these words still ring out as a call to arms. Every word from this speech in 2003 could apply now, TODAY, in the state of Texas.
THIS is Bob Gammage.
THIS is the voice of a committed Democrat demanding a chance to change the direction of the country.
THIS is the voice of a fighter.
THIS IS THE MAN who needs to be the next Governor of Texas.
8/9/2003
Justice Bob Gammage's Remarks at Little Rock Draft Clark HQ Grand Opening
The American people need a leader—-one with the experience, vision and good judgment to guarantee our national security at home without sacrificing and eroding the liberties which are the foundation of this country, which define what America is really about.
We need a leader who will not engage our country in reckless, unilateral military adventures abroad; one who has personally been tested by combat and seen firsthand the human cost of putting our sons and daughters in harm’s way; one who will never—never—expose our children to such sacrifice unless absolutely necessary for our nation’s security or that of our allies.
We need a leader who will restore our economy, energize our industries and put Americans back to work; not one who
engages in reckless economic experiments, who for the sake of cronies and friends would punish one economic class for
the benefit of another, or who would mortgage our grandchildren’s futures to feed the greed of selfish special interests.
We need a leader for whom our national vision of secure homes, adequate and affordable health care, quality education, economic opportunity, and freedom from hunger are genuine goals to be achieved despite all obstacles, and not just the empty rhetoric of electioneering.
And we need a leader whose vision embraces ALL Americans, regardless of race, gender, national or ethnic background, religious faith or legitimate lifestyle; not one who sees the rights and liberties inherent to all Americans as the exclusive province of those who adhere or pledge allegiance to some rigid dogma or ideology.
America needs a leader who will make INFORMED judgments, who understands and adheres to the true meaning of honor and integrity, one who possesses the intelligence and courage to ALWAYS shoot straight with the American people; one with DEMONSTRATED character, courage and availability to meet all the challenges facing our great country today.
We who meet here today represent the dedicated and courageous citizenry of all America—-there are among us Democrats who are disillusioned by the inability of our party to produce such a leader in this hour of need; there are Independents who find themselves motivated for the first time in their lives to become politically active; and there are disaffected Republicans who have been pushed beyond toleration by the misguided leadership and failed policies of their party.
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