By Ben Philpott, KUT Radio
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-859702.mp3
Dallas, TX –
You want a direct link for how the DNC's arrival could help Texas Democrats? Well, there is going to be a rural caucus held during the three-day gathering to talk about rural party recruitment, and Texas figures to play a prominent role in that. Beyond that, there's a lot of "well, maybe, and it sure could help." Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie is a bit more optimistic.
Boyd Richie: Certainly we believe that that's going to be a focus for the national party and the campaign committees of the party. Because they recognize that we have the ability to be competitive.
But having the ability to be competitive and actually being competitive? Well, Evan Smith says that's a pretty big canyon to cross for Texas Democrats. Especially since, so far, 2010 isn't shaping up to be a great year statewide for the minority party. Smith is CEO and Editor in Chief of the Texas Tribune.
Evan Smith: Without Obama on the ticket, with Obama probably less popular in Texas even in Democratic areas and Independent areas especially then he was in 08. And with it being the midterm election in a President's first term when traditionally the party in power loses seats all over the country, the Democrats really have to worry about keeping what they've got then getting more.
Smith says any money the DNC decides to spend in Texas will help more than the national party not spending any money here. And Boyd Richie believes the DNC has a vested interest in helping the state party win back the Texas House since the Speaker of the House helps create the congressional redistricting map in 2011.
Boyd Richie: With three or four new Congressional seats that will be created here in Texas, the national party I think has the idea that they're going to need to focus some resources here and some help here.
Richie says there are no formal agreements between the state and national party leaders on how much, if any, money the DNC will send to Texas for its 2010 races. But having the group in town gives Richie extra time to negotiate. For Evan Smith, coming to Austin was a no-brainer, even if the DNC didn't do it to drop off money. He thinks Austin could be one of the only Southern cities that overwhelmingly support the President's health insurance proposals. Which makes for a more comfortable stay.
Ben Philpott, KUT news.