December 13, 2006
Calling Bullshit: In which Martin Frost hearts Matt Angle
Let me preface with the fact that I have a lot of respect for Matt and for Congressman Frost. However, Congressman Frost is kind of a dumbass here and makes the Democratic victories here in Texas more about Matt Angle and the Lone Star Project than about the very real fact that Democrats worked their asses off and started converting folks. Go ahead, click the link and tell me this article doesn't make Matt out to be the Wizard?
What he doesn't mention are the missed opportunities and mistakes. That being said, what Matt did with LSP and others did with their projects all contributed. However, making it all about one person is so goddamn irritating, Martin, that it makes me think much less of you.
I wasn't going to write anything about this, but goddamn if there wasn't an email last night, mere hours after Ciro Rodriguez won, from LSP taking credit for the damn thing. Matt, I'm going to terminate my address on your fucking list if you don't stop with the auto-fellatio. Seriously, how much did LSP raise for Ciro? From my perspective, this was the candidate, DCCC, LULAC and MALDEF. LSP didn't even like the LULAC map that produced this district; now you're the ones responsible?
The winners are never going to call bullshit, so it falls to us. Matt you do a hell of lot and there is no need to take credit for everything. It distracts from the real work ahead and breeds resentment among people who work really hard, cycle after cycle. People you're going to need at some point in the future.
Sometimes, modesty is an asset.
Posted by mcblogger at December 13, 2006 09:52 AM
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Comments
Make no mistake, the lion’s share of the credit for the Democrats’ win in CD 23 goes to Ciro Rodriguez, his campaign team and volunteers, and the outstanding support provided by the combined effort of the DCCC, TX Democratic Party and the DNC. Enormous credit also goes to the hard and effective work by organized labor, Hispanic advocacy groups and the progressive community overall.
I am of course very proud of the work the Lone Star Project played to raise funds, conduct research, and help coordinate the tenacious fight against Tom DeLay’s mid decade redistricting scheme. The final stages of the Court battle alone cost well over $250,000. At a time when spirits were down, and DeLay was riding high, it was important that we fought back.
I founded the Lone Star Project with the strong belief that facts, presented clearly and forcefully, are one of the best ways to promote Democratic views, values and candidates to both the media and the voters. I am continually grateful to those who support the Lone Star Project’s goals.
I also strongly believe that when mistakes are made, they should be acknowledged and corrected. When rereading the Lone Star Project release, written quickly following Ciro’s victory, it has an unintended, but clearly immodest tone. I apologize and will work hard to do better.
Matt Angle
Director - Lone Star Project
Posted by: Matt Angle at December 14, 2006 08:36 AM
Works for me. We certainly appreciate all the legal work, and behind the scenes stuff you guys did. :-)
Posted by: Sean-Paul at December 14, 2006 01:23 PM
matt, thanks for this comment.
we all know that one of the functions of democratic institutions is "credit claiming", and that's fine and good. when you do good, you should definitely toot your horn. but attempting to hog the spotlight, well, i think that's what set everyone off.
we're all on the same team here and when that team comes together and gets great results, the credit should be shared. it's not fair to minimise the contributions of others.
as i said on texaskaos, ciro's victory was a great example of what happens when the netroots, local grassroots, and state and national institutions are on the same page. it was awesome and i would love to see more teamwork like this in the future.
but we also have to learn to communicate with each other and give credit where it's due. i admit that's something i am still working on, heh. but ya know, i'm glad that you understand why the release hit a nerve and i hope that you and the LSP will be more careful with your communications in the future. thank you for taking our opinions into consideration - it's much appreciated.
all that aside, thanks for the legal work you guys did. it helped a lot.
Posted by: annatopia at December 14, 2006 01:50 PM
A-to-the men... Matt, if you don't mind I'd like to post this directly.
Posted by: mcblogger at December 15, 2006 06:54 PM
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