Deep in the Heart of Texas

[Barnes]

Deep in the Heart of Texas

The stars at night, are big and bright,
deep in the heart of Texas,
The prairie sky is wide and high,
deep in the heart of Texas.
The sage in bloom is like perfume,
deep in the heart of Texas,
Reminds me of, the one I love,
deep in the heart of Texas.

"Are you serious about this, Governor?"
"Of course I'm serious. I bet I can beat that preppy boy's ass in the general."
"Well, you have to make it out of the primaries, first."
"I think I've got a good chance. Governor of a big, diverse state, and I have name recognition."
"Well, if you're going to do it, you need to announce now."
"I've already reserved a location for tomorrow."
"Right then, let's get working on a speech."

[Barnes]

On July 22, 1991, Governor Ann Richards (D), who had been inaugurated as Governor of Texas some seven months ago, made the groundbreaking announcement that she would be running for President of the United States.  Richards had national prominence in 1988 at the Democratic National Convention, since then, Richards has been able to be the first woman elected Governor of the Lone Star State.

Richards immediately set out on the campaign trail crisscrossing cities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, within forty-eight hours of her announcement.

Polls released in the days following her announcement showed Richards gaining momentum.

Paul Tonsgas: 26%
Bill Clinton: 25%
Ann Richards: 25%
Tom Harkin: 17%
Undecided: 7%

The main aspects of Richards's platform included job creation, streamlining government, gun control, and affordable health care.

[Barnes]

Thank you everyone for your interest.

One little nitpick - Richards was the second female Governor of Texas (Miriam Ferguson was the first).

Yeah. For some reason I thought Ma Ferguson wasn't actually elected Governor. I don't know. lol

[Barnes]

Very good piece

Don't dare to abandon this

Of course I won't.

And, by the way, my Carter TL isn't dead, either. I have everything worked out, I just haven't set down to write it.

[Barnes]

Over the rest of the summer, Richards traveled throughout the early primary states, hoping that an early win would give her momentum to steal the race. She did however pay attention to her duties as Governor, including giving a speech to the Texas Legislature (via a satellite projection) about the importance of education.

As Summer turned to Autumn, Richards was steadily gaining traction in the opinion polls, and people started to wonder if America really would have a female President come January 1993.

During the Fall, the Democrats hosted their first primary debate. Richards kept a calm attitude, but also made the odd joke to keep the mood light. She was seen as the winner by a wide margin.

By the end of October most polls agreed that Richards had the lead, with Clinton and Tsongas fighting for second, and Tom Harkin coming in a far third.

TIME Poll (Oct. 28-30, 1991)
Richards: 30%
Clinton: 26%
Tonsgas: 25%
Harkin: 11%
Undecided: 8%

[Barnes]

Anybody interested?

[Barnes]

I just have a question: If Richards wins the nomination, whe might be able to charm the South into voting Democratic, but how could she convince the rest of America that an eighteen month Governor would make a more competent President than Bush, who had been in politics since 1966, and by 1980 was experienced. This in 1992.

Well, for starters, like all fiction, this should be taken with a grain of salt.

But, Bush was steadily becoming more and more unpopular during late '91. For example, by January '92, his approval rating had hit 46%, and didn't go above that number again until December.

[Barnes]

Will this continue?

There will be an update at some point during this week.