Former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, 73, dies

gldstwmn · #1 09-13-2006, 10:12 PM

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/09/....ap/index.html

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Former Gov. Ann Richards, the witty and flamboyant Democrat who went from homemaker to national political celebrity, died Wednesday night after a battle with cancer, a family spokeswoman said. She was 73.

She died at home surrounded by her family, the spokeswoman said. Richards was found to have esophageal cancer in March and underwent chemotherapy treatments.

The silver-haired, silver-tongued Richards said she entered politics to help others -- especially women and minorities who were often ignored by Texas' male-dominated establishment.

"I did not want my tombstone to read, 'She kept a really clean house.' I think I'd like them to remember me by saying, 'She opened government to everyone,"' Richards said shortly before leaving office in January 1995.

She was governor for one term, losing her re-election bid to Republican George W. Bush.

She grabbed the national spotlight with her keynote address at the 1988 Democratic National Convention when she was the Texas state treasurer. Richards won cheers from delegates when she reminded them that Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, "only backwards and in high heels."

Richards sealed her partisan reputation with a blast at George H. W. Bush, a fellow Texan who was vice president at the time: "Poor George, he can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth."

Four years later, she was chairwoman of the Democratic convention that nominated Bill Clinton for president.

Richards rose to the governorship with a come-from-behind victory over millionaire cowboy Clayton Williams in 1990. She cracked a half-century male grip on the governor's mansion and celebrated by holding up a T-shirt that showed the state Capitol and read: "A woman's place is in the dome."

In four years as governor, Richards championed what she called the "New Texas," appointing more women and more minorities to state posts than any of her predecessors.

Beachwood Mac · #2 09-13-2006, 10:39 PM

So sad to hear. She was the lone politician from Texas to be upfront and honest. And I loved that you never knew what she was going to say. She stood heads above the crap and lies from the Bushes and Delays that have totally ruined the state of Texas.

irishgrl · #3 09-13-2006, 10:39 PM

I saw this too...how sad

rbs3676 · #4 09-13-2006, 10:41 PM

I loved Ann. She really was a great lady.
It's a sad night for many of us in Texas...

rbs

BTFLCHLD · #5 09-13-2006, 10:43 PM

rip

very sad

strandinthewind · #6 09-13-2006, 10:44 PM

What a very remarkable woman!!!!!!!!!

RIP Gov. Richards - you inspired millions

Livia · #7 09-13-2006, 11:25 PM

Oh, this is heartbreaking, I loved her. I got to shake her hand once - what a great broad she was.

sparky · #8 09-14-2006, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Livia

Oh, this is heartbreaking, I loved her. I got to shake her hand once - what great broad she was.

She was a great broad. What a loss. Whenever I saw her interviewed, I always got such a kick out of her. Completely straight up and common sense.
With a great sense of humor.
She was something very few politicians are any more - inspiring. A good woman who really made a difference.

BombaySapphire3 · #9 09-14-2006, 04:55 AM

Her loss to Smirky was the true beginning of the descent into the morass of the subversion of the Democratic process ,stripping of our civil rights and an illegal and immoral war. Ann you will be missed.

cliffdweller · #10 09-14-2006, 08:35 AM

****ing cancer. RIP Ann, you were truly loved in this city

.

markolas · #11 09-14-2006, 08:37 AM

Yeah, I didn't realize she was that sick. Very sad, indeed.

gldstwmn · #12 09-14-2006, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BombaySapphire3

Her loss to Smirky was the true beginning of the descent into the morass of the subversion of the Democratic process ,stripping of our civil rights and an illegal and immoral war. Ann you will be missed.

So true. I was watching David Gregory talk about her and he said the only reason that she lost to Smirky was because she vetoed a concealed carry bill. I can't believe people favored him over her. But I guess people didn't really know him then.
RIP Ann.

Livia · #13 09-14-2006, 11:10 AM

http://www.statesman.com/news/conten...4richards.html

There are lots of great pics in the paper today, not sure if they're all on the website, but you can poke around...one of her from 1977, looking gorgeous. Great article too!

skcin · #14 09-14-2006, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparky

She was a great broad. What a loss. Whenever I saw her interviewed, I always got such a kick out of her. Completely straight up and common sense.
With a great sense of humor.
She was something very few politicians are any more - inspiring. A good woman who really made a difference.

Ditto. RIP, Ann

DavidMn · #15 09-14-2006, 01:59 PM

She was quite the woman. R.I.P