One less star in Texas

Ann Richards, the former Governor of the Lone Star State died at the age of 73. The news hit me like a 2 x 4 which may seem odd but I have to admit that Ann Richards captured me the way few politicians ever have...before or since.

Ever since she uttered her now famous line “"Poor George, he can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth.", referring to then Vice-President George H. Bush, she secured a place in my heart as a real person.

Ann Richards was not afraid of comedy and she was good at it. She was good at politics too. A shred woman who often meshed the two together to great personal and political effect, Ann’s positive attitude about this country and our future caught the eye of many a Texan and non-Texan alike.

Like many of us she had her demons, she struggled with alcohol until her 1980 treatment and she was very candid about that. In 1990, her primary opponent accused her of using illegal drugs.

Nevertheless, Ann Richards persevered and became the fiery spitfire of a Governor many of us Liberals came to adore.

Asked once what she might have done differently had she known she was going to be a one-term governor, Richards grinned. “Oh, I would probably have raised more hell." Knowing Ann Richards she probably would have done just that.

Ann Richards was a good politician and more than that she was a good person. Even though she said she never missed being in public office, I have missed seeing her for a long time. Now it pains me to hear that her fiery voice has been silenced forever.

Thank you Ann, sleep well. Ya did good kiddo.

Raven