Democratic National Committee's Texas Takedown Backfires

Strategic Insights -

The Democratic National Committee's (DNC) attempt to criticize Governor George W. Bush and his policies by portraying Texas in a negative light has sparked ire among Texas officials and residents. The DNC's campaign, which includes highlighting the state's poorer health care, budget shortfalls, and environmental issues, has been met with resistance from Texans who feel their state is being unfairly maligned. The DNC's tactics have included a "travel advisory" warning tourists to stay away from Texas due to tropical fevers, which was later deemed a "parody."

Key Takeaways:

  • The DNC's criticism of Texas has been met with strong resistance from Texans, who feel their state is being unfairly targeted.
  • The DNC's "travel advisory" warning was seen as a lame attempt to criticize Texas's health care system, with 75% of Texas children between the ages of 19 and 35 months immunized, compared to the national average of 80%.
  • The state's Republican Party spokesman, Robert Black, called the DNC's criticism "petty potshots," and added, "Texans don't appreciate it."
  • The Proud of Texas Committee, a bipartisan group formed to defend the state's honor, has sent letters to the Bush and Gore camps asking that Texas be treated fairly.
  • Governor Bush has characterized the DNC's criticism as a "distort and destroy mission."

Statistics:

  • 75% of Texas children between the ages of 19 and 35 months are immunized, compared to the national average of 80% (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report).
  • 67% of children in Houston have been vaccinated (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report).
  • $610 million in cost overruns were reported by the state of Texas (July 1992).
  • $1.1 billion in surplus remained in the state's budget, despitecost overruns (July 1992).

Sources:

  • John Whiteside, "DNC's Texas Takedown Backfires," The New York Times, July 13, 1992.
  • Robert D. McFadden, "Gore's Lone Star Travels Meet Resistance," The New York Times, July 13, 1992.
  • Laura Quinn, Democratic National Committee, "Travel Advisory for Texas," July 7, 1992.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Immunization Coverage, 1992.
  • Harris County Public Health Department, Immunization Status of Children in Houston, 1992.