A Tale of Two Party Chairs

While the confetti is still dropping in D.C., the state chairs for the Democrats and Republicans in Texas have been busy penning missives to the faithful.

Texas Democratic Party Chair Boyd Richie is unsurprisingly ebullient, but rather than just doing a victory dance, he echoed the new president's call to arms and unity. "Together, we can find solutions to the problems that touch every American, without regard to political affiliation," he wrote.

Meanwhile, Republican Party of Texas Chair Tina Benkiser is convinced she's going to have a really good day … in 2010. Scaring the base with the terrifying specter of President Obama allowing gays in the military (a-booga-booga!), she then goes on to lambast the Democrats as being in the sway of the "Texas Trial Lawyers […] Out-of-State Liberal Special Interests [and the] Hollywood elite." She asks donors to reach into their pockets because, after fighting to keep Sen. John Cornyn in office, "our treasury is drained." According to Benkiser, the Texas GOP needs money "to fight off the Democrats' cut-throat tactics and gutter strategies."

Way to stay classy on Inauguration Day, Tina.

See below the fold for both statements in full.

Boyd Richie, Texas Democratic Party:

"Today is an historic day for all Texans and all Americans - Democrat, Republican and Independent alike. President Obama's Inauguration marks a time for us to look beyond partisanship and come together as a nation. We face many challenges today, and those challenges require us to heed President Obama's call to look to one another and look within ourselves to find ways to work together and perfect our union. Together, we can find solutions to the problems that touch every American, without regard to political affiliation. Each one of us must take responsibility for moving forward with today's sense of hope and renewal to realize the promise of America."

Tina Benkiser, Republican Party of Texas:

Will you accept your personalized Republican Party of Texas Member Card with my deepest thanks?

Together we fought the harshest political climate imaginable, we re-elected Senator John Cornyn and now we're ready to stand tall, fight hard and win tomorrow's battles.

With your Member Card in hand, I know you'll be with us and there's not a speck of doubt in my mind, we're going to beat the "pass-the-buck, hike-the-taxes" Democrats BIG TIME.

You can make an online request for your red, white and blue Republican Party of Texas Member Card with your election-winning contribution of $25, $50, $100, or more today. We need your help now because after fighting off the Texas Trial Lawyers and Out-of-State Liberal Special Interests who were trying to bump off Senator Cornyn, our treasury is drained.

And meanwhile, Barack Obama and Texas Democrats are already making plans for 2010 and beyond. Just last week, they announced a massive organizing and fundraising effort for the next generation of Obama for America.

We've seen their feisty passion as 12 Texas Senate Democrats fought tooth and nail the FIRST DAY of the session to kill our Voter ID legislation.

Despite all that, I'm going to make a bold prediction: 2010 is going to be a banner Republican year!

There is not a state party alive that's as good as our Republican Party of Texas and you'd better believe we're going to be ready to win the Governor's Office, and add to our congressional and state legislative majorities if … We can raise the money to fight off the Democrats' cut-throat tactics and gutter strategies because mark my words … Thanks to the Hollywood elite who have attached themselves like barnacles to the Democrats, they will have money to burn!

President Obama is already appeasing these far left elements that were the base of his support. Talk is that his very first executive order will allow homosexuals to openly serve in the United States Military.

The stakes are huge and that's why I'm coming back to you, urging you to stay involved and inviting you to play a heroic part in our coming battles.

Please request your personalized Member Card and take action. Make a generous online contribution today. Help us now and watch us win!