When I was a kid and she was running for election for Governor, she came to a feed store that backed up to my house in the little (then) rice farming community of Fannett for a campaign stop. She epitomized the distinctly Texan culture and politics. Not a big fan of hers politically, but really liked her style and (perceived) integrity.
i don't know that i have the right words. i think she transcended texas culture. she was a strong, strong woman without the feminist baggage. she reminded me of my grandmother, my mother, and my wife. she could hold her own in or outside of texas. i remember letterman was a big fan and had her on the show frequently. he didn't just view her as a texas novelty but as the powerhouse she was. sayonara mademoiselle, auf wiedersehn and vaya can dios.
If you hadn't posted that picture I was going to. Everyone has nailed it - she embodied that certain something that is unique to Texas. Not in a satirical or embarrasing way. Her personality was huge and I even loved her episode on King of the Hill. Oh yeah - to Brightside - aside from age anyone dying of cancer is a tragedy, much less a state icon.
You could see the wit and intelligence in her eyes... she always looked like she knew more than everyone else in the room... and like any tough old Texas broad who gained that wit and intelligence (and wisdom) through the travails and personal failings of life, you always knew she could verbally slap you in to next week, but she was gracious enough to rarely let loose with her full fury, even being cool when Rove started the gay whispering campaign. NYTimes obit... Washington Post...
One of my favorite all-time memories is spending two minutes talking to Gov. Richards after a Baylor Law Day where she was the keynote speaker. We talked about Threadgill's of all places. Great Texan and person...she will be missed.
to a real Texan...there is no higher compliment. she was the only governor I can remember that I was proud to say "Thats our governor" RIP
Several years ago there was a big political do at Scholz Beer Garten in Austin and everybody who was anybody in political Texas was there, meetin' and greetin' at a furious pace. About halfway through the evening, a little group of us got the tired feet and went to lean our butts against a table by the back wall of the Garten. Like birds in a row were perched Bob Bullock, the state comptroller; me; Charlie Miles, a black man who was then head of Bullock's personnel department (and the reason Bullock had such a good record on minority hiring); and Ms. Ann Richards. Bullock, having been in Texas politics for thirty some-odd years, consequently knew every living sorry, no-account sumbitch who ever held office. A dreadful old racist judge from East Texas came up to him, "Bob, my boy, how are yew?" The two of them commenced to clap one another on the back and have a big greetin'. "Judge," said Bullock. "I want you to meet my friends. This is Molly Ivins with the Texas Observer." The judge peered up at me and said, "How yew, little lady?" "This is Charles Miles, who heads my personnel department." Charlie stuck out his hand and the judge got an expression on his face as though he had just stepped into a fresh cowpie. It took him a long minute before he reached out, barely touched Charlie's hand and said, "How you, boy?" Then he turned with great relief to pretty, blue-eyed Ann Richards and said, "And who is this lovely lady?" Ann beamed and said, "I am Mrs. Miles." Oh, my... that was Ann, all right. That, folks, is a liberal Democrat, Texas style.
I was watching Ann Richards 1988 DNC speech again. It brought a tear to my eye to think we will never see the likes of her again.
