Correspondent’s Dinner Assassination Attempt; The Myth Of Red Texas w/ David Griscom | MR Live

David Griskcom argues that the idea of Texas as an inherently conservative, Republican state is a modern myth. Historically, Texas hosted powerful populist and radical movements, and the Republican Party's success stemmed from attracting new migrants (Northern, Midwestern, Californian Republicans) and actively building a political machine, rather than reflecting an unchanging Texan identity.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick's focus on Alamo programming and Ted Cruz's 'Keep Texas, Texas' slogan illustrate the right's effort to maintain this myth. Griskcom cites the influx of northern and Midwestern Republicans in the 1980s and 90s as a key factor in the state's political shift.

Contrary to popular conservative narratives of the 'lone individual' cowboy, Texas cowboys in the 1880s organized a successful strike against changing work conditions and wage reductions imposed by new capitalist landowners. This strike, led by higher-wage wagon bosses like Tom Harris, demonstrated early working-class solidarity and was officially recognized as successful by the U.S. federal government.

The strike occurred during peak cattle drives, giving cowboys leverage. Historical accounts from bosses often misrepresented the strike as a failure, but deeper research confirms its success and the subsequent long-term undermining by bosses.

In post-Reconstruction Texas, the Farmers Alliance emerged to combat a rigged economic system that indebted farmers. Their Cleburne Demands included radical proposals like union recognition, protections against debt, and regulation of railroads, laying the groundwork for the Populist Party. These demands were a direct challenge to the ruling conservative Democrats aligned with major industries.

The Farmers Alliance initially formed economic cooperatives but, facing merchant class opposition, evolved into a political movement. The Cleburne Demands included union recognition, which was unusual for a farmer-led movement, showing a broader class consciousness.

The Populist Party in Texas became a significant political force, challenging the Democratic Party and even achieving two-party competition for a decade. While they forced concessions and reforms (like the Railroad Commission), the Democratic Party ultimately suppressed the movement through election rigging, poll taxes, and the mass disenfranchisement of Black voters, often using white supremacist mobs.

Governor Hog co-opted populist platforms, then waged war on the movement. The Populist Party nearly won in 1896, but widespread election rigging by Democrats prevented it. The institution of poll taxes and Black disenfranchisement followed this popular revolt.

The assumption that Texas would turn Democratic due to changing demographics (e.g., increased Hispanic population) has proven false. The Republican Party actively built a strong ground game and appealed to new voters, while the Democratic Party's reliance on demographic shifts and a 'sit back and let ads do the talking' strategy (like Colin Allred's campaign) failed to mobilize voters effectively.

Trump's success in Texas, particularly among South Texas Hispanics, disproved the 'demographics is destiny' theory. Beto O'Rourke's 'every county strategy,' despite not winning, generated more engagement than Allred's ad-heavy, less localized approach.