I’ve Always Really Liked Her a Lot

I always wished I could be half as fast on my feet as she was with that wicked wit of hers. A real American character and too damn young to leave us.

Former Texas governor Ann Richards dies at 73
Flamboyant, outspoken homemaker became national political star
Former Gov. Ann Richards, the witty and flamboyant Democrat who went from homemaker to national political celebrity, died Wednesday night after a battle with cancer, a family spokeswoman said. She was 73.
…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.”

Oh, you betcha. Sweet dreams, Governor Richards.

4 Responses to “I’ve Always Really Liked Her a Lot”

1. Mr. Bingley says:

   September 14, 2006 at 7:08 am

   Well, I never really cared for her, but I hope she passed peacefully and with her family nearby. That is too young these days.

2. tree hugging sister says:

   September 14, 2006 at 9:42 am

   While her politics were at divergent angles to my own in quite a few instances, she shook up Texa$$ government, while always being true to herself.
   Too young and a HORRIBLE way to die.

3. Rob says:

   September 15, 2006 at 6:12 pm

   I loved Ann Richards. That Ginger Rogers line is one of the great lines of the 20th century.

4. tree hugging sister says:

   September 15, 2006 at 6:19 pm

   This is cut and pasted so the names may be wrong, but the gist of it is there. I heard it on a Morley Safer(?) piece for 60 Minutes and it’s my favorite Ann Richards story:

   The young Ms. Richards was apparently a stunningly gorgeous blonde and turned heads wherever she went.
   
   Anyway, she was working for some Texas congressman and she, the congressman, Ivins, and the congressman’s black friend (or colleague) were chatting at a party. The black man’s name was Mr. Miles.
   
   A good ol’ boy judge from East Texas sees the congressman and comes barrelling over to say hello. He’s making a big commotion, how the heck are you, slapping him on the back, big grins, etc.
   
   The congressman says, “Judge, I want you to meet some of my friends. This is Molly Ivins, she’s a writer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram….”
   
   Judge [super-friendly]: “How are ya, ma’am?”
   
   Congressman: “And this is my good friend, Mr. Miles…”
   
   At this point the judge gets a sour look on his face, stares at the very black Mr. Miles contemptuously, and just taps his outstretched hand instead of shaking it.
   
   Judge: “Mmm… how you, boy.”
   
   Then the judge immediately turns to young Ann Richards and beams, “And who is this pretty little lady?”
   
   Ann [super-sweetly]: “Oh, I’m Mrs. Miles!”