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| "Pass the Biscuits" Pappy O'Daniel |
| Anyone who has ever lived in Texas knows that in all of America this state is known for having some extremely colorful characters, especially in the world of politics. We are after all the state that gave the world the famed exploits of Governors Ma & Pa Ferguson. However, one of the best and most over-the-top of them all was Wilbert Lee O'Daniel, better known to all as "Pappy". Like many other famous Texans, Pappy O'Daniel was born in a foreign state but got here as quick as he could. In 1925 he set up shop in Fort Worth as the sales manager for the Burrus Mills flour company. By 1928 he was running the company's radio advertising and was on his way to becoming a legend in both politics and the world of country western music. He wrote several famous songs, spoke out about religion and gave inspirational messages as well as performing on his radio hour with his own western-style swing band called the Light Crust Doughboys. In 1935 Pappy O'Daniel started his own company, Hillbilly Flour and again took to the airwaves with his own band to sing the praises of traditional family values and Hillbilly flour. His show became famous throughout the state as people all across the southwest were repeating his famous phrase, "pass the biscuits Pappy". When someone suggested that he run for Governor he put the question to his listeners. Radio fans called in swiftly in favor of Pappy O'Daniel being Governor of Texas. Pappy got a flat-bed truck and took the Hillbilly Boys with him on a campaign across Texas filled with Bible reading and western songs. His platform was the country boy against the politicians, his focus for leadership was the 10 Commandments, no tax increase and the Golden Rule. The major political powers scoffed at the campaign and national experts said he didn't have a chance. However, much to everyone's surprise, in a landslide victory "Pass the biscuits" Pappy O'Daniel was elected Governor of Texas. Pappy packed up and moved to Austin, along with his Hillbilly Boys and continued to broadcast a radio show from the porch of the Governor's Mansion. Only now, instead of singing about flour they sang the praises of W. Lee Pappy O'Daniel. His term was not an easy one, the legislature considered him unprofessional and he refused to compromise his viewpoints to work with the politicians. Pappy went down in history for vetoing more bills than any other Governor, many of which were eventually passed over his head. Still, despite his problems with an uncooperative legislature, Pappy's popularity remained high as the champion of the common folk. He was reelected to a second term and began to attack liberals and those he believed to be communists in the labor unions and in higher education. His appointees to the Texas University Board of Regents cut back academic freedoms on the college campus. In 1941 Pappy O'Daniel ran in a special election for Senate, defeating Congressman Lyndon B. Johnson in a very close and controversial campaign. Once in Washington D.C. he was shunned by the Senate elites and ridiculed for his 'country boy' background. In 1948 his term ended and he decided not to seek reelection. He went back into private business in Texas and ran for Governor in 1956 and 1958 but was increasingly seen as reactionary and too old-fashioned. "Time had passed Pappy by" and he was forced to remain in the business sector from then on, dejected that his countrymen had forgotten him. "Pass the biscuits" Pappy O'Daniel died on May 12, 1969. |