My evidence for “more than a veneer” from Texas:

1) Look at the huge collection of pictures during the respective conventions (R and D). R: Almost all old white men (oh, and the <Organization> Republicans were denied a booth as being “philosophically inconsistent with the party platform”)

D: A huge amount of diversity: age, race, size, gender including (proudly) a LOT of GLBTQ. 2) The respective platforms which will EVENTUALLY be reflected in state policy. An example that is very real for me and for which I lobbied and protested: Houston

passed a citywide anti-discrimination law on behalf of <Organization>. Houston is thus the last major

city to pass such an ordinance. This is a concrete example of LOCAL laws that have been passed by Democratically controlled areas,

even in a red state such as Texas.