Rick Perry vs. Kay Bailey: The Primary of Doom

One example: On social issues, KBH is hated by the Religious Right in Texas. Perry caters to them. Is that specific enough?

 

Hutchison is pro-choice, in that she agrees with the Roe v. Wade decision. However, she's hedged her bets by supporting every parental notification and crossing-states-lines law thats come up.

 

I haven't confirmed this but I think KBH also voted for all the bailout and stimulus money. She is farely moderate.

 

She resisted the first round, and gave in later. Perhaps posturing, but...

I wrote her several times and got responses (from whoever) every time within a day. She sent a very long response detailing the process, her ideas, and how she fought for what she believed in, which was very on par with my thoughts, surprisingly since I wrote to complain. I'm sure they have people cook up responses for those topics, but it's as close as you get short of knowing them and having a personal conversation, or perhaps sitting in while they debate politics and legislation among their peers.

She acted similarly when the immigration debate was hot. Very detailed explanations of the history, her perspective, the perspective of her peers, and the concerns she had.

I never wrote Rick. Don't trust him, never will. Could go into it, but just stating the fact that I hadn't had reason to give him the same addresses/complaints that I gave her. Not sure I trust her either, but I sure as hell don't trust him.

That stated, Voodoo, you get on the ballot and you have one vote for sure. well, two.

 

Stay classy.


TPM (citing American-Statesman): Hutchison Campaign Site Contains Hidden Phrase, 'Rick Perry Gay'

I like the non-apology apology, insinuating that "hundreds of thousands" of "Texans" (not just "people") are searching for the term.

 

If there is anything to this, the "Primary of Doom" is going to be worse than I thought because Kay Bailey and her people will be just as dirty and nasty as Perry & Co.

 

WOW!!!

A new Rasmussen poll of Texas has Gov. Rick Perry ahead in his Republican primary in 2010, in which he is being challenged by U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

The numbers: Perry 46%, Hutchison 35%, with a ±3.5% margin of error. Two months ago, when Hutchison had officially launched her campaign and was touring the state, she had a 40%-38% lead.

One key question should give Hutchison pause: "Should Kay Bailey Hutchison remain in her position as senator while she is running for Governor?" The answer here is Yes 60%, No 26%. Hutchison has indicated that she will resign from the Senate -- a move that could possibly be hurting her.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/...-in-texas-gubernatorial-primary.php?ref=fpblg

 

It's going to be a war. The ironic thing is that Kay Bailey would make a stronger candidate in the general. The trick is her winning the primary, of course, and Good Hair owns the Fundamentalist/Far Right of the Texas GOP. They are a minority of Republicans here, but they get out and vote. Turnout will be key for Kay Bailey in the primary. A high turnout, I think she wins... low turnout, it goes to Perry. If Perry wins, a decent Democratic candidate and no one to split the Democratic and Independent vote will give my party a real chance in the general.

 

This is the problem GOPers have across the nation. Crist is going through this as well with a challenger from the right. In the general, Crist wins the seat easily, but a Dem could win it if Rubio knocks Crist out. NY-23 was the same thing.

The party will become more ideologically pure, but hold less public offices in the process.

 

The more I read about Hutchison, the less I like her. I had been hoping for "anyone" to knock Perry out. Now, I'm not sure if "anyone" will do it for me. Not if Hutchison is going to be as bad as she sounds.

 

For those who really want to know what the Governor of the State of Texas does, this website is an excellent resource:

http://texaspolitics.laits.utexas.edu/1_2_0.html

Texas has a plural executive, with powers dispersed amongst various offices that do not answer to the Governor. It could be said, for example, that the Lieutenant Governor has more power than the Governor under the Texas Constitution.

 

My easy (and sincere) answer would be to vote Democratic, but I have to say that Hutchison is a striking improvement over Perry. The lesser of two weevils, in other words, if one simply has to vote for the GOP.

 

KBH is what the conservative wing of the republicans should look like. which is where she was, even 10 years ago.

 

I may well vote Democrat, but you know and I know the Governor of Texas will not be a Democrat.

 

It's a slim chance, to be sure, but not impossible. We had a liberal Democrat as Senator from the late '50's to the early '70's, Ralph Yarborough, and Ann Richards won not that long ago in a statewide race. There are a lot of conservative Republicans who used to be conservative Democrats. Pulling that lever isn't completely foreign to them, but yeah, it would be tough.

 

Looks like Bill White might run for governor:

http://blogs.chron.com/texaspolitics/archives/2009/11/schieffer_out_b.html

Not official though, but unlike Kinky he can actually make a noticable mark.

 

I've always said that I'd rather Bill White run for Governor instead of Senator. That makes casting my vote a lot easier, though I'm still worried a Democrat can't win in Texas. If anyone has a chance, it's Bill White.

Of course, now I'm more worried about my Senate representation. Is there a palatable option there?