Texas Comptroller blames governor for 'witch hunt'

Associated Press ^ | June 24, 2004

[Dog Gone]

CAROLE KEETON STRAYHORN

Political offices sought or held: State comptroller, since 1998; member, Texas Railroad Commission, 1994-1998; mayor of Austin, 1977-1983; board member, Austin Independent School District, 1972-1977, AISD president, 1976-1977.

Education: BA, with honors, University of Texas, 1961.

Background: Native of Austin; former president, Texas Municipal League; former member, National Petroleum Council; member, board of directors, John Tower Center for Political Studies at Southern Methodist University.

Personal: Resident of Austin. Married; five children.

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• Texas comptroller Web site

AUSTIN -- Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn today accused Gov. Rick Perry, a fellow Republican, of continuing a political vendetta against her by subjecting her agency to ongoing state audits.

Perry's spokesman denied the allegation.

The audits have persisted for more than a year and have been expanded even after initial favorable findings, Strayhorn said.

State auditors, in widening the scope of their examinations, have been looking at Strayhorn's political campaign contributions and comparing those to decisions made by officials in her state agency, she said.

"And so the witch hunt continues. On and on and on by your state employees using your state time and your state dollars," Strayhorn told a campaign finance reform summit hosted at the offices of the Texas AARP.

Later, Strayhorn told reporters she was blaming Perry, not the employees of the state auditor's office. She said she "absolutely" believes Perry is behind the plot in an effort to conduct "political opposition research" against her.

Strayhorn is widely regarded as a potential primary opponent for Perry in 2006, although she won't say if she's running. U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison also hasn't ruled out a run against Perry in the Republican primary that year.

Robert Black, a spokesman for Perry, dismissed the notion that the governor could order the audits of the comptroller's agency. The state auditor's office is overseen by a six-member committee of the Legislature, not the governor, he said.

"That's not an agency we can control," Black said.

[Dog Gone]

I'm getting pretty tired of this wench.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Fire Scott McClellan if this bitch doesn't shut the hell up.

[TX Bluebonnet]

I used to like her, but she seems to be goin' round the bend.

[JohnnyZ]

"And so the _itch hunt continues...." Strayhorn told a campaign finance reform summit

The _itch has ALMOST got it.

[Dog Gone]

LOL.

I'd like to know what she said about campaign finance reform to the AARP. Best I can tell, she is rapidly returning to her liberal roots in the Democrat Party. I wish she'd make it official.

[ValerieUSA]

The only honest thing she's done lately is characterize herself as a witch.
Everything else she's doing is ugly favoritism politics, government control of the people, and personal ambition.

[Cicero]

I've seen a few people speak well of her here, but if there was ever anything to recommend her she's clearly lost it.

[outinyellowdogcountry]

If they are looking for a witch, I believe they have found a big one!

[NativeTxn]

I used to see her shopping at Walmart here in Round Rock a few years ago. She always looked totally stressed out and was usually buying something for one of her grandchildren. However, I promise you I will never cast a vote in her direction for Governor. Her son is pathetic and I don't know how he ever got this job as Press Secretary. I don't love Rick Perry but the hits he takes from her are mean and dirty. I guess she's from the old school of dirty politics like our (beloved) LBJ!

[no dems]

I am a Reagan-style Republican who worked for both of GW's Gubernatorial Campaigns. But, I can tell you right now that Rick Perry is STUPID!! I will not vote for a Dim-o-rat for guv but I will vote Carole Keeton Strayhorn if she runs against him in the GOP Primary.

Apparently, those of you who are bashing her do not live in Texas and do not have to suffer the embarrassement of the likes of Rick Perry. He gives Aggies a bad name. The guy is an egomaniac on top of just being plain ignorant. He is hurting the GOP in Texas; I can tell you that for sure.

[NativeTxn]

I do live in Texas and I am an Aggie! I also have worked for Republicans here and I haven't come across anyone that will vote for her. I'm not in love with Rick though!

[hispanarepublicana]

There's no love lost for Rick Perry out here in West Texas, either. He knows it, too.

[Dog Gone]

I live in Texas and I watched Strayhorn oppose redistricting which will net us at least six new seats in the House.

I watched Strayhorn criticize the budget for not spending enough on socialist aid to "the poor." Now, I don't know what you find so attractive about this Democrat in Republican clothing, but I'm not voting for her ever again for anything.

[no dems]

What are the chances that we can dump both of them?

[Dog Gone]

Fairly decent if Hutchinson decides to run for governor. Presumably Strayhorn will run, giving up her seat as Comptroller.

If Hutchinson wins the primary, both Perry and Strayhorn find new jobs.

Problem is, Perry is the most conservative out of the three.

[NYCVirago]

Tough talk for somebody who started/spread the "Perry is gay and leaving his wife" rumors.

[Dog Gone]

She certainly doesn't subscribe to Ronald Reagan's 11th Commandment, and she cares about the truth about as much as Bill Clinton does.

[Kuksool]

What has Perry done that earned him such disapproval. He defeated Tony Sanchez, 58-40, despite being majorly underfunded? If Kay Bailey does win the Governorship in 2006, does Perry in his last moments as Governor get to appoint Kay's Senate heir.

[Teacher317]

How DARE audits be performed so that the people can know how their money is spent! It's harassment!!

[Dog Gone]

I don't have any problem with Perry. He showed some steel in the redistricting fight last summer and he was instrumental in getting badly needed tort reform passed and approved by the voters.

The constitution of Texas doesn't give the Governor a whole lot of power, but I think he's done a credible job. His judicial appointments have been good, too.