Bush pal eyes Perry challenge (TX Governor)

Houston Chronicle ^ | June 29, 2004 | Clay Robison

[Puddleglum]

To me, him signing the hate crimes legislation is a big deal. So-called hate crimes laws strike at the core of our civil liberties - members of groups have super-rights not afforded to individuals. Anyone who could sign such a law is either stupid or indifferent to the foundations of our society.

[q_an_a]

a cute cocker spaniel with an R after their name would beat Perry. most republicans in the state no he is an empty suit.

[COEXERJ145]

Too bad we can't get a real conservative Hispanic to run for governor. It would drive the Democrats crazy. The one who sticks out in my mind is U.S. Representative Henry Bonilla.

[Dog Gone]

98% of the time, an empty shoe could be governor of Texas and nobody would notice. Perry just concluded a trade visit in Mexico, but that was proactive, not a duty. Other than naming the Secretary of State, and naming replacement judges when vacancies occur, there's not much to do as Texas Governor.

The legislature meets only every other year and then only for 120 days, unless the governor directs otherwise. I'm not sure what you'd have him do that he isn't already doing.

[outinyellowdogcountry]

Strayhorn is on the radio alot spouting this or that about finance and all she is doing is making her self heard. She should shit down and be quiet.

I'll bet Perry would do very well because he has stood strong on issues. That may not bode well with opposition but he has gone against the grain. I think we need more like him. But I think he may not be going to run next time because he has been so bold and caustic. He has something in mind or I don't think there would be so many Republicans mentioned to run for gov. Think about it.

[Dog Gone]

Bonilla would be good and it would send a positive political message.

[Dog Gone]

She should shit down and be quiet.

I completely concur. LOL.

[jimbo123]

It's the aggies' proclivity to man-sheep relations that makes them the butt of so many jokes.

[Dog Gone]

Perchance, are you a UT grad?

[DrewsDad]

Actually, it's the t-sips proclivity to man-boy relationships which makes them joke of so many butts.

[COEXERJ145]

Perchance, are you a UT grad?

Probably. His comment was so childish that he has to be either a 'sip or red raider.

[Dog Gone]

While one can overgeneralize, I don't think it's in dispute that Texas A&M is far more conservative than UT. I think, without a doubt, there is no large public university anywhere in the country that even approaches A&M on the political scale, and precious few private ones.

Not all Aggies are conservative, nor are all 'sips liberal, but if universities make an impression on our kids minds of mush, there is a difference.

[jimbo123]

So Perry is an Aggie? Go figure.

[TexanByBirth]

The problem with Perry has nothing to do with being an Aggie, but it has everything to do with not being George W. Bush.

Perry comes across as stiff and formal. He doesn't seem to have the ability to connect directly with the people of Texas. GWB was a master at the back slap and informal manner Texan, particularly rural Texan love. Perry is always dressed in a black pinstripe suit and looks like a New Jersey gangster (Sorry New Jersey). You have never seen pictures of him in a work shirt, clearing brush on a ranch.

Perry has done some good things and some stupid things as governor. But so did GWB.

I think Perry's biggest problem is his image. Unfortunately, people are going to compare him to GWB, because he was a popular governor. Compare him to the governorship of Ann Richards or Mark White and Perry looks great!

[Redbob]

"Can you explain to me the apparent animus against Perry by Republicans in Texas. From the outside looking in, I thought he was rock solid during the redistricting fight as opposed to many other name-brand Republicans who might have folded when the media started come after them..."

Excellent question, and I don't know that I've got a good answer, except for Perry's unexplainable pandering to blacks with the so-called "Hate crimes" bill, and possibly his backdoor income tax proposals.

SPendinig is a little high, but he's still vastly preferable to either of the women mentioned; Carole Keeton Whatever is showing herself to be a shrill whiner, while Kay Bailey apparently has the IQ of a skid mark - she was a strong supporter of McCain-Feingold!

[Redbob]

"...there's not much to do as Texas Governor."

Except for calling special legislative sessions for congressional redistricting.
Perry deserves massive credit for that - that was VERY important to us as this fall's elections will demonstrate.

Picture a de-Frosted Texas!

[q_an_a]

Well my friend in the conservative forum, I would have Gov. Perry keep his word. He tells a fair number of people that he will support a program then vetos the program at the end of a session. There are so many of these and he has done it in each of the last two sessions, so it is not an anomoly. As a poor student of the system with only access from the news or the net, Perry looks to me only a little different from the people in the RAT party to which he was once a memeber.

[normy]

Perry was very strong during the Dem tantrum in the redistricting battle and that covers alot of his sins in my book. That said I think he would be a weak national figure and his wife would be a serious drag.

I think Strayhorn is Ann Richards 2 but I love the idea of Garza or Evans.

I think David Dewhurst is a strong guy who would make a fine Senator if KBH left office. In the end if we are looking to groom a future President I think Don Evans would be the best choice.