Texas governor's race shaping up to be big show next year

Lubbock, TX, Avalanche-Journal ^ | 12-26-05 | AP

[streetpreacher]

No matter what, his boy is a genius and his horse is winning the race.

Not true. Rush has plenty of criticism for the President, just not as vindictive or spiteful as some here would like to see.

My radio day includes healthy doses of... Savage Nation

Those two statements are an oxymoron.

FWIW, I think they all get rather tiresome and find Glenn Beck to be a breath of fresh air.

Don't want to change my tagline just yet but the search is over:

MIKE PENCE - 2008

George Allen - Another person who spent one too many years in the Senate (where spines disappear)

[Proud_texan]

"I am always amazed..."

Yup, the guv can't even introduce legislation, he's a total non-entity in the political machine short of being able to veto stuff.

As for whatever her name is today man there's not a dimes worth of difference between her and Richards. Why no one can figure that out is beyond me....either they can't look beyond their dislike of Perry (of whom I am no fan) or don't quite understand what a total lefty wingnut she is.

What the republican party of Texas needs is a purge or a waiting period whereby dims have to wait 10 years before they can switch and run as a pubie.

We haven't had a good convert since Phil Gramm (and that certainly includes Perry).

[TXBSAFH]

I am going to vote for Kay Baily Hutchinson.

[TXBSAFH]

She still is a dem, just changed parties.

[AlaninSA]

I suppose you felt the same about Strom Thurmond?

[montag813]

I like what Perry has done as Governor; pretty much nothing. If there is one thing I like out of government, it is to stay out of my hair and out of my pocketbook.

Amen. Exactly what I want too. No charisma. No leadership. No programs. Just cut my taxes and lower spending whenever possible, and in the meantime just stay out of my life.

[unixfox]

I wish it would be put to the citizens or abandoned.

Off to the re-education camp you go!! Citizens like yourself cannot be trusted to think on their own!!

Anyway, I think I'll just not place a vote for governor, that way whoever gets elected I can still complain.

[Ninian Dryhope]

"he switched partied around 1990."

Sounds kinky.

[Theodore R.]

Well, the president does not introduce legislation either. It is up to the presidential and gubernatorial leaders in Congress to introduce the President's and the governor's bills. I don't think the term "introduce legislation" means a lot from a practical standpoint, but I don't know how other states fare in that regard. If the governor does not support a bill, it cannot pass without 2/3 plus of both houses on an override. And no gubernatorial veto has been overridden since 1979.

[anymouse]

"Our game plan is to turn the Republican primary in 2006 into the general election," said Mark Sanders, Strayhorn's spokesman. "We want everyone who wants to have a say in the future of this state. In order to do that, they need to vote in the March Republican primary."

Strayhorn is encouraging Democrats to skew the Republican Primary towards weaker candidates. It is not likely a problem for Gov. Perry (as Strayhorn is such a loser and everyone knows it), but it may hurt down ballot conservative candidates if these Democrat Primary switchers try to mess around in other races.

[TXBSAFH]

No Strom became a repulican, Strayhorn is still a rat at heart.

[Proud_texan]

" but I don't know how other states fare in that regard.

My memory of Political Science class, which happened around the time of the invention of dirt, is that the ability to introduce legislation is something that most governor's have the state constitutional power to do. Only a handful of governors don't have that power.

It works okay as long as the governor has a friendly Speaker and Lt. Gov. which is why I speculate Bush and Bullock were so close even though they were miles apart politically. I honestly never figured that out completely other than perhaps Bullock was, above all, pragmatic and I think he saw the political shift even before it happened. Bullock was one smart pol.

But you're absolutely right, no veto has been overridden in a long time, but then a lot of what the gov wants has never, ever seen the light of day or gotten more than five minutes in committee. Witness Bush's proposed tax increase. DOA.

[RVN Airplane Driver]

In reading all these posts I am puzzled why Perry is viewed as unworthy of another 4 years. Or could these just be old Texas FREEPERS who get up early who want to start the day bitching about something.

I have found him acceptable on most issues as have most Texans that I talk to on a daily basis. Kinky is just that...Kinky in my way of thinking...and I find it totally disgustful to have a "First Man" living in the Gov's mansion!! Tough Grandma...more like tough windbag INMHO.

[Proud_texan]

Other than the whole redistricting drama I can't recall anything Perry has done that could be considered conservative and I think that Texas is ready for same. In fact I think we need a strong conservative to once and for all solve the property tax issue (certainly Perry's solution isn't, it's a backdoor income tax that bypasses the Texas Constitution that such a tax can only be implemented by an amendment by taxes the source of income, rather tha income received).

If you can educate me on his conservative positions I'll be glad to listen.

[AlaninSA]

Why this hatred of Strayhorn? Has she not demonstrated she's a good conservative via her management of the state budget?

Simply calling her names -- as the anti Strayhorn crowd has done here -- shows nothing but a lack of maturity and a knee-jerk fear that she'll win.

Thanks for convincing me to put one of the Strayhorn stickers the campaign sent me onto the back of my truck.

[TXBSAFH]

The lion share of her support is coming from money democrats. She is a wack job who needs to be blown out in the primaries.

[HamiltonFan]

Any one who would think of not voting for Perry needs to stop reading the MSM and look at the facts, he has been a lot better Governor then Texas has had in the past decade and half at least.

The facts bare out that Perry has done what he had campaign on and keep the big spenders in check. Why is he so effective? Just read the Houston Chronicle and Dallas Morning News wail away about how big, bad, mean Rick Perry who won't spend any money. How he thinks of creating jobs and protecting taxpayers instead of spending money on more government.

With enemies like that how can you go wrong?

Facts speak louder then snippy snide asides. Rick Perry Rocks!

[HamiltonFan]

The list of her spending ideas would spend Texas in to debt as large as the gap between common sense and her rantings. She attacks everyone for everything depending on the time of day and the reporter writing down her drivel.

She has never once gotten her revenue estimates correct, twice they were off by more the 100%. Even in government you should not be rewarded for being so wrong so often. let's not even go to her trading contributions for tax rulings for her rich buddies, read up and you'll scrape off the taint of that sticker in the back of your truck.

[Dog Gone]

The difference is that Strayhorn remains a Democrat, even though she faked people out with her party switch.

Perry stuck to his guns on the Texas redistricting battle despite the unanimous opposition of the state media and even national pressure to give it up.

Guess who wanted Perry to quit calling special sessions and cave into the runaway Democrats. Strayhorn.

I'll definitely cancel out your vote.

[TXBSAFH]

Kept spenders a bay? Why did the state budget grow by 19% this time over 2003? Perry gives lip sevice to social conservatism but is a big spender is his own right.