Candidate ignites passion with novel claim

UPI ^ | 10/18/06 | UPI

[Teflonic]

HOUSTON, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- The Democratic candidate for Texas comptroller has ignited a passionate firestorm by calling his opponent's bodice-ripping romance novel "pornography."

Fred Head, who the Houston Chronicle said was a long shot to beat Republican rival Susan Combs, has focused his campaign on her steamy 1990 novel, "A Perfect Match," which he says makes her support of abstinence education hypocritical.

Romance novel writers, publishers and fans have flocked to Combs' defense and are vociferously attacking his portrayal of her as a "pornographic book writer," the Chronicle said.

Combs, currently the state's agriculture commissioner, said she has been flooded with e-mails from women around the world who view Head's attack on her book as "an attack on women."

Head, who also received a fare share of missives, said, "I think the romance novelists should endorse my opponent," adding, "That could probably get me elected."

As for Combs, she said Head is a "very strange man."

"We love romance, and women like happy and positive endings," she added. "I guess Mr. Head doesn't."

[Teflonic]

Fred Head is in the throes of desperation.

[Jaded]

Obviously.

Just when you thought this election cycle couldn't get anymore bizarre or pathetic.

[P-40]

Fred Head

No comment.

[goldstategop]

Its funny to see the party of pornographers and pimps attack a woman for promoting pornography and social degeneration.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

So Head says Combs is a pornographer, and Combs says Head's attacks on her are attacks on all women. It's good to see they're sticking to the issues in the Comptroller's race.

[kesg]

Once again, the loony left displays its obsession with sex.

[goldstategop]

Exactamundo! These were the same people telling us how sex was a private matter and no one else's damned business. However, the rule doesn't apply to Republicans. Its just godawful sleaze.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[Right Wing Assault]

Oh, come on, Democrat! You know there's no pornography, only "art"!

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

Could be worse--he could be named Richard.

[rpgdfmx]

I'm bothered that the candidates for State Comptroller are even discussing "abstinance education" ... what does it have to do with the office they seek, anyway?

I'm LESS LIKELY to vote for candidates who run on irrelevencies, even if I agree with their position on whatever it is on something having absolutely nothing to do with their duties.

[JoeFromSidney]

I'm LESS LIKELY to vote for candidates who run on irrelevencies, even if I agree with their position on whatever it is on something having absolutely nothing to do with their duties.

Comptroller today, governor tomorrow, Senate the day after.

The time to oppose a candidate whose "irrelevant" policies you disagree with is before they run for an office where those policies become relevant. Likewise, support someone whose policies you approve of, even if they're irrelevant to the office currently being sought. That office may end up being a stepping-stone to an office where those policies become relevant.

[rpgdfmx]

Yeah... but if you're running for county clerk, and talking about the U.N., I'd question your comittment to doing the County Clerk's job... or have serious questions that you even knew what the job was.

Besides, I'm not voting for some hypothetical future office... I'm voting for State Comptroller... which has nothing to do with education, and this suggests neither candidate knows what the comptroller does... or has an interest in the position.

[P-40]

this suggests neither candidate knows what the comptroller does

I suspect most voters don't know either. :)