Newspapers' poll: Perry has comfortable lead as voting starts [TxGov]

American Statesman ^ | Feb. 13, 2010 | Jason Embry and Corrie MacLaggan

[deport]

Gov. Rick Perry heads into the start of early voting Tuesday with a comfortable lead over his two Republican primary challengers, but he could be in for a tough November fight against the Democratic nominee, a poll commissioned by the Austin American-Statesman and other Texas newspapers shows.

Perry has the support of 45 percent of likely Republican primary voters, while 29 percent back U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and 17 percent support Wharton activist Debra Medina. Just 8 percent are undecided.

The telephone survey was conducted Feb. 2-10, before Medina said important questions had been raised about whether the U.S. government aided in the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Medina later said she has never believed the government was involved, but her initial remarks could weaken her momentum.

In fact, Medina's comments could allow Perry to win more than 50 percent of the vote in the March 2 primary and avoid a runoff, said pollster Mickey Blum of Blum & Weprin Associates, which conducted the survey.

Usually, incumbents don't build support in the final weeks of an election, Blum said. But Perry could break the 50 percent threshold if Medina's comments cause her supporters to break toward Perry or stay home.

Poll results

end excerpts.....

[LA Woman3]

Evidently, Clayton planned to have a fund raiser for McCain but the Obama campaign found out about it and wanted to bring up the 20 year old gaffe. McCain then canceled the event.

[The Anti-One]

Nuff said alright. You’re holding yourself out that the Bush admin mass murdered its citizens...You’re the one that needs to prove that Whopper.

Now you're trying to put words into my mouth. News flash einstein. I'm not running for office and can still believe or think what I want.

Can you please just clearly tell us what you think happened on 9/11?

From what we are told four airliners were hijacked. Two were flown into the World Trade Center, one was flown into the Pentagon and one was either shot out of the air or forced into the ground in Pennsylvania. I've seen footage of three of the attacks and know several eye witnesses at both the WTC and the Pentagon. The forth is still a lot of hearsay.

Or do you just want to hold out the conspiracy - ala JFK second shooter times 3000?

I don't really care to be honest with you. If we aren't totally annihilating our alleged enemies with everything we have to do the job then thinking about it is a waste of time. If I am going to be challenged to think about something I want the challenger to produce some empirical evidence for me to consider. Otherwise said challenger is just trolling for a response in an attempt to trip me up. As I said, I am not running for office and you are not smart enough to trip me up. I stand on evidence and truth. Not on hyperbole, rumor and politically correct propaganda.

" Is that the end game here?(hmmm...what discussion board are we on? Exit left Van Jones...Anti-One and apparently Medina are right behind ya!)"

Who is Van Jones? You obviously know more about this person than I do.

[Allegra]

Kind of like the 2008 presidential race...

Well, there are similarities, but it's not quite as bad.

Perry's not a perfect conservative, but he's not nearly as awful as McCain.

[SeattleBruce]

“Who is Van Jones?”

Seriously?

[Allegra]

Ugh, truthers here on FR.

Yes, I see them pop up every now and then. Anti-war activists as well. Most of these people are members of the Ron Paul Cult.

[jospehm20]

I did hear the interview and just listened to the podcast again. It was a simple yes or no question that did not require a very long and convoluted answer like Medina gave. I believe the reason for the long, tortured answer is because she is a 911 truther and did not want to flat out lie about it. She wanted to make it sound reasonable to be a 911 truther. I am just asking if you feel that Perry is such a bad choice that it justifies voting for a 911 truther?

[SeattleBruce]

“That said SeattleBruce, not everyone is obsessed with 9/11.”

Yet you continue to ask about the black boxes...(cue the conspiracy music.)

“I have an inquiring mind if you will. I like to be educated and I believe the only real education comes once ALL EVIDENCE available is considered.”

As do I. I think TWA 800 crash has some horrible holes...but we don’t always get to see all the evidence - ever (JFK) - nor understand all the variegated evidence and implications.

Sometimes we’re forced to make a reasonable conclusion.

Which is why I ask you to answer/explain whether you think our government mass murdered its citizens - since you seem to hold out that possibility, along with Medina and many on the fringe left.

I know you’re not running for office (as you appealed to in your answer.)

Frankly, with all due respect, given your responses here, I’m glad about that - for your sake and ours.

[SeattleBruce]

“the Ron Paul Cult.”

LOL.

[SeattleBruce]

“From what we are told four airliners were hijacked.”

Do you believe in an alternate explanation? Hired Israeli agents (that killed themselves) so Bush could avenge his Daddy in Iraq? Or just what are we talking about her Anti?

[catfish1957]

Yep, dust is clearing after the Medina meltdown. I live east of Houston, and tell you White will be just as liberal as Obama, so I think this one's pretty much in the bag for Perry.

I am not happy at all about Guv Good Hair and his pro-immigration stance, and turning my state in Tejas. But I guess he's the best of a bad lot.

[catfish1957]

In 2016 I want my representative Ted Poe to run for Governor. Now he’s a CONSERVATIVE.

[Norman Bates]

Scott Brown never said any whoppers during his campaign.

[Allegra]

In 2016 I want my representative Ted Poe to run for Governor. Now he’s a CONSERVATIVE.

I would vote for Ted Poe in a HEARTBEAT. I think he's great and I remember some of the interesting things he did when he was a judge as well. I've always liked Poe.

My Rep., John Culberson is another good one and I'd love to see him run.

[catfish1957]

Sorry for the math error...that should have been 2014. You are right Culberson would be a good choice too. This state does need a grass roots try to finally get a really conservative. This mix of Hutchison, Perry, and Medina is nauseating.

[calex59]

She didn't fumble the answer. All she needed to do was say, "No, I don't believe the US government(meaning the Bush administration)helped bring down the towers.

She didn't, she tried to side step and ended up saying what she really believed. Even when she "qualified" the answer later she missed the opportunity to say flat out, "NO!" but she didn't.

She never clarified anything, she only dug the hole deeper. Before you ask, no, I don't live in Texas. I don't have a dog in the fight and I never heard of this woman until recently. That one answer told me all I need to know about Debra Medina and if I lived in Texas I wouldn't vote for her.

I wouldn't want to vote for Perry either, but he has done a fair job in the last few years and he is the best Texas has right now, so if I lived there I would vote for him.

BTW, the people saying Beck ambushed her are full of it, he asked her a straight question that required either a yes or no answer and she failed to give it. If she meant no and instead gave a long winded answer that actually meant yes, then she is too incompetent to govern any way.

[Marty62]

Yes your points are accurate.
I got an invitation to go to the Perry rally in Plano with Judge Napolitano, but can’t make it. Wish I could.

Perry is a fast learner. And seems to be a good surveyor of the Land. Knows bucking the Tea Party and Indies is a death warrant.
He has refused to tie the State up in the Fed Funds bribes.
Believe me I have my bones to pick with Perry. But I do not think Medina has the political power to push the really tough issues such as nullification etc.

[The Anti-One]

“From what we are told four airliners were hijacked.”

Do you believe in an alternate explanation?

You don't understand English very well do you? What part of I don't know do you not understand? Maybe if you could produce the black boxes we could both get some answers you think? In the mean time, what I think or do not think does not take away from the topic of this thread. Medina has more intestinal fortitude than I suspect you do in that she too is able to say that she "does not know" all the circumstances surrounding 9/11. If you say that you do you are a liar or seriously deluded. Either way I am still voting for Medina.

[The Anti-One]

"It was a simple yes or no question..."

So "I don't know" is not an answer? How sad for you. As for me voting for a 9/11 truther or a birther or the man in the moon... if he or she is a "Conservative" then YES! I will vote for said conservative in a New York second over either Perry or Hutchison. I WILL NOT give my vote to another RINO/MODERATE/LIBERAL/COMMUNIST EVER again. What's more is I'm not alone as evidenced by the recent Conservative victories around the country. More are coming so if you don't like it you may wish to make plans on moving to China or Cuba or whichever other socialist/communist country you prefer. ;-)

[Dubya]

SHE HAS MY VOTE
I am helping find good places to put large signs.
This one is at my place.

[The Anti-One]

“Who is Van Jones?”

Seriously?

Yes. Seriously.