Posted on 09/24/2010 6:35:54 AM PDT by smokingfrog
SAN ANTONIO — The afternoon drive time was choked with construction dust and clogged with bumper-to-bumper traffic as KTSA talk radio's Kevin Wall introduced weary drivers to the woman who could become a political nightmare for Gov. Rick Perry.
"For those of you that have called in complaining: You hate Bill White. You hate Rick Perry even worse. So, what's the alternative? Kathie Glass is the alternative in the state of Texas," Wall said.
Glass, 56, is a Houston civil lawyer and Libertarian candidate for governor who is trying to pick up the frustrated right's mantel where Debra Medina dropped it off.
While winning would be a long shot for Glass, her appeal to frustrated conservatives could draw enough votes to put a real kink into Perry's lead over Democrat Bill White. Traveling across state
While Green Party candidate Deb Shafto has put her campaign into a website and a few public appearances, Glass and her husband, Tom, are criss-crossing the state in a motor home to espouse her views via a variety of talk radio programs. She also is buying radio ads to promote her appearances at Tea Party and activist group gatherings.
"I have an uphill battle, but in a three-way race, 34 percent can take this thing," Glass told a San Antonio-based Texans United for Reform and Freedom meeting recently. Possible Perry concern
The odds against winning are huge, but Medina jumped from almost nonexistent in the polls to about 20 percent in the March GOP primary after she won a spot in a statewide debate. Medina's campaign ultimately stumbled with a gaffe.
The real potential for Glass is that her message of stark government downsizing will steal votes from Perry.
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
At least she’s not a typical libertarian open-borders nutcase. That might make Perry run rightwards on that issue.
One of the wonderful things I’ve learned at Freerepublic, is to look at who the article is about then look at the author and source (the Houston Chronicle). I immediately realize before reading it that the article will be biased against Perry and in some way for White.
Playing Ross Perot again, with predictable consequences?
She’ll only make a dent in the election; will it be enough to be a spoiler? Do Libertarians revel in being ‘spoilers’..? Do they actually think that by electing a socialist/marxist they will make things go their way..?
They’d be better off, IMO putting somone up in the Republican primary to represent that view, and then convincing people that their view are the CORRECT way, if they lose, don’t be a poor sport loser, elect the person in the general who is closest to your view.
Just my 2, J.S.
(It’s either that or permanents be relegated to the fringes of political discourse from here to the end of time, the only other way would be to go local..).
Similarly, Tim Cahill is running in MA as an independent, seeking the governor's post. He talks a lot about fiscal conservatism, and he attacks the Republican relentlessly. Definitely siphoning some support and weakening the rightwing side. He's now weakening in the polls substantially, but Deval Patrick is likely to be re-elected, and part of the reason is because a third-party candidate is in the race saying "Vote for me and I'll shrink government." And Voila!! The Big Government Democrat ends up getting re-elected. Hmmmmmm.
Clinton got elected twice because of Ross Perot. I really don't like third party efforts.
Blaming Perot instead on the GOP putting forth someone who stood for something? Perot was a gun grabbing socialist, but at least he wanted to keep the national debt in check.
It will be interesting post 2010 elections how much the GOP holds the line or if tea party groups start attacking them if they don't do what they were elected for. I think we've had enough water carries to last a lifetime.
Good point. Houston Chronicle can only hope this takes votes away from Perry.
Does anyone else think that White is one of the least engaging speakers they have ever heard? He looks like oatmeal but I know what he has to say so that ends the similarity. I know that oatmeal is good for me and tastes better than it looks.
..get your bumper sticker at Newsbusters.org
She is either lying her *ss off, or she is NOT a Libertarian.
http://www.lp.org/platform
Libertarian Party Platform:
3.4 Free Trade and Migration
Economic freedom demands the unrestricted movement of human
as well as financial capital across national borders. However, we support control over the entry into
our country of foreign nationals who pose a credible threat to security, health or property.
I think it is too late for Glass to win. Deb Medina blew her (and our) chance for a true constitutional conservative candidate for Texas Governor. At this point, all it would do is ensure White’s election, which is the worst of two evils scenario that we Texans have all grown to hate. Although he hasn’t done much good, Perry has not done a lot of damage.
Hard to tell, but it isn’t like the libertarian running against McCain in AZ, who likens the border fence to the Berlin Wall.
Never heard of her. She pops up 40 days before the election.
Sorry, I can’t take this seriously.
Like I said, she is either lying her *ss off, or she is NOT a Libertarian.
Glass has four planks in her platform:
Secure the border with the Texas State Guard without “begging” the federal government to do it.
Libertarian Party Platform:
3.4 Free Trade and Migration
Economic freedom demands the unrestricted movement of human
as well as financial capital across national borders.
She is in direct opposition to her party’s platform. That would make it tough to be a Libertarian. OR, she is lying about wanting secure the border.
That would be like someone calling themselves a Republican, with the promise of bigger goobermint & spend, spend, spend. You can call yourself a republican. Doesn’t mean I’m buying it.
Libertarian Bob Barr received 0.40% of the vote in 2008 which was even less than Nader's 0.56%. The Libertarian Party might have been a factor in 1972 (when they received their single electoral vote for President), but they jumped the shark years ago.
Bullsh*t. When push comes to shove, libertarians side with freedom. There is nothing "freedom" oriented about the Democrats at all...
Don't like Ross Perot types being a factor?
Stop running "Brady Bill" Bob Dole types in the election!!!
Wrong. But thanks for playing...
Libertarians also differ on free markets, private property, real free speech, limited government, etc.
But don't let that slow you down any.
Agreed. Especially letting Bob Barr nab the nomination for POTUS. Between that and all the 911 Truthers that have glommed on to them...
Being idealistic isn't bad. Letting conspiracies drag your entire movement down is stupid.
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