Bush adviser stumps for Perry
Posted on 10/01/2002 10:00:36 AM PDT by MeekOneGOP
Bush adviser stumps for Perry
Hughes cites governor's experience; Sanchez touts business prowess
10/01/2002
HOUSTON - Karen Hughes, a longtime adviser to President Bush, lent her support to Republican Gov. Rick Perry in his election campaign during a stop in Houston on Monday.
Meanwhile, Mr. Perry's Democratic opponent, Tony Sanchez, promoted his business experience at a downtown luncheon.
Ms. Hughes said that while it's important to Mr. Bush that Mr. Perry be elected, she said it also means something to her personally.
"He's the only candidate who has experience at balancing a public budget. I think that's really important. What that says is he has experience in funding things that are priorities, things like education ... and yet making government live within its means," she said during a news conference at Mr. Perry's Houston headquarters.
Mr. Perry, then lieutenant governor, became governor after Mr. Bush was elected president in 2000.
Ms. Hughes said that since returning to Austin in July after stepping down from her White House position, she has paid close attention to the governor's race.
"When Tony Sanchez proposes things, he rarely offers any ideas on how to pay for them. One thing I've learned from my years in government is to beware of promises without price tags," Ms. Hughes said.
Mr. Sanchez said he wasn't happy that the White House supports his opponent but that he has his own campaign to concentrate on.
At a luncheon sponsored by the Greater Houston Partnership, Mr. Sanchez said that as a businessman, he would bring a different and better approach to running state government.
"It's time to change the way our state operates and bring an innovative approach to the governor's office," Mr. Sanchez told the business leaders. "For this to happen, we need a whole lot more common sense and a lot less politics."
During his address, Mr. Sanchez contrasted his background with Mr. Perry's and said it doesn't make sense for a politician such as Mr. Perry to run the state, which Mr. Sanchez described as a $114 billion enterprise.
"We need to improve our balance sheet here in Texas," he said. "I expect to inherit the biggest budget shortfall in Texas history on Election Day. ... What I believe is that businessmen and -women, like all of you, need to sit down as soon as this election is over and help me scrub this budget top to bottom to its most minute detail. There will be no sacred cows. We're starting from ground zero."
Mr. Sanchez said creating new capital for the state is integral to improving schools, health care and the state's economy. He said he plans to cut back on state officials' travel, opting instead for teleconferencing, and to combine various state agencies as a way to save money.
"I believe I am the right person to lead Texas because I am offering Texas voters something very, very different," Mr. Sanchez said. "I am not a professional politician. I am a businessman."
Monday was the second time in a week the two candidates campaigned in Houston at separate events. The governor addressed the partnership last week while Mr. Sanchez visited several locations, including a community center.
free dixie,sw
I would have said the same thing before. And it's still probably true. But Perry & Co. screwed the pooch on the mold/homeowners insurance issue. They should have NEVER let it get to the point it is! And they badly mishandled the Farmers insurance problem. Texas insurance commissioner, José Montemayor is a nice guy but he and Perry's people blew it.
I hope Perry wins but I know a lot of people in the insurance industry that are actually voting for Sanchez because they are so PO's at Perry. And these are usually very conservative people.
He didn't make any friends when he signed the unConstitutional hate crimes bill either!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.