TEXAS FREEPERS - Newbie looking for voting advice

[DeRATted]

Good afternoon,

I'm new to this forum, and as my moniker suggests, I'm a Texan and a FORMER DemocRAT who over the last two years has grown totally, utterly, and violently disgusted with the Democratic Party and the vast majority of what it now stands for. It started Clinton's immorality combined with the constant morphing of Algore from what I considered a somewhat respectable guy in the 1980s to a man who'd sell his own children for a vote. Daschle & Gephardt's response of GWB's first national speech sounded like they were treating us like 6-year olds, which ticked me off to the point of ceasing donations. Their handling of national security post 9/11 was the final nail in the coffin (turning me on to the Free Republic), and the recent Wellstone affair pretty much convinced me that I made the right choice.

Having given up on the Rats, I'm requesting some advice for Tuesday's election. Texas state politics aren't as partisan as the U.S., so it makes the decision less cut and dry. The only votes I've definitely decided on are John Cornyn for US Senate and Carole Keeton Rylander for Comptroller. As for the rest, I'm not certain. Having worked in Texas State Government for 10 years, I am familiar with some of the personalities, both good and bad. While I liked GWB as my governor, Rick Perry has not nearly lived up to his ability. His ads on Tony Sanchez stoop to the level of a Democrat's, and several folks I know in his office (Republicans to boot), think he's about as intelligent as rotting timber. I don't know whether David Dewhurst is any better or worse than John Sharp, who wasn't too bad as Comptroller.

I'd appreciate any viewpoints to help my decision. Even when I was a Democrat, I never voted straight ticket. Is there anyone who really stands out that you'd recommend and why?

Sincerest thanks DeRATted (and feeling morally cleansed)

[dirtboy]

Sincerest thanks DeRATted (and feeling morally cleansed)

Well, we're glad you've left the dark side. We really can't give you very much advice on how to vote, other than to enjoy the freedom of thinking for yourself.

However, since you are a former Dem, we probably need to perform a bit of deprogramming here:

You're only supposed to vote once.
Dead people are not supposed to vote
Pets are not supposed to vote.
Non-citizens are not supposed to vote.
Voting normally stops after the election.
There is generally something wrong when 102 percent of the eligible voters in a precinct are registered to vote.
Guns are good.
The GOP generally does not run dead people for office.
Chad is a country in Africa, not an indication of a vote.
Guns are good.
SCOTUS did NOT select Bush.
The Supreme Court of Florida was the renegade Court.
Guns are good.
Bill Clinton lied about much more than sex.
Hillary doesn't know how to tell the truth, either.
We'll be paying the price for Clintonism for a long, long time.

Oh, and did I say that guns are good?

[KSCITYBOY]

Welcome - I hope there are many more like you. I myself was not politically active until the 2000 election debacle. I now firmly believe that democratic party has been corrupted and the people that run it would sell-out the US just to maintain their power. I'll let someone else help you with voting advise. I just wanted to say welcome aboard the FR.

[DeRATted]

Well, even as a DemocRAT, I always thought that my Second Amendment rights were most important. It's a good way to ultimately handle those who wish to take away the rest of my constitutional rights. I was just somewhat mistaken on who was taking them away from me.

But now that you mention it, I should probably call the County Clerk to get my dog off the voting list ;-)

[dirtboy]

But now that you mention it, I should probably call the County Clerk to get my dog off the voting list ;-)

A sense of humor as well - another sign you are cured of Democratitis.

[Dog Gone]

Greg Abbott is by far the best candidate for Texas Attorney General. He retired from the Supreme Court, where he was very highly-rated, to run for this position.

[austingirl]

All I can tell you is that Sanchez is crooked and that Sharp is a tax and spend liberal who ran Clinton's and Gore's Texas campaign. I don't want my taxes raised. Welcome to FR.

[D-fendr]

1) In Texas, Lt. Gov. holds more power than gov. (since reconstruction) and has a lot of say in the policital agenda: vote Rep.

2) Sanchez IS as sleazebag.

[Wait4Truth]

Good-bye, RAT. Go back to DU.

[LibWhacker]

From one former RAT (I gave up on the RATS in the early 70s) to another, I just wanted to say "hello," and welcome you to FR. Sorry I can't give you any advice on Texas politics since I live in California. However, one of the principles I follow when voting on the more obscure propositions is: If it increases my taxes (and, btw, all bond issues do, e.g.) or takes away decision-making authority from the voter and gives it to a politician, it automatically earns my 'no' vote. Love your screen name!

[dirtboy]

Now, now, I think he's sincere and not a DU troll. DU types normally don't quote passages from Leviticus - they'd have to have read the Bible to do that.

[DeRATted]

I remember that Abbott was considered Best Justice on the bench a couple years ago. I don't know much about Kirk Watson except that he was Mayor of Austin and Austin is an ever-increasing traffic nightmare.

[VRWC_minion]

FWIW, I almost always vote GOP for national elections and about 20/80 for local races (60 GOP). On local races sometimes I'll vote for GOP'er even though I prefer the rat just to keep them honest when the rat is guaranteed to win anyways. Luckily, most rat candidates are closer to my view of smaller government but their are a few local GOP'ers who are in my opinion over the top.

[Wait4Truth]

He lost me when he said Republicans in Perry's office said he was as intelligent as rotting timber. I sincerely doubt that. And Perry stooped to the level of the Democrats with his last Sanchez ad? From what I've heard, that ad was hard-hitting but TRUE. I will keep my first impression on this person.

[DainBramage]

Don't vote for Sanchez just because it's been a tough couple of years for Rick Perry. Its been tough in every state with economy being in the crapper. Sanchez is as crooked as he is Hispanic, completely.

I haven't seen anything wrong with his negative ads. With all that Sanchez was throwing at him I'm glad he hammered back. Not to mention that showing the people how crooked he has been in the past isn't wrong.

[VRWC_minion]

My guess is your correct as we have seen this apologetic angle before. One sure give aways is the ability to use HTML indicating someone who has been here before. But I give the benefit of doubt and expect true colors to emerge soon if there is an agenda.

[Dog Gone]

If Perry hadn't hammered back (and Sanchez went negative first for all his playing of the victim card today), these threads would be full of criticism of him being a wimp.

[RandallFlagg]

Well, first of all, welcome to Free Republic!! Glad to have you with us!

I won't begin to tell you how to vote anymore than I'd try to tell you how to think. I can only explain how I go about life at the polls. At the start of an election year, I look up all of the running candidates online (Most of them have websites) and even call or email them to get their opinions on issues. However, I'm pretty much a two-issue voter. Anyone who is against gun control has my vote, and anyone who believes that the Constitution is a sacred (Not to be changed to suit the needs of those in power) document has my vote. I can thank Rosie for the first issue due to her demand that I be dragged away from my family and thrown in prison (Without any trial) for owning a piece of metal. And I can thank Al Gore's statement, "I believe that the Constitution is a living document." I suppose that I can also thank Clinton for my views as well -being in the middle of the Persian Gulf serving on the USS PELELIU and being told I wasn't going to get paid because of a government shutdown tends to open my eyes.

All I can really suggest is to go with your heart. What do you want your nation to be?

Again, welcome aboard!

[JavaTheHutt]

Great advice. I just gave the same advice to a co-worker earlier this morning. Bonds mean more taxes, bills mean more legislation and less freedom. Don't vote to approve either one unless you are sure about what the consequences are and are willing to pay them.

[DeRATted]

Well, I didn't say that ALL Republicans in his office think he's unintelligent - just a few I know. Those people also happen to think he's a very sincere individual, but I'm also looking for someone with some intelligence. Is Mr. Perry that guy?

As for the ads, while I don't necessarily think Mr. Sanchez will be the best thing for Texas, I don't necessarily believe that he's a drug dealer and was somehow connected to that police officer's death. I just found those ads bordering on Democratic in content. I found most Republican ads had some stronger backing to them, giving them more credibility.

I'll take your response as "Vote Perry." Thanks for the input.