Dewhurst’s terrible year
One has to feel sorry for David Dewhurst. Has any recent Texas politician ever suffered through a worse year? He lost a Senate race that he was heavily favored to win; his campaign account is missing hundreds of thousands of dollars, allegedly due to the actions of his own campaign manager; he put his future, to the extent that he has one, in the hands of Dan Patrick and Michael Quinn Sullivan; he compromised himself by announcing to one and all that he was going to sell out to the far right.
Dewhurst has been lieutenant governor for ten years, but what does he have to show for it? What monument solidifies his place in the political firmament? He is a decent man, but he is lacking in core beliefs and basic political skills. For example: No shrewd politician would announce that he is moving hard to the right (or to the left, for that matter). You don’t voluntarily put yourself in a box; you keep your options open. The right is not going to embrace him; they’re going to use him. They know he is still fundamentally an establishment politician.
Tagged: david dewhurst
Jorge says:
Amen ! Dewhurst is like the other leaders of his party; he decided to double down on his move to the right. Who is advising him ? I’m sure it’s the same people who pulled him throught this “terrible” year as you called it . I’m remined of Mark Twain statement: “Stupidity got us in this mess; stupidity will get us out.” The tide of history is against him .
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Anonymous says:
Gotta put Dan Patrick on this list. From Tea Party Darling to Establishment Speed Bump in less than two months.
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Anonymous says:
Absolutely correct, here, Paul: “The right is not going to embrace him; they’re going to use him.”
All indications are that Dewhurst has no political future. If he had any guts and political instincts, he would be better off distancing himself from Perry, MQS, et al., and embracing Straus. Together they could actually do something constructive for Texas and for Texans. They might never be appreciated statewide, but at least they would have something to be proud of and say that they stood for. And who knows, it might turn the tide for him and for the state!?
Sad.
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Larry Phillip's Cat says:
We are going to embrace him until Sine Die and then throw him under the bus.
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not a cartographer says:
i’d argue this is nothing really new, just more pronounced as a result of the Cruz ass whooping.
R Senators have never really trusted Dewhurst. he is sorely lacking in cache, particularly when compared with a Hobby. and it’s even more pronounced with the D’s. they certainly don’t trust him.
bottom line, I think he’s always sought out a sort of middle ground but never really gone about it in the right way. as a result, nobody is a firm supporter. and I’m not just talking about the 31 in the chamber.
for the life of me, I can’t understand why he didn’t just close up shop and move on. well, I do understand actually — it’s the same ego that they all have. but I would posit that he’d be remembered a lot better if he just would’ve tipped his cap and rode off into the sunset after the primary.
terrible year for Patrick? please. he got what he wanted and is fixing to show everybody what he’s got.
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JohnBernardBooks says:
more Dewhurst bashing from the lefties.
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Anonymous Reply:
December 31st, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Come on, JBB…I’m no leftie. I supported Dew against Cruz, but that was only because I thought he was the better of the two.
Garnering a bunch of money does not make one omniscient, does not come with a glowing personality, doesn’t build character or keep one from making bad decisions. In Mr. Dewhurst’s case, it certainly didn’t make him an independent thinker either.
Looks and money will only carry a politician so far. In Mr. Dewhurst’s case, “far” is where he is right now. Hasta luego, Senior David.
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Anon Reply:
January 2nd, 2013 at 2:26 pm
Seems like it is Dew bashing from the righties, that is if you can read.
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Patriotone says:
Dewhurst is at his core a pragmatist. Unfortunately there is no place for a pragmatist in the Texas GOP of today. Simply making the trains run on time gets you nothing with the 300,000 who will show up and vote as far right as they can in GOP Primaries. (The run against Cruz had more people show up but that was an anomaly) He was what we used to look for in a politician. Someone who could actually make the lights turn on. Unfortunately, that gets you nothing in the modern Texas GOP. Wrong place, wrong time.
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Anonymous says:
What Patrick’s got? How’s about what he had – the tiger by the tail and the keys to the Tea Party machine. Now? Not so much. Something tells me he’d trade yesterday’s glory for a few more charter schools and a voucher pilot for kids with disabilities – which is all he’s likely to get in 2013.
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
December 31st, 2012 at 12:57 pm
Patrick’s SB129 will have the lefties in both parties ducking for cover
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Anonymous says:
I don’t feel sorry for 6ft5 centimillionaires–sorry, strict policy.
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Distinguished Gentleman Reply:
January 2nd, 2013 at 2:36 am
Dewhurst is yet another classic example of why we should have term limits on elected officials. He has clearly “stayed too long at the fair”.
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Blue Dogs Reply:
January 2nd, 2013 at 9:26 am
Distinguished, I will say this again: I prefer 12 years with a sitting out period of 4 years and come back.
However, the term limit talk will NOT go anywhere because many GOPers and Dems, who’ve been there for years don’t want to give up seniority (see Hawaii’s Daniel Inouye and Alaska’s Ted Stevens).
Dewhurst had said he was going to run again for a 4th term as LG in 2014, but he’ll likely fall flat in a crowded primary.
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Reagan Republican says:
TEA Party will be like a bee. You will feel the sting for a little while, say a cuss word, and then the bee dies and you go on with your life.
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Big O Reply:
December 31st, 2012 at 8:51 pm
I like that!!
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Don Q says:
This is all fine about Dew, the Tea Party, etc. But can Texas survive until this ugly period gets flushed out of the system, or will schools/roads/water be past the point of no return?
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Tellnit says:
GOP senators call him Gumby … Because he lacks an inner core. He supported using Rainy Day funds to spare billions ov public Ed cuts… Until he bailed on them.
Just like he always does
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Vote Vermin Supreme! Reply:
January 1st, 2013 at 8:40 am
He literally pulled the rug out from under Ogden, treated his Finance chair no better than a two-bit ho. That was the low point — he’ll never regain the trust of the members after that move.
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John Johnson Reply:
January 2nd, 2013 at 8:10 pm
And then Ogden threw up his hands and quit. He caved. Instead of screaming bloody murder like he should have…instead of using the bully pulpit available to him to broadcast what was going on, he just curled up in a ball and started sucking his thumb. He gets no respect from me.
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Chon Wang Reply:
January 2nd, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Conservative GOP’er have a rotten self serving core…which is better?
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Anonymous says:
I actually think it is pretty hilarious what happened to Dewhurst this year.
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Never met a man... says:
Jorge, that was Will Rogers, not Twain that said that. I think it was more on the lines of “If stupidity got us in this mess, how come it can’t get us out?”
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
January 1st, 2013 at 6:54 am
Dems think they haven’t won a statewide race in 20 years because they’re brilliant?
I believe the phrase you’re searching for is “the definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and expecting different results.”
With Texas having a lower apportionment of low information voters that probably won’t change anytime soon.
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Vote Vermin Supreme! says:
Why does anyone expect the Dew to be a statesman? Look at his background — he didn’t rise through the ranks due to a policy initiative or holding local office — he was a prolific contributor and wanted something to add to his resume. He’s a caretaker, keeps the seat warm, nothing more.
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Santas Divorce Lawyer says:
Once again Burka craps on Dewhurst. I think it comes down to jealousy: Burka is fat, lazy and has little to show for his career. Dewhurst is rich, politically successful and pretty decent looking for a guy his age.
Any Psych 101 student could figure this out. Burka, Quit crapping on Dewhurst and seek competent help for psychoanalysis. Dewhurst is not responsible for your low self esteem.
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paulburka Reply:
January 2nd, 2013 at 12:58 am
Readers are free to post in the comments section, but I will not reply to personal attacks.
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Andy Hogue Reply:
January 2nd, 2013 at 10:44 am
Wow … and this is coming from Santa’s attorney? Better watch the overweight comments — especially representing a man who only works one night a year.
Merry Christmas, Paul!
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Dave Reply:
January 2nd, 2013 at 10:53 am
Burka has a gig that pays him to find the best bbq in Texas every year. In between he gets to opine on the failings of state politicians. Where do I send a resume?
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Whoa, Nellie! Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 11:40 am
Classy. Very classy post here, guest.
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Anonymous Reply:
January 7th, 2013 at 8:42 pm
Wow! What great credentials to have to get elected. Rich & purdy. Why would you want to vote for anyone else?
Maybe if he had campaigned for office instead of using millions of his own dollars to buy the office, he would have done better. I must give credit to Texas voters for refusing to get bought out.
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TooFunny says:
Burka Blog? More like Burka Turd.
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Vote Vermin Supreme! says:
Some things deserve a turd — the Dew, in 2012, deserves a turd.
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BackUpMembers Reply:
January 2nd, 2013 at 2:01 am
Does anyone think that God is gracious enough to let Lee Atwater avert his eyes from his creation?
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Indiana Pearl Reply:
January 2nd, 2013 at 3:37 pm
Something tells me Mr. Atwater is not sitting at the right hand of God.
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WUSRPH Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 2:54 pm
Now, now…He “got religion” at the end….That works for some…but I tend to go with the conept that it’s the total life that counts.
ANON Reply:
January 2nd, 2013 at 2:31 pm
Funny stuff, the Burka bashing. For the most part it comes from people who have no idea where they are: on a blog. It is not hardcore news journalism. It is not “truth”. It is a dicussion platform where the blogger starts the talk. Correct him, bitch at him. But have the class to recognize that personal attacks (outside of those for JBB) are classless and juvenile.
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Julie says:
I voted for Dewhurst but no more. He lacks backbone and core beliefs.
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Texian Politico says:
Vote Patterson for LtGov in 2014.
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Blue Dogs Reply:
January 2nd, 2013 at 9:27 am
Texian, I prefer Staples for Lieutenant Governor in 2014 and don’t forget about Dan Patrick as a potential candidate for the state’s no 2 gig.
Is Combs going to jump in or will she stay put as Comptroller for fear of losing ?
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Anonymous says:
Blue Dogs, Combs is just a taller version of Dewhurst.
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Blue Dogs Reply:
January 2nd, 2013 at 11:41 am
Question is will Combs go full steam ahead and run for Lieutenant Governor in 2014 or will she stay put for a 3rd term as Comptroller ?
I went to her campaign website and there hasn’t been any new changes or updates to it.
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Whoa, Nellie! Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 11:44 am
Combs has never impressed me as someone with the gumption for a tough political fight. She seems, like many other Republican officeholders, deathly afraid to take on an entrenched incumbent of the same party. She waits for an open seat or uncontested race instead, like a good, dull soldier with just enough ambition to be dangerous.
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FLPD says:
I noticed that Santa’s Divorce Lawyer and Too Funny either didn’t make or didn’t keep resolutions to stop hurling personal insults. Mr. Burka describes Dewhurst as a decent man but not a shrewd politician. You two could at least resolve to learn how to debate in 2013.
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Dollars and Sense says:
Are there no more editors? At All?? I mean c’mon PB…
“He is a decent man, but he is lacking in core beliefs and basic political skills.”
How can you write a man lacks core beliefs and have it remain available for public viewing. I have heard better BS from middle school football coaches. Where do you get off writing (and thinking) this junk?
Was this written on the head? And did you bother to read it before hitting submit?
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donuthin says:
What are you saying D&S? That you cannot be decent without core beliefs?
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Tahj says:
I heard that at the Senate staff Christmas Party the Lt. Governor showed up, got on stage, and went immediately into stump speech mode. In front of all the staff. People who actually have a political radar. And that it was awkward for everyone involved. And made people hate Ted Cruz even more.
I hope he got a new software program for Christmas to plug into the back of his skull. “2013 Version: Pragmatic-Yet-Graceful Twilight.”
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The Boogie Man Reply:
January 2nd, 2013 at 5:08 pm
Assuming here that you mean ‘made people hate Ted Cruz even more’ because they wanted Dewhurst gone and out of Austin… imagine if the roles were switched on those ‘political radars’ and Cruz was their Lite Guv, oh wait the Senate staff wouldn’t be there, and they definitely wouldn’t be having a Senate Christmas Party!
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The Boogie Man says:
“He is a decent man, but he is lacking in core beliefs and basic political skills.”
I think being a decent man naturally makes one a terrible politician. Dewhurst IS middle ground, and that has hurt him. Those close to him know that he’s pragmatic, calculative and enjoys policy. What’s more, is the tea party wing of the Texas GOP back people like Cruz instead of the real leadership of the party that could be Dewhurst. I guarantee those weekly session breakfasts with Dew, Perry and Straus, Dewhurst wasn’t the one sweating bullets every Wednesday, he was the compromiser. He’s a stand-alone leader who’s never had the support he deserved. Texans are fearful of a 6 foot 5 white guy that speaks perfect spanish and didn’t go to school in Texas.
Blog or not, the personal attacks in here have got to stop. There should still be a level of objectivity within a blog, both from the author and readers. Burka doesn’t deserve the attacks in here, however, saying someone lacks core beliefs is a pretty low blow as well, even in Texas politics.
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paulburka Reply:
January 5th, 2013 at 3:19 pm
I don’t regard saying that Dewhurst doesn’t have core beliefs is a low blow. I invite someone to tell me what his core beliefs are. A few weeks back he was a moderate conservative. Then he cozies up to Michael Quinn Sullivan and tells one and all that he is moving hard to the right. Before that, he was an establishment Republican. Look at how he caved on the Rainy Day Fund last session. He sways in the wind like a field of ripe corn. I think it is fair comment, based on his record.
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JohnBernardBooks says:
Dewhurst is a sucessful business man meaning he’s a subject of derision and scorn from the less successful lefties posting here.
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donuthin says:
It was probably a softer way of saying he lacked enough conviction to stick with his core beliefs. He might not have won the race with Cruz, but he would have emerged with much more credibility. I agree with BM that in today’s political environment, being a decent man is inconsistent with being a good politician.
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The Boogie Man says:
Bit more credibility could have happened, I agree. The last ditch effort with Patrick/MQS did nothing for him, other than force him to give Patrick EDU. However, rather than remove D cmte. posts in the Senate, he merely shuffled, that says something.
The only thing I can say with certainty is that he’s got some serious opportunities for redemption this next session, coupled with future ambitions or lack thereof (age?) and that’s going to make an interesting read.
Conviction is one thing, which I agree the Dew may be lacking but that’s not what Burka said, Burka said, “lacking in core beliefs.”
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donuthin Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 12:21 pm
Agree
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Anonymous says:
Once Abbott makes clear his intentions not to run for Governor, the lobby will tear him to pieces.
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Blue Dogs Reply:
January 4th, 2013 at 5:08 pm
Anon, Abbott has over $12 million in his campaign warchest and he IS running for the Governor’s Mansion in 2014 and Perry will retire.
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Gunslinger says:
For those who are so upset at Paul saying Dewhurst lacks core beliefs, it should be very easy to prove Paul wrong by citing Dewhurst’s core beliefs and when he’s had the conviction to publicly pursue them.
During his long tenure as LG, Dewhurst has been given many opportunities to champion his core beliefs. When has he ever taken a stand? When has he been consistent about anything policy wise?
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
January 4th, 2013 at 3:04 pm
name me one democrat with core beliefs…peroid,
except pandering for votes most democrats have that down pat.
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The Boogie Man says:
I would argue that the same could be said for nerely every public office holder today. Convinction, in today’s political environment loses you the votes one way or the other. Means to the end.
Just because one isn’t shouting their stances from the rooftops in the light of day, doesn’t mean they are lacking in core beliefs.
Ted Cruz is already being pretty vocal about his “core beliefs” which are suspiciously in line with the extremist wing of the GOP. Is that what you call convinction, Gunslinger?
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Gunslinger says:
Every office holder isn’t in a leadership position, Dewhurst has been for a long time with nothing to show for it.
Only time will tell whether or not Cruz’s core beliefs are truly his own or not, or whether he has the courage and conviction to follow them.
But as for Dewhurst, he may have core beliefs. But what they are, no one knows. They may as well not exist at all for all the good they do him and the state of Texas.
Granted it’s hard to articulate another man’s core values, but we can usually see evidence that they exist…except in Dewhurst.
Yes, you’re right. Conviction may cost an officeholder votes, support, or political clout. However, true conviction can gain them too. So what kind of man, over his entire political career, squanders all his opportunities to do something meaningful because he might put himself at risk?
It seems the only core belief Dewhurst has is self preservation. How embarrassing that must be.
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Peggy Venable says:
Wrong again! I supported Ted Cruz, not because David Dewhurst was doing a bad job. Texas it #1 in job creation, the top state for businesses relocating to our state, the top exporting state in the country. That doesn’t happen without leadership. As we approach a new legislative session, it is appropriate that Dewhurst has indicated his support for the budget compact and to education reform. That is good news for Texans.
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Gunslinger Reply:
January 4th, 2013 at 3:22 pm
Umm…yeah. Okay. Thanks for that, Peggy. Be sure to check the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector.
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Blue Dogs Reply:
January 4th, 2013 at 5:11 pm
Peggy, Dewhurst really wanted to run for KBH’s US Senate seat in 2006, but Hutchison ruined those plans and chose to seek a 3rd term instead, which made Dewhurst angry.
Then in 2009, when Dewhurst thought KBH was going to resign in order to run for governor, she put the kibosh on resigning, which forced the Dew to seek a 3rd term as Lieutenant Governor.
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
January 5th, 2013 at 6:45 am
KBH put the final touches on her legacy voting for Obama’s massive job killing tax increase.
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Anonymous Reply:
January 5th, 2013 at 12:48 pm
Why do you think it’s a job killer? Clinton’s tax hike certainly wasn’t. Bush’s tax cut didn’t do much except play a role in inflating a poorly regulated housing bubble and wrecking federal finances. The cost of labor is still tax deductible.
So why is it a job killer?
JohnBernardBooks Reply:
January 6th, 2013 at 10:02 am
I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t believe it is a job killer?
http://blog.heritage.org/2012/07/18/ernst-and-young-obamas-tax-increase-would-kill-710000-jobs/
Anonymous Reply:
January 6th, 2013 at 11:03 am
There is nothing in that Heritage blog post that explains why the tax hike would be a job killer. It’s 100% bald assertion.
The Boogie Man says:
Er… uhhh… akward silence. Yeahhh thanks for that Peggy. Texas does need education reform, but not the kind that will come from Dan Patrick.
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