Dear Kay
Did you notice what your colleague Arlen Specter had to say today?
“I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary. I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election. Since my election … the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.”
Now, this may sound wild and crazy, and Ray isn’t going to go for it right away, but, what if–just wondering–you were to file for governor as a Democrat? You could use Specter’s words, except for the bit about Pennsylvania, and you would have to give back some of the money to your friends (but not the $8 million you transferred from your Senate campaign account). Not to worry, Democrats can raise a lot of money these days. You could still run as a conservative on most issues, but you wouldn’t have to worry about the pro-life fringe or the stem cell research nut cases or your votes for CHIP and the bailout stimulus package. The Democrats would embrace you in a heartbeat and I bet you would find half a dozen House members who might switch parties along with you, maybe even a couple of congressmen. You can attack Perry’s record a lot more easily in a general election than in a Republican primary, where voters actually think secession is a good idea. In fact, I think you’d be unbeatable. And you would have the last laugh at people like me who think you might still get out of the race. You are getting out–of a primary you may not be able to win for a general election you will win by at least 60-40.
Here’s another advantage to switching parties: You will be able to govern. Even if you defeat Perry in the Republican primary and win the general election, you won’t be able to govern. Republicans in the Legislature don’t want to govern. They want to pander to their primary voters. They want to do Voter ID, guns in schools, ultrasound images, no sex ed, no stem cell research, no new money for schools, run immigrants out of the state, and all the rest of the stuff you have had to cope with for years as a moderate Republican. But if you switch parties, you will elect bring into power with you a Democratic majority in the House and probable pickups in the Senate and a chance to influence redistricting in 2011. You can govern.
Think about it.
Tagged: arlen specter, democrat, kay bailey hutchison, paul burka, texas early voting paul burka, texas gubernatorial campaign.
David_in_Austin says:
Brilliant. Realistic? After today, you’d think it were, but highly unlikely. Regardless, i’m registering as a Republican just to vote against ‘Seccession’ Rick. Funny how he wants Fed money when the Swine Flu comes around. Go Kay!
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paulburka Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
You can’t register as a Republican. Texas does not have registration by party.
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Floozikins says:
This is an open primary state. You do not have to register with a party.
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martha Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
John Davis has a bill to make the primaries closed. HB 1821. And if you think that has to do with Rick vs. Kay, I would say you are right. For last action on the bill, TLO says “posting rule suspended.” I don’t know what that means.
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BJ says:
It’s a sad state when the Republican Party has been taken so low that anybody who doesn’t subscribe 100% to the fundamentals of partisanship has to jump ship instead. The whole “with us or against us” mentality has their own party members afraid to say “wait a second … lets take a step back and re-evaluate here”.
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cow droppings Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
This is about Specter being an opportunist. He was dead meat in the R primary, so he took the easy way out switching parties AFTER 30 YEARS in office. If he wanted to claim the R’s were not his true home anymore, he could have done that during the nearly 12 years he WAS IN THE MAJORITY.
There is no lesson here for R’s, just a lesson in human nature: politicians remain great opportunists. Period.
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texun Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Where’s the evidence that Specter was “dead meat”?
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cow droppings Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_2010/election_2010_senate_elections/pennsylvania/election_2010_pennsylvania_republican_senate_primary
Spiro Eagleton says:
“Now, this may sound wild and crazy, and Ray isn’t going to go for it right away.” Who is Ray? Do you mean Kay or her husband?
This is silly. Also, who are the GOP congressmen that you think would switch to the Democratic party with KBH? I can’t think of one in Texas.
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Bipartisan Curious Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Ray is Ray Hutchison, Kay’s husband and the former chairman of the Texas Republican Party.
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South Texas Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Rep. Todd Hunter(R-32).
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Anonymous says:
Great idea for Kay! She should formalize what she’s been doing in practice all these years.
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John Johnson says:
“Republicans in the Legislature don’t want to govern. They want to pander to their primary voters.”
As a whole, they don’t pander to anyone but special interest groups with money. Voters are an afterthought.
KBH is no different. If you want to get her attention, you had better arrive waving a big check.
I know that you are a big fan of KBH. Please clue me in on what profound things she has done for us in D.C. I’m at a loss. I cannot think of one thing.
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Floozikins Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Sales tax exemption and SCHIP.
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Anonymous Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Wow! That’s quite a legacy. How many years has she been up there?
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Anonymous Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
neither of which she did. she just went along for the ride…. and then claimed credit.
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Floozikins Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Perry is not running for governor anyway. Paul, I guess the reason that you’re not doing a story on Perry’s lack of staff in both offices is because it’s better press to keep the civil war going, but people need to know.
Anonymous says:
Burka should have a separate blog titled “love letters to Kay.” I wonder if he knows she never opens them? This is getting Forrest Gump-like.
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Eileen Smith Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Just for clarity, yes, she does open them and responds in kind.
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Anonymous Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
If she opens them, she must think there’s a check inside.
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Anonymous says:
Dear Kay,
I know you didn’t listen to my advice back in the early 70’s when I stopped by your office each day to take a breather from walking all those steps. But please listen to me now. This is really for your own good.
Democrat voters don’t care if you broke up Ray’s marriage as the pretty young thing. They are much more forgiving. Clinton, Edwards, Uresti, Gallegos. Need I say more? Plus, their two declared candidates supported Bush anyway, and neither one of them as the cajones to beat Rick Perry. They haven’t refined bagel-tossing and the under-arm pinch maneuver that you can use on Perry in the debates.
Why be bogged down by a bunch of mouth-breathing ideologues who think every sperm is precious. The Democrats are happy Onanizers. They spill their seed whenever they get the chance.
When you come to coronation that third Tuesday in January, 2011, they will just be happy you are a Democrat. Plus, ¾ of the Democrats in the Senate leverage their service to make a bunch of money, so you and Ray will be at home.
Come home Kay. Please. It can be better than that time back in the 70’s…when you pretend-flirted with me until you learned where you could find the cheapest Chinese buffet in town. This time is for real. We can be happy, you and I. Ray is going to kick it any day now. Come home Kay.
Love,
Your Little Buddha
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Phillip Martin Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Good criticism isn’t insulting.
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Spiro Eagleton Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I thought you weren’t commenting on this blog anymore. What happened?
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paulburka Reply:
April 29th, 2009 at 12:06 am
To “Your Little Buddha” — You have violated the rule of this blog not to make gratuitous personal references to public servants. Please do not do so again.
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Floozikins says:
You lost me at “Democrat voters”.
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the truth hurts says:
Burka has been a close advisor to Kay from way back. (attended UT together) He would never posted this with out running it by her or at least Beckwith or Rove. But it makes prefect sense. She can’t win a primary in either primary but a high profile switch. I doubt the dems would welcome her without a fight to begin with. Dont forget Kay has never won a republican primary. Ever. Steve Bartlett crushed her when she tried for Congress and the Senate special in the early 90’s was an all moneky ballot with all the candidates from every party on the same ballot. Paul who signed off on this leak?
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paulburka Reply:
April 29th, 2009 at 12:24 am
Oh, come on. Close personal advisor? None of those adjectives apply. I did write a column in Texas Monthly, also in a “Dear Kay” format, offering advice to her as she contemplated running for governor in 2006. The column was not really about offering advice, of course. It was a device for writing about the governor’s race, which never took place.
The idea that I would run a blog post by Beckwith or Rove is laughable. I have not had contact with Rove since December, and I am not high on his list of confidants. I do talk with Beckwith now and then, as I talk with people who are close to Perry.
Kay and I did attend UT at the same time, along with 30,000 other students. I always try to see her (and other Texans in Congress) when I am in Washington. We both worked for the same state representative from our home county (Galveston) at different times. There is nothing in our past that supports the notion that I am a close personal advisor.
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Robert says:
And Democrats in the Leg. don’t “pander” to their base?…
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Phillip Martin says:
If she was exclusively focused on good governance, then this would make sense. But I don’t think just pointing to one position on SCHIP is indicative enough of her being an independent elected official that is mostly interested in governance.
What else has she done to break from party ideology to show that she just wants to govern? Need more examples for this post to be something more than a clever way to re-hash the same conversation we’ve been having for months about Rick vs. Kay.
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cow droppings Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Phillip, who died and made you the king of proper posting? If the number of comments on your underwearblog.com are any indication, the market says your blog is about as popular as gay marriage in Texas.
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Spiro Eagleton Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
I thought Phil said he wasn’t going to post on here anymore. What changed? I thought he was gone for good like Marshall Kenderdine’s (sp?) fan club and Frank Perez.
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cow droppings Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
apparently his blog is too BORing and, being the attention-starved lefty he is residing in Taxachusetts, he comes on here so folks can know he is still relevant outside of the left-wing kook fringe.
paulburka Reply:
April 29th, 2009 at 12:31 am
Re Phillip Martin –
Hutchison is not an ideologue. You can’t put her in the same box as a Culberson or a Hensarling. She believes in getting federal money for Texas, particularly for research. She voted for the TARP bailout and she voted for S-CHIP. The Democrats are not going to become the majority party by waiting for Hispanics to vote. They are going to win by attracting moderate Republicans like many of Kay Bailey Hutchison’s supporters. The more conservative the Texas Republican party gets, the more likely that the Democrats will be the main beneficiaries, just as the Republicans benefited from the Democrats becoming more liberal in the eighties.
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Hoohah! says:
Oh Paul, you silly, silly guy! If Tom S. is having problems with his track record, can you really, really, see KBH being…..”embraced”?
And what a GOOD idea…cede the R primary to Ricky and let him have four more months to raise the big bucks from R donors across Texas AND across the country.
Oh Paul…DOH!
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007 says:
Dear Paul,
Seems fool-proof. Switching parties. Are you the one that convinced Strayhorn to do it in 06?
60-40? By any model under such a situation, the best she could do in a non-presidential year is 52-48…that’s IF she found competent staff and stopped gaffing
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paulburka Reply:
April 29th, 2009 at 12:33 am
In a general election, she wins all the D’s, most of the independents, and some of the moderate R’s. That doesn’t sound like 52-48. It sounds like 60-40.
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Tweeza Mo says:
FYI, not all Republican voters are “pro-life fringe or stem cell research nut cases”. Some of us just believe that government is not the answer to every person’s problems and should stay out of certain issues. There are kooks in both parties–that’s nothing new. If more voters educated themselves and formulated their own ideas, instead of relying on Mr. Burka or the front page to give them their opinions, we would all be better off…
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Harry Doghiney (D-TX) says:
I’d pay good Confederate scrip to see Republican heads explode when KBH switched parties.
But it ain’t gonna happen. She was a Republican before it was cool in Texas, and she’ll still be one when the Texas Republican Party is small enough to drown in a bathtub.
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Anonymous says:
Didn’t I see where KBH’s voting record was 90% conservative or thereabouts. Switching parties might be politically expedient for her, but it’d do very little to help issue-oriented Democrats.
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Matador says:
You know, I’d laugh at this letter as well as Kay’s current situation if it all wasn’t so pathetic. Being the opportunist Kay remains at heart, I wouldn’t put switching parties past her if she really thought she could win that way…however, a democrat won’t be Governor in Texas any time soon (be it Kay or Kinky). I too am a little surprised Burka released this letter, especially since it is a known fact that Burka and Kay go together like Paris Hilton and her favorite pet Chihuahua. Maybe he’s trying to appear a tad less biased? Maybe he knows Perry’s going to be around for awhile and he’s tired of fighting a losing battle. Either way Perry’s looking great right now where as Kay is still looking for future employment.
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A Random Passerby says:
Wait, wasn’t KBH the one who helped tank immigration reform by arguing that illegal immigrants becoming citizens instead of mass deportations or whatever would cause the collapse of the US tax system? If I am indeed recalling that correctly, then I think that the Democratic caucus might be a tent too large with KBH in it.
And anyway, the last thing the two-party system needs in America is a New Deal-style coalition party on the one hand, and a post-Reagan, permanent campaign, party of Republican primary voters on the other. If KBH does indeed count as a centrist for significant reasons other than living in Washington and not making the NRA, Pat Robertson, and Newt Gingrich simultaneously burst into applause the way Palin does, then Hutchison is one of the main political actors upon whom a Republican resurgence will be founded, even if it’s not in a very public way – and she needs to take ownership of that.
A random aside: If a Hutchison win is to a Perry loss as Straus’s win was to Craddick’s ousting, then who is the alternate moderate Republican with party cred vis-a-vis the Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst?? Just wondering, as I don’t follow local politics as well as I should.
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Prince Royal says:
I once took a class at UT from Burka and one time, he brought Rove in to talk to the class. All Karl could talk about at that time was the special election to replace Bentsen and how wonderful KBH was. Paul Burka was as critical of KBH as he was of other possible candidates.
I always get a kick out of the posts on Burka’s blog. The liberals think Paul is a country club republican for having voted twice for W (for president) and the conservatives think that he kneels before Che Guevara candles while brushing his teeth in the morning. But the funniest one is this imaginary Burka pining for the cheerleader of yesteryear. Sure, it is the stuff that movies are made of, but that is exactly where it belongs, because there just isn’t any truth to it.
The fact of the matter is that KBH is the most credible moderate voice in a race against a dogmatic nonleader that Burka has little respect for and with good reason. Why don’t you make your disagreements about your differing perspectives on Perry? Because defending Perry’s record is the last thing you want to do. It is a lot more fun to question someone’s credibility or motivations.
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Anonymous says:
If the 2010 elections had the same scenario as the 2006 one (where you have two independents running that split up the republican vote) then this would be a good idea. However in Kay’s case there is no need for it now because no big names are running as independents and her poll numbers are good against Rick right now. I bet her camp has good confidence going into a primary, especially after the crazy secession talk Parry has been getting into.
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Anonymous Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
So she’s popular. Who cares? Popularity does not equate to electoral success. Just ask the folks who ran Ann Richards reelect. Her popularity numbers were sky high, but Bush still beat her because she was wrong on the issues. Kay’s going to have a really hard time explaining her pro-choice, pro-bailout votes to the Republican primary electorate.
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Anonymous says:
With Texas being recognized time and time again by Forbes, CNBC, site selectors, economists and economic development specialists as the best place in America to find a job, buy a house, start a business, I”ll defend Perry’s record all day and night over the Senatorial non-factor Hutchison.
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Bipartisan Curious says:
So does this mean that Paul really wasn’t Kay’s campaign manager for cheerleader elections back in college? How disappointing!
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Prince Royal says:
Anonymous, I am glad you are ready to defend Perry’s record, but you will need to read up on it so that you can be accurate.
Texas’ stability is due in large part to our resistance as a state to home equity lending and the constitutional limitations relating to lending practices. How is it that Rick Perry gets to take credit for that?
I am not sure about CNBC’s criteria, but I know that Forbes places weight on the number of prestigious research universities in an area. In spite of Perry’s promises to be an “education governor” his track record in higher education is pretty shallow, apart from micromanaging Aggieland and taking photo ops with Mack Brown and the UT nat championship horns. Meanwhile KBH has focused on capturing federal support for our universities.
If businesses are attracted to Texas because of our tax system, it was KBH who campaigned against a state income tax while Ag Commissioner Perry lay silent. It was Perry who added to business burdens this last go round.
Now this is not to say that Perry has not had his economic development fund and called a great deal of attention to himself with some success, but there are unknown factors at play here. How much of the attractiveness of Houston, Austin, or Fort Worth is due to Perry and how much is due to LOCAL leaders who are taking care of business?
Also, we will never know how many people never set foot in the state because they don’t want to take their biotech company into a state where the Governor appoints fundamentalists to lead the public education textbook committees.
But your point is well made. Whether Perry is responsible for those factors doesn’t mean he won’t take credit for it, just as he will place blame for all that has happened in Washington DC since 1993 squarely at KBH’s feet. It ain’t fair, but if he can sell it, fairness don’t matter.
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cow droppings Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
yeah, biotech execs are more concerned about conservative Christians on SBOE than they are a governor who helps fund a first-of-its kind pharmaceutical manufacturing facility that will bring biotech research here in droves because for the first time we won’t ave to outsource advanced stage testing and engineering to other states who then get the jobs.
KBH the lone voice against the income tax? Laughable, and already exposed by Wayne Slater as a fraudulent statement.
the most laughable thing: KBH thinks the weather is the top factor in Texas adding 70 percent of all new jobs last year.
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Anonymous Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Good lord, could be be any more obviously a Kay campaign hack, trotting out all those lame campaign talking points? Kay was the only person against a state income tax. Hilarious. And also untrue, as the Dallas Morning News already exposed.
Oh, and by the way, the Governor doesn’t appoint the SBOE textbook committees. Maybe take a few minutes to learn about state government and how it works.
What’s next on your talking point sheet? People only come to Texas for the weather and the airports? Sheesh. It must bother you and Kay so much that so many national experts are heaping praise on Texas at the same time you’re trying to claim how bad things are here.
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VisitDallas!HomeofAmerica'sWorstPresident says:
damn. good idea.
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Mike says:
The goal of the Democrats in Texas should be to run off Republicans that want to run on the Democratic ticket and win on their own merits. True Moderate Dems who may not win everytime, but will slowly continue to build the base and grow the state. The demographics are changing enough for it to become reality.
Kay Hutchinson running as a D doesn’t help anyone…except her. It won’t help Dem causes or beliefs, nor will it help Repubs. This is a bad idea. (Spector has basically been a Dem for many, many months, but KH has not. She should not be the imposter)
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Prince Royal says:
cow droppings-I never said “lone voice.” I said she campaigned against it. My recollection was that Perry did not spend time on that. Don’t get me wrong–it was grandstanding big-time, but I am trying to understand how the governor gets credit for the business friendly tax system when the only change under him has been to add to it.
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Anonymous Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
didn’t the dallas morning news note that kay’s “campaign” against the state income tax consisted of one op-ed. awesome. way to got out on a limb, kay bailout.
and speaking of bailouts, didn’t she vote for it? good luck, spinning that one.
hell, even the tfrw get it. that statesman video evan posted was an eye opener. kay’s relying on the tfrw to help her win, but of all the women the statesman interviewed, only one was for kay?!?!? i was at that event. perry received 3 standing ovations during his speech. key got zero. the only standing o she got was the customary one at the end of her speech. and even then, i think it was more out of thanks that her boring speech, uninspiring speech was over.
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Prince Royal Reply:
April 29th, 2009 at 12:52 am
Actually, she was hotdogging the issue even when Bullock was for it. It remember it so distinctly because Rove was talking about how courageous she was and I ask how something could be courageous if 74% of Texas agree with her?
My point is that her last mark in state policy was on that issue. Shame that her people mismanaged the message like that.
Regarding the TFRW, I don’t think they are the indicator of Kay’s support from women. She polls off the charts with suburban soccer moms and the like.
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Anonymous Reply:
April 29th, 2009 at 7:36 am
actually i think her last mark in state policy was giving her husband state business when she promised not to.
or maybe more accurately, her last “mark” in state government is when she pinched her employee. remind me… was the before of after she threw the hamburger at her?
dont be fooled says:
Prince Royal your facts are dead wrong. Burka and Kay go way back regardless of what you heard in one class with Rove on the room. Bashing Perry will get you no where. what could you post that has not already been fabricated on here and elsewhere? Perry has done more in each year as governor then Kay has accomplished in her 18 years.
Only an ass would think she could switch parties and run for office as a democrat.
She is too timid to lead, she it too weak to offer new ideas and she is clueless about what moves Texas today. She is living a Washington world where no one ever says what they mean nor mean what they say. I look forward to watching this “fight” but it will be curel and abusive, cause Kay has not one iota of a rationale for running but that she thinks its her turn.
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Anonymous Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
“where no one ever says what they mean nor mean what they say.” — And this makes Kay different from Rick? I’m not buying it.
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brooksbeast says:
When Ralph Hall changed from Democrat to Republican in the House, no one blinked — he voted like a Republican for many years. The key was that his constituents liked him and he voted his district. If KBH were to “defect”, her success would be on how well she is liked. If she stays Republican it will be pragmatism versus ideology.
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Prince Royal says:
Y’all are adorable! Try to READ all the words I write before jumping to your talking points. I realize that when you work for an Aggie, literacy is not Job One, but work with me here! Consequently, I talk point for no one!!
Anonymous– I was attempting short-hand with the SBOE reference. The Governor appoints the chair and McLeroy is who I was referring. SBOE, the people that ultimately approve the textbooks, have garnered Texas the sort of national attention that Kansas spent years trying to overcome–that a stealth state board of education decided it was in the state’s best interest to get all evangelizin’ in the secular public schools especially as it related to science. It damaged Kansas’ recruitment efforts. Ask Bill Graves. Ask the editors of those site selection magazines. Ask the relocation firms.
Don’t be fooled–Again, read my words. I didn’t say that KBH and Burka never met, I said that I felt that Burka was equally critical of all the candidates. I believe that Paul can analyze and provide critical analysis because I witnessed it.
Hey anonymous and cow droppings–Can one of you talk if the other is drinking water?
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Anonymous Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Dude, I did read the words. Your words were wrong. Now that you’ve had time to google the SBOE, you realize that and are trying to make excuses.
And, please don’t try to equate Kansas with Texas. Kansas couldn’t hold Texas’ jock when it comes to economic development. Texas is varsity, Kansas isn’t even JV.
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Prince Royal Reply:
April 29th, 2009 at 1:03 am
Anonymous, I am still waiting for you to tell me about Perry’s contributions to the economy of Texas. Do you believe he has done things that uniquely positioned Texas to be where we are, and if so, what? The eco devo incentive fund has been hit and miss, but cannot possibly be all Gov Perry hangs his alledged success on.
Don’t bury the lead on my point about Kansas. They had a rogue education board that served as a lightning rod for the state and painted a brand image they (Kansas) are still trying to overcome. Perhaps one reason they are JV is that they did not manage their already struggling brand. Are you trying to suggest that there is zero collateral damage from the SBOE with regard to Texas brand as leaders in education (especially science) and business given the national publicity on these issues?
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dont be fooled Reply:
April 29th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Hans, this is your best shot? no wonder Jeff is comign to take over the press shop.
Phillip Martin says:
Paul, can you explain this part? I asked it once, and all I got back were some lovely remarks from my two biggest anonymous fans. I’m just curious what legislation she could hang her hat on for Democrats.
Paul doesn’t have to answer — I know there are a lot of Rick Perry fans on this site. Does KBH have a liberal voting record I’m not aware of that goes beyond SCHIP?
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Anonymous Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
plenty of material at:
http://www.stopkbh.com
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Phillip Martin Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Thanks. Hadn’t seen this.
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David_in_Austin Reply:
April 29th, 2009 at 9:15 am
That feeble website convinced me. Go Kay!
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dont be fooled Reply:
April 29th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Phillip she has a middle of the road record. But she had one bill become law in 2008, its a major education bill that should make all Texas democrats very happy. Her reform was earth shaking. It will have profound impact on teaching Texas children. You may have missed it but yes against all odds she got one law passed in 2008. Truly, it’s her landmark legislation. She got the US department education building in DC named for LBJ. Rock on Kay! That’s just like Kay leave no government spending behind. Phillip good luck, she is vapor, takes no positions and believe in nothing. Her record is a target rich environment for a primary in either party.
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Cow Droppings says:
I can’t speak for anny, but I can do you one better: I can take a dump and chew your ass at the same time. It’s called a double colonic
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Anonymous Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
You can speak for me anytime.
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Prince Royal says:
You are all class, CD.
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South Texas says:
It would be better for KBH to stay within her own party and REFORM it.
The Republican Party risks becoming increasingly regional and it will be needing leaders like her to turn that tide into a new era.
She is the best bipartisan choice we’ve got.
Vote for Kay in 2010!
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John Johnson says:
I applaud all the passionate points being expressed here by both sides. I find it interesting that it boils down to a debate between Republicans and Republicans. Those, like me, who have taken the cure, wait anxiously to see how Mr. Schieffer expresses himself.
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WUSRPH says:
Kay and Paul have an even closer link. THEY WERE BOTH INTRODUCED TO TEXAS POLITICS BY THE SAME MAN–the late (great to some of us) Ed Jr. Harris of Galveston who hired both of them to work in his Texas House of Representatives office. Both were “constituent’s kids” attending UT at the time. Harris was a charter member of the “Dirty 30″ House reformers. In fact, he was a proud member of what he referred to as the “Dirty half-dozen”–i.e.–the 12 members of the House who voted against Byron Tunnell for speaker during Harris’ first term. When Kay came back to the Texas House as a GOP member and Burka went to work for The Monthly, Harris was heard to say that he hoped he would not be remembered for what he had done by giving them their first political jobs.
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paulburka Reply:
April 29th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Kay worked for Ed Harris when I covered the session for the Daily Texan. When she left to go to law school, I became the legislative assistant. His secretary made $400 a month, I made $200.
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WUSRPH says:
Ed Harris could add, but in my old age it appears I can’t. A half-dozen is six, not 12. See item above.
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Anonymous says:
Please don’t clump all R’s together and all D’s together. Hasn’t anyone noticed that there is very little difference in Texas between moderate R’s and moderate D’s–except the district they represent. All work is done in the middle and the fringes on both sides are largely ignored and an embarrassment to both parties. KBH as a moderate R or a moderate D does not make much difference. She would still govern the same. A rose by any other name…….
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Anonymous Reply:
April 29th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Bingo! Nail hit on head. You got it right. But KBH is not the person we need as gov. Grading her accomplishments as senator, she has been mediocre at best, and large contributors seem to get all of her attention. Aren’t we tired of this?
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the bigeasy 2000 says:
Paul, I think you are right on target. Kay will have a big challenge in the Primary against the 38% Perry diehards. She would be able to rasie much more money and her odds of winning increase.
I hope she is thinking serious about tis option. I will be asking her to.
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Mekhong Kurt says:
I don’t know which is more interesting — the article itself or the discussion thread!
It’s impossible for me to have a day-to-day sense of the political mood in Texas, for the simple reason I live in Bangkok. I do try to keep up, particularly with major news and the major opinion camps.
I’m one of those people neither major party likes: a ticket splitter. Last November’s electeion was no different, though the Republicans got many more of my votes than the Democrats did — the Pres-VP ticket and my local constable. (I maintain my Texas voter registration, as I have property and family there.)
On balance, I’ve approved of KBH more than disapproved; sjould she run for Governor, barring some major negative development (as I see it, anyway), I’ll likely vote for her.
But one major negative development might be a party switch. While I can understand Specter’s decision, based on the data he had at hand, it sure doesn’t look all that hot.
But maybe.
Maybe it’s the case that I would be voting more against Perry than for KBH. On the larger canvas, of course Texas is doing far better in a great many ways than most other states. But just as Perry can’t be blamed for all of whatever troubles we have, neither can he take the glory (or credit) for all that’s right. But we all know that, or most of us do.
On a specific or two, I do have trouble with the Governor. For instance, others have mentioned the SBOE controversy. Had the Governor argued for, say, having *religion* classes presenting various points of view — including non-Christian ones — perhaps he would have had broader appeal (though he of course would have lost the evangelical wing of the party). Then along came the controversy over the stimulus package. I felt it was at least bordering on the hypocritical for him to try to refuse part of the federal money then turn around and ask for federal help with the terrible fires the state has been suffering. Don’t misunderstand — from news report (even here), it appeared we *needed* such help. It’s the cherry picking that troubles me.
Now comes the biggie, for me: his comments regarding secession. While I’m not even a lawyer much less a scholar on the Texas Constitution, I think we’re not allowed to secede, though we can break up into several states. Even if the Constitution had words to the effect we could, I would just assume the Civil War put well and truly paid to that notion. And unless every single news source I read was either wrong or lying, a substantial majority of Texans don’t want to secede anyway.
Yes, he stepped back a rather big step, and I acknowledge that. But he went there in the first place.
All this matters because of the possibility KBH will challenge him for the governorship. Although maybe none of it would matter one iota — including which party KBH chooses, if she even thinks about Paul’s suggestion — were the Governor to clearly come out for secession. I imagine even some who like the idea, in principle, might sit back and say, “Do I really want to have to get a visa to go to Oklahoma, Louisiana, and New Mexico???”
And think of all the money down the tube in that scenario, especially military/defense. And NASA in Houston.
Paul, though I’ve never met KBH, I have a niggling feeling she might find your suggestion a non-starter. But maybe I’m wrong.
Just my two cents’ worth . . .
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Fernando Trevino says:
I hope this is a joke! KBH will be a great governor and should run as a Republican. She could greatly help in depolarizing the extreme conservative base of the party, she is very likable and will only further the Republican Party and our principles when she is governor
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Anonymouse says:
Burka, this latest post makes me think you truly are on something. Please don’t be smoking crack, especially at your age.
Now in the last 20 years, pleasde show me where in a competitive statewide primary where the extreme right wing candidate has beaten the more mainstream conservative candidate. You can’t, because it has never happened.
We’ve never had a competitive race at the top of the ballot between someone more aligned witht he conservative elements of the GOP has won a statewide primary against an economic conservative.
Rick Perry in 2010 is running as Tom Pauken in 1998 – and Pauken ran third and got 29% of the vote.
KBH wins whether turnout is 750K or 1.2 million; under any turnout model she wins. History and the electorate are in her corner.
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paulburka says:
What about Claytie Williams in 1990? He was the most conservative candidate by far.
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Anonymous says:
She is not changing parties and she will not run. Too much to account for on the stimulus package plus a lot of Washington baggage and general mistrust for anything coming out of Washington.
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