Would Perry pick Patrick?
I confess that I didn’t pay a lot of attention to Dan Patrick’s reelection announcement last week, but one thing struck me as very peculiar. Here are the first three paragraphs of the release:
“During the past few weeks there has been speculation I might run for, or be appointed to, higher office. My goal is to return to the Texas Senate to continue to fight for the conservative values and principles in which I and many Texans believe.
“Today, I hereby announce my re-election campaign for the Texas Senate. If an opportunity presents itself to serve in the United States Senate, I will seriously consider it at the appropriate time, but my sights are set on the Texas Senate. I feel honored and blessed each day I walk onto the Senate floor to represent my district and my state.
Does this strike anybody else as a weird way to announce for reelection to the Texas Senate — by declaring one’s interested in serving in the United States Senate?
Could this scenario come to pass: Perry is looking for someone to replace Kay Bailey Hutchison, his Republican primary rival for governor. What is Perry looking for in a replacement? The qualifications are the same that Perry always has: (1) Is he loyal? (2) Can he help me politically?
Who better than a Republican talk radio host with a huge following in Houston? Patrick can be on the radio every day blasting Hutchison and pumping up Perry. Then, after Patrick has done his part of the bargain, Perry holds up his end by appointing Patrick.
Can Patrick hold the seat? That is not a sure thing, but the Republicans ought to be able to raise enough money in Texas and beyond to win. The advantage of Patrick over Dewhurst is that Patrick is closer to the Republican base and can generate pro-Perry (and anti-Hutchison) turnout.
Patrick and Perry have already demonstrated that they can cut a deal together. The financially strapped Cy-Fair school district, third largest in the state, had gotten in financial trouble due to the Perry-approved school finance scheme that strangles the schools, and also because of the district’s own generosity in handing out an optional homestead exemption, as around 200 district do, ranging from poor to rich. Patrick took credit for arranging that extra money be directed to Cy-Fair, but in fact the payment was required by state law, which directs unspent money to be spent on the optional homestead exemption and other needs, such as school districts that are impacted by disasters. When I first read about the Perry-Patrick deal, I thought it was a bailout, but Patrick was only taking credit for something that would have happened anyway as mandated by state law. Meanwhile, Cy-Fair gets to keep its excessive homestead exemption and, assuming that money is available, continue to be bailed out by state tax dollars.
Patrick is largely unknown beyond the boundaries of his radio broadcasts, and there is no certainty that he could hold the seat. It would probably make more sense for Perry to appoint Dewhurst, who can self-fund the race, if necessary.
Yes, I am letting my imagination run wild here, but, you have to admit, Patrick’s deft solicitation for the Senate appointment suggests where his real interest lies.
Tagged: Cy-fair school district, dan patrick, kay bailey hutchison, rick perry, senate
Anonymous says:
Yes, I agree, Paul. But KBH has been oddly silent on the timing of her retirement since telling everyone that her only pulic statements about the subject (possibly retiring this Fall) were not news.
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Sidd Finch says:
I’m not sure my stomach can take much more of this. It’s not enough that Perry will likely wield the Right Hand of God to smite Kay and other Dangerous Liberals, but now you’ve got speculation that Troy Fraser somehow becomes Lite Gov and Dan Patrick becomes a U.S. Senator and Tom Freaking Delay is going to be on Dancing with the Stars. I just want to go back to bed and pull the covers over my head.
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Rollie the JBC operator Reply:
August 18th, 2009 at 7:56 am
George Plimpton called and he wants his character’s name back.
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Anonymous says:
Patrick is in love with himself, at the expense of everyone else. He’ll never resist any opportunity at higher office (read: personal attention) that’s offered to him on a silver platter.
It would be clever of Perry to appoint him. Such an appointment will endear Perry to some of Patrick’s listeners. Other Patrick listeners will be scratching their heads, as Patrick and his other employees/talk show hosts have been blasting Perry for four years straight (some of them have endorsed Hutchison). Patrick’s endorsement of Perry has already undermined Patrick’s credibility with a chunk of his listeners.
Then in the special election, US Senator Patrick will be scrutinized by the national and state media for the first time, as his sleeper 2006 Primary battle never got to the anticipated hostile runoff. People will learn a lot about Patrick that has been never revealed, or has long since been forgotten. And you can bet Dewhurst, the Williams boys, Shapiro, Ames Jones, and everyone else will make sure the special election ends Patrick’s political career.
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Dewhurst's Watch Winder says:
I don’t believe that U.S. Senator Patrick could keep his radio show. I may be incorrect, but I think there is an “equal time” consideration.
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Anon Reply:
August 17th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
I agree. The price tag for a US Senate seat for Patrick is to give up his show, though he’s never been known as one who plays by the rules anyway.
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Garvin says:
I will never sleep again.
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goirish83 Reply:
August 17th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
I haven’t been sleeping for quite some time now
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kimmy says:
Hammer Time!!!
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Anon says:
Wouldn’t Patrick support Perry anyways? Seems like Perry doesn’t need to cut that kind of a deal to get great airtime from Dan Patrick.
It’s also rather risky to appoint someone who has never been through a statewide campaign. There have been some bright and capable politicians in the past who were horrible on the campaign trail.
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Brisoce Democrat Reply:
August 17th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Anon, I think Perry can appoint either Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst (R-though he’s said he’s seeking a 3rd term now), or State Attorney General Greg Abbott (R) to KBH’s Senate seat this fall, since both have statewide credentials.
Patrick-no way, but he can fire up the Evangelical Christian Right who control like 99 percent of the Texas GOP.
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Harry Doghiney (D-TX) says:
Dan Patrick could give James Inhofe a run for the title of wackiest winger in the Senate.
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Garvin Reply:
August 18th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Ha. So true. But Perry has to be the wackiest winger governor in the US now that the Alaskan Pearl has been plucked.
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windmill says:
I don’t think Perry will appoint Dewhurst, he doesn’t trust him. I’ve heard the senators all consider him a liar. Dewhurst needs retire to the ranch.
Abbott? He needs to be Lt. Governor. If by some small chance KBH wins next year, Abbott will give the state some stability.
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texun Reply:
August 18th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Is this the same Attorney General Greg Abbott who argued that the State of Texas has a compelling interest in seeing that sexual relations occur only in the context of marriage? Sounds like he’d be a better candidate for bishop in the Catholic church, if he didn’t have a family.
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No reason to deal says:
The same Dan Patrick who used to run commercials for topless bars in Houston?
Hmm.
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Anonymous Reply:
August 17th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Oh, he’ll explain all of that away as “pre-born again.” Or at least he’ll try.
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Anon says:
Patrick originally ran for office on six items (“Patrick Pact with Texas”) and has had two sessions to accomplish them…
1. Reduce appraisal cap to 3% — grade: F
2. Secure the Texas border — grade: F
3. Reduce govt spending — grade: F- (he voted for the biggest budget in Texas history in 2009)
4. Responsible education funding — grade: C
5. Legislator pensions — grade: F
6. Abolishing Senate’s 2/3rds Rule — grade: D
He doesn’t deserve reelection in his own hard right district.
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Rollie the JBC operator says:
I think Perry will appoint Bob Krueger to the seat as a slap to KBH.
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Anonymous says:
Windmills comments are paid for by Jason Johnson.
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Brisoce Democrat says:
So you don’t think Perry will appoint Dewhurst to KBH’s Senate seat because of trust issues ?
Abbott may get the appointment or maybe even Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams (R) if the governor wants to go for history in the making.
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Bored of Michael Williams says:
Corbin Casteel is that you again?
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Anonymous says:
If Perry really wants to hit a grand slam for the GOP, he should pass over the old white politicians and appoint Ted Cruz or Michael Williams to the US Senate. Then Dewhurst and the rest of em should let that person serve unopposed. Of course, all of these older white politicians care only about themselves, not the GOP, which is why the party is in such dismal shape.
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texun Reply:
August 18th, 2009 at 11:03 am
Williams has never been more than window-dressing for the GOP. If you want to find out what’s going on at the Railroad Commission, Call Elizabeth Ames Jones.
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Brisoce Democrat Reply:
August 18th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Texun, Williams ain’t the only window-dressing for statewide office, you’ve got Jefferson and Wainwright on the SC, who are likely to die in office, Medina, Overstreet (I met him during his unsuccessful bid for Waller County DA in ’06), Morales, Guerrero, etc.,
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Bodhisattva Reply:
August 19th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Appointing a Michael Williams or Ted Cruz to the Senate might be a great move for the GOP (which, God knows, we need) but Rick Perry will not be the one to do it. Early in his first term, he showed some creativity and diversity in his appointments, but his base will not allow him to get too clever with diversity and originality.
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Anonymous says:
Not Michael Williams. Following Obama’s recent Supreme Court appointment, the state and national GOP desperately need a showing with the Latino community. If Perry appoints Ted Cruz or another Hispanic and successfully protects him from intraparty challengers in the special election, that makes national headlines, puts Perry squarely on the national map for 2012 (something I never thought could happen), and vaults GOP state and local candidates around the state big time for the 2010 elections.
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Brisoce Democrat Reply:
August 18th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Anon, since Carrillo is staying put on the Texas Railroad Commission and Medina is a lifer on the TX Supreme Court, Perry could be angling for a Latino to the Senate seat like:
1. Former TX Solicitor General Ted Cruz (R).
2. Former US Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-TX).
Or Perry could really tell KBH to go f*** herself by appointing Elizabeth Ames Jones.
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Pete Schweddy says:
“excessive homestead exemption”
That phrase tells me all I need to know about Mr. Burka’s fiscal priorities.
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Susan says:
Here’s a recap.
-Democrats think all the Rs are nuts
-Jason Johnson likes windmills
-Corbin Casteel is an alleged troll
-Perry would score big points by appointing Williams or Cruz
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Ben Quick Reply:
August 18th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
thank you
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Brisoce Democrat Reply:
August 18th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Susan, my money is on Perry appointing Dewhurst or Abbott to KBH’s Senate seat and rumor is that he may call the special election EARLIER.
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Harry Doghiney (D-TX) says:
Democrats think all the Rs are nuts
Not all of them; just the officeholders and most of the appointees.
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