It is not likely — closer to no way in hell — that I will vote in the 2010 Texas Republican Primary. However, if that election pits GOP Gov. Rick “Goodhair” Perry against U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey “TU cheerleader” Hutchison as expected I would certainly would be “cheering on” Kay Bailey in that race. Here is the reason sis boom bah!
The office of Texas governor is constitutionally weak. The governor does get to set the policy agenda and if they are shrewd or have enough backing they can push their projects and legislation on the table. Perry isn’t particularly shrewd but he is lucky. He finished out George W. “Gee Dubya” Bush’s term as governor and rode the crest of a Republican wave in Texas that swept all but what little is left of the Yellow Dog Democrat strongholds.
That tide turned, of course, with the last presidential and congressional sweep by Democrats. But it remains to be seen whether the Donkey Dudes can pull the nation out of its present economic funk. As Obama said recently, he is toast if that doesn’t happen and ditto for Congress.
A lot of talk has been heard about Democratic prospects. Kinky Friedman, who finished in fourth place as an independent in 2006, may run. I don’t see he has much chance to do better in 2010 although he might improve to third or even second place depending on the field of candidates. Other prominent names include Tom Schieffer — brother of CBS Newsman Bob Schieffer also a former partner with Gee Dubya when they ran the Texas Rangers (Bush subsequently appointed Schieffer as ambassador to Australia and Japan) — and State Sen. and former Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. Let’s hope the latter does a better job campaigning than he did for Obama. I’m sure I’m forgetting somebody.
To summarize that last long paragraph though, it is no done deal who might get the Democratic nomination and although I doubt I would end up voting for Kay Bailey for governor I might do so if the Dems put up someone who really, seriously stunk.
Also, the recent news that Alaska Gov. Sarah “Moose Girl” Palin who was McCain’s hapless running mate has endorsed Perry seals the deal that I would prefer Hutchison be the GOP standard-bearer in the Texas governor’s race than Gov. Goodhair.
This leaves a couple of questions though. Actually more questions than a couple but I only have the time and patience for two.
1. Can Hutchison beat Perry? I don’t know but as expert witnesses often say: “Anything can happen.”
2. Can any Texas Democrat beat Hutchison? Ditto on the expert witness thing. But generally yes.
So that is a very long-winded explanation as to why I would rather see Kay Bailey Hutchison win the 2010 GOP nomination than Rick Perry. Plus, there always is my Kay Bailey story but that can wait. One caveat however, don’t expect to see me out putting up yard signs for KBH.