Next year's race for the Governor's office is going to force Texans to make a choice they don't want to make - select one of two competent, popular Republicans for the office.
Although portions of Texas have leaned more to the left in recent years, statewide elections are still overwhelmingly won by Republicans. Democrat gains are in larger cities, with large minority populations, so they gain in local elections and for local representation in state and US Congress houses, but the Governor's house belongs to the GOP. So, the person who wins the Republican primary will undoubtedly be the next Governor.
Rick Perry, current Governor, was George Bush's second in command in 2000, when W resigned to go to Washington. Taking W's place int he big house, Rick won election in 2002, and again in 2006. He has been a competent Governor, and although he hasn't done all that conservatives would like, what politician does? His work speaks for itself - Texas has a balanced budget, and has not had to raise taxes significantly in many years. Rick wants to return to the Governor's office for another term.
Kay Bailey Hutchison, the senior US Senator from Texas, has announced that she will oppose Rick in the Governor's race. Sen. Hutchison, first elected to the Senate in 1993, has done a wonderful job of representing our state in Washington, and is one of the most respected women in national politics. Kay wants to return to Texas to spend more time with her family, but still wants to be on the political stage.
So, two good, dependable, respected Republicans want the same office. Do I vote for the man who has run our state well for a decade? Or do I vote for the woman who has represented Texas in Washington very well for 16 years? For the office of Governor, it's a win/win. For the State of Texas, and the GOP, its a lose/lose. One of these two could very well be out of politics next year.
Chances are very good that the race to fill Kay Bailey's Senate seat next year will be won by a Republican, though Democrats have announced they will campaign for the office harder than ever before.
My ultimate solution would be for these two to swap jobs - Kay Bailey to Austin, Rick to Washington. I have no doubt that if they decided to do that, they would both win their elections. However, I haven't heard a peep about that from anyone down here ....
1 comment:
Very good idea!! That way you keep them both and Texas benefits completely, instead of losing someone who is good for your State.
(Or you could run.)
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