Houston Chronicle Endorses "Moderate" Dewhurst cause Ted Cruz too Conservative Republican 4 Senate

Texas Conservative Republican News ^ | 7/7/2012 | David Bellow

[davidbellow]

If the Chronicle is Endorsing Dewhurst because Ted Cruz is too Conservative Republican then Cruz is the guy for me!

 

Editorial: Who should fill Hutchison's boots?

Houston Chronicle

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

http://www.chron.com/opinion/editorials/article/Who-should-fill-Hutchison-s-boots-3560958.php

There's a torrid race in the Texas Republican primary to replace a Washingtonmonument. U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, the first woman to represent the state of Texasin the Senate, is retiring after three-plus terms of service in the world's most exclusive club.

Given a magic wand, we'd order up a replacement who would blend the skills ofHutchison with those of Lloyd Bentsen - with just a pinch of the calculated orneriness of Lyndon Johnson .

Our dream resume would read: collegial, well-versed on issues foreign and domestic, a tough bargainer who keeps his word; above all, skilled in the traditional Senate ways of civil give and take, and in tune with the needs and views of the millions who make up the Texas mainstream.

That's asking a lot. On the other hand, the winner of the Republican primary is likely to be the state's incoming junior senator, serving alongside Sen. John Cornyn.

This is no place for beginners. Hutchison's are big boots to fill and Texasis a big state with properly large ambitions for a prosperous future. Traditionally, our U.S.senators have had a big hand in shaping that future. That is what will be expected of Hutchison's successor, Republican or Democrat.

The Republican primary has drawn no less than nine candidates for the open Senate seat, with four rated as likely contenders: Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst; former state Solicitor General Ted Cruz; former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert; and broadcaster and former football star Craig James.

Of the four, our endorsement goes to Lt. Gov. Dewhurst, with a nod of acknowledgment to Leppert's well-conceived candidacy.

Cruz, a serious thinker, and James, a likable personality, do not exhibit the inclination to operate within the traditional Washington system of respectful give and take that has been noticeably absent in recent years.

We understand that the two men, and their backers on the party's right, wear this take-no-prisoners approach like a badge of honor. But we don't believe it's helpful; indeed, we view it as a large part of the problem in Washington. And we think David Dewhurst is uniquely qualified to work with collegiality to bring results that most Texans want: budget cuts and a sustainable approach to trimming the $16 trillion deficit; federal assistance that helps us to keep our air and water clean and our children healthy; reasonable regulation in cooperation with state agencies that helps our state to fully develop the natural resources such as oil and gas from shale that offer such promise in an environmentally responsible way.

The David Dewhurst we are endorsing is the man who has served ably in Austinfor more than a decade, first as land commissioner and then as lieutenant governor. By our lights, Dewhurst's service, particularly his leadership of the Texas Senate, has been a model of respectful efficiency. His is a record of fairness and willingness to reach across party lines to do what is best for Texas.

Along with House Speaker Joe Straus, Dewhurst has been a welcome stabilizing influence in an often stormy and polarized legislative process. Isn't that what's called for in a divided Washington? We think it is.

We're also very aware of the vilification Dewhurst has received for being a "moderate" Republican, as if the very word were a slur. It is not. We'd note that most of this has been revved up in seemingly endless electronic hit jobs manufactured by Washington-based Super PACs.

Viewing these broadsides only convinces us that those who thought them up have a tin ear for the Texasway of working across the aisle made famous by Gov. George W. Bush and the late Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock, and embraced by countless disciples in Texas public office through the decades. No Texas Republican need apologize for being a moderate.

In the primary season, we have regretted to learn that Dewhurst has failed to attend many opportunities to press the flesh with voters and engage with his chief rivals. That is not decision-making worthy of a man who would be U.S. senator from Texas.

Nor is his failure to meet with editorial boards at newspapers around the state. These traditional venues are an essential public service. They also lay the groundwork for our leaders in Washington to communicate effectively with those back home.

We've known David Dewhurst, a Houstonian, since before he came into public life. We appreciate his experience as a successful businessman and his service in Austin. We commend a vote for David Dewhurst for U.S. Senate to Republican primary voters.

[Texas56]

The Houston Chronicle is and always has been a liberal rag.

Voting for Ted Cruz again!

[berdie]

“within the traditional system of give and take”

That made me laugh.

From what I read, Dewhurst and Cruz are not that far apart in basic ideology.

The basic difference..Dewhurst is used to Texas politics. There is a certain amount of cooperation. He will toe the party line.

Cruz will stand against the GOPe...I think.

I’ll be voting Cruz on 7/31

[fortheDeclaration]

That sealed my vote for Cruz.

[Dick Vomer]

That should tell everyone what they needed to know.

VOTE CRUZ !

[X-spurt]

Having been a Cruz supporter from day 1, I am curious as to your logic on how a US Senator has a strong influence on property taxes. I am confident you can explain this with clarity.

Maybe they let us hicks in East Texas do taxes our way, but our local Appraisal Districts with approval from the County and Schools set the tax rate and valuation. Never seen KayBailey or Cornyn at any one of the Tax Entities/Appraisal District meetings.

[Gabrial]

Yours is a good question, especially in light of the point you make that, in general, property taxes are based and administered locally. The answer lies in school funding. In Texas, more than 50% of property tax goes to school funding. In a gross generalization, about 40% of total school funding comes from local property tax revenue and 60% comes from the State General Fund, administered by the Texas Congress. The Texas Education Agency (TEA - also administered by the Texas Congress) determines what standards Texas schools must adhere to receive funding. To sum it up, the Congress determines what Texas schools must do, and how much money they will send to the county governments all of which affect how much property tax must be collected for the local governments to break even. This is a short and likely inadequate answer, but it is the gist of it.

[Gabrial]

By the way, I LOVE East Texas. Marshall, Jefferson, and Caddo Lake are my favorites!

[Ditter]

The Houston Comical is only picking Dewhurst over Cruz in the Republican primary. In the general election they will pick the democrat, whoever it is, over the Republican. That is the Comical way.

[X-spurt]

Pretty circuitious way to connect US Senator to local taxes.
From a local tax consideration there is practically zero diff between “lyin about China business” Dewhurst and Cruz.

Haven’t seen any up to date polls, but I suspect Cruz is ahead seeing how Dew’ has restarted running his poopy little China business ads.

I say leave Dew’ where he is, he’s doing OK as goffer for Rick.

[DrewsDad]

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