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Senator Hutchison Holds Tense Meeting with Perry Supporters in El Paso
Lubbock, TX, Avalanche-Journal ^ | 12-12-04 | AP

Posted on 12/12/2004 7:28:40 AM PST by Theodore R.

Hutchison holds tense meeting with Perry supporters in El Paso

EL PASO (AP) — U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison reacted angrily recently after several El Paso business leaders suggested that she not challenge Gov. Rick Perry in 2006 because their large campaign contributions to state leaders have increased the city's influence in Austin.

During the private luncheon last week, Hutchison, R-Texas, was asked to instead run for re-election for the Senate. She responded by denouncing the role large contributions play in state government, some of those attending said.

The meeting was organized as a briefing by the senator on various issues, but several Perry supporters turned the conversation to the upcoming gubernatorial election.

Many of those at the meeting agreed the discussion got severely strained after some of the business leaders mentioned their large contributions to Perry, also a Republican. Hutchison has said she hasn't decided whether to run in 2006.

El Paso businessman Woody Hunt said he reminded the senator that El Paso had not fully participated in state politics in the past and has long been neglected. He and others decided to open up their checkbooks and become players.

"We need to be better connected to the state. We need to be able to have access. We need to be able to communicate," said Hunt, who's donated almost $200,000 to Perry in the past four years, campaign finance records show.

El Paso businessman Ted Houghton, said he didn't expect Hutchison to react the way she did.

"That's when the meeting fell apart, unfortunately. Our point was, we like what we have for El Paso and we like what we have for the state of Texas," he said.

The senator's spokesman, Dave Beckwith, said Hutchison reacted to Perry supporters specifically touting the accomplishments produced after significantly stepping up their political contributions.

"Senator Hutchison is appalled that people are being strong-armed, feel they have to hand over huge contributions in order to be heard in the state's political process," Beckwith said Friday.

"What she's been hearing around the state is encouragement — to provide the leadership to clean up that system."

That response from Hutchison's office brought a quick response from Perry's campaign.

"Others can deal in the Washington-style politics of personal destruction and blind ambition to do what is best for themselves, but Governor Perry will continue to be a strong, ethical and effective leader for El Paso and Texas as a whole," said Luis Saenz, Perry's campaign director.

———

Information from: El Paso Times, http://www.elpasotimes.com


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: campaignfunds; davebeckwith; elpaso; governor; hutchison; kay06; perry; perry4sale; republicans; rinorick; saenz; tedhoughton; tx; woodyhunt
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If this little confrontation upsets KBH, imagine what else will be facing in the months ahead if she proceeds with her gubernatorial plans.
1 posted on 12/12/2004 7:28:41 AM PST by Theodore R.
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To: Theodore R.

I'm not very pleased with her "service" as a Senator. I don't want her as Governor. She should just fade away gracefully.


2 posted on 12/12/2004 7:30:24 AM PST by FreePaul
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To: Theodore R.
Isn't the GOP something to behold here in TX?

I mean, the GOP is the party in all of TX. But one would be mistaken if he believes that every Pub here thinks alike.

Funny how that works.


3 posted on 12/12/2004 7:31:16 AM PST by rdb3 (Can I join the Pajamahadeen even if I sleep in the nude?)
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To: FreePaul

She should just fade away gracefully.

That's pretty much what MacArthur said about himself in 1951. But KBH is no MacArthur!


4 posted on 12/12/2004 7:31:31 AM PST by Theodore R.
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To: Theodore R.

Before this is over, Comptroller Strayhorn may "stray" into the mix as "mediator."


5 posted on 12/12/2004 7:32:21 AM PST by Theodore R.
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To: Theodore R.

Poor little Kay . . . did all those big scary men yell at you?


6 posted on 12/12/2004 7:32:38 AM PST by Xenalyte (Lord, I apologize . . . and be with the starving pygmies in New Guinea amen.)
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To: Theodore R.

HAHAHA...so much for getting in touch with your consitutents! KBH needs to get appointed ambassador to Somewhere in '06 and move on down the line.


7 posted on 12/12/2004 7:45:38 AM PST by WestTexasWend
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To: Theodore R.
This was a set-up by Governor Perry - and she had every reason to be mad.

Governor Perry, here in Texas, has embarked on a demented scheme to convert all of our freeways into toll roads - at close to 20 cents per mile (do the math). This amounts to a huge tax grab, and I, for one, don't appreciate it.

I want to see him rot in Hell, and if it takes KBH to send him there, that's fine with me.

And, by the way, her Senate voting record is not that bad - there are a lot of worse Republicans.
8 posted on 12/12/2004 7:49:18 AM PST by BobL
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To: BobL

I've been reading about this potential Perry/KBH contest for the governor's seat. For those not familiar with Texas, who would be a better choice of the two?


9 posted on 12/12/2004 7:53:59 AM PST by Galactic Overlord-In-Chief (My new blog is up, though it's still under construction: www.galacticoverlord.blogspot.com)
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To: BobL
I also like KBH, as a women Sen., noone can hold a candle to her. She does not have to posture herself to the Middle or the Right as Hillary does, SHE is on the right. I like the fact that she put Bob Krueger out to pasture in 1992, even though he ran an anti-Bill Clinton campaign. She would make a Good Governor BUT I feel she could be more effective in the Senate with her experience and her committee appointments. Let Strayhorn be our next Female Governor. I love Texas Politics.
10 posted on 12/12/2004 8:01:41 AM PST by corbe (mystified)
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To: BobL; MeekOneGOP
Governor Perry, here in Texas, has embarked on a demented scheme to convert all of our freeways into toll roads...

Why don't you find and post the Texas house and senate voting on the issue? The gov may be yukking it up for the Trans Texas Corridor, but the Texas legislature voted almost unanimously to approve the project....good or bad.

Worth a Texas ping Meek?

FGS

11 posted on 12/12/2004 8:03:13 AM PST by ForGod'sSake (ABCNNBCBS: An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly.)
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To: BobL
And, by the way, her Senate voting record is not that bad - there are a lot of worse Republicans.

She is nothing more than a RINO. Just because we have several RINO's in Washington doesn't make it OK. Her best job would be "Retired" so that we can send a real Republican to Washington.

12 posted on 12/12/2004 8:03:44 AM PST by rapture-me
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To: Theodore R.

Wonder if illegal aliens were mentioned in this meeting.


13 posted on 12/12/2004 8:09:33 AM PST by momf ( Immigrant =came the correct way; IIlegal = criminal)
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To: Theodore R.

I don't like either one of them. Surely, there is someone better? Someone that really cares about doing the right thing; instead of their own selfish agendas.


14 posted on 12/12/2004 8:19:29 AM PST by freekitty
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To: Galactic Overlord-In-Chief

Kay, only because she won't sneak in huge tax increases, like the governor did.


15 posted on 12/12/2004 8:23:33 AM PST by BobL
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To: Theodore R.
"We need to be better connected to the state. We need to be able to have access. We need to be able to communicate," said Hunt, who's donated almost $200,000 to Perry in the past four years, campaign finance records show.

Well, dissing a possible gubernatorial nominee is NOT a way to keep connected. Business people need to be flexible, and keep all options open.

16 posted on 12/12/2004 8:26:37 AM PST by SuziQ (W STILL the President)
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To: corbe

I agree - people on this thread can snipe all they want at KBH, and there are some things she's done that I'm not too hot on, but the fact is that she wins her elections with 70% of the vote and no one can touch her Senate seat - it's not a bad deal.

As to governor, I don't really care who runs, I just want Perry out. The dog catcher would be fine with me.


17 posted on 12/12/2004 8:29:08 AM PST by BobL
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To: ForGod'sSake
"Why don't you find and post the Texas house and senate voting on the issue? The gov may be yukking it up for the Trans Texas Corridor, but the Texas legislature voted almost unanimously to approve the project....good or bad."

Maybe so, but I'll bet none of them read it - especially the page stating that they want to convert our Interstates to toll roads.

You know, it's getting very hard for me to vote Republican in this state any more. The Dems gave us freeways - the Republicans are turning them into toll roads at 20 cents per mile. I now vote Democrat at the state level, even though I could never vote Democrat at the national level, given their contempt for the security of this country.
18 posted on 12/12/2004 8:33:04 AM PST by BobL
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To: BobL

convert all of our [TX] freeways into toll roads

?? with all the miles of driving it takes to go from one place to another in Texas. You have my sympathy and I'm not being sarcastic. Perry is endangering your economy as goods and people movement are part of a healthy economy.


19 posted on 12/12/2004 8:33:43 AM PST by RicocheT
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To: Theodore R.

I'm sure glad we have this thoughtful forum, where the substance of the candidates positions is discussed and debated in detail, rather than the mudslinging display in the MSM.

/sarcasm


20 posted on 12/12/2004 8:34:14 AM PST by G Larry (Time to update my "Support John Thune!" tagline. Thanks to all who did!)
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