[Essie]

I have lived in West Texas for almost thirty years, and you are ignorant of the facts. When I first moved to Texas, Charlie Stenholm was my Congressman, and he was elected in the Democrat primary because a Republican wasn’t running against him. This area is and has been Conservative. At that time it was Conservative Democrat; I don’t think there are any of those left anymore. Over years, the values stayed the same; but as the Democrats shifted to the left, the area shifted to the Republican Party. People started to run against Charlie. Unlike Rick Perry, Charlie Stenholm stayed a Democrat and eventually lost his seat. Rick Perry and West Texas has always been Conservative. Anyone who suggests that Rick Perry is a liberal has not done their homework.

[fieldmarshaldj]

You’re in major-league denial, Essie. Perry is no Conservative. A RINO absolutely. Stenholm was a moderate at best, and no Conservative, either. Perry’s own home county when he represented it in the TX House voted solidly for DUKAKIS for President by almost 60% of the vote at the time he had finished pimping for fellow Socialist Al Gore for President. You should do a little research before you start attaking people, lady.

[ishmac]

And don't forget Rep Charlie Wilson, a dem from east Texas who took care of funding the anti-Soviet resistance during Reagan's term. Wilson was a true-blue patriot who supported Reagan in defeating the Soviets. The story is told in Charley Wilson's War. There used to be patriotic democrats with conservative leanings, as hard as that is to believe now.

[cricket]

Well, should have said -perhaps - "cannot take ALL the Democrat out. And of course, I said Democrat, and not 'Liberal'.

Know 'Conservatism runs deep in Texas. Have only to think of another Democrat from Texas, so well known - if not notorious - by just his initials. LBJ was no Liberal, either.