Replies

To me the trouble with Governor Perry, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary on March 12, is that he does not seem to be "in charge." We hear so little from him. There is no Perry presence in the state media. Thus far, he has run no ads. Sanchez's ads, professionally prepared, are everywhere. Of course, Sanchez ran the ads prior to his primary, and it would presumably have made little sense for Perry to run ads early. But the clintoids taught us the value of early advertising. It can pay long-term dividends.

I do not think Sanchez can be taken lightly. If a black, Ron Kirk, wins the senatorial nomination on April 9, the Democrats will have a black-brown-white slate, consisting of senatorial candidate Kirk, gubernatorial candidate Sanchez, and lieutenant governor candidate John Sharp, who nearly beat Perry for lt. gov. in 1998. There is a theory that Sharp helped to assemble this Democrat team so he can be guaranteed nearly 100 percent of the minority vote in the fall. Republican lt. gov. candidate David Dewhurst also ran impressively against weak opposition in the primary. Even if Kirk is not nominated, there will still be nearly unanimous black support for the Democrat ticket from the Senate seat to the justice of the peace positions.

I think the GOP is much too lackadaisical in TX for its own good. "Everyone" just presumes that Perry will win because he "leads in polls." This is potentially dangerous. Am I the only one who senses such danger? And even Republicans are already conceding that they will not likely do well in the races for the U.S. House in TX because Democrat federal judges drew the lines to favor Democrats.

Am I the only one who senses such danger?

Nope, I do, too. And the one I'm worried about the most is Ron Kirk. He has a strong political machine and the Democrats consider him the "right kind" of African American -- suave, well-spoken, and devoted to big spending and state control.

To me the trouble with Governor Perry, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary on March 12, is that he does not seem to be "in charge." We hear so little from him. There is no Perry presence in the state media. Thus far, he has run no ads. Sanchez's ads, professionally prepared, are everywhere. Of course, Sanchez ran the ads prior to his primary, and it would presumably have made little sense for Perry to run ads early. But the clintoids taught us the value of early advertising. It can pay long-term dividends. I do not think Sanchez can be taken lightly. If a black, Ron Kirk, wins the senatorial nomination on April 9, the Democrats will have a black-brown-white slate, consisting of senatorial candidate Kirk, gubernatorial candidate Sanchez, and lieutenant governor candidate John Sharp, who nearly beat Perry for lt. gov. in 1998. There is a theory that Sharp helped to assemble this Democrat team so he can be guaranteed nearly 100 percent of the minority vote in the fall. Republican lt. gov. candidate David Dewhurst also ran impressively against weak opposition in the primary. Even if Kirk is not nominated, there will still be nearly unanimous black support for the Democrat ticket from the Senate seat to the justice of the peace positions. I think the GOP is much too lackadaisical in TX for its own good. "Everyone" just presumes that Perry will win because he "leads in polls." This is potentially dangerous. Am I the only one who senses such danger? And even Republicans are already conceding that they will not likely do well in the races for the U.S. House in TX because Democrat federal judges drew the lines to favor Democrats.

I see the danger too. We cannot be complacent. Perry needs to get out there and campaign hard ... he's an Incumbent In Name Only, he hasnt won the Gov mansion from the people yet.

As for the hispanic vote, Sanchez does *not* have it locked up. GOP shouldnt concede it and should not fall into trap of race-baiting, which will ony backfire in media. And the rainbow slate may be a positive for Dems, but can be turned around; if the Dems take extreme positions, then moderates will vote GOP.

Frankly of all candidates, I am most worried about Kirk Watson for AG. he is too smart and too liberal to let loose in that position. :-(

Note your final point: Sharp nearly beat Perry in 1998. that , in a race where GW Bush buried the opponent in a landslide ... that should be wakeup call enough!!!

I think the GOP is much too lackadaisical in TX for its own good.

You are not the only one who senses the danger. I would make Sanchez the favorite right now. Perry has shown no signs that he understands the quandary he is in. He has not reached out to the grassroots conservatives that he offended by signing the Hate Crimes bill last year.

He endorsed a Supreme Court nominee that was beaten in the primary. His appointment to the SBOE Chair, Grace Shore, was beaten like a drum by a Christian conservative candidate inexperienced in politics. Though I was happy to see these things happen personally, it bodes ill for Perry.

"To me the trouble with Governor Perry, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary on March 12, is that he does not seem to be "in charge." We hear so little from him. "

No...IMHO...the problem with Governor Perry is that he is a RINO. He was a weak Lt. Governor and a weak Governor because he switched parties and tried to ride the fence. Blue dog democrats don't trust him and Republicans don't either. All the socialist dems don't like him either just because he is a republican. He is probably in the weakest position in the race. If he wins he will be a typical one term Texas governor.

"I think the GOP is much too lackadaisical in TX for its own good. "

Look, do you want to know what it will take to win the Chicano vote? 1. Permit unlimited and unrestricted immigration. 2. Welfare for life. 3. Turn over as many states to Mexican rule as they wish.