Posted on 05/18/2004 10:14:38 PM PDT by lewislynn
Texans grow less fond of governor Perry's not only GOP lawmaker slipping in public approval poll
11:09 PM CDT on Tuesday, May 18, 2004
By ROBERT T. GARRETT / The Dallas Morning News
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry's approval rating has tumbled to a new low.
More than half of Texans disapprove of the job he's doing, according to a Texas Poll released Tuesday. That compares to Ann Richards' negative reviews in November 1994, when 48 percent gave a thumbs-down to the governor who had just been defeated.
"He is in trouble," Cal Jillson, a political scientist at Southern Methodist University, said of Mr. Perry. "He's seen as more partisan than thoughtful."
Also Online
Texas Poll results: Politican approval Kathy Walt, the governor's press secretary, said Mr. Perry has tackled tough issues – such as a $9.9 billion, two-year budget shortfall; high property taxes; and the "Robin Hood" school-funding system.
Although a special session he called to overhaul school finance and reduce property taxes ended in failure this week, Mr. Perry will press ahead, Ms. Walt said.
"The governor will continue to make difficult leadership decisions on issues important to Texans based on principles and not polls," she said.
Mr. Perry hasn't had a victory since October's redrawing of congressional districts, which "was appealing to Republicans until they noticed all the blood on the floor," Dr. Jillson said.
"But now they're the ones who have left him, which accounts for most of his drop and is the more ominous thing for him," he said.
Among Republicans, the poll showed, Mr. Perry is struggling – 51 percent approve of his performance.
Also dropping were the job-approval ratings of the Republican-controlled Legislature and other GOP leaders Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn and Speaker Tom Craddick.
E-mail rtgarrett@dallasnews.com
Maybe because she has so many of them, and changes them like some folks change their underwear!
Carole Keeton McClellan Rylander Strayhorn...
Ah, yes!
I have to say that we are in agreement on everything else. I believe you. Could you tell me which web sites help us keep track of the legislature? In HS I wrote a research paper on the Sharpstown scandal. Know anything about that?
The S&L dealings were sweet for the crooks involved. So simple too. Just "flip" property from one person to another. Same stuff the Clinton's did with Whitewater. And even better scam was the "tobacco litigation" deal. Hillary Clinton made a fortune off of that. It's a good thing she and her husband are out of office. They would have eventually sued every big bidness in America. We need tort reform badly so a$$wipes like John M. O Quinn can't ruin businesses with the help of people like the Clinton's then turn around and funnel money back to them.
BTW, I never said I have any problem with Perry. I just made an observation about him and passed something along from someone I respect. I'd vote for Perry again. He's head and shoulders above any commiecrat.
I wonder....Perry is tackling some unpopular issues and risking alot of political capitol...maybe he has something else in mind next election. I'll be surprised if they ever come to a decision, especially a good one, on school finance.
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