Hutchison's next move could shake up Texas politics

[Judi Lynn]

Hutchison's next move could shake up Texas politics

05/28/2005

By SUZANNE GAMBOA / Associated Press


In a Texas-size political chess game, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison plays the role of queen.
(snip)

In the meantime, a long line of Texas officials and political hopefuls are plotting their next move if her seat opens up and backup plans if she stays put.
(snip)

She holds the key," said U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla, R-San Antonio. Bonilla, who wanted Phil Gramm's seat when the former senator retired in 2001, already has announced he'll seek the Senate seat if Hutchison moves on. He plans to run for his House seat if Hutchison stays.

Democrats are watching closely as well. Some believe a nasty gubernatorial Republican primary — which could also include state Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, a frequent Perry critic — would increase their candidate's chances in the general election.

"This is the biggest potential shake-up in Texas politics," said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
(snip/...)

http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8ABVM2G1.html
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[splat@14]

1. I don't see any advantage to Dems in this, other than a repub slugfest.

Do you?

[Horse with no Name]

2. Fragmenting the party

is the advantage.

[splat@14]

3. Hope you're right. I didn't see that as a lasting advantage. Texas

has too many repubs to stay split for very long.

[Horse with no Name]

4. You'd be surprised

Your big cities either went for Kerry or were very close:
Bexar 44% (San Antonio)
Dallas 49% (Dallas)
El Paso 56%(El Paso)
Harris 45% (Houston)
Tarrant 37%(Ft. Worth)
Travis 56% (Austin)


Texas was lost in the rural counties. These are the counties where the kids will be drafted, where there are bases closing and people losing jobs, etc.
Texas is NOT out of reach of the Democrats.

[Wright Patman]

5. No, Texas was lost in the suburbs

There are not enough people left in rural Texas to account for a 20-point advantage in the polls.

The rurals are lost forever. Most are just stupid enough to believe their Baptist and Pentecostal and "nondenominational" pastors when they tell them a vote for a Democrat is one's own personal ticket straight to hell.

The "nondenominationals" actually do have a denomination. It's called the GOP.

[TexasLawyer]

8. and these metropolitan area figures are AFTER massive vote fraud

and voter suppression favoring the Republican ticket. A fair election would show significantly higher Democratic representation in these counties.

[Paladin]

6. Once Upon A Time.....

...I thought that Kay Bailey Hutchison had a little class, as compared to the rest of the Texas Republican crowd. Then, she came to the NRA convention in Houston a few weeks ago and made a bunch of gratuitously ugly "jokes" about the French. Really amused all the knuckle-draggers, but it did away with any positive illusions I had about the woman. Probably for the best.....

[pinkpops]

7. Ditto

Maybe she is gearing up for the gov run, trying to get some of the base.

[Doohickie]

9. Of course, the Dems would have to come up with a good candidate

even if there's a slugfest among the Repubs. Personally, I wouldn't mind voting for Carole Keeton Strayhorn; she seems to be the only statewide official with any sense these days.

Also, even if Hutchison doesn't always vote the way I'd like, she's got enough seniority now that she's pretty good at bringin' home the bacon. Even if a Dem replacing her would improve the country, it would be bad for Texas, at least in the short run.

[Horse with no Name]

10. Scottie's mama?

No, thanks.
Texas does not NEED another repug rubber stamp governor--especially one that enables this administration.