Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Democrats in Texas? Where are they? We need to show up this time!

Dems Get Their Man In Texas?

The last time a Democrat was governor of Texas, Bill Clinton was in his second year in office, grunge music was still all the rage, Troy Aikman was quarterback for the Cowboys, and the Texas A&M Aggies were the dominant college football team in the state.

My, how things change. But after yesterday's chain of events -- Tom Schieffer (D) exiting the gubernatorial contest and Houston Mayor Bill White (D) apparently turning his focus from the Senate contest to the gubernatorial one -- Democrats now seem to have a path to win the governor's mansion. This could be especially true if Rick Perry defeats Kay Bailey Hutchison in their increasingly bitter GOP primary, which could alienate female voters and independents. Perhaps this is why RGA Chairman Haley Barbour told reporters last week he preferred for Hutchison to remain in the Senate. http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/11/23/2135197.aspx

It's Easier For A Texas Dem To Win State Office Than Federal Office: The entrance of White is also a tacit acknowledgement on his part that it's A LOT easier to be a Democrat in Texas running for state office than federal office.

Perhaps he's learning the lesson of another big city Texas Democratic mayor whom many in the business community loved: Ron Kirk. What if Kirk had run for governor in 2002 rather than Senate? Would the Dallas business community have rallied around him? It's a "what-if" plenty of Texas Democrats have played over the years. Also, White's likely move to the governor's race also means two Democrats won't beat each other up in a Senate contest, as longtime Democratic lawmaker John Sharp is raising money as well.

Happy Thanksgiving: Finally, we won't be publishing our morning and afternoon notes Wednesday through Friday, although we'll update the blog as news warrants. Our notes will return on Monday. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday.

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