Question for Republicans (regarding Texas)

[Sam Spade]

Hutchinson has got to be running one of the worst campaigns I've ever seen.  When you don't run competitive races for a while, you really lose your edge.

That being said, I'd support Medina.  I don't want to pay property taxes either.

[Sam Spade]

I am just so happy I don't live in Texas, and that goes beyond politics.  So many nutters, so little time.  The GOP platforms there that the rank and file adopt, always make for interesting reading.

I feel the same about California, oddly enough... 

Look - it isn't out of the realm of possibility for Hutchinson to finish 3rd in this primary. 

In fact, I might be willing to place money on that (with a certain spread) if Indys and Dems couldn't play in the GOP primary. 

Now that I think about it, I might bet on it anyway, considering the horrible campaign she's run so far and the fact that I doubt most Dems really care (and Texas Indys are an odd lot).

[Sam Spade]

Perry is a secessionist nutcase, therefore any self respecting Republican would throw him under the bus and go with the empty pantsuit. The sad part is that, regardless of who wins the primary (which I imagine will be Perry knowing a thing or two about conservatives in Texas), they'll finish on top in the general. It's a sad thing too, Bill White was a fantastic mayor and would be a great governor, but this is Texas and it's going to be a Republican year. Therefore, it will likely have been a waste. Unfortunate timing for White.

Have faith, bud. As the little boy from Angels in the Outfield says, "It could happen!" All is not lost for the Democrats in Texas. Aren't we just a couple seats away from controlling the Texas House of Representatives (think the numbers I last saw were 76 R - 74 D). That's progress for Texas! Who knows, maybe we could pick up three seats and gain the majority. That could serve to be very beneficial going into the redistricting process.

The make up is 77 Republicans and 73 Democrats, which is a good thing; for now. As I said, it's going to be a Republican year and if it's going to run down ballot anywhere, it will do so in a state like Texas, which has party line voting options. I couldn't tell you what the House will look like when it's all said and done, but I would just about bet that whoever wins the Republican nod for Governor wins the general by at least 6%.

I tend to agree (and I definitely agree on the party line thing) but we'll see.

I didn't realize Chuck Hopson switched parties after the November elections, but I understand why - he's in one of those seats where his goose might have been cooked otherwise. (east Texas)

Which reminds me - you need to realize in the Texas House that there are still about 5-10 seats held by Dems that they have no business holding should they ever become open or things get nasty up-ballot.  Almost all of the Dem gains since 2002 have come from deterioration in the Dallas/Houston suburbs that showed up on a lot of different levels - if that deterioration stops or reverses for 2010, there could be real problems in keeping things close.