Texas Republican Candidates for Governor

September 28, 2009 — The citizens of Texas will elect a governor next year. The incumbent Gov. Rick Perry, R-Tex is running again and will be challenged in the primary by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (KBH), R-Tex soon to resign her Senate seat. The Texas Republican party primary will be held in March 2010. The fur is flying hot and heavy between these two already.

Gov. Perry's campaign is after KBH over her place on the Senate Appropriations Committee and the many earmarks (pork) she has sought and therefore what a big spender she is. In today's online addition of the Austin American-Statesman Jason Embry reported, "Hutchison sponsored or co-sponsored 281 earmarks during the past two years, ranking her 25th among the Senate's 100 members in the number of earmarks secured and sixth among Republicans, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. The projects totaled almost $500 million." In the 2009 budget year KBH secured earmarks for projects such as building a maintenance hanger at an AFB, improvements at an airport, money for an established Presidential library, and money for medical research. Now what is wrong with that? Isn't that what a Senator is suppose to do...get money for projects in their state as long as they are not frivolous? Gov. Perry's campaign is missing the boat here in my opinion and here is why.

KBH is the most aloof Senator I have ever seen in the U.S. Senate. She remains apart generally speaking from her constituency and often seems unresponsive to their needs or questions. I have personally experienced this on more than one occasion when I have posed a question or comment to KBH and her staff. She has done nothing worthwhile for the needs of the children of this state especially as it relates to health care and as a matter of fact where is she in the ongoing debate over health care reform...seems she is silent...aloof. Of course Gov. Perry can't point this sort of thing out because he didn't miss the boat...he is often in the SAME BOAT. I guess he believes in you can't call the kettle black or whatever that cliche is.

Neither of these Republican candidates impresses me much. I use to vote almost straight Republican. Now I consider myself a conservative independent. I will vote for the person I feel is going to do the right thing for the people...a candidate that knows what they are talking about... and can back it up with fact. These two Republicans do not meet that criteria. I want to find a candidate that is for the citizens of this state especially the children for their health care and their education and one that is a strong supporter of the military and veterans. Where or where is such a candidate. Where is Kinky Friedman when you really need him...NOT!

I am hoping some candidate will step forth and do the right thing. It doesn't look promising and yet I can always hope and pay attention...it's what really matters!