The next GOP civil war: Cheney backing Hutchison over Rick Perry
posted at 6:05 pm on October 28, 2009 by Allahpundit
You know what this means, don’t you? Dick Cheney on one side — and Sarahcuda on the other. For grassroots conservatives, this is like watching a knife fight between Reagan and Thatcher.
Which one’s the RINO here?
Former Vice President Dick Cheney will join Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) on the campaign trail in her bid to unseat incumbent Gov. Rick Perry (R-Texas).
The Hutchison campaign told the Austin American-Statesman Cheney would appear at a fundraiser next month to endorse Hutchison…
Perry has done much to appeal to conservatives in his own right. In March, Perry rejected federal stimulus funds directed toward unemployment claims, saying they had too many strings attached.
There’s only one way to decide who the truest “true conservative” is: Liz Cheney will have to play tiebreaker. Meanwhile, on the civil war’s northern front, you’ll be unsurprised yet nonetheless disappointed to know that the RNC chairman is backing the party’s nominee. To salve the wound, enjoy this clever takedown of Scozzafava by some of her, ahem, “supporters” — with one word of caution. If I’m right that most voters left in Team Dede’s camp are centrist or even slightly liberal and now have to decide between Hoffman and the Democrat, this could backfire big time.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 4 Next »
I do, every election. Lots of blue in the valley and the coast and east Texas and the hill country. Don’t just go by how the presidential vote goes. Texas has a constitutionally weak governor. It can be argued that the lieutenant governor has more power. The local dems are a different flavor than those that go to D.C. that’s why they don’t usually go from Austin to the beltway so the election map for local races isn’t a reliable gauge either. But by looking at both, you can get an idea of how purple Texas really is and always has been. Except for the current influx of yanquis we are in pretty good shape.
cozmo on October 28, 2009 at 8:41 PM
BTW, heads up Texans!
Regarding eminent domain, there’s an amendment on the ballot on Nov. 3 restricting eminent domain further in the wake of SCOTUS’s Kelo vs. City of New London.
Jenfidel on October 28, 2009 at 8:41 PM
cozmo on October 28, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Jenfidel on October 28, 2009 at 8:44 PM
Obama vs Hillary was not an ideological clash. It was purely racial and maybe a little generational.
Speedwagon82 on October 28, 2009 at 8:45 PM
Thats one of the few good one’s on this ballot. I think they intentionally waited for this election to put in all of the tax increases the legislature has been wanting to get for the last decade.
I have a feeling this election is going to bad for libertarian minded Texans. If it goes well for libertarians, it will mean good things for the TEA party. Though the media will ignore it if they aren’t ignorant of the Texas ballot.
cozmo on October 28, 2009 at 8:52 PM
Right or wrong my vote is going to Perry. End of story. Hutchison needs to stay where she is for now. And we definitely don’t need Houston Mayor Bill White taking her seat (he is already campaigning).
atxcowgirl on October 28, 2009 at 8:53 PM
I’ll be voting for Perry…he’s not perfect, but he’s also not DC…
Ltlgeneral64 on October 28, 2009 at 8:54 PM
My wife and I are Collin County co-chairs for Texans for Kay. I was a Perry supporter until I found the real conservative. Perry tells our base one thing but does another – like closing state budget deficits with stimulus cash. Kay will be the first to employ term limits and the first to step down. As a strong believer in Sarahcudda, I know Palin would be wrong to endorse Perry. Kay speaks more to true conservative values and to the base as Palin does. She has the experience in Washington to protect Texas from Obama’s ever-encroaching big gub-ment. Perry’s time is over.
BirdEye on October 28, 2009 at 8:56 PM
I, for one, am shocked that a guy with a gay daughter who was never particularly religious is supporting a pro-choice Washington insider.
Lefties think Dick Cheney is some bogeyman when he is really just an economic conservative who doesn’t have an ounch of social conservatism in him.
Speedwagon82 on October 28, 2009 at 9:02 PM
When KBH announced she was going to run, I actually was sort of happy. Michael Williams immediately announced that he would run for the seat, and I hoped (at the time) that Perry would win over KBH in the primary, and Michael could help the Senate with an honest to god conservative. He is a true gem. Conservative and thoughtful.
KBH promised to resign so this could be an orderly process of replacement, but then when her polls didn’t look too good, she began to waffle on it. Even the local Austin rag, the “American Statesman” has taken her to task for that.
Resign Kay, then lose the primary and do Texas (and the rest of the country) a HUGE favor.
Webrider on October 28, 2009 at 9:02 PM
I’m a LONGHORN married to an aggie. Although I come from a long line of Conservative/ Republican LONGHORNS, I will be voting for the aggie Rick Perry. House Divided …Yes, but thank God not in politics & religion.
redridinghood on October 28, 2009 at 9:07 PM
That would not be Kay Bailout.
Got proof?
And I wasn’t aware that Texas had any deficits.
We supposedly have a surplus, as it happens.
When?
Why not stop with herself and her Senate terms?
Uh, no.
Kay’s only helped Maobama with his encroachment.
Her Washington record is far from pretty.
(And Cornyn’s is not much better, either!)
Jenfidel on October 28, 2009 at 9:08 PM
Or perhaps you could stop being a jackass for a short period of time.
highhopes on October 28, 2009 at 9:11 PM
In fairness to KBH she is putting off her resignation for the same reason Mass. changed the law to get a senator back in the seat so quickly after Kennedy died. Do you want an empty anti-Obama care senate seat when the votes come up? I’m sure the Austin American statesman does…
I’m stating the obvious and not a supporter of KBH in the 2010 governors race.
cozmo on October 28, 2009 at 9:11 PM
True, but one was marketed differently. Plus, even though Hillary most likely agrees with Obama on most of the issues, the Clintons learned to modify their approach… Will Obama? We will see… So far no.
If you don’t like the example of Hillary v Obama, one can always look at the Greens v Donks. Although the Donks might share a lot of common values with the Greens, last election cycle, there was no love for Ralphy and team. No, all the love was directed at Hopus Pokus. Can’t “Gore” Obama Teh One. If any anointed (self or otherwise) had gone against the Democratic ticket, they would have found themselves demoted even though secretly their lefty comrades would have wanted to cheer them on.
MeatHeadinCA on October 28, 2009 at 9:14 PM
I’m not even sure if he’s economically conservative… Definitely not in the Milton Friedman sort of way… he would have walked years ago.
Hawkish? Yep.
MeatHeadinCA on October 28, 2009 at 9:16 PM
Hit the nail right on the head.
Sorry, but you’ve gotta go with the ‘Cuda on this one.
HAnthonyWayne on October 28, 2009 at 9:20 PM
As a life long (50 years) native Texan, I can tell you, KBH is worthless as they come.
She is a pitful Senator, her voting record is very RINOish. She’s started voted more conservative, lately, hoping everyone will forget she is a RINO.
She was totally useless if you tried to contact her about an issue, totally.
I had my issues with Perry, like the Trans-Texas Corridor, but that fiasco made him get a little religion.
Texas is very pro business, and even though our economy is slowing, it still hasn’t crashed.
I’ll take Perry any day of the week.
I think Kinky Friedman is running as a democrat now, so THAT will be the circus show!
gary4205 on October 28, 2009 at 9:22 PM
If it’s between Palin and Cheney, yeah, I’d pick her. Cheney is given too much conservative credentials. It’s not always obvious that he is really a conservative in the philosophical sense. Sometimes it becomes a little clearer after he elaborates … other times no.
Gotta give him this. He’s articulate and committed to what he sees as important. So is Joe Lieberman (well, maybe not quite as articulate).
MeatHeadinCA on October 28, 2009 at 9:23 PM
*too many
MeatHeadinCA on October 28, 2009 at 9:27 PM
Cheer up Texans, your choice could be between Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown.
Rovin on October 28, 2009 at 9:30 PM
I am an Aggie, but I have been disgruntled with Perry at times. The way I see it though, is Perry at least gets the Conservative movement. KBH has been in the Senate too long. It is all about compromise and the whole “widening the big tent” with her. Perry may occasionally stick his finger up to see which way the wind is blowing, but at least he gets it. KBH does not! I will be supporting Perry!
texgal on October 28, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Perry supporter here. My biggest concern is all the dems who will cross over in the primary to give the nomination to KBH. It’s the plan of local dems in my area. They think they can easily beat her in the general.
If she gets the nomination, the senate seat will most likely go dem also. She’ll never be forgiven!
lonestar1 on October 28, 2009 at 9:40 PM
The true conservative in the Republican primary is Debra Medina. Consider voting for her.
http://www.medinafortexas.com/
Troll Feeder on October 28, 2009 at 9:42 PM
She looks interesting, with lots of potential!
Wouldn’t it be too funny if Texas Conservatives & Republicans dumped both Kay Bailout & Rick and went for the new rancher lady?
Jenfidel on October 28, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Won’t Medina pull votes from Perry – thereby guaranteeing that Ayatollahess Hutchinson wins?
What the hell is going on in Texas anyway?
Why is Perry even being challenged? I’m not up on this. KBH left a safe senate position to take a Governor’s seat from a Republican?
Wussup wid dat?
HondaV65 on October 28, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Same could be said of Hoffman challenging Dede or Sarah taking on the boys up in Alaska.
MeatHeadinCA on October 28, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Only the metro areas of Dallas, Austin and Houston went for NObama last year.
Once you get out of the big cities, Texas is RED, red, red.
(Look at the electoral maps.)
Texas was a Democrat bastion until Bill Clements became Governor.
If we ever go purple–or God forbid Blue again–America is truly doomed.
The New Left Democrats don’t have principles that jibe with those of the citizens of the Lone Star State, but the Conservative Republicans do: Freedom, Low Taxes, Right-to-Work, Individuality and personal responsibility, & a Government that stays out of our yards, lives and faces!
Jenfidel on October 28, 2009 at 8:29 PM
–It was also El Paso, San Antonio and almost all of the border area with Mexico.
Jimbo3 on October 28, 2009 at 9:57 PM
My wife and I are Collin County co-chairs for Texans for Kay. I was a Perry supporter until I found the real conservative. Perry tells our base one thing but does another – like closing state budget deficits with stimulus cash. Kay will be the first to employ term limits and the first to step down. As a strong believer in Sarahcudda, I know Palin would be wrong to endorse Perry. Kay speaks more to true conservative values and to the base as Palin does. She has the experience in Washington to protect Texas from Obama’s ever-encroaching big gub-ment. Perry’s time is over.
BirdEye on October 28, 2009 at 8:56 PM
–I am a moderate, but also plan to vote for Kay in Collin County. If she loses, I’ll vote for the Dem.
Jimbo3 on October 28, 2009 at 9:58 PM
Cozmo, if this was Taxachusetts, I’d agree with you. But it *IS* Texas. Perry would appoint someone immediately to fill the seat, hopefully a real conservative place holder.
Webrider on October 28, 2009 at 9:59 PM
FYI: Another Texas story from today’s Dallas News:
“Texas has no shortage of amazing criminal justice stories. Here’s the latest to hit my radar screen: State law says it’s OK to show pornography to children — as long as they’re your children and the stuff is otherwise legal (no kiddie porn, in other words).
Now a Panhandle prosecutor wants the Texas attorney general’s office to check his reading of the penal code section on showing harmful material to minors. An AG’s spokesman said the matter is under review and declined further comment.
Randall County District Attorney James Farren’s request grew out of a divorced Dallas-area woman’s experience. Her three grade-school-aged daughters were living with their dad earlier this year when he allegedly got liquored up late one night and showed two of them porn on his computer. They later told a counselor, who alerted authorities. Amarillo police investigated, found the girls believable and sought advice from the DA’s office before proceeding.
Farren concluded that that his hands were tied. No search warrant ever got issued, so there’s been no independent look at evidence.
“We have to convince the Legislature to review this issue,” Farren told me.
State Sen. Bob Deuell, a Republican from Greenville, said he will push for change in the next legislative session.
“It’s not going to be an easy issue,” he warned. Why? There will be talk that the state is trying to dictate what parents can teach their children.
Such concerns influenced the writing of the law in 1973, said former state Sen. Tati Santiesteban. The El Paso Democrat, who still practices criminal defense law, said he chaired the subcommittee that did the writing.
“Our discussion was about the invasion of privacy into the home” and “being a parent and wanting to teach my child about sex,” he told me. “Who in the hell is the government to come and tell me what I can show to my children?”
Sexual material that parents show their children needs to have a legitimate educational purpose, said Deuell, who’s a family practice physician.”
Jimbo3 on October 28, 2009 at 10:01 PM
I am coming late to this discussion but my take is that she wants to make a presidential run later on and get some actual executive experience as Governor. Why else do you challenge a popular sitting Governor in your own party. Even if you are not from Texas, I hope that at least can agree with us on principle that we do not want DC rat experience back here running our state. I know most of my friends here shudder and are mystified by her run.
bluemarlin on October 28, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Just a bit of advice from someone with no horse in this race:
However true your point may be, that sort of overwrought language will gain you no converts.
notropis on October 28, 2009 at 10:13 PM
I do not think it is the same. Hoffman was not given a chance to run, Dede was appointed by a committee and she is not an incumbent. In Alaska Sarah took on her own party because they were corrupt. Granted, she did go after an incumbent of her own party but a very corrupt one.
bluemarlin on October 28, 2009 at 10:13 PM
OK, cowboys and cowgirls, here’s the map:
Texas Electoral map 2008
Yes, the border counties are Blue, but those are illegals!
We all know what that’s about.
Nothing that a voter ID law (enforced) couldn’t fix, is it?
Jenfidel on October 28, 2009 at 10:15 PM
I think Kay would be a lousy Governor and an even worse presidential candidate who certainly wouldn’t win the Oval Office, if she won the nomination.
The woman looks and sounds tired and is getting long in the tooth.
(Has she looked in the mirror lately?)
Jenfidel on October 28, 2009 at 10:17 PM
I am truly baffled at KBH’s desire to run as governor. My vote will be for Perry. She better hope her senate seat stays republican and a republican is governor after the dust settles. She will never be forgiven otherwise.
Sue on October 28, 2009 at 10:20 PM
They have both been around long enough to not be strangers to any of us Texans. IMO they have both been on the right side of all the major issues that have been occuring with regularity for the last few years. Perry has governed Texas to be one of the few states that remain solvent while so many states have faltered. KBH has the reputation of having a little bit of somebodies campassionate conservatism rub off on her.
Just visited the Medina website… first time I even heard of her.
Leaning Perry.
Spider79 on October 28, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Well we are in lockstep here!
bluemarlin on October 28, 2009 at 10:23 PM
OK, cowboys and cowgirls, here’s the map:
Texas Electoral map 2008
Yes, the border counties are Blue, but those are illegals!
We all know what that’s about.
Nothing that a voter ID law (enforced) couldn’t fix, is it?
Jenfidel on October 28, 2009 at 10:15 PM
–I’m almost positive that I had to show a driver’s license in order to vote in Collin County last fall.
Jimbo3 on October 28, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Kay and Rick are okay, neither perfect.
But Rick’s far more likely to fight Washington when we’ll really need to.
Kay, I’m afraid, is too much into the “Can’t we all just get along?” crap. She’s too Highland Park, for this cowboy.
Don’t need no more compromise. Not now. Not ever again.
TXUS on October 28, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Sorry, but Dick Cheney has earned the respect of a true conservative. I admire him more than any other….I back his judgement 100%.
tatersalad on October 28, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Gotta say Perry. I cannot stand that Kay B Hutchinson. I remember working with her people that had come aboard when I was helping on the Bush 2000 campaign. Ugh. Snotty elitest bunch. Perry aint perfect, by a long shot, but definately better.
di butler on October 28, 2009 at 10:47 PM
man i wish Dick Cheney would run for President…
equanimous on October 28, 2009 at 11:09 PM
It’s probably not THE same thing, but it’s definitely a similar story line. The moral is, don’t run for gov in Texas unless you have connections… This may seem a little outrageous, but here we are essentially rationalizing Perry’s past bad behavior simply because he’s somewhat better than KBH. I realize that there are times when one has to pick the lesser of two evils (assuming the lesser is something one can live with), but I find it strange that some here look away from Perry’s past bad decisions after they talk about kicking out RINOs and finding the true conservative candidate.
So what is it? Is Perry = Romney and Hutch = McCain?
MeatHeadinCA on October 28, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Never felt one ounce of elitism from any of KBH’s crew. I have felt rather insignificant vis a vis Perry on such issues as private property, trans Texas corridor, the guardasil mandate, other big government stances. Look at your property taxes under Perry. You know they’ve increased disproportionately to the falling value of your house.
It’s simple really. Perry talks the talk and knows how to appeal to the base on our key pain points. Kay remembers who she works for: us.
Jenfidel, she said at her Dallas campaign kickoff event she would step down in 4.
BirdEye on October 28, 2009 at 11:15 PM
With who and/or what? Each other?
Jenfidel on October 28, 2009 at 11:37 PM
Perry has passed at least one initiative protecting private property.
As I said, another’s an amendment on the ballot this November.
As for the Gardasil thing, I wrote my state senator and state representative to block Perry in the legislature.
Perry’s not to blame for my high taxes–that was Dallas County, ex-Mayor Laura Miller and the DISD.
As others have said above, Kay is abysmal in responding when you contact her about issues.
I know–I’ve been doing it for years.
I call her office in D.C. and also email: she votes how she wants to(sometimes Conservatively, sometimes not as with the TARP bailout) and all you get is a computer-generated form letter.
At least Rick Perry has gone to the tea parties and is willing to listen to what the people of Texas have to say.
Step down from what? And in 4 what? Months? Years? Terms?
Jenfidel on October 28, 2009 at 11:44 PM
Years, Jenfidel.
Showhorse or workhorse? Hmmmm:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/fix-poll/fix-poll-the-most-overrated-go.html
Telling poll results.
BirdEye on October 29, 2009 at 12:16 AM
Oh, so we’re gonna let the few remaining readers of the WashingtoncomPost tell us what to think and do in Texas?
And ol’ Kay is more than a bit of a showhorse, rather than a workhorse herself.
I don’t put much stock in those Senators doing much more than run a talking shop there in D.C.
And 4 years for her to do what?
Jenfidel on October 29, 2009 at 12:27 AM
4 years as governor. You asked about my term limit claim. I answered your own question.
Perry sends a paltry force of Texas Rangers to the border (a task for which they are not the optimal choice) while Kay has continuously delivered superior tangible results in this area, e.g., increased funding for more border patrol agents (personnel actually trained to work on the border) and authored legislation for national guard troop presence (persons who actually guard our nation), and you still maintain that Perry is less show.
Perry has designs on 600,000 acres of private property for the trans Texas corridor (which will also kill more American jobs in an already troubled economy) and you still think this is a conservative politician. Kay believes what you own, what you work for, should be yours. Sounds pretty conservative to me.
BirdEye on October 29, 2009 at 12:58 AM
I live in El Paso, which won’t vote for Kay or Rick. We have a bunch of Libs out here, and they will support any Democrat, no matter how stupid they are.
I am behind Perry all the way, Hutchison should stay where she is, or retire, she is just too wishy washy washington for me.
Susanboo on October 29, 2009 at 1:03 AM
I doubt your claims, but I’m too tired to research them tonight.
Perry sent the Rangers because Congress wouldn’t send National Guard troops and Kay and her pals in the Senate didn’t fund them, no matter you maintain she funded.
The TTC project is officially over, so your kvetching is useless.
Bullsh*t.
She happily passed TARP: no TARP beneficiaries own, worked for or can claim that money, because it was mine and that of other honest, hard-working taxpayers.
You’ve obviously quaffed a gallon jug of the Kay KoolAde.
Good luck with that–she isn’t going to win.
Jenfidel on October 29, 2009 at 1:12 AM
I notice you completely ignored my point about why (local) taxes are so high.
You’re having a very hard time relating Kay’s work at the federal level to an efficacious outcome here in Texas and I suspect this is Kay’s main problem, too.
She really should drop it–there is no groundswell or grassroots movement ready to sweep Kay Bailout into the Governor’s mansion in Austin.
Frankly, we have bigger problems to deal with, like an out-of-control Fascist/Socialist dictatorship in Washington.
Jenfidel on October 29, 2009 at 1:16 AM
Heads up, BirdEye!
While you were busy with your band, this happened over 3 weeks ago:
State ends Trans-Texas Corridor project
If you’re going to help Kay at all, you’d better do more homework.
Jenfidel on October 29, 2009 at 1:20 AM
No kidding. You honestly think that aspirations for the TTC are settled? Hehhe.
And no, Laura Miller didn’t raise my taxes. I pay Collin County. Too much. It’s a statewide epidemic.
We actually have a huge grassroots movement.
I’m sorry. But you are wrong on every point.
BirdEye on October 29, 2009 at 1:42 AM
Yes.
Didn’t you read the article?
Sorry!
I’m a native Texan: I see no grassroots movement for Kay Bailout, much less a “huge” one.
Kay’s a RINO and there’s no getting around that.
Guess you haven’t noticed, but RINOs are definitely *out* this year and for a long time to come.
At least Texans know Rick Perry will stand up to Obama–something we’ve seen KBH won’t do and right now, that’s all that matters.
In the ObamaNation, it’s a matter of states’ rights vs. Obama’s overbearing Federal Government.
Kay is still in that group of elitist Beltway insiders, along with Obama and the Democrat-controlled House and Senate.
Jenfidel on October 29, 2009 at 2:09 AM
Lemme guess, BirdEye, as “Co-Chair,” Kay’s paying you, rather than you being a big donor to her campaign…
What a world.
Jenfidel on October 29, 2009 at 2:10 AM
It would be interesting to read what Rockmom posts about this contest. Isn’t she from Texas? I lived there from 2003 to 2006. I was in the Canyon Creek area of Austin, a bastion of conservatism far out from Austin but still in the city limits. The city libs loved our tax revenues, and ignored everything else about us, particularly because we were so far from the center of the city (way off on route 620 and 2222 for those who know the area). My friend knows Perry personally but never really said much about him. She had dinner at the governor’s mansion the night of his inauguration after he won bush’s seat outright. I didn’t have a feel for KBH, either. I think both her and Cornyn and somewhat squishy R’s anyway, surprisingly.
I liked hearing Perry talk about liberating TX from DC earlier this year. I am stuck in very blue MI, a state that is just ruined from liberalism. If TX really did try to go it alone, I would try to immigrate down there before they slammed the doors to more yankees!!! (wink). I really like the liberty attitude of Texans.
Does KBH have to resign from her seat? When is her term up?
karenhasfreedom on October 29, 2009 at 3:02 AM
Kay and Rick are okay, neither perfect.
But Rick’s far more likely to fight Washington when we’ll really need to.
Kay, I’m afraid, is too much into the “Can’t we all just get along?” crap. She’s too Highland Park, for this cowboy.
Don’t need no more compromise. Not now. Not ever again.
TXUS on October 28, 2009 at 10:42 PM
And therein lies the entire argument for Rick Perry!
Remember, even though he didn’t ACTUALLY say it, this is a guy who has at LEAST danced around the secession issue. Not exactly a moonbat idea in these times we live in!
Perry has already went on record taking on Obama.
Here’s my HONEST opinion, and I have thought this since Sarah announced that she will come to Texas to campaign for him: Think Vice President Rick Perry.
I don’t know why I think it, there is absolutely no evidence for it. Call it woman’s intuition!
But one thing about it, as America devolves and collapses into the chaos of communism, KBH would be a facilitator, not a resistor!
gary4205 on October 29, 2009 at 3:20 AM
Cheney is backing Hutchinson most likely because she is a friend of his and a very close friend of the Bush family. Cheney, as great as he is on National Security, is still an insider and it’s hard to go against your friends.
Palin still has not endorsed Rubio and I hear she has a good relationship with Crist. Hmmmmm.
Daemonocracy on October 29, 2009 at 5:45 AM
AP will stop being a jackass at the same time as rainbows and sciddles shoot out Akbar’s a$$.
Blacksmith8 on October 29, 2009 at 6:58 AM
Been there, voted against it, couldn’t afford the t-shirt.
Blacksmith8 on October 29, 2009 at 7:00 AM
QOTThread!
KBH left a safe senate position to take a Governor’s seat from a Republican?
Wussup wid dat?
Indeed, what was she thinking?
HMMMMMM?
No, she hasn’t left her seat YET.
No, she hasn’t filed for Governor YET.
I’m wondering what she has done for me lately.
Oh, I remember, she voted for TARP and Porkulous and she favors Maobamacare, even though we have the only working state healthcare reform in the United States!
Blacksmith8 on October 29, 2009 at 7:05 AM
Now there’s an endorsement. The squish is gonna vote for the squish.
Blacksmith8 on October 29, 2009 at 7:07 AM
WaPoo says they like Kay bailout. Okay, keep her.
Blacksmith8 on October 29, 2009 at 7:14 AM
Lourdes on October 29, 2009 at 7:56 AM
I (by no means) support Scozzafava OR the issues she supports == gaaa, no way == but in Steele’s case, he’s Spokesman for the GOP/the Party is his employer, his boss.
He HAS to support the Party nominees, in that regard. He’s just doing his job, understand that.
What’s at stake here is how in the Sam Hill the Party on the local level even got Scozzafava up and running and why. Obviously, it’s to court votes among Democrats, but it just makes mush-meat out of the “brand” of the GOP. It’s tragic that they’re “doing their jobs” by going with this particular party nominee (which they are, including the local party, Steele, etc.).
It WOULD HAVE BEEN a heroic moment for the GOP had they just stood up and said that this nominee, Scozzafava, fails to represent anything that the GOP Party platform (supposedly) includes. Or something to that effect, that the principles of the issues are more important than the Party nominee in this particular case (as the nominee defies the issues most in the Party support and vice-versa).
I would have truly heralded the GOP had they ralled AGAINST Scozzafava, not for her. This is truly a bad, bad move by the GOP, to support her.
Lourdes on October 29, 2009 at 8:02 AM
Hutchison is pro-choice, supports Roe v. Wade, and has served on the advisory board of The Wish List, that, among other things, raises money for pro-choice candidates. KBH voted for the $700 billion bailout. Citizens Against Government Waste just named her porker of the month for the third time. She didn’t vote to defund ACORN. She is causing all kinds of problems for candidates inside Texas for not giving up her Senate seat to run for Governor (something that will also cost the state millions of dollars). She voted for 98% of spending bills. The list goes on and on. KBH isn’t even close to conservative.
davenp35 on October 29, 2009 at 8:31 AM
Hutchison is pro-choice, supports Roe v. Wade, and has served on the advisory board of The Wish List, that, among other things, raises money for pro-choice candidates.
davenp35 on October 29, 2009 at 8:31 AM
–Which is why this squish is going to vote for her over Perry and the Dem over Perry. Wake up you native Texans and hard core conservatives–the ones who have controlled the GOP with secret meetings and manuevered to make sure that only your hand picked candidates run. You’re part of the entrenched political bureaucracy who are blocking progress. You’re no different than the Washington crowd to my way of thinking. We need to clean you out in order to move forward.
Jimbo3 on October 29, 2009 at 9:48 AM
Call it woman’s intuition!
But one thing about it, as America devolves and collapses into the chaos of communism, KBH would be a facilitator, not a resistor!
gary4205 on October 29, 2009 at 3:20 AM
–Uuh, I’m missing the connection.
Jimbo3 on October 29, 2009 at 9:50 AM
Interesting…
Khun Joe on October 29, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Uhg. This is politics as usual. Cheney is campaigning for KBH because they are colleagues in the Senate. I am sure that as fellow conservative governors, Palin and Perry know each other professionally on some level.
I am really disappointed that KBH isn’t taking a more public role in opposing Obama and the Dems in Congress. Instead she is spending her time trying to poach a seat from another Repub and leaving her seat in the Senate open for the moonbat mayor of Houston. Disgraceful.
bitsy on October 29, 2009 at 10:17 AM
I’m sure someone’s mentioned it already, but KBH voted against confirming a number of GW’s judicial appointments.
For most of his terms, I’ve felt Perry was a lackluster governor who made a few major missteps(remember the mandatory cervical cancer vaccines of adolescent girls he attempted to force through via an executive order?), and that his time in office would end with his chief historical accomplishment being him being the longest-serving gov in Texas history. Not bad, but not great. But –despite the fact I know that the rhetoric, at least, is just posturing, his recent talk of secession, refusing stimulus cash (NOT mere rhetoric)and his articulated reasons for doing so, his appeal to the Texas identity, etc., has spoken to the deeps of my soul. T/f, I’m voting Perry.
RICK FOR TEXAS–HE HAD THE EXPERIENCE, THE ATTITUDE AND THE HAIR!
exlibris on October 29, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Wow, wow on that ad. I can’t imagine supporting her. Card check? For gosh sakes!
I guess this split in the conservative ranks is going to play out race by race.
AnninCA on October 29, 2009 at 10:22 AM
I have nothing but respect for Cheney, but unless Perry is caught in a bed with a boy, he’s got my vote. It will take some serious mistakes on Perry’s part to make me vote for KBH.
And this is coming from a 30-something year old early supporter of KBH who flew up with her family to DC in January 1995 to see the GOP take over congress.
mcg0125 on October 29, 2009 at 10:25 AM
I’d rather die on my feet, than live on my knees.
I will never submit.
Blacksmith8 on October 29, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Rick Perry needs to include Cheney’s endorsement of Hutchison in his own ads.
Cheney is a free-spending neo-con who personifies why the GOP lost the Presidency in 2008 and Congress in 2006 and 2008.
I think AP is wrong about NY 23, but it will be fun to watch.
I think that Scozzafava will finish in 3rd place.
In any event, it signifies the vulnerability of the GOP to chellenges from fiscally candidates and from voters who have been solidly Republcan for many years, but who now feel completely disenfrancised from the free-spending Neo-cons who have come to dominate the party.
And don’t think that the Dems’ party elders aren’t worried about Kucinich-types who will run as independents in liberal venues.
Both parties are bought and paid for by corporate interests and the people will reject their complicity in our financial demise.
molonlabe28 on October 29, 2009 at 10:28 AM
For the life of me, I can’t figure out why Hutchison would give up a safe Senate seat (at a time when Democrats already have a filibuster-proof majority if they can all get on the same page) to challenge a Republican governor! Does Hutchison really want to risk a Democrat Senator from TEXAS, of all places?
Hutchison should just do her job (as Senator), and let Perry do his. Texans need them both, right where they are.
Steve Z on October 29, 2009 at 10:30 AM
I thought Perry was incredibly unpopular. Texas seems to have weathered the crash better than a lot of states.
It’s probably a good time to run.
I can’t figure out why anyone would want to be CA governor. It should be a job you can’t give away.
AnninCA on October 29, 2009 at 10:33 AM
“Present.”
davidk on October 29, 2009 at 10:35 AM
“Ya think?”
–Gibbs
davidk on October 29, 2009 at 10:37 AM
KBH wants to be Governor to position herself to be VP someday. It’s sort of a retirement move. Cheney’s backing her has nothing to do with ideology but to convince her to leave the senate now so someone else can have the seat IMO. If she loses the primary I doubt Cheney will be broken up over it.
Rocks on October 29, 2009 at 10:42 AM
I’m not convinced that she’ll drop out before the primary. She had said earlier that she would be out in about a month, but she was hedging on that big time on Mark Davis’ show last week.
mcg0125 on October 29, 2009 at 10:54 AM
The only person less competent to be Governor that Kinky Freeman and Ricky Perry is Kay Bailey Useless. The woman is a RINO and acts like John McCain in drag. I’ve seen her duck too many important issues to be bipartisan.
TexasDave on October 29, 2009 at 10:54 AM
On the “Scozzafava” ad… I don’t see it the way AP sees it at all… I think Scozzafava voters are largely made up of liberals, a few centrists, and a LOT of Republicans who still don’t know any better – the “knee-jerk Republicans” I call them.
This ad could work two-fold – first, drawing liberals away from Owens and TO Scozzafava, helping Hoffman if this is indeed a two-person race between Owens and Hoffman like everyone’s been saying it is, and second, by turning off conservatives toward the Republican and moving them in the direction of Hoffman. It’s a win-win.
Scozzafava is the spoiler, there’s no doubt about that now. But she could spoil it for Owens just as much as she could spoil it for Hoffman. Why not move that spoilmeter to the left?
Red Cloud on October 29, 2009 at 10:57 AM
God. Please get rid of Rick “Big Hair” Perry. He is a pandering fool.
skatz51 on October 29, 2009 at 10:58 AM
I don’t know Tx politics at all; but, is this true?
TARP, Porkulous and Maobamacare? That is the Trifecta of disqualifiers for any conservative, isn’t it? I don’t care if Nancy Regan endorses her, if she bit on all three of these Socialist v. Freedom issues, she has to be defeated.
james23 on October 29, 2009 at 11:00 AM
WTF?!? FAIL!
Levinite on October 29, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Looks like in this case a vote for Funky Cold Medina is a vote for Kay Barely Republican. Texas is in good shape, so I don’t know why anyone would want to get rid of Rick Perry. He’s been doing a great job.
Kay’s been drooling over this seat for a while now. I’d imagine she’s lined up some sweetheart deals in DC to feather her retirement in the governor’s mansion. Pure ambition wrapped around some dry punani. I’d pass.
alliebobbitt on October 29, 2009 at 11:11 AM
That Scuzzy ad being run by Hoffman is genius. I love it.
alliebobbitt on October 29, 2009 at 11:12 AM
For what its worth, Perry will likely have Karl Rove in his corner, which makes the Cheney ingredient in this equation even wilder.
As a Texan, a Longhorn, an entrepreneur, someone who has a long family history with the oil industry, and even someone who had to endure living in CA for too long, Perry will have my vote. Kay used to be a conservative’s friend but in recent years started showing up on the wrong side of the debate too often. She’s started showing her hand as an out of touch elitist whose been in DC too long.
To those outside of Texas…Texas is Texas. To those who live in and know Texas, you know Dallas is the Texas haven for liberal elitists. Transplants with lots of money. Its no surprise Kay mirrors many of these leanings since she hails from Dallas.
Kay is a typical politician/opportunist. She’s bailing on her very safe Senate seat because she smells the opportunity of making a presidential run. With the fervor of female in the air thanks to recent national dust-ups from Sarahcuda and Billary, coupled with the theory of needing to have executive experience under her belt, and hoping her RINO reaching out to the Obama admin will catch her some support from other RINOs and teetering moderate libs.
Perry is not perfect. And at the end of the day, he’s a politician. But he’s NOT DC. And he’s been on the right side with conservatives when it matters most, especially under Obama’s reign.
Some Kay supporter mentioned above…”she’ll be great because she is a DC insider and will know how to buck up to Obama”…have you not learned anything? Texas has been doing just fine and is regularly the model of functional conservatism in many a debate, why switch tracks to the DC insider now when its been working fine for us without?
selias on October 29, 2009 at 11:14 AM
KBH is screwing with 2 republican held seats. If she wants to run for governor, she should resign her senate seat and let Perry appoint Williams.
She is hedging her bets while f#@%ing with Texas.
Perry 2010.
lonestar1 on October 29, 2009 at 11:16 AM
KBailout is counting on dem crossover votes in the primary. She thinks she has the hispanic dem vote and the female vote. It’s all about her.
As a presidential candidate, she is unelectable. She makes McCain appear exciting.
lonestar1 on October 29, 2009 at 11:18 AM
For what its worth, Perry will likely have Karl Rove in his corner, which makes the Cheney ingredient in this equation even wilder.
selias on October 29, 2009 at 11:14 AM
–From today’s Dallas News: Former Bush White House advisers Karl Rove and Karen Hughes are supporting Hutchison, as is former Bush fundraiser Jim Francis of Dallas.
Jimbo3 on October 29, 2009 at 11:29 AM
This ad could work two-fold – first, drawing liberals away from Owens and TO Scozzafava, helping Hoffman if this is indeed a two-person race between Owens and Hoffman like everyone’s been saying it is, and second, by turning off conservatives toward the Republican and moving them in the direction of Hoffman. It’s a win-win.
Scozzafava is the spoiler, there’s no doubt about that now. But she could spoil it for Owens just as much as she could spoil it for Hoffman. Why not move that spoilmeter to the left?
Red Cloud on October 29, 2009 at 10:57 AM
–Undecideds tend to break for the incumbent or the safe candidate at the end in most elections. That’s a generalization, not a guarantee. But voting for a third party candidate isn’t the safe course and I doubt that Hoffman will end up picking up much of the undecideds if the usual happens.
Jimbo3 on October 29, 2009 at 11:33 AM
This is shocking!! I live in Dallas and have for years. Perry is a politician and probably would not be as conservative if he lived in MA. But he will do what his constituents want. His big accomplishment has been that he has worked with a LOT of businesses to bring their headquarters to Texas.
On the other hand we have Kay Bailout Hutchenson. She was conservative at one time when Phil Graham was helping her, then she started going AWOL. Granted, she is not voting for more TARP, ObamaCare, Cap and Tax, etc. But she has had a lot of very liberal views over the years.
I am voting Perry, not because I really like him, but because he will continue to do what is right for Texas.
I suppose Kay Bailey could be worse, she could be Dede Scozzafazza, lol.
jeffn21 on October 29, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Holy cr*p – General Noriega lives in Texas now?!
Anders on October 29, 2009 at 11:39 AM
I live in Houston and I’m really surprised that Cheney is backing Hutchinson. Perry has his pluses and minuses but he’s definitely more in line with how Texans are feeling these days.
Under normal circumstances I would accept Cheney’s endorsement as marching orders but I’m going to have to politely disagree this time. I don’t really understand why he’s endorsing her. There must be some bad blood between him and Perry or some close ties between him and Kay.
Stephanie on October 29, 2009 at 11:46 AM
How utterly depressing, but not all that surprising given that Cheney is more of a blue-blood repub than a conservative one.
I just hope Sarah has a few trips to Texas on her itinerary.
Dave R. on October 29, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Comment pages: « Previous 1 2 3 4 Next »