Wanted: Conservative Texas Governor

A sign hangs outside the gate of the scorched Texas Governor’s Mansion, “Wanted… Conservative Texas Governor”. The 2010 Republican Primary Election is just around the corner and Texas needs a strong Conservative to lead her and our nation in the fight against sweeping waves of the socialism that are rolling in from Washington DC. Where do we find this Conservative candidate for Governor?

Currently two political powerhouses are slugging it out to try and win your vote; incumbent Governor Rick Perry and US Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. Both have state wide name recognition and well funded campaign juggernauts. But are they consistent Conservatives? Do they reflect your values? Have they consistently done the work of the Conservative Movement? Or, as some suggest on a regular basis, are they RINOs wearing the Republican name to don a cloak of conservatism that is not reflected in their actions? Let’s take a look…

In the 2006 race, Gov. Perry was perceived to be such a weak Conservative that several other candidates decided to try and unseat him. He came out strong on border security. He made lots of promises. He campaigned as the reincarnation of the “Marlboro Man” with his rhetoric of “If the federal government won’t secure the border, Texas will!” He made lots of promises to you and me. And then comes the election… He pulled in a massive 39% of the vote in the general election and squeezed out a victory of the wimpiest of margins. Within three weeks of his election he began to dance a little side-step that would have made Charles Durning (Governor, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas) smile with pride as he turned his back on Conservatives and rescinded nearly every campaign promise on the issue of Border Security. The result, rising crime rates from criminal illegal aliens and a trail of dead Texas citizens and law enforcement officers.

Remember his dictatorial assault on the young girls of Texas with his “Executive Order” calling for our daughters entering the sixth grade (approximately 11-12 years of age) to be vaccinated with the Gardisil HPV vaccine against the will of their parents? Or, how about his support of the Trans-Texas Corridor despite the OVERWHELMING opposition from Conservative Republicans and Democrats across the state of Texas. Thankfully the Texas Legislature put a stop to both of these non-conservative boondoggles of Gov. Perry’s.

How about his attack on small businesses with the expanded “Gross Margins Franchise Tax” that forces some businesses to pay massively larger taxes than they had in the past regardless of profitability? The Texas economy is still relatively strong, but what impact has this reckless tax had on employment? What is Conservative about raising taxes on small business?

Then there is the senior Senator from Texas, Kay Bailey Hutchison. Certainly a lady of class and character who has served Texas well, but has she truly represented the views and needs of Conservatives? How many times have you called or written her office to ask for the Senator’s support of Conservative legislation only to be told “The Senator has not made up her mind on this issue yet”; or, you received a placating form letter months later explaining why she voted against your wishes?

While Conservatives fought the Bush Administration on the issue of Border Security and tried to get a fence built along our southern border, Sen. Hutchison pulled a “I voted for the fence before I voted against the funding for the fence before I voted for funding for the fence” move that could only have been learned from her DC colleague, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA). In the end, she introduced an amendment to put the determination of spending of the allocated fence funds solely in the hands of the Secretary of Homeland Security. How’s that for accountability?

Clearly, both of these candidates have done good work for the people of the greatest state in this nation. Yet, when the rubber meets the road on key Conservative issues, they have missed the mark leaving many voters in Texas searching for an alternative. Frequently I hear the same thing from grass roots Conservatives…

That is not good enough for the voters of Texas. Texas deserves a strong leader with true Conservative values, a leader who can take a leadership role, not only in Texas, but in leading our Conservative Movement as we fight to take back the leadership of our country.

Where do we find such a leader? Surely, it will take great courage to step up against these two Goliaths of Texas politics. Who can stand up to them and emerge victorious in the Primary Election and then go on to carry the General Election in 2010?

Former Wharton County GOP Chairwoman, Debra Medina, has stepped forward and thrown her hat in the ring. While lacking in statewide name recognition and strong funding, her Conservative statements and positions have captured the imagination and excitement of many in the grass roots of Texas politics. Can she build the momentum to force a run-off in the Primary, or even win it outright? It just could happen. What do you think?

Others have expressed a desire to draft another proven conservative, US Representative Ted Poe from the Texas 2nd Congressional District. There is no doubt of Poe’s Conservative credentials, his leadership ability or his passion for Texas. But… can he be convinced to risk everything for a run against Perry and Hutchison? Again... what do you think?

What will it take for Texans to get the kind of political leadership they want and need? Do we have the courage to vote for the candidate that supports our values as opposed to the one which "we think can win?” I certainly hope so. Let’s talk about it here. Let’s make a difference…

Comments

Two fellows from a consulting firm started a site for a client, TexasGOPVote.com, which discusses three main Republican issues that will be readily accepted by conservatives. Then, the fourth subject is immigration. They explained that the idea is to get GOP’ers to look at the stuff with which they likely already agree and then look at the immigration stuff and be more receptive since they already trust the web site.

I think Debra Medina is the most viable candidate so far. Is conservative enough, has appeal with the women and Hispanic voters. I think the voters are fed up enough with the current politics in Washington that they will decide that they don't want another bunch in office in Texas as the status quo.

                       Vance Temple

Since Texans are slaves to their US masters, it doesn't matter if the governor is conservative or not.  Texans have 15.3% of each paycheck stolen by the US via Social Security tax and up to 35% stolen via income tax. 76% of the Texas budget is a direct result of US coercion; because Texas won't receive federal funding for education, health & human services programs if we don't obey US mandates. Texas government has been overruled by the US on the issues of alcohol, drugs, abortion, death penalty, adultery, marriage, sodomy, education, housing, employment, etc.  Texans currently have no jurisdiction on Security, Immigration or Trade Agreements. The title should read, "Wanted: Secessionist for Texas Governor". 

Medina's track record suggets that she is not a conservative either.  Medina was involved in the law suit against the RPT in an attempt to take over the last State Convention along with well known Libertarians.

While I am not saying she is Libertarian, the intention of the law suit was to derail the Convention as a payback for the RPT not seating hundreds of Ron Paul supporters at the Texas Straw Poll.  PRT followed the rules and they were angry that the rules were not thrown aside for them.

We do need a strong conservative that will stand up to Washington.  I don't see that in any of the announced candidates yet.

If Perry was to call for a special session to get Photo Voter ID passed, I would have a bit more trust in him.   Hutchinson in a choice of the Dems right now. Medina has no experience and is one for bypassing the rules.

Great article Bob. In order to win a race, one needs to want to run. Ted Poe would be terrific as Governor, but IMHO there is no  " fire in his belly". I asked for a meeting with him last year to discuss this very topic, and got the impression, it takes too much money, and he likes to serve where he is.

Debra Medina is my candidate of choice. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.  Perry, knows how to act and walk conservative, but when it comes to governance...... things are different. Kay Bailey, just voted for the SCHIP program. Read what it's about and make your tummy burn. I don't care if Kay wants to support illegals children and pay for their health care. She should dig in to her own pocket. Leave my tax money alone.
 

 US Representative Ted Poe would get my vote.

Kay Baily is certainly not the answer.  Her voice has not been heard in DC to oppose the radicals.  Has she stood up and demanded a stop to any of the radical take over by the current administration?  Has she demanded an apology from the administration for calling veterans a terrorist threat?  Has she voiced any concern that the people speaking out at the rallies and tea parties are being called unpatriotic, swastica carrying mobs?  We gave her a stage to stand on to support and defend us against such vulgar and vile behavior from any source.  Kay Baily has done nothing to support conservatives or protect our freedom.  As far as I am concerned she is fired from any political office because she is only concerned about herself. 

Bob, unfortunately, I don't think a whole lot of us feel comfortable voting for the one who supports our values knowing that it will probably make the "somewhat" republican lose the election!  That will be the problem with Medina.  Poe however is recognized by a whole lot of people.  Isn't this how Clinton won the presidential election against Bush?  Because of the support by independents for Ross Perot?  It is unfortunate that we usually end up voting for the lessor of two evils! 

Like everyone here, I have problems with Rick Perry. The Trans-Texas corridor made me vote independent for the first time in my life, as a matter of fact. Living in Bell county, that is a contentious issue, to say the least.

However, when compared to Hutchison, Perry looks absolutely Reaganesque! That is one worthless RINO.

And, don't forget, Sarah Palin will be down here stumping for Perry, or so it has been said. She has endorsed him.

While I'd love a true, solid conservative, I'm just not sure this is the time, especially if it helps Hutchison, the big government RINO end up as the nominee, which I fear it would.

How does Medina's championing following the law detract from conservative credentials?

The intention of the lawsuit was to insure the GOP conduct the state convention in accord with the Texas Election Code.  In every lower convention (as IS consistent with the law) the permanent chairman of the convention is elected after delegates are seated and BEFORE business is conducted.  At the state convention, the order of business changed in the mid 90s such that the chairman is not elected until nearly the end of the convention AFTER most of the crucial business has been conducted. 

This specifically violates Texas Election Code section 174.094 and 174.095.  Under this manipulated order of business, both convention committees members and state republican executive committees are elected and most importantly committee chairmen are appointed by the "TEMPORARY" chairman rather than be a permanent chairman duly elected by the convention's delegates. 

Party leadership claims that those items do not constitute business.  And yet, at every lower level convention, the permanent chairman is elected BEFORE any of those items are addressed.

Texas Election Code 174.094 stipulates the steps to organizing the convention and 174.095 addresses the business of the convention.

Sec. 174.094.  ORGANIZING THE CONVENTION.  (a)  The state chair is the temporary chair of the biennial state convention.

(b)  The temporary chair shall call the convention to order.

(c)  The temporary chair shall prepare a list of the names and residence addresses of the delegates and any alternate delegates to the convention and shall deliver the list to the convention.

(d)  The convention shall select a convention chair and a convention secretary. The convention may select any other officers considered necessary to conduct the convention's business.

Sec. 174.095.  CONVENTION BUSINESS.  After the convention is organized, the convention shall conduct its business.

NOTE:  the operative word, AFTER. Business is conducted AFTER the permanent convention chairman is elected.  The delegates present are entitled to choose their own chairman.  That chairman appoints committee chairmen and presides over the business of the convention. 

Regardless of what you think about motive, either Medina's or the Party's, surely you'll acknowledge, someone championing following the rule of law, is doing the courageous thing and the right thing.

You can see the original restraining order here: http://www.fairconvention.org/challenge/RPT_Restraining_Order.pdf

Spin this to "control the convention" all you want.  It wasn't Medina who wanted control - that lawsuit advocated giving the vote to the delegates, nothing more, nothing less. Tina Benkiser and the RPT insured that didn't happen by conducting all business BEFORE the delegates were given the vote on the convention chairman insuring the Party not the People (delegates) maintained control.

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