The Clayton Williams story is a simple one. He was destined to be governor of the great state of Texas. He held a sizeable lead over Ann Richards a week before the election. The only thing that could have stopped him is what eventually happened. He was being interviewed when someone asked him his opinions on rape. He said women should, "sit back, relax, and enjoy it." The rest is as they say, history.
Fastforward to 2010 and you see the Rick Perry strategy in full technocolor. He won't debate Bill White. He won't make a ton of public appearances. Sometimes I wonder if he even knows there is a world outside of Austin. Yet, look in the local paper and see that he has an eight point lead in the polls over Bill White. The human being in me wonders how in the hell this is possible. The political scientist in me knows all too well.
People like my wife drive this point home everyday. She is voting for White because she knows White and knows Perry (at least knows of their record). Yet, she has blamed a lot of Texas's problems on Obama. The bait and switch is not that hard to make and especially easy in NASA country. Few people hear about how Perry took stimulus funds and reappropriated them. In fact, Congress had to pass an amendment just to address what he was doing with the educational stimulus money (read: it wasn't applied to education).
The case for blame being placed at Obama's door is all to easy. Facts and figures prove otherwise, but who needs those pesky things. The reality is that all signs point to the biggest baffoon that has ever been governor having the longest reign as governor in the history of the state. It makes me long for Mel Brooks' character from Blazing Saddles making a run for the governor's mansion. His tomfoolery at least wouldn't cause harm.
It's a sad day when "sit at home and shut your trap" becomes an effective campaign strategy. Even if Obama were to blame for Texas' plight, people should know that Bill White is not the same kind of Democrat anyway. Perhaps the White campaign should reprise the Williams quote in reference to Perry's "leadership." While he hasn't done anything like that in the literal sense, it sure feels like that in the figurative one. This time though, our collective brains hurt knowing the fact that our governor doesn't have one and will probably be reelected again anyway.
Scott---I really wish that people had time to make the nexus that republican political appointees were the downfall of NASA. I worked at NASA Headquarters in DC and spent most of my time at the Centers and the environmental offices. We don't want to discuss the environmental issues, but the vision needed to get dollars from Congress was not there and the public needed to know forcefully of the work that NASA does. Obama was not in the picture. I am not a Bolden fan, but Obama has tried to rub the nickels together and quickly in 20 months salvage NASA. Believe me, it takes more than 20 months to destroy an agency. Why do the real culprits get away with murder? Remember, it was Bush who had us hitching rides to the space station. Just another job outsource.
I'm all aglow :O)
You'll have to excuse the newbies. It takes awhile to harmonize in humor with the great Carguy and Alienhunter. I see myself as the ultimate batting practice pitcher. I groove it right down the pipe for them to knock it out.
You are indeed the "Dan Rowan" of this blog.
Perry is about division and exclusion. The rightwingers in this state will vote for him simply to keep that in office, regardless of his other shortcomings.
It has nothing to do with the issues, it all rests on how easily swayed he is my party rhetoric. We all know how easily manipulated this guy is by partisan politics.
It occurred to me that I should take credit for being a great straight man!
As far as the right wing in Texas is concerned Perry can do no wrong and White can do no right. Education and the enviroment be damned. As long as we keep big 'gummint' out of Texas we'll continue to have a state that is unique (unique as in pathetic).
I've been thinking about looking into that Claydesta Network. I hear it's a bargain.
That's pretty good. Did nobody tell you I was the "funny" one here???????
That's allright. A little competition never hurt anybody. :-)
ahh yes, now I remember... :O)
No, Clayton Moore played the Lone Ranger. Clayton Williams played an asshole, both on TV and in real life.
Yes its lone ranger
Hurricane Watch
Perry has a lot of Texans hood winked into believing he has their best interest at heart but let's be real - TX ranks lowest in education and healthcare. Perry might have some fooled with his idiotic Tea Party butt kissing but he is a complete hypocrite. Curse the Obama Adminstration for all the country's ill wills, threat to secede, make phony excuses not to debate Bill White... all while silently accepting stimulus funds... give me a break... almost ten years as governor is being a dictator, not a governor! Perry has to go!! Please vote this mid-term. Every vote counts!
By the way, wasn't Clayton Williams "The Lone Ranger"?
Whenever I pass through Dallas I can feel the anger and hatred like humidity. I hate that place! It's no surprise to me that Perry has a 30 point lead there.
If Perry is re-elected it writes a sad epitaph for the entire country. If people are not gonna take the time to study the candidates and the issues, we are destined for "forty miles of bad road." And, if the GOP gets the keys to the car again after what they did this century, it's country + ditch for sure.