Rick Perry: How He Surged Ahead Of Kay Bailey Hutchison In Texas

Time:

Washington has always been bad in the eyes of Texas, but more so nowadays than ever. And so the Lone Star State's governor, Rick Perry, wrapped up his bid for the GOP gubernatorial nomination with an ad that played several times on the final night of the Olympics just to make that point. In front of a large Texas flag, he opened with the simple statement: "Washington is broken." And exhibit No. 1 of how bad Washington had become in his eyes? Fellow Texan Kay Bailey Hutchison, the senior U.S. Senator who was once the prohibitive favorite to succeed Perry in Austin.

Read the whole story: Time

Comments

[deepintheheartoftejas]

08:50 PM on 03/03/2010

It's an utter embarrassment that Perry is our longest-serving governor in history. No one likes him. The legislature despises him for his frequent irrational vetoes. But Republicans in Texas are so used to making party-line votes for incumbents, he still wins.

Bill White is a reasonably strong candidate for governor. He's no Ann Richards, but he's slightly more memorable that Chris Bell, and much better than Mauro or Sanchez. Texas seemed to be turning blue a year ago, but there's been a big resurgence in really angry, racist conservative reactionary politics in the last few months, and I have strong doubts that he can win. I'm not excited, but I'm still donating.

It may take a few more years, but someday Texas will rejoin the ranks of reasonable states.

[robertwriter]

06:42 AM on 03/03/2010

Appeal to the red meat conservatism of Texans is how he did it. When people are fed up, they will go for a leader, someone who will lead, have a definitive vision and is strong. Even if it is in the wrong direction, like Reagan, Bush and Bunning. Only thing is, his brand of politics will not put bread on their table, give them good jobs, or good health care. But it does allow the quickly-becoming disenfranchised to vent their anger! YEEHAH

Wonder if they'll be angry when he pulls a Bunning and they wake up to the fact that he is not for the average Texan, but using their anger and outbursts of populism to feed his fat cats in the name of belt tightening and reducing the deficit (while adding tax breaks and spending to fatten his fat cats!) YEEHAH

As they ship jobs overseas and outsource most Texans' lives, in the name of free markets, free, enterprise, free trade (free to scr** you and do anything it wants, because government is a demon) and because he and others of his mindset refuse to use the government to provide infrastructure and incentives other than tax cuts and tax breaks (like other countries wisely do, killing us and our industries) he will relegate the average Texan and wage earner to the ashbin of history, for free market, Mom, and apple pie! YEEHAH!

[jerryatthebeach]

06:25 AM on 03/03/2010

He surged ahead for 3 reasons, Debra Medina didn't have any money, she said horrible lies about our former administration and she wanted to abolish property tax in Texas,so basically, she stepped off of a chair.

[Harrier]

05:09 AM on 03/03/2010

She has done nothing but help the state...I don't understand this one...Appears irrational

[audit]

05:03 AM on 03/03/2010

KBH is associated with Washington - but that doesn't fit into the dems model "they just don't understand" - afraid the people finally do understand - incumbents are on shaky ground.

[BUSTERtheCAT]

02:53 AM on 03/03/2010

hey KAY had enough? The g.o.p. dont like women.

they picked class dunce over your for VP in 08, now this..

either come over to the good side OR go to Fixed make your millions and sell your s oul.

[Seattlelite]

02:47 AM on 03/03/2010

What does it say about the state of Texas when a conservative candidate won't do, they prefer a ragging loony conservative instead.

[Palito]

01:10 AM on 03/03/2010

I look forward to all the lame tv pundits trying to spin this lame teabagger/ repug primary into a sign of doom for democrats.

[ywcachieve]

12:39 AM on 03/03/2010

I know some people in Texas, and they don't deserve that jerk, Perry.

[truthglow]

12:31 AM on 03/03/2010

Let me guess. Tampered source codes on the corporate-owned electronic voting machines???

[ThankGodhesgone]

11:52 PM on 03/02/2010

Perry wins. Texas seceeds from the Union.

A win win for all.

[SSF]

12:24 AM on 03/03/2010

They better make damn-sure to keep the Bush family inside their own borders!

[ThankGodhesgone]

12:34 AM on 03/03/2010

I think they'll boot them out to Arkansas or Oklahoma. Didn't the Bush family support KBH?

[SteveSFM]

12:58 AM on 03/03/2010

As long as we get to keep Austin.

[atlantishp]

11:48 PM on 03/02/2010

The real reason? Kay Bailey is not as good looking as handsome Rick. Don't forget about the female and gay vote.

[AnnfromCA]

11:52 PM on 03/02/2010

No, Kay is Congress, which has the lowest opinion ever in history.

[truthglow]

12:34 AM on 03/03/2010

NO. Texans are stupid and imbred, and don't know their a*s from their elbow!

[ywcachieve]

12:40 AM on 03/03/2010

WTH!

[AnnfromCA]

11:43 PM on 03/02/2010

I am new to Texas and listened to the debate. Kay wasn't impressive.

That's just the reality.

[Seattlelite]

02:51 AM on 03/03/2010

No apparently she wasn't loony enough. Says allot about the state of TX when a main stream conservative isn't enough.

[AnnfromCA]

11:42 PM on 03/02/2010

I think he won because of Palin. McCain will probably also benefit.

:)

[SSF]

12:27 AM on 03/03/2010

McCain didn't benefit in 2008, could be the same story in 2010.........

[ywcachieve]

12:43 AM on 03/03/2010

Perry has held office long before Palin came to national attention, so how do you suppose he won then? Your comment is ridiculous.

[danusgram]

11:28 PM on 03/02/2010

Texas is the only state I know of where people camp out overnight at the better PUBLIC schools like waiting to be the first to get concert tickets so that there kid can get a spot in the school.

[BUSTERtheCAT]

02:56 AM on 03/03/2010

wow...really?