That's what I've been trying to tell you

It's the run everywhere but our home state strategy.

Instead of funding the Democratic candidate Chris Bell, lots of Democrats are jumping ship and supporting Carole Strayhorn. Her campaign has made the perception that she is the only candidate that can beat Rick Perry. Bullshit.

The thing that the Strayhorn campa and the Friedman campaign won't tell you is that they have the support of Independents and the fringes of either party. They don't have mainstream support and they are polling below Chris Bell last we looked. Neither of them will win unless a significant number of Democrats bolt the party and support either one of them (it's looking like that is happening, but for both of them, making it more likely that neither can pull off an upset).

But Perry's numbers are in the toilet. If Democrats are going to take back the Governor's Mansion, when else will they do it, Kuff asks. When there is an even more popular Republican in office? Now is the time, but too many people in our party are just too ready to accept defeat.

The thing that had so many of us excited this time last year was the prospect of a bloody primary to drive up the negatives of the eventual GOP nominee. We have that. Strayhorn opted out of the primary and will be running ads all the way through November bad-mouthing Rick Perry. The GOP is split on which to support and the other Independent is a joke candidate. This should be a Democrat's wet dream, but we're pretending the race is lost before it's run.

We may not have a better oppurtunity for a decade to get a Democrat elected to statewide office and we're pissing it away! It is unfathomable.

I'm not going to decry you if you sat out primary day and want to sign either petition. That's good, you want to hear what everyone has to say. But the thing that kept me in Chris Bell's corner during the primary, the thing that is his most valuable asset as governor, is that he is listening too. He will listen to any idea and weigh it on its merits.

If you want Rick Perry out of office, vote for Chris Bell. If you want Democratic, progressive politics to be part of the discussion in this state again, vote for Chris Bell. If you like Rick Perry right where he is, then vote for Strayhorn of Friedman. If you want someone to figure it out later or to not seriously consider how to fix Texas' problems, then vote for Strayhorn or Friedman.

All we have to do to win is show up on Election Day and vote for the guy with a D next to his name, and I don't understand why we're not not all agreed to do that.

Comments

[Right Of Texas]

While Bell may be polling ahead, I do think Strayhorn is the only candidate who can take the race away from Perry..but that doesnt necessarily mean win herself.

As most voters she is getting will be from ex-Perry supporters, she just needs to keep hitting Perry hard.

If her and Perry end up splitting the GOP vote in half...than Bell can walk in and take it.

Still-It's going to take alot of work and money.

[Nate]

The GOP vote was always split between them, or at least between Perry and the more moderate Republicans. Perry's side is obviously larger, which is why KBH didn't decide to jump in herself.

The point of my post was that many Democrats, for reasons that befuddle me, have decided only Strayhorn can win because she has all the money, so they are giving her more money and support. I'm even more baffled by the Democrats who want to vote for Kinky Friedman.

Bell can walk in take it, but only if Democrats vote for the Democrat.

[damn yankee]

I voted for Chris in the primaries. I do know of some democrats (far and few here in east texas) who are voting for Strayhorn. They say she reminds them of Ann Richards. Geeezzz. How messed up is that. Anyway, I couldn't bring myself to vote for anyone who gave birth to that asswipe Scott McClellan.

[Right Of Texas]

Nate-

I do understand your frustration, I've been in a similar situation where my party wouldnt come together but instead fractured, and we lost the election.

Is there any polling on Democrats for Strayhorn?

[Nate]

I haven't seen anything since she joined the race as an I that breaks down her support by party affiliation. It has all been four-way races and general support. I would kill to see any internals they have.