Governor Perry Unleashes First TV Ad

Governor Perry Unleashes First TV Ad of the campaign.

 

 

What do you think?

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The Perry campaign also has part time field staff positions and paid internship avaialble.   Email your resume to JonMcClellan at rickperry.org for more information.

 

The Only Christian in the Texas House Announces 2010 Re-Election Effort

My former boss Texas State Representative Wayne Christian announces he is running for reelection in 2010.  As President of the Texas Conservative Coalition Rep. Christian will be in a strong position to be a player in the 82nd legislative session in 2011.  When the Republicans pick up a couple seats in the Texas House in the 2010 elections the Conservative Coalition will benefit by having a larger voting block.  There is even a chance that conservative Republicans will pick up enough House seats that the Conservative Coalition will be large enough to marginalize the moderate Republicans in the House who controlled the last legislative session.

 

St. Rep. Wayne Christian Announces 2010 Re-Election Effort

State Representative Wayne Christian has announced he will seek reelection in 2010.  Christian has just completed his 6th legislative session serving the residents of Nacogdoches, Shelby, San Augustine, Sabine, and Jasper counties and is widely known as a strong, conservative voice in the state legislature.   “As a native of East Texas, it is an honor to represent the values of our community and communicate the unique needs of our district,” Christian said.

“With many prayers and encouragement from constituents, I have decided to seek another term as state representative.  The trust my constituents have continued to place in me is humbling, and my family and I are endlessly grateful for their support,” said Christian.

He continued, “The legislature will face a myriad of challenging issues next session.  With federal legislation such as government-run health care and cap and trade possibly becoming a reality, the state legislature will have the responsibility of deciding the future of these programs in Texas.  It is more important now than ever to have a solid conservative presence in Austin to fight these overreaching federal mandates.”

Legislators will also undertake the process of redistricting, which will have a crucial impact on our state for years to come.

In addition to the implications this process will have on the political affiliations of the Congressmen we send to Washington, redistricting will impact East Texas as rural interests vie with the issues of growing urban areas.  As more and more seats are held by urban legislators, it will become increasingly important that rural Texas retains its effective representation.

To complicate matters, the legislature will have to pass a balanced budget with exceptionally limited funds, as a result of the slow economy.

As the President of the Texas Conservative Coalition, Representative Christian has been an outspoken advocate for fiscal restraint and the preservation of the state’s ‘rainy day fund.’  He commented, “Our careful spending habits over the last few years will pay off next session by allowing us to continue to meet the state’s needs despite our limited resources.”

Representative Christian has been consistently recognized as a conservative Republican for his strong commitment to government spending, protection of free markets, and promotion of family and faith-protecting legislation.

In addition to being awarded the Legislator of the Year by the American Legislative Exchange Council, he has been named a Taxpayer Hero by Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, Most Conservative by the Texas Eagle Forum, a Conservative Leader by the Heritage Alliance, a Champion of Free Enterprise by the Texas Association of Business, and received a 100% Conservative Voting Record from Texas Insider.

He was also honored to be named one of the ‘worst legislators’ by Texas Monthly and the Texas Observer, both liberal, Austin-based publications.  Editors criticized his ’socially conservative playbook’, which included carrying legislation to abolish property taxes, require drug tests in order to receive state aid, eliminate scholarships for illegal aliens, and protect private property rights.

Christian concluded, “The unprecedented struggle we are currently facing in our state and nation only motivates me to fight harder to preserve our conservative ideals.  I look forward to making the voices of East Texans heard throughout the 82nd legislative session.”

State and National Anglers Endorse Gov. Perry for Re-election

State and National Anglers Endorse Gov. Perry for Re-election

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry has received the endorsement of both the Texas and national chapters of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) for re-election in 2010.

“The Recreational Fishing Alliance is proud to support Gov. Perry in his bid for re-election,” said Robert T. Healey, chairman of the RFA. “Gov. Perry has proven himself a strong ally of sportsmen by his willingness to stand up for the rights of Texas anglers and speak up against unnecessary, burdensome regulations coming out of Washington.”

“At a time when the federal government has adversely affected more than one million Texas anglers through shortened seasons and bag limits, Gov. Perry’s ongoing support speaks volumes of his commitment to Texas anglers,” said Jim Smarr, chairman of Texas RFA. “We are especially grateful for his leadership in aligning other Gulf Coast governors to support the federal Flexibility in the Magnuson Act and are proud to endorse him in his bid to continue leading our state.”

The RFA was the first national, grassroots political action organization established to represent the rights of recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. Their mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our nation’s saltwater fisheries.

“Recreational angling is an important part of Texas’ economy and culture,” said Gov. Perry. “I am eager to continue working with the angling community to find practical solutions to the challenges they face and helping ensure the reasonable regulation of their industry. I’m honored to receive their support in this election.”

RFA and TRFA join former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, the Texas Municipal Police Association, Texas Chemical Council, Texas Society of Professional Engineers, RNC Committeewoman Cathie Adams, Texas Right to Life, Houston Realty Business Coalition, Texas Apartment Association, Texas Republican County Chairman Association President Linda Rogers, Heidi Group Founder Carol Everett, Texas Alliance for Life, Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association PAC, Texas Home School Coalition PAC, Texans for Life Coalition President Kyleen Wright, Conservative Republicans of Texas President Dr. Steve Hotze, Free Market Foundation President Kelly Shackelford, Texas Chiropractic Association, Americans for Prosperity State Director Peggy Venable, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Texas State Association of Fire Fighters, Texas Association of Realtors, Texas Civil Justice League PAC, Texas Oil Gas Association President Rob Looney, Concerned Women for America State Director Ann Hettinger, Texas Optometric Association PAC, Texas Pest Control Association, energy entrepreneur T. Boone Pickens, Texas Recreational Vehicle Association, Texas Poultry Federation, Justice at the Gate Founder Alice Patterson, Texas Cattle Feeders Beef-PAC, Eagle Forum Founder Phyllis Schlafly, Texas Pharmacy Business Council, Texas Podiatric Medical Association, Texas Association for Interior Design, former Texas Republican Party Chairman Susan Weddington, former U.S. Secretary of Education Bill Bennett, Family Research Council Action PAC Chairman Tony Perkins, WallBuilders President and Founder David Barton, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, Texas Association of Builders HOMEPAC, Manufacturers PAC of Texas, Texas Medical Association TEXPAC, Texas Society of Anesthesiologists PAC, Texas Restaurant Association PAC, Vision America Founder Dr. Rick Scarborough and Wholesale Beer Distributors of Texas PAC in their endorsement of Gov. Perry.

KBH Reads Poll, Decides to Stay in DC

From the new Texas Tribune.

Rick Perry leads Kay Bailey Hutchison by 11 points in a new Rasmussen survey that’s out this morning.

That poll has Perry at 46 percent and Hutchison at 35 percent, with Debra Medina getting the support of 4 percent of voters. One in seven voters didn’t have a favorite.

Most voters — 60 percent — think Hutchison should keep her job as U.S. Senator while she’s running for governor. Hutchison has said she plans to resign to run, but that’s now on hold as she waits to vote on pending health care reform plans. Only 26 percent said she should resign. As for healthcare reform, 76 percent strongly oppose “the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and the congressional Democrats.”

The telephone survey included 798 voters, was done on November 11 (Wednesday), and has a margin of error of 3.5 percent.

The gubernatorial results are similar to those of The Texas Tribune Poll, released last week, which had the two leading candidates 12 points apart.

After the poll came out Senator Hutchinson announced her intention to stay in DC until after the March 2010 primaries.   Coincidence, I think not.  Here are two news articles covering her announcement.

WFAA, DFW

Dallas Morning News

And here of course is the Perry campaign’s response,

Statement From Texans for Rick Perry Spokesman Mark Miner:

“We are glad Senator Hutchison finally made a decision not to resign. It is unfortunate that while speaking about fighting in Washington for Texas, she also took the opportunity to attack Texas and our principled Republican leadership in the legislature. Governor Perry will continue to highlight the success of our great state and his vision for an even better future.”

Help us keep the momentum going by becoming a Perry Home Headquarters today!

What Is A Vet?

What is a vet?

By Father Dennis Edward O’Brien, USMC

Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a jagged scar, a certain look in the eye.  Others may carry the evidence inside them: a pin holding a bone together, a piece of shrapnel in the leg or perhaps another sort of inner steel: the soul’s ally forged in the refinery of adversity.  Except in parades, however, the men and women who have kept America safe wear no badge or emblem.  You can’t tell a vet just by looking.

What is a vet?

He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn’t run out of fuel.

He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the38th parallel.

She or he is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years in Da Nang.

He is the POW who went away one person and came back another or didn’t come back AT ALL.

He is the Quantico drill instructor who has never seen combat, but has saved countless lives by turning slouchy, no account rednecks and gang members into Marines, and teaching them to watch each other’s backs.

He is the parade riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand.

He is the career quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by.

He is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb of the Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor dies unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean’s sunless deep.

He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket-palsied now and aggravatingly slows who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come.

He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being, a person who offered some of his life’s most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs.

He is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest, greatest nation ever known.

So remember, each time you see someone who has served our country, just lean over and say “THANK YOU.”  That’s all most people need, and in most cases it will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded or were awarded.

Two little words mean a lot, “THANK YOU.”

“It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.  It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.”

Governor Perry Endorses Doug Hoffman

Today Texas Governor Rick Perry endorsed Doug Hoffman, the Conservative candidate for New York’s 23rd Congressional district.

Dear Friends and Supporters,

A New York Special Election? Why would Texans care about that?

The special election in New York’s 23rd Congressional district next Tuesday could send a message to the Washington, D.C. establishment that conservatives must stand for our principles: limited government, lower taxes, and free enterprise.

I am supporting Doug Hoffman, the only real conservative in the race. I urge you to join me in supporting Doug by contributing generously to him at his website today!

http://www.doughoffmanforcongress.com/

Doug Hoffman is the true conservative candidate in NY-23, and he needs your help today to put him over the top! He wins if he can afford to turn out his voters next Tuesday.

There is a reason that our party lost power in Washington, D.C. A lot of folks went to Congress wearing the Republican jersey, but far too many played the game like Democrats. People all around Texas— and frankly, all around this country— are fed up with the federal government running up trillion-dollar deficits and mortgaging our kids’ future. From Obamacare to cap-and-trade, there are simply too many critical issues at stake right now to send yet another rubber stamp for this administration to Washington.

Electing Doug Hoffman will send a clear message that cannot be denied: conservatives must stand on principle.

I hope you will contribute to Doug online right now. He is in a great position to win this election. He just needs the resources to get his conservative message out and turn out his conservative voters.

God Bless,
Rick Perry

Paid for by Rick Perry, 1010 Colorado St., Austin, TX 78701, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

 

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Phone Bank For Governor Perry!

Phone Bank for Governor Perry!

Keep Washington politics out of Texas! Come join our phone bank and help Governor Perry’s campaign.

Date: Wednesday Oct. 28th
Time: 5:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m.
Location: Texans for Rick Perry Campaign Headquarters, 807 Brazos Street, Suite 400, Austin Texas.

Pizza and sodas will be provided.
For more information and to RSVP, please contact our Central Texas Field Director.

Jon McClellan- Central Texas Field Director
W- 512-478-3276
C- 281-793-4558
JonMcClellan@rickperry.org

Help Governor Perry by becoming a Perry Home Headquarters today.

Get involved! Visit RickPerry.org/blog to join the conversation, join the Governor’s Facebook page, or follow the Governor on Twitter.

Political advertisement paid for by Texans for Rick Perry
PMB 217, P.O. Box 2013, Austin, Texas 78768

Rep. Wayne Christian’s Stance on the Constitutional Amendments

Here is Texas State Representative Wayne Christian’s stance on the Constitutional Amendments.  Rep. Christian is my former boss.  His views do not necessarily represent my personal views of the amendments nor Texans for Rick Perry’s stance.

I encourage you to read the proposed amendments yourself and make up your own mind, and of course go vote!  Early voting started today.

Here is information about the proposed constitutional amendments from the Republican Party of Texas.

Below is Rep. Christian’s explanation and recommendations of the amendments.

EXPLANATION OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS

The following is the list of propositions for the Constitutional Amendment Election that will be held on November 3rd, 2009.  Early voting begins October 19th, 2009.

Proposition 1

The constitutional amendment authorizing the financing, including through tax increment financing, of the acquisition by municipalities and counties of buffer areas or open spaces adjacent to a military installation for the prevention of encroachment or for the construction of roadways, utilities, or other infrastructure to protect or promote the mission of the military installation.

Summary: This amendment would allow the legislature to authorize a municipality or county to issue bonds or notes to finance the acquisition of buffer areas or open spaces adjacent to a military installation.

Recommendation: Oppose. Although it is important to protect our military zones from encroachment and this amendment does not require local taxes to be increased, it could serve as another reason to raise already high property taxes.

Proposition 2

The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of the property’s value as a residence homestead.

Summary: This amendment would authorize the legislature to provide for the taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of its value as a residence homestead, regardless of whether residential use by the owner is considered to be the highest and best use of the property.

Recommendation: Support. Evaluating a house as a house (instead of potential commercial property) will help keep property taxes down for many homeowners.

Proposition 3

The constitutional amendment providing for uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes.

Summary: The proposed amendment would remove the requirement that administrative and judicial enforcement of uniform standards and procedures for the appraisal of property for property tax purposes originate in the county where the tax is imposed. It would also remove the exception that the legislature may provide for political subdivisions with boundaries extending outside the county. It would instead give the legislature full discretion to prescribe the manner of the enforcement of uniform appraisal standards and procedures.

Recommendation: Support.  This will ensure that properties across the state are appraised in a more uniform and equal manner in order to address inequities and inconsistencies in current property appraisals.  The state already has the ability to set standards, just has no ability to enforce them.

Proposition 4

The constitutional amendment establishing the national research university fund to enable emerging research universities in this state to achieve national prominence as major research universities and transferring the balance of the higher education fund to the national research university fund.

Summary: This amendment would create the national research university fund for the purpose of providing an independent source of funding to enable emerging state research universities in Texas to achieve national prominence as major research universities. The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University would not be eligible to receive money from the fund.  The fund would be initially supported by money from a long-dormant permanent higher education fund, but will also allow the legislature to appropriate money.

Recommendation: Oppose.  This fund will be a disservice to students as the focus of these “emerging universities” turns to research in order to obtain Tier 1 status.  Additionally, it provides a drain on taxpayer money as the fund will eventually depend on legislative appropriations.  It will also probably lead to higher tuition for students at the identified schools.

Proposition 5

The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to authorize a single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities that elect to provide for consolidated equalizations.

Summary: This amendment would authorize a single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities instead of a board for each entity.

Recommendation: Support.  This will also allow two or more adjoining county property tax appraisal districts, if they so choose, to consolidate appraisal review board functions.  This will expand the pool of qualified people to serve on appraisal boards which could reduce the costs of litigation for both appraisal districts and taxpayers, saving taxpayer money.  The voluntary ability to consolidate smaller county appraisal review boards will help resolve property tax appraisal protests more quickly and make protesting appraisals more convenient for property owners, especially in lesser-populated areas of Texas.

Proposition 6

The constitutional amendment authorizing the Veterans’ Land Board to issue general obligation bonds in amounts equal to or less than amounts previously authorized.

Summary: This amendment would authorize the VLB to provide for, issue, and sell general obligation bonds of the state for the purpose of selling land to Texas veterans or providing them home or land mortgage loans.  The proposed amendment would remove the $500 million cap on the principal amount of bonds outstanding at any one time and instead require that the principal amount of outstanding VLB bonds provided, issued, or sold for those purposes at all times be equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount of state general obligation bonds previously authorized for those purposes by prior constitutional amendments.

Recommendation: Support.  This will help to ensure that the VLB can continue to provide financial assistance to veterans who have served our state and nation.  Additionally, no fiscal impact to the state is anticipated. (Note: Although veterans participating in the existing loan program have always made good on their payments, and have thus never left the taxpayers on the hook, the taxpayers are ultimately responsible for the bonds issued.)

Proposition 7

The constitutional amendment to allow an officer or enlisted member of the Texas State Guard or other state militia or military force to hold other civil offices.

Summary: This amendment would exempt officers and enlisted members of the Texas State Guard and any other active militia or military force organized under Texas law from the prohibition against holding or exercising more than one civil office of emolument at the same time.

Recommendation: Support. This would correct the oversight of not including the Texas State Guard and other Texas military forces in the list of offices that civil officials can hold while holding another office.

Proposition 8

The constitutional amendment authorizing the state to contribute money, property, and other resources for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of veterans hospitals in this state.

Summary: This amendment would authorize the state to contribute money, property, and other resources to establish, maintain, and operate veterans hospitals.

Recommendation: Oppose.  This is intended to improve access to medical care for Texas veterans, but it will allow the legislature to spend state taxpayer dollars on what should be a federal issue.

Proposition 9

The constitutional amendment to protect the right of the public, individually and collectively, to access and use the public beaches bordering the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico.

Summary: This amendment would establish that the public has an unrestricted right to access and use a public beach. “Public beach” would mean a state-owned beach bordering on the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico, extending from mean low tide to the landward boundary of state-owned submerged land to which the public has acquired a right of use or easement by prescription or dedication or has established and retained a right by virtue of continuous right in the public under Texas common law. The proposed amendment also would authorize the legislature to enact laws to protect that right and to protect the public beach easement from interference and encroachments. In addition, it would establish that its provisions do not create a private right of enforcement.

Recommendation: Oppose.  Possible infringement on property rights.  Although, it is important to maintain open access to public beaches, recent action by state officials has indicated a willingness to use a well intentioned law to unnecessarily seize private property.

Proposition 10

The constitutional amendment to provide that elected members of the governing boards of emergency services districts may serve terms not to exceed four years.

Summary:.  This amendment would authorize the legislature to provide that members of the governing board of an emergency services district may serve terms not to exceed four years, instead of the previous term limit of two years.

Recommendation: Support.  Extending the limit of emergency service district boards from two to four years would allow the board members to be more experienced, stable, and effective.

Proposition 11

The constitutional amendment to prohibit the taking, damaging, or destroying of private property for public use unless the action is for the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the State, a political subdivision of the State, the public at large, or entities granted the power of eminent domain under law or for the elimination of urban blight on a particular parcel of property, but not for certain economic development or enhancement of tax revenue purposes, and to limit the legislature’s authority to grant the power of eminent domain to an entity.

Summary: This amendment would specify that the term “public use” does not include the taking of property for transfer to a private entity for the primary purpose of economic development or enhancement of tax revenues. Effective January 1, 2010, the proposed amendment would limit the legislature’s ability to grant the power of eminent domain to an entity by requiring the grant to be approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house.

Recommendation: Support. This will more narrowly define the term “public use” which will strengthen the protection of private property rights while still allowing for the most necessary uses of eminent domain.

Wainwright eager to find out: Does domino deliver?

A good post by Austin America-Statesman’s Ken Herman about KBH and the AG race.  When will KBH resign seems to be the million dollar question.  Although she claims she is staying in DC to fight for Texas she has recently missed numerous important votes, including the vote to defund ACORN last month.

COMMENTARY: KEN HERMAN

Wainwright eager to find out: Does domino deliver?

Ken Herman, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Once again, it’s time to ponder everybody’s favorite political question:

“Qué pasa, Kay Bailey?”

In July, Sen. Hutchison said she’d resign by December to focus on her GOP gubernatorial primary battle against Gov. Rick Perry. Now, who knows? She says she doesn’t.

“I don’t know,” Hutchison said Tuesday on D-FW radio station WBAP. “Every day in Washington some new bad thing is coming up.”

So she plans to stay in Washington until a day when a “some new bad thing” doesn’t come up? Does the concept of eternity spring to mind?

While she mulls, many Texas politicians eagerly await her resignation plans so the down-ballot dominoes can topple. When, and if, she resigns, Perry will appoint an interim replacement to serve until a special election that’s expected to draw a long list of contenders, including current statewide officeholders.

Under most versions of the trickle-down impact, GOP Attorney General Greg Abbott winds up running for something else. And that means there may be no Republican more eager for Hutchison to get on with getting out of the Senate than Texas Supreme Court Justice Dale Wainwright, who is considering running for attorney general if Abbott seeks a new job.

Unlike others looking at that race, Wainwright has to be very, very careful about what he says about it. Canon 5 of the the state’s Code of Judicial Conduct — Refraining from Inappropriate Political Activity — says “A judge shall resign from judicial office upon becoming a candidate in a contested election for a non-judicial office … “

Judges are the only elected officials in Texas who have to quit to run for something else. Everyone else is canon-free. That would include Republican Ted Cruz, who has declared for attorney general (but only if Abbott does not seek re-election) and state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, who is looking at the race.

That leaves Wainwright, re-elected last year to a six-year term on the high court, dancing as close to a candidacy as possible without saying or doing anything that would force him to resign.

“I am seriously considering seeking the attorney general’s office if it’s open, that is if General Abbott vacates it,” he told me this week.

Wainwright said lots of folks have told him he should run. He said folks say he has the experience (more than 10 years in private practice, more than 10 years as a judge) that makes for a fine attorney general and the kind of ballot history (five statewide appearances) that makes for a fine candidate.

“Folks,” he said, are noting it’s a résumé other contenders can’t match. And remember, that’s not the canon-conscious judge campaigning, that’s just him reporting what folks are saying about him.

Wainwright said his potential candidacy comes up as he speaks to groups. It generally comes up during Q & A, he said.

“Have I ever brought it up on my own? I can’t say I haven’t. It’s probably come up both ways. If I don’t mention it, it’s asked,” he said.

The answer is always a version of seriously considering it. That’s what he said when it came up Sept. 21 during a meeting of the Dallas Pachyderm Club, a GOP group, according to Dallas lawyer David Anderson, the organization’s president.

Folks starting asking Wainwright about it prior to the speech, Anderson recalled.

Like other potential GOP candidates, Wainwright’s future depends on Hutchison’s next move, which still looks like it will include resignation at some point. Better sooner than later?

“I don’t presume to tell anybody what they should or shouldn’t do,” Wainwright said, honoring Hutchison as “the first domino.”

Anderson said from a “standpoint of human curiosity I’d like to know (Hutchison’s plans) sooner than later.”

I hesitate to say this during OU week, but in this case sooner does seem better.

So qué pasa, Kay Bailey? When are you stepping down? Your state wants to know. Lots of potential candidates want to know. One Supreme Court justice really, really wants to know.

And though the Perry campaign inexplicably never asks for my advice, here’s what he should do when Hutchison resigns: He should immediately appoint her to replace herself.

For Perry, it’s win-win. For Hutchison, lose-lose. If she accepts the appointment, she’s distracted from the gubernatorial race.

And in the more likely event that she turns it down, Perry can rail about how she turned her back on Texas as “some new bad thing” was coming up in Washington.

How is it that I’m not making the big political consulting bucks?

kherman@statesman. com;445-3907

Those Pesky Cameras

Jason Embry with the Austin American-Statesman has a interesting post about how those “pesky cameras” have changed politics.

Whether in the hands of journalists trained in print or operatives trained in trickery, the nascent gubernatorial campaign has reinforced the power of an amateurish Web video that quickly spreads around the Internet. Politicians are trained to be on their best behavior when they see large, professional television cameras shining bright lights in their face. But it’s the cameramen they don’t see who can cause the most trouble.

We’ve seen this demonstrated a number of times on the national stage. When U.S. Sen. George Allen, R-Va., called the Democratic operative following him around “Macaca” in 2006, the video cost Allen the election. But with the Democratic Party unable (or unwilling) to compete in statewide elections recently, it’s been a long while since we had a real heavyweight campaign fight in Texas, and so the full force of the phenomenon is just starting to hit here.

The camera first caused trouble in August, when U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison returned to her hometown of LaMarque to kick off her challenge to Gov. Rick Perry in a high school gym. A couple hundred people came out for the speech, but the crowd looked meager in the gym. While television photographers waited at their assigned posts for the speech to begin, American-Statesman editorial writer Ken Herman worked the floor with his tiny camera. His footage of Hutchison campaign operatives repeatedly moving the small crowd to make it look like a big crowd for TV cameras arguably did more than any television or newspaper story to show Austin insiders that the campaign’s first event was a disappointment.

A week or two later, a Perry operative with a video camera walked into a Hutchison campaign event and captured the senator telling a supporter in a one-on-one conversation, “We have just spent way too much time in Washington.” The Perry campaign slapped that little snippet into a Web video, feeding its preferred narrative that Hutchison is more Washingtonian than Texan, without any additional information about what she meant.

I would like to point out to Jason that I am more than just a “Perry Operative” and that I am a real person too!

Here is the video Jason is referring to that a “Perry Operative” filmed.

Here is my original post about the video and the event attended by seven dedicated KBH supporters.