The losers in Hutchison’s decision, of course, are the wannabes, especially the apparent frontrunners (John Sharp, Roger Williams, and David Dewhurst), who will have to wait until a special election in 2013. And Bill White can take another bite at the apple if he loses the governor’s race.
Hutchison’s decision gives her a chance to regain her popularity. It also means that, if the Republicans retake control of the Senate, she would be in line to chair the important Commerce committee.
It was never easy to understand why she wanted to give up her Senate seat to run for governor–and she never told us. She made the same mistake that all of Perry’s challengers have made, which was to underestimate him.
The only new idea I got from Burka was that Bill White will probably run for senate after losing to Rick in 2010... White's name identification will be higher in 2012 than this year... if he can just play the compliant loser he will be in a much better position in 2012... if White attacks viciously and invites the wrath of Rick's peeps he will be destroyed and tainted and worthless in 2012... not that 2012 will be a good year for Democrats either...
The fun question is what kind of strategic position John Sharp is in...
ReplyDeleteOn the one hand, he's a Democrat who theoretically supports Democrats, and if White beat the 1/1,000,000 odds and won, Sharp would be the clear front-runner for the 2012 Senate nomination.
On the other hand, it might serve him better to work diligently behind the scenes to help Perry destroy Bill White so that he has, at best, a weakened and blighted 2012 primary opponent.
I would pick the latter as the obvious strategic path, but Texas Dems and strategy do not belong in the same bivouac...
Burka, Burka, Burka without a clue,
ReplyDeleteRoger Williams, who is Roger Williams?
Michael Williams, he's the man.