Tag Archives: Governor

The tax question

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

So Bill White gave a straightforward answer to a question about taxes, and everybody goes nuts. Well, Rick Perry and his minions went nuts, and everybody else followed. The former Houston mayor, asked by the Tribune’s Evan Smith whether he … Continue reading →

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Cathie Adams is a big ol’ liar

Posted on March 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t know why anyone would ever believe anything that the former head of the Texas Eagle Forum and current Chair of the Republican Party of Texas says. But in the event that you needed a reason to doubt her … Continue reading →

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White: No expansion of gambling

Posted on March 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’m okay with this. Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White said today he does not support the legalization of slot machines and does not think Texas should legalize casinos across the state. “I don’t think the State of Texas should be … Continue reading →

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Where KBH and Medina did best, where White did worst

Posted on March 10, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve been poking around the county by county results in the Democratic and Republican gubernatorial primaries to see what might be of interest. Here’s what I’ve found. – Debra Medina carried three counties: Zavala, Crane, and Carson. There only 16 … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Will KBH stay or will she go?

Posted on March 6, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Surely we all know the answer to that question by now. Republican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is getting some GOP pressure to change her mind about resigning her seat, but a close friend predicted Wednesday that her decision will … Continue reading →

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First post-primary poll of TX-GOV

Posted on March 6, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Give Rasmussen credit, they don’t waste any time. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely voters in Texas finds Perry leading White, the popular former mayor of Houston, by just six points, 49% to 43%. Three percent (3%) opt … Continue reading →

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Election results: White wins without breaking a sweat

Posted on March 2, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

This one was over before it started. I think the AP called the race for Bill White based on the early voting alone. I expected a big win for Bill White, but 75%+ surprised me, and from talking to folks … Continue reading →

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Election results: Perry avoids a runoff

Posted on March 2, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

So it’s official, the so-called “Battle of the Titans” was a titanic dud, with Rick Perry scraping past the 50% mark to win the GOP nomination for Governor again. Kay Bailey Hutchison, whose campaign will someday be used in political … Continue reading →

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The post-primary reconciliation

Posted on March 2, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The Republican primary for Governor has been long and nasty. It will likely go to a runoff, where we’ll get five more weeks of concentrated nastiness and attack ads. Any time this kind of high-level primary occurs, people wonder if … Continue reading →

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How do incumbents do in runoffs?

Posted on February 28, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

So with all of the polls showing Rick Perry ahead in the GOP primary but below 50%, the odds appear good that he’s headed for a runoff. What are his odds of winning that runoff? The Come and Take It … Continue reading →

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Early voting final report

Posted on February 27, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Early voting was up considerably from the 2006 primaries. According to figures released Friday by Harris County Clerk Beverly Kaufman, 84,018 total early votes were cast in person for the Harris County primaries — compared with 33,362 in 2006. A … Continue reading →

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KBH: Did I say I was going to leave the Senate after the primary, win or lose?

Posted on February 26, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Surely you didn’t believe her, did you? With four days to go before the gubernatorial primary, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison this morning bought herself as many as eight more months in the Senate. Speaking on WBAP’s Mark Davis Show, she … Continue reading →

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Those evil, dirty, federal dollars

Posted on February 26, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Rick Perry loves ’em. Which of the following revenue sources has grown the most since Rick Perry became governor? A. Sales tax, driven by a strong economy. B. Natural gas production tax revenue, driven by a strong economy and the … Continue reading →

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Last minute poll numbers

Posted on February 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Public Policy Polling takes a last look at the gubernatorial primaries. Debra Medina is fading in the Texas Republican race for Governor, and it continues to look like the contest is headed for a runoff where Rick Perry will be … Continue reading →

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How are you going to balance the budget?

Posted on February 24, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

If you’re thinking that the candidates for Governor are being a bit vague about how they’re going to deal with the looming budget shortfall, you’re not alone. Texas expects a shortfall of at least $12 billion when lawmakers meet to … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Star-Telegram for White

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The last of the major dailies to endorse in the Governor’s primaries goes with the crowd. The best choice for Democrats in the gubernatorial primary becomes more obvious by the day. Former Houston Mayor Bill White has been the front-runner … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Land Commish and Ag Commish

Posted on February 22, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Two more endorsements from the Chron, both for the Democratic primary. First, for Ag Commish: In the Democratic primary contest to select an opponent to face Republican incumbent Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples in November, the Chronicle recommends native Houstonian and … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Where I stand

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Early voting begins in the primaries today. With that in mind, the following are Democratic candidates I will be voting for, or would be voting for if I lived in their district. I am only addressing contested races – you … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Chron for White

Posted on February 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

No surprise here. Fresh from completing three successful terms as Houston’s mayor, Bill White is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor. The Chronicle believes this accomplished attorney, businessman and public administrator is far and away the most qualified candidate to … Continue reading →

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Yet another poll

Posted on February 14, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

And the newspapers get into the polling game. The poll found Perry leading with 45 percent support among likely Republican voters, with Hutchison at 29 percent and Medina at 17 percent; 8 percent said they were undecided. The Feb. 2-10 … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Two more for White

Posted on February 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The San Antonio Express News comes down firmly in Bill White‘s corner. White is not flashy, but he is extraordinarily solid. He brings a strong resumé and a quiet confidence to the table. White served three productive terms as mayor … Continue reading →

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Two more polls

Posted on February 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

We are suddenly awash in hot polling goodness. First up, a new result from the University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll: Gov. Rick Perry is well ahead of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and former Wharton County GOP chair Debra Medina, … Continue reading →

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Statesman on Hank versus Kinky

Posted on February 13, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Pretty good overview of the Ag Commish primary race between Hank Gilbert and Kinky Friedman. The winner will face Republican incumbent Todd Staples, who heads the state Department of Agriculture, which has a biennial budget of $905 million, 666 full-time … Continue reading →

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Still more polling

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Via the Trib, there’s another gubernatorial primary poll out there. The Texas Credit Union League Poll of Texas Primary Voters, released today, shows incumbent Rick Perry close to a majority, holding a 22 point lead over Kay Bailey Hutchison in … Continue reading →

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White holds big lead in Dem primary poll

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The headline and content of this Trib story is about another strong showing by GOP gubernatorial candidate Debra Medina in a poll, this one by Public Policy Polling, but that’s not what interests me. I’ll get to that in a … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Statesman for Bill White

Posted on February 8, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Following their unsurprising recommendation of KBH in the GOP Governor’s primary, the Statesman makes the clear and obvious choice in the Democratic race as well. As Texas moves through precarious times, it needs leaders from that moderate middle. We believe … Continue reading →

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The Observer interviews White and Shami

Posted on February 8, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

If you’re looking for some more prep material in advance of tonight’s debate, the Texas Observer has a nice cover story on Bill White and Farouk Shami, with an interview with each candidate. For those of you who tune in … Continue reading →

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Interview with Farouk Shami

Posted on February 8, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

You’ve probably seen a few of Farouk Shami‘s ads for Governor by now, and you know the basic story: Came to America with only a few dollars in his pocket, started a successful business, and is now running to be … Continue reading →

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Endorsement watch: Statesman for KBH

Posted on February 7, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

The first gubernatorial endorsement of the primary season form the major dailies comes from the Statesman, which recommends a vote for KBH over Rick Perry. Perry beats up on Washington to beat up on the senator. Washington is not an … Continue reading →

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Another Rasmussen poll in TX-GOV

Posted on February 4, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

Following their GOP primary poll, Rasmussen has released another general election matchup; the previous one, from only two weeks ago, is here. For the most part, it’s not any different: A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely Texas voters … Continue reading →

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Rasmussen’s latest on the GOP primary

Posted on February 2, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I have three things to say about this Rasmussen poll of the GOP Governor’s primary, which shows Rick Perry with 44%, KBH with 29%, and Debra Medina with 16%. 1. People are starting to talk seriously about the possibility of … Continue reading →

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Bill White on the air

Posted on February 1, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

I’d been wondering when Bill White would start spending some of the dough he’s raised on TV ads. Now I know: Here’s his first ad: And here’s one in Spanish: Those of you who remember his 2003 Mayoral campaign will … Continue reading →

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The GOP gubernatorial debate, simplified

Posted on January 31, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

About what one would expect, I daresay. The Republican candidates for governor clashed in what is likely their final debate Friday, attacking one another’s records but offering little vision as to what they would do as governor over the next … Continue reading →

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The recession and the Texas Enterprise Fund

Posted on January 30, 2010 by Charles Kuffner

A report worth reading from Texans for Public Justice: The global recession that hit Texas in 2008 is playing havoc with Governor Perry’s signature business-incentive program: the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF). A review of 45 TEF projects that received $363 … Continue reading →

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