Texans: Kay Bailey Hutchison for Governer?

[Fenris]

According to the Houston Chronicle, Senator Hutchison has been testing the waters for a gubernatorial run. She would likely have to fight for the nomination against the EXTREMELY unpopular Governer Rick Perry and the state comptroller and mother of Scotty McLellan Ms. Carol Keaton Rylander Strayhorn McLellan (I think there are more). Why would she want to leave the Senate for a relatively low-power position in the Texas government? She could easily defeat Perry and more than likely triumph over Rylander-Strayhorn-McLellan, and, given her name recognition and statewide popularity (and the fact that the GOP dominates this state), she could handily defeat a Democratic nominee.

So what do ya think she'll do and why?

[cjbuchanan]

1. I've been hearing this for awhile

I think she will do it. I think that Perry might decide to run for the Senate if Kay comes home. Carol Keaton etc. would probably run for Lt. Gov. I could see Dewhurst going after Perry for the Senate nom.

As to why, there is a lot of prestige in being governor of any state. Also, it puts you in a much better position, historically speaking, if you want to go for a higher office.

[Wickerman]

2. I'd hate to see her as governor

but she might be better than Goodhair Perry. He is a disaster. I see at least two good things that could come out of a bid by her:

1. She and Perry would have a hell of a fight. There is a lot of dirt from her past that should be re-examined - a gubernatorial bid would be just the place to explore it. Folks might be more interested in some of her past transgressions than they werein the early 90's when she ran and her corruption and illegal use of staff for campaign purposes was ignored. They might implode each other

2. If she wins, she would give up her seat.

[cjbuchanan]

4. As for point two

She is up for re-election in 2006. I think she would have to pick one or the other before the primary.

[Ilsa]

3. Why? I think family may have something to do with it.

I believe she has two very young children they adopted a couple of years ago. SHe might want to raise them in TX (?) and want to be closer to them.

But I don't know anything for certain.

[salonghorn70]

6. I Have Heard That Also

I have heard that with the two children, she just wants to come back to Texas. Afterall, we may be Democrats, but we certainly can't fault her for wanting to be in Texas rather than D.C. Although I would never vote for her, it sure would be nice having a Texas-Ex as Gov. Did all of you know that she was a UT cheerlead3er?

[Ilsa]

7. Yeah, but I won't hold it against her.

Gig'em Ags

;) ;) ;)

Actually, I also attended UT Dallas for some grad work. HOnestly, I love UT! It's a great school whose reputation I was bragging on a few weeks ago on another message board. The subject of the Bush twins' graduation came up, and someone from the NE commented "Yale vs UT? Oh what an inferiority complex she must have." A high school guidance counselor on the board and I set her straight right quickly.

I also have a hard time understanding how someone with a liberal education like hers turned out with such comservative views (except for her pro-choice position).

[salonghorn70]

9. Aggs Are Doing OK

They just defeated Rice, the defending National Champion, thereby knocking Rice out of the NCAA baseball tournament. Aggs won 7-5. They will face LSU next weekend in the super regional. Of course, my Horns beat Oral Roberts today 7-3 to advance to the Super Regional against either Vanderbilt or Virginia. If both the Aggs and the Horns make it to Omaha for the CWS, then they could end up playing each other for the National Championship, based on the way the brackets are set up. That would be a hell of a game. :)

[lastliberalintexas]

13. You should have pointed out

that Yale actually has lower standards than UT. After all, YALE accepted Shrub, while UT Law rejected his admission. Oh what an inferiority complex those bulldogs must have. ;-)

[mourningdove92]

5. KBH for Govenor???

:puke:

[emulatorloo]

8. No doubt preparing for her 2008 or 2012 Presidential Bid

I can hardly wait (not)

[liveoaktx]

10. Popularity??????? Pffffftttttt! She is useless, along with Cornyn

I'd like to see her run, though, just so she knocks out Goodhair or Mom-Of-Pretty-Boy-Scottie in the primary.

Now what great Dem can fun against her? Because I don't believe she could *handily defeat* a good democrat.

[TexasBushwhacker]

22. If Texas has to have a GOP governor

and I'm not saying it does, it's just that's the way it's been for a while (God I miss Ann Richards!), I would choose KBH over Gov. GoodHair or Strayhorn in a minute. She is basically pro-choice, and I think women generally are less likely to cut funding for things like education and children's healthcare.

[Freddie Stubbs]

24. What makes you think that she is pro-choice?

Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life.

S. 3 As Amended; Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003. Vote to pass a bill banning a medical procedure, which is commonly known as "partial-birth" abortion. Those who performed this procedure would then face fines and up to two years in prison, the women to whom this procedure is performed on are not held criminally liable. This bill would make the exception for cases in which a women's life is in danger, not for cases where a women's health is in danger.
Bill S.3 ; vote number 2003-51 on Mar 12, 2003

Voted YES on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions.

Vote on a motion to table an amendment that would repeal the ban on privately funded abortions at overseas military facilities.
Bill S 2549 ; vote number 2000-134 on Jun 20, 2000

Voted YES on banning partial birth abortions.

This legislation, if enacted, would ban the abortion procedure in which the physician partially delivers the fetus before completing the abortion. .
Status: Bill Passed Y)63; N)34; NV)3
Reference: Partial Birth Abortion Ban; Bill S. 1692 ; vote number 1999-340 on Oct 21, 1999

Voted YES on disallowing overseas military abortions.

The Murray amdt would have repealed current laws prohibiting overseas U.S. military hospitals and medical facilities from performing privately funded abortions for U.S. service members and their dependents.
Status: Motion to Table Agreed to Y)51; N)49
Reference: Motion to table Murray Amdt #397; Bill S. 1059 ; vote number 1999-148 on May 26, 1999

more: http://www.issues2000.org/Social/Kay_Bailey_Hutchison_Abortion.htm

[TexasBushwhacker]

26. Well she SAYS she's pro-choice

and supports states rights regarding abortion legislation. So many of the GOP continue to push for overturning Roe vs. Wade that she seems a bit more centrist to me.

That being said, I don't WANT a GOP governor, and I won't vote for one, I'm just looking at it as a bad, badder, baddest choice. I could tolerate her better than Perry or Strayhorn, that's all.

[Freddie Stubbs]

11. Governor of a state is a much better launching point for the White House

A sitting Senator hasn't been elected President in over 40 years. Sitting and former governors have had a much better track record at getting elected.

[NoPasaran]

12. One hopes we'll show that sitting senators are electable

in a few months, though.

[Longhorn]

14. It's Carole Keeton McClellan Rylander Strayhorn

Here's how I recall it (I've been around in Austin since 1973.)

Keeton is her maiden name -- father Paige Keeton was dean of the UT Law School. Divorced from McClellan, the father of her four sons. Divorced from Hill Rylander, owner of the Rylander's grocery chain (later sold to Safeway and/or Randall's, I think.) Married Strayhorn, Austin High School sweetheart, a year or so ago.

Used to be a Democrat. Started out as Austin school board president, then Austin mayor, then became a Republican and got elected to the Railroad Commission and now Comptroller. Told the world that Texas' economy was booming to help Bush get selected in 2000, then announced shortly after the election that Texas was in serious financial trouble. Has been a thorn in Perry's side ever since and will probably run against him for governor in the Republican primary. Last campaign slogan was "One tough Grandma!"

I agree that Bailey-Hutchison would probably beat her -- in fact, I doubt Strayhorn would run if the senator entered the race. Then again, I'm not a Republican so what do I know?!!

[newyawker99]

15. Hi Longhorn!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[amber dog democrat]

23. I agree that she is out classed by Hutchison

I don't like either of them, but I have special contempt for Strayhorn nee Rylander nee McClellan nee Keeton. She is an opporatunist basically out for power.
I AM gratified to see her giving Perry a hard time. He deserves it.

But back to Kay. I still think of her as a cheerleader on the bandwagon.

[johncoby2]

16. She is just the same. A republican't.

When will we learn? We had 6 years of bush, 4 of Perry, and all we got so far is screwed. What makes anyone think Kay Bailey Chearleader will be any better?

She is just like bush and perry, a republican't.

She cant respresent the citizens, but can represent the corporations. She can't lower our insurance rates, provide health insurance to our most needy, or fund our schools.

Bush Perry couldn't and wouldn't. Chearleader hutchinson will be no better.

[BlueCollar]

17. i think she'll run

and bail on Bushco...

In any event...who will we put up against her?

[johncoby2]

18. Chris Bell. Former Congressman redistricted out by DeLay.

Bell is a GREAT Congressman but got DeLayed.

I think a run at Governor would be in his cards. He has what it takes and would be much much better than Perry.

(although a dead wet cat would be better than Perry)

[BlueCollar]

19. let's see...

after the sanchez/kirk disaster ticket...

[merci_me]

20. Absolutely, Chris Bell.......

When he showed up at our 7th District Convention (not his home district) the crowd went wild. Someone asked where he was going from here, and someone else shouted "Governor!!". There was stomping, hooting and shouts, "Run, run, run!" I got the impression, from his reaction, that was what he hoped to hear and it just might be in the cards.

He's been an up and comer in DC and extremely well liked. I've been a Chris Bell fan since he mounted his first run for council. His wonderfully dry wit didn't hurt. LOL

Do you wonder, if a run for governor may be behind the crawfish party Friday night?

[salonghorn70]

21. Hutchison Supports Some Pro-Choice Points

http://www.lifenews.com/state604.html

She won't survive the Republican primary with this stand. The Christian Right will be worked up into an absolute frenzy to defeat her.

[Gman]

25. If the Guv of Texas has to be a Republican

I can live with her a helluva lot better than that idiot and Perry.