Tea Parties: Volume Versus PrinciplesSubmitted by MQSullivan on Thu, 02/11/2010 - 6:20pm.
An interesting story line some have tried to create in Texas’ gubernatorial race has been that Debra Medina is the “tea party” candidate, while Governor Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Kay Hutchison are not, or worse. Certainly many have wanted that line to be true, and shouted it loudly. Who gets to claim the banner of “tea party” candidate clearly must not rest with those who shout it the loudest. Volume is what we too often respond to in politics: who shouts the loudest. The old saying about the squeaky wheel is how, too often, we judge political activity, and predict success. The desire to grab labels, however, does not necessarily translate into support from the electorate. In the recent Texas Credit Union League poll, Perry far outperforms Medina in support from people who identify themselves as agreeing with the tea party movement’s principles. And it isn’t close. Perry has 51 percent support of the people who say a candidate who identifies with “tea party” values is a positive thing they will consider. Interestingly, Medina barely out polls Hutchison among tea-party-goers, at 24 to 21. (Download the PDF cross-tabs.) The support for incumbent politicians in many races seems to show that the "tea party" is not anti-incumbent, but a reflection of a belief in core values. Perry has a very strong fiscal record, and the state’s electorate seems to recognize that. Likewise, it must not be forgotten that Scott Brown was a Massachusetts state senator with a clear record, good with bad, when he received the support of "tea party" voters. Mrs. Medina did not help her candidacy with comments on the Glenn Beck program today. Rather than the planned appearance putting her over the top – or, at least, into a run-off -- as supporters hoped, the wheels fell off with the first question and the interview ended. Beck asked her about allegations she is close to the “9/11 truthers” movement – people who believe President Bush and shadowy figures in the US government planned and carried out the infamous attack, that bombs were pre-set in the building, etc. Medina hemmed, hawed, said it was a federal issue, said she didn’t want to engage in “thought police” activities among her closest staff and advisors. It was the worst of non-answers. If current poll numbers reflect that the electorate is driven by principles not by anti-incumbency fever, as we suspect, the fact that she wouldn’t (or couldn’t) disassociate herself clearly and articulately from what is clearly a fringe position will drive her support down, not up. But we shall see. We are adamant supporters of the “tea party” spirit, and business as usual in Austin or Washington is a non-starter. I suspect most Texans are like us, and want the quickest movement to transparency, accountability, and fiscal stewardship. We expect as fellow activists, inspired by the tea party movement, we shall see voters move in a way that allows sound principles to take root and be implemented, with the state of our state vastly improved. In doing so, the tea party activists will make a story for the ages. We have all been energized by the fringe Leftist policies being advanced in the Federal government, and see our country at risk. The answer is not fringe for fringe, but a movement to the core principals our country was founded on. And those core principles are more than a label. Bookmark/Search this post with: |
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This is disingenuous,
This is disingenuous, Michael, and I think you know it. You are cherry-picking from the truth to make a point, just like a career politician. I expected more from a fellow Aggie.
The truth is that Debra Medina does not have the same level of name recognition that Perry does, so how many of those so-called "tea partiers" that like Perry don't even know who Debra Medina is or what her message is? The truth is that Debra is gaining in these polls, while Perry is stagnant or slipping.
You bring up the 9/11 truth question which you know has nothing to do with Texas politics. It was a question intended to derail Debra's campaign, and you picked it up even when it is irrelevant and out of left field. Debra Medina does not associate with the 9/11 truth movement. She has stated this publicly and you know it.
I think if more conservatives and Tea Party types knew about Perry's spending spree (growth in the size of Texas government under his watch), special interest deals (Gardasil), land grabs (TTC), tax hikes (business margins tax), etc. then they wouldn't be such fans. That's the truth that you don't seem to mention much, however, even though it has much more credence than accusations of sympathy with the 9/11 truth movement.
This is a disgusting hit piece.
John, you are engaging in
John, you are engaging in some nice cherry picking yourself.
For example, you know that under Gov. Perry real GR state spending (that which a governor can actually control) has been reduced in two biennia. You also know that Texas' total tax burden has dropped, not risen. And you know that Texas has become the #1 exporter of products, #1 in job growth. It is the only state with private sector job growth. Texas boasts the top five cities for job growth. The list goes on about just how much better Texas is.
Is all of that Perry? No, but the sins you seek to attribute to him are not all his, either.
John, you are mistaken about how state government works. Governors in Texas don't the same budget control the president does. The state constitution might be a good starting place for you. Governors have a limited line-item veto, but the Legislature sets spending. And most executive agencies are under the control of actual statewide elected officials -- not the governor. You might notice them on the ballot: comptroller, attorney general, land commissioner, ag commissioner, three railroad commissioners. Yes, the size of government in Texas has grown, and for that you can mostly thank state legislators. And you can think Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama. And Congress. And your neighbors. Did you know that almost all state debt is created through constitutional action that governors cannot veto?
Now to the point, neither you nor I can explain why Mrs. Medina did not just say on the radio, "No"? I cannot, nor will I attempt to do so. I do note she offered a non-answer. And please, Jon, don't play the "it's not a state issue game." She made big hay about going on a NATIONAL radio show hosted by someone who makes 9/11 a topic every day. To not be prepared for national questions on a national radio show is silly; people listening in Albany don't care about Texas issues.
Mrs. Medina and her supporters, and some in the media, have tried to portray her as the tea party candidate for varying reasons. How that label can be applied, when by your assertion no one knows her, is somewhat mystifying. And it is the point.
If you are going to give
If you are going to give Perry credit for things for which he has no control, then so will I.
Even then, Perry /did/ personally push for a business margins tax, i.e. a shadow income tax. He also had the power to veto it, but as a supporter, it is obvious that he wouldn't.
General revenue spending has risen from $60 billion to $80 billion while Perry has been governor. For the last two budgets (for four years), the increases have been 15.4% and 17.6%. He used $12 billion in stimulus funds to balance the latest budget, funds which won't be there for the next budget. He is ramping up spending and kicking the can down the road. Any fiscal conservatism he may have displayed when he took over has disappeared.
source: http://www.lbb.state.tx.us/Fiscal_Size-up/Fiscal%20Size-up%202008-09.pdf
The growth of the Texas economy has occurred /in spite/ of Rick Perry, not because of him.
I never said no one knows her; I said that not as many people know about her as they do the Governor. Again, misrepresentation of my words is not what I expect from an Aggie.
If you are so concerned about non-answers, then why didn't I see anything from you about Perry's non-answer to the question in the first debate about nullifying a federal health care bill in Texas? Perry gives non-answers every day, and yet I see nothing on these pages calling him out.
If you gave Debra Medina the same benefit of the doubt that you give Rick Perry, then maybe you should listen to another interview she gave later yesterday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSyL6APEPtk
Debra Medina's name in
Debra Medina's name in politics is rather new to me and maybe many others. But I'm for her ideas to bring property tax relief to Texans and broadening the sales tax base to throttle up the Texas economy. I also think that politicians or candidates, like us ordinary folks, should be allowed to timely revise and extend their off the cuff remarks. Her response to Glenn Beck about 911 wasn't pretty but I'm giving her what I should give anyone who makes an impulse answer they later regret.
Now, if she had a verifiable, historic belief that she suspected the federal government in the murder of 3000 citizens that would be a different matter.
Did Glenn Beck engage in an intentional "gotcha" interview? I don't know; can't read the man's mind or anyone elses. He has a rather lengthy record of commen sense and fairness to conservatives so I'll continue being a loyal viewer. Like wise I'm certainly not going to denounce Ms. Medina's fitness for governor over her answers on his program.
Well said! The fringe has
Well said! The fringe has found that the tea party label is a convenient one upon which to hang their tin foil caps. The rest of us can NOT allow that.
Debra Medina, above all
Debra Medina, above all else, is a strict Constitutionalist, limited government, anti-tax, pro-life, pro-Liberty candidate and that is what matters to this Texan. Go Medina!
Has Medina ever questioned
Has Medina ever questioned the gov's involvement in 9/11?
Never
So ask yourself why Beck would ask her this question today? And all of these so called emails about her being a 9/11 truther or her advisors - I call a BIG TEXAS BS!
If he got emails like that - it came from Perry supporters or Perry Campaign Headquarters itself.
I think Perry is scared to death of Medina's rise in the polls and he has begun his mud slinging with the help of Fox and Beck and Patrick and Gray.
Has Perry got his ads ready about this? Probably before today.
NOT one question regarding Medina's proposals, issues or constitutional questions.
Hmmmmmmm
Beck is always saying "question your government" - I say Beck, You are a Hypocrite!
And Beck - Don't Mess with Texas. Stay out of Texas politics.
I am a Texas Voter. I am not a 9/11 truther.
I am a conservative and I will be voting for Medina. Made my mine up today.
I will also never listen to Beck again - will be sending his books back.
Fool me once but you won't fool this Texan twice!
Medina for Texas Governor!
Truthers go home.
Truthers go home.
I doubt you could accept
I doubt you could accept truth about anything if it slapped you in the face.
I listen to Glenn Beck every
I listen to Glenn Beck every day. I have been a supporter of Debra Medina for months. I was so eager to hear her today... and so disgusted by what I heard. I'll be listening to Beck tomorrow, but I won't be voting for Medina. Just count me as someone who will hold my nose and vote for Governor Good Hair.
Sullivan: Glenn Beck said he
Sullivan:
Glenn Beck said he wanted to french kiss Rick Perry. That is sick. Someone may want to remind Beck that Perry is married!
I see all these Medina
I see all these Medina apologists commenting here and making excuses for her. They completely miss the point of the article -- and in doing so make the point exactly. Keep it up Sullivan!
Amen!
Amen!
Absolutely right. Unless the
Absolutely right. Unless the majority of the tea party speak up, the minority-fringe will define it AND destroy it.
Totally agree paul. Just
Totally agree paul. Just like the neoconservatives defined the republican party.
What are the characteristics
What are the characteristics of the Republican Party today?
"We are adamant supporters
"We are adamant supporters of the “tea party” spirit, and business as usual in Austin or Washington is a non-starter. I suspect most Texans are like us, and want the quickest movement to transparency, accountability, and fiscal stewardship".
And you will get that with Rick Perry?
Interesting on a "different" radio talk show in which Debra Medina was actually allowed to speak on her ideas where Texas should go from here was a comment by the interviewer that there are those in state government that think there should be more power in the eminent domain process. Would Perry be one of these? He would not admit it now would he? After all there is a lots of $ depending on him coming through with further land grab schemes. WE can bet on that with confidence.
After Perry's deceit in the
After Perry's deceit in the Trans Texas Corridor project, I will NOT trust him again and besides that, absolutely no one should be Governor more than 2 terms. I never want more FDR like arrogance in the White House or Governor's Mansion.
Perry: 1) presided over the
Perry: 1) presided over the execution of innocent man and fired the advisers just before the hearing on the matter. 2) is selling the soul of Texas to foreign interests in the matter of the Trans-Texas Corridor. 3) is stealing people's private property in a dubious land-grab for the same Trans-Texas Corridor. 4) is allowing TX-DOT, NTTA, etc, to toll existing and future roads for profit only, regardless of the usefulness of the road in relieving traffic congestion. 5) lies when he says we have a balanced budget and strong economy- although our balance sheet is significantly stronger than most populous states, the former Dem has actually increased TX debt 200%, and about 100% of those newly-created jobs he is so proud of are government jobs, where there is no economic growth. 6) he is an arrogant, snobby, Bilderburg ass-kisser, awarding both contracts and political appointments to his closest buds in exchange for their financial contributions. 7) within 7 minutes of the Glenn Beck "interview" with Debra Medina, the Perry robo-calls started. Coincidence? I think not.
IN OTHER WORDS, Perry is everything that's WRONG with the state government and needs to GO AWAY.
Debra Medina at worst (to paraphrase The Peter Morrison Report) distrusts the Federal government more than Glenn Beck. Understand here that I was a HUGE GB fan, paying money to go to his events and everything. I fail to wrap my brain around those who heard the interview where Medina, who has NEVER been a 9/11 truther, acknowledged that *GASP* she doesn't have all the answers, and say that it was a turning point away from Medina to Perry. WHOA! A POLITICIAN WHO ADMITS NOT BEING OMNIPOTENT! Isn't that a criminal offense in Texas???
Oh, excuse me, Great One, Lord Perry Goodhair- you and your NWO homeboys obviously know what's best for us just like Lord Hussein Obama HopeNChange, and we're just your moronic subjects.
NO THANK YOU! Sorry to say, I'd rather see Bill White rape Texas the way he did Houston than sell my state's soul to the Devil. IN GOD WE TRUST. For MEDINA I vote!