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2014 Governor's race and no debates?


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#1 johnfwd

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Posted 07 August 2014 - 01:40 PM

I used to teach Texas state government and the basic premise of my lectures to students:  Texas is anti-government.  So the apparent lack of voter interest in the governor's race is not surprising.  Neither candidate has addressed large political rallies anywhere in the state thus far, at least that I know of.  Maybe it's because the voters are so apathetic they wouldn't attend the rallies if there were any scheduled.

 

But will there be televised debates?  If you recall, in 2010 Democratic candidate Bill White debated an empty chair at the TCC South Campus...it ended up being a one-on-one interview of White by Bobby Ray Sanders of the Star-Telegram.  Of course no incumbent wants to debate, least of all Rick Perry running for his last term.  But this is an open-seat election this year and there's no reason why either candidate should bow out of a debate.  We need to know better the candidate's positions on health, education, etc.,  and debating is one of the most effective ways of achieving that information.  I hope we get the debates in late October. 



#2 JBB

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Posted 07 August 2014 - 06:02 PM

Greg Abbott is going to mop the floor with Wendy Davis in November. Why risk going through a debate when it will make little if any difference in the outcome? Even if he did debate her, he could walk out onstage and light his podium on fire and it wouldn't matter a lick of difference. Is it sad that Texas has become that apothetic? Yeah, but I don't blame Abbott for playing the cards he was dealt.

#3 John S.

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Posted 10 August 2014 - 03:12 PM

I agree at this point the ideological differences between Abbott and Davis are so starkly contrasting that neither would have much to gain by public debates. Abbott is simply aligning himself with the Conservative ideology that wins elections in Texas (a formulaic strategy of embracing Conservative "values" that worked well for Bush, Perry)  and can sit back at election time to watch the votes come in. Davis will probably have a respectable showing but is being outspent by a wide margin. It's a shame that elections are determined more by ethnic, cultural, moral, and religious ideological issues than by real substance but that's the polarized political reality we live in these days. Perhaps when the Hispanic minority (which is a de facto majority in most Texas cities) becomes a voting majority, will Democratic Texas candidates running for the governorship and national elections have improved chances for winning. Wendy was once our neighborhood council representative and I was favorably impressed by her comments at neighborhood meetings but she is in the big league now with heavy political donors, special interest lobbyists, and professional media campaigning-her recent ad portraying Abbott as opposing a settlement years ago by a vacuum cleaner company to an individual criminally/sexually harmed by one of their commissioned salesmen seems like an awkward way to demonstrate her moral superiority.  Both sides will undoubtedly engage in ("mud-slinging") negative ad campaigning but Davis, even in the surprising event of a victory, would still have to work with a Conservative Republican dominated state government. I wish her the best but must agree with JBB's comments about the probable outcome of the November election.



#4 JBB

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Posted 10 August 2014 - 04:13 PM

You make a great point about Abbott's fundraising advantage. He's held a statewide elected office for nearly 20 years, has been attorney general for nearly 12 years, and has essentially been running for governor for nearly 4 years. She has only been a serious candidate for statewide office for about 10 months.

#5 JBB

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Posted 29 August 2014 - 10:22 AM

To no one's surpise: http://www.wfaa.com/...davis/14797259/

#6 johnfwd

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Posted 29 August 2014 - 11:48 AM

Based on my reading of the article, it sounds like Abbott backed out of a debate for technical reasons.  If that's the case, I hope the technical error is corrected causing him to change his mind. But his decision not to debate may be based on a calculation of having already won the election so why risk losing as a result of a poor debating performance.  If that is, indeed, the calculation it may be wise from a political standpoint.  But this, again, deprives Texas voters of an opportunity to weigh the merits of the candidates. 



#7 renamerusk

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Posted 29 August 2014 - 01:31 PM

I think that Wendy is hot on his trail.  Her latest political ads are getting some real traction.  The race for governor is going to be a nail-biter.



#8 JBB

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Posted 29 August 2014 - 01:34 PM

You forgot use the sarcasm font.

#9 Austin55

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Posted 29 August 2014 - 03:15 PM

I wish it'd be a nail biter, not because I'm a fan of Wendy per set, but just because nail biters lead to all other sorts of interesting things. 



#10 David Love

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Posted 31 August 2014 - 09:18 AM

I want a governor that represents ALL Texans equally, regardless of race, gender, orientation or financial status. 

 

The one thing you can say about Rick Perry, you never questioned his mantra was anything other than, "Texas First for All Texans!"


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#11 renamerusk

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Posted 31 August 2014 - 10:22 AM

I want a governor that represents ALL Texans equally, regardless of race, gender, orientation or financial status. 

 

The one thing you can say about Rick Perry, you never questioned his mantra was anything other than, "Texas First for All Texans!"

 

I cannot recall a governor in recent historical times who called for succession, state rights, faith-based solutions to every problem, and the militarization of the border.  This maybe the agenda of many Texans, but certainly not all Texans.

 

Looking back, Perry makes many Texans nostalgic for the times of Governor Bush.



#12 David Love

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Posted 31 August 2014 - 11:24 AM

 

I want a governor that represents ALL Texans equally, regardless of race, gender, orientation or financial status. 

 

The one thing you can say about Rick Perry, you never questioned his mantra was anything other than, "Texas First for All Texans!"

 

I cannot recall a governor in recent historical times who called for succession, state rights, faith-based solutions to every problem, and the militarization of the border.  This maybe the agenda of many Texans, but certainly not all Texans.

 

Looking back, Perry makes many Texans nostalgic for the times of Governor Bush.

 

 

I think the state of the country makes everyone nostalgic for the "good old days," with the current state of things, we could have done a LOT worse.

With prayer rugs turning up in greater numbers along the border, border agents receiving briefings on ISIS, I predict a time in our near future when some of the recent actions are considered prophetic.


Better Business Bureau:  A place to find or post valid complaints for auto delerships and maintenance facilities. (New Features) If you have a valid gripe about auto dealerships, this is the place to voice it.


#13 johnfwd

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Posted 03 September 2014 - 10:43 AM

The debates appear to be a "go."  Two debates, the first one September 19 on KERA.  More on this in Bud Kennedy's article in the S-T below.

 

 

http://www.star-tele...tes-one-or.html



#14 Doohickie

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Posted 03 September 2014 - 10:55 AM

The one thing you can say about Rick Perry, you never questioned his mantra was anything other than, "Texas First for All Texans!"

 

...unless you're Latino, black, female, poor,....


My blog: Doohickie

#15 Doohickie

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Posted 03 September 2014 - 10:59 AM

With prayer rugs turning up in greater numbers along the border...


Prayer rugs, or soccer jerseys?


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#16 renamerusk

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Posted 03 September 2014 - 03:45 PM

 

With prayer rugs turning up in greater numbers along the border...


Prayer rugs, or soccer jerseys?

 

:roflol:



#17 johnfwd

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Posted 18 September 2014 - 11:59 AM

The "great debate" is tomorrow night.  Anyone have any thoughts about issues the two candidates should be debating?



#18 renamerusk

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Posted 18 September 2014 - 12:39 PM

The "great debate" is tomorrow night.  Anyone have any thoughts about issues the two candidates should be debating?

 

 Improving access to health care services.

 

BTW, Wendy is running a tough campaign; she may very well take this.   It will be quite a feather in Fort Worth's hat to have the governorship.



#19 JBB

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Posted 18 September 2014 - 12:51 PM

BTW, Wendy is running a tough campaign; she may very well take this.


Dude, c'mon. I'm no Abbott fan, but he's gonna win by 10 points. All the wishful thinking in the world won't make this a close race.

#20 johnfwd

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Posted 19 September 2014 - 05:53 AM

Because the first debate tonight is taking place in the Rio Grande Valley, a major issue likely will be border security and immigration reform.



#21 Russ Graham

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Posted 19 September 2014 - 10:08 AM


Dude, c'mon. I'm no Abbott fan, but he's gonna win by 10 points. All the wishful thinking in the world won't make this a close race.

 

 

Rick Perry beat Bill White by about 12 points - but this election is not that election.  For one thing Perry won 71% of the Anglo vote - I personally think Wendy will do quite a bit better than that among Anglos.  She's done pretty well here in Tarrant in what "should" be a Republican stronghold in the past.  I'd be surprised if Davis wins, but I'd be more surprised to see a 10 point win by Abbot. 



#22 JBB

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Posted 19 September 2014 - 10:31 AM

Her popularity in Tarrant is certainly helped by the fact that she's from here and was a local office holder for so long. I haven't seen a poll in the last 3 months that had Abbot ahead by less than 8 and plenty that have him ahead by much more, even some by as much as 18. I'll never understand the logic in throwing her up on the big stage so quick against an opponent that had such a fundraising and visibility advantage.

#23 renamerusk

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Posted 19 September 2014 - 12:04 PM

 


Dude, c'mon. I'm no Abbott fan, but he's gonna win by 10 points. All the wishful thinking in the world won't make this a close race.

 

 

Rick Perry beat Bill White by about 12 points - but this election is not that election.....

 

 

 RG makes a valid distinction.  Wendy Davis offers the voters a change from the status quo.  Wendy will win in every big county; and the difference will be Tarrant County where she will carry it for the first time for her party in a state wide election. 

 

It will be a close race because Texas is moving like Florida towards becoming a toss-up state.  Very few prognosticators gave Ann Richards much of a chance either when arguably, Texas was even more conservative than it is now.



#24 JBB

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Posted 04 November 2014 - 10:05 PM

I think that Wendy is hot on his trail.  Her latest political ads are getting some real traction.  The race for governor is going to be a nail-biter.

  

BTW, Wendy is running a tough campaign; she may very well take this.   It will be quite a feather in Fort Worth's hat to have the governorship.

 
 

Rick Perry beat Bill White by about 12 points - but this election is not that election.  For one thing Perry won 71% of the Anglo vote - I personally think Wendy will do quite a bit better than that among Anglos.  She's done pretty well here in Tarrant in what "should" be a Republican stronghold in the past.  I'd be surprised if Davis wins, but I'd be more surprised to see a 10 point win by Abbot.

  

RG makes a valid distinction.  Wendy Davis offers the voters a change from the status quo.  Wendy will win in every big county; and the difference will be Tarrant County where she will carry it for the first time for her party in a state wide election. 
 
It will be a close race because Texas is moving like Florida towards becoming a toss-up state.  Very few prognosticators gave Ann Richards much of a chance either when arguably, Texas was even more conservative than it is now.


You guys want a do over on any of these predictions?

#25 renamerusk

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Posted 04 November 2014 - 11:48 PM


You guys want a do over on any of these predictions?

 

 I did vote; but it was not enough.  I cannot really say anything but that it was a wipe out.  I don't believe that it really is representative though, and certainly not of the future.  It seems to me that the election was about exclusion and demonizing; and an overwhelming apathy by Texans.  Texas is 50th in voter turnout; that is dead last - 27million people and less than 3 million people voted.  Florida, with 20 million, had a vote total greater than 5 million for its race for governor. 

 

By 2050, Texas is forecast to have 1 of every 10 Americans living here. Before, then, maybe already, Texas will be a majority latino state and a more youthful state. This mid-term election is the beginning of the waning days of Texas as a one party state that can continue to ignore the demographic reality.



#26 Russ Graham

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Posted 05 November 2014 - 02:43 AM

I was way off on my guess of the margin of victory for Abbot... This is why I'm not a betting man. Between this and the Patriots stomping my Broncos on Sunday it's been a bad week for my confident predictions!

#27 Roger_H

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Posted 05 November 2014 - 08:16 AM

One measure of the depth of Davis' defeat comes from looking at the total votes for Agricultural Commissioner. According to news reports, the democratic candidate, a dairy farmer from Cleburne, raised no money, and refused to even campaign. Despite putting absolutely no effort into the race, he garnered 1,682,506 votes. Davis, who is currently the most well known democrat in the state, received 1,820,571 votes. That means despite spending over $30 million on her campaign, Davis received just 138,065 votes more than she would have with no effort at all.



#28 Volare

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Posted 05 November 2014 - 01:18 PM

Texas dead last of the 50 states in voter turnout.



#29 JBB

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Posted 05 November 2014 - 01:40 PM

Which makes all of the talk of record voter registration almost comical.

#30 renamerusk

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Posted 05 November 2014 - 11:40 PM

Which makes all of the talk of record voter registration almost comical.

 

Why celebrate or laugh about such a dismal grade?



#31 JBB

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Posted 06 November 2014 - 01:17 AM

*sigh*

Some days I just want to quit the Internet.

Yes, I'm literally celebrating that sad fact. I'm having a party this weekend with cake and punch and a bounce house. Do you want to come?




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