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April 03, 2004

GOP Chair Criticizes Strayhorn

By Andrew Dobbs

From the Startle-Gram:

The head of the state Republican Party rushed to the defense of Gov. Rick Perry on Friday and chided GOP state Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn for criticizing his leadership -- or lack thereof.

State Republican Party chairwoman Tina Benkiser singled out the comptroller's attacks on Perry in a letter to members of the State Republican Executive Committee.

Though she didn't mention Strayhorn by name -- instead calling her "one of our Republican elected officials" -- the reference was unmistakable: She quoted from a Star-Telegram news article about Strayhorn's attacks on Perry.

"These types of attacks, described by a news report as 'from the left,' do not further the policy debate in any substantive way and only serve to generate negative media attention for our entire Republican family," Benkiser said. The Star-Telegram article was attached to the letter.

One member of the Republican executive committee who got the letter, Roy Casanova of San Antonio, said Strayhorn had done state leaders an "injustice by taunting them."

So the 2006 GOP Primary begins and what has been expected for some time is coming true- the party establishment is lining up behind Perry while Strayhorn comes across as the insurgent. If KBH decides to stay in DC or retire, Perry vs. Strayhorn will be a bitter primary battle with Perry winning a pretty significant victory. Bloodied and already unpopular, I think he starts out pretty weak if the Dems put up a good candidate (Jim Turner, most likely) and I think that a great deal of the moderate, largely suburban Strayhorn voters could end up in the D column on Election Day. Strayhorn serves a valuable purpose for Democrats right now, split the GOP and provide the best criticism of Rick Perry out there right now. Let's hope the battle continues in earnest.

The hopes that Strayhorn will switch parties are almost certainly false ones. With one son that works as George W. Bush's press secretary and another that works as the Bush appointed FDA, she would not want to jeopardize their careers. Our best bet is to remember that a majority of Texans are represented by at least one Democrat- either in Congress, the Legislature or on the county level- and these Dems are mostly moderate/conservative rural Democrats. A real "Dream Team" would incorporate mostly these guys. If we put up Jim Turner or John Montford or Charlie Stenholm or someone else like that for statewide offices, we benefit from a GOP split. Let's keep our eyes on the prize and take back at least a couple of spots in 2006. We need to be set up well for 2010 and legislative redistrcting so that we can reemerge as a real force in the next decade.

Posted by Andrew Dobbs at April 3, 2004 01:47 PM | TrackBack

Comments

At least there is a Republican left willing to carry he legacy of Senator Ratliff - lead according to convitions, not blindfully toe the line of the party leadership, and speak up when it is called for.

Posted by: WhoMe? at April 3, 2004 11:50 PM

The BORers are becoming pragmatic! Jimmy Turner, John T. Montford and Charlie Stenholm for statewide office. If Ralph Hall had not switched parties, these would be the three most conservative Democrats around (and I doubt Senator Montford considers himself a Democrat anymore.)

College Democrats rooting for the Connalley/Briscoe/Smith/Carr/Bentsent wing of the party? Well, I am speechless.

Posted by: notgonnatell at April 5, 2004 04:48 PM

Actually, John Montford is very much a Democrat- I am acquainted with his son in law. Also, I'm interested in winning so that we can get our foot in the door for the future. Furthermore, Turner and Stenholm aren't that bad, certainly not in the Briscoe/Carr mold. I'll support candidates who can win.

Posted by: Andrew D at April 5, 2004 07:07 PM
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