22 May 2013
Skipping Perry14 for Perry16
It sure seems that the word from folks around the governor (eg here in National Review) is that the governor's preferred option is to skip re-election in 2014 and just run for president in 2016.
Perry 2016 without Perry 14 is wishful thinking.
Posted by Evan @ 05/22/13 07:44 AM | Comments (1)
21 May 2013
John Carona has forgotten whom he serves
Texas Monthly/Texas Tribune have published a must-read series on John Carona. It is a very fair -- maybe too fair -- piece by Jay Root on Carona's regulation of his HOA business interests. It is no wonder that we have such widespread HOA scandals. But the part that most struck me was this:
Seriously?Only once during our interview did John Carona show any sign of his trademark anger. It happened when I asked him about reports from former Associa company employees that he sometimes treats company assets as if they were his own, whether it's the corporate jet he uses to ferry himself between Austin and Dallas, often multiple times per week, or the leased warehouse near Love Field where he keeps his cherished vintage-car collection. "Those are issues that pertain to my business interests and my personal interests, and frankly, I think it's out of line for a political reporter to be digging into any issue of that nature," he said.
Politicians who have that kind of attitude have forgotten that they are supposed to be public servants. Carona seriously thinks the public has no right to know his business interests? That is mindblowing.
And to think, if Dewhurst had won the senate race, Carona might be lieutenant governor right now. Senate Democrats were going to pick the least-conservative Republican, so it was pretty much a race to the left between moderates like Kevin Eltife, Kel Seliger and Carona. As the article notes, Carona already has at least one Senate Democrat on his payroll.
Part two of the John Carona series.
Posted by Evan @ 05/21/13 04:04 PM | Comments (0)
14 May 2013
O RLY, Stu Rothenberg?
This is certainly conventional wisdom in Washington, DC, and has been for decades. But past results, while not necessarily indicative of future performance, completely belie Rothenberg's claim.DeMint and others of his ideological stripe continue to believe that the GOP needs to present a more ideological, less compromising candidate, and that essentially means doubling down on the party’s message over the past few years -- the same message that has cost Republicans presidential races and Senate seats.
More ideological/less compromising nominees
Reagan 84
Reagan 80
W 04
Bush 88
W 2000
Less ideological/more compromising nominees
Bush 92
Dole 96
McCain 08
Romney 12
Ford 76
Res ipsa loquitur. In the past 40 years, it looks like the GOP only won when they did the opposite of what you want them to do, Stu.
Posted by Evan @ 05/14/13 01:16 PM | Comments (0)