Burnt Orange Report

Bush's Mayor Endorses Kerry

By Byron LaMasters

The Dallas Morning News reports that Crawford, TX mayor Robert Campbell will be supporting John Kerry for President this year:

Crawford may be the heart of Bush country, but the town's mayor says John Kerry is the best choice for president.

"I don't see where I'm better off than I was four years ago," Robert Campbell said Tuesday. "I don't see where the city is any better off."

The Kerry campaign recently listed Mr. Campbell as one of 100 black mayors around the country – seven of them Texans – who support the Massachusetts senator over President Bush. But the campaign has not focused particular attention on the endorsement.

[...]

Mr. Campbell, a Democrat who has been mayor since 1999, said he's met Mr. Bush once but doesn't feel inclined to support the former Texas governor. He voted for Al Gore in 2000.

"I would say the city has a mix of Bush and Kerry supporters," he said. "The Kerry supporters feel like Bush has not delivered on his promises."

[...]

Mr. Campbell says he's not worried about a backlash among constituents.

"I have the right to vote for who I want to be president," he said. "If some people around here don't like it, they can vote for someone else for mayor."

Crawford, TX is an interesting place. They have a strikingly liberal editorial page for their local paper, the Crawford Lone-Star Iconoclast. Crawford also has an African-American mayor, a Democratic State Representative (John Mabry) and Democratic Congressman (Chet Edwards). So, even if it is George W. Bush's home, there's a few good Democrats out there, even if the Houston Chronicle reporters can't find them.