Democratic Gubernatorial Field Likely to Swell

let's not forget Farouk Shami (3.00 / 2)

There has not been a formal announcement yet for Farouk Shami's run for Governor. There is no website for his campaign yet.  One thing makes Mr. Shami stand apart from some of the other Governors we've had.  Being born in Palestine, he cannot aspire to become President.
BTW the list of candidates for Governor continues to grow:
Republican
   Rick Perry     www.rickperry.org  
   Kay Bailey Hutchison   www.texans.forkay.com
   Debra Medina   www.medinafortexas.com
   Larry Kilgore   www.larrykilgore.com
   David C. Beilharz   website not available yet

Democrats
   Tom Schieffer   www.tomfortexas.com
   Kinky Friedman   www.kinkyfriedman.com
   Ronnie Earle has not yet declared
   Mark Thompson    http://markfortexasgovernor.wo...
   Felix Alvarado   www.felixalvarado.com
   Hank Gilbert   http://hankgilbert.com/
   Farouk Shami ?
   Ronnie Earle  ?

Libertarian
   Jeff Daiell   www.jeffdaiell.com
   Kenneth Griffin   www.elliscountyobserver.com/?p=4905  shows several YouTube videos on him
   Steve Nichols   www.stevenichols.com

Independent
   Francis L. Jr. "Fran" Cavanaugh   http://www.francavanaugh.com/i...
I had an email from Mr. Cavanaugh.  He admits to being a R.I.N.O. (A Republican In Name Only)

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by: PatriciaAJones @ Sun Sep 13, 2009 at 13:36:06 PM CDT

well, for pity's sake, don't fall for (3.00 / 2)

the Kinkster con again, Texas.

Look where that got us last time 'round.

I can't find anything on Felix Alvarado on the web. But this West Texan is very favorably impressed with Hank Gilbert.

Could we get Ronnie Earle to think about AG or Lt Gov?

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by: BlackSheep1 @ Sun Sep 13, 2009 at 13:41:49 PM CDT

No... (0.00 / 0)

I already asked about that and he's dead set on running for Governor IF he runs for anything.

And, frankly, as one of the people who started the drive to draft Earle, I'm glad it didn't succeed now that Hank is in the race.

I'm volunteering for and committed to Hank.  

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by: McBlogger @ Sun Sep 13, 2009 at 16:18:30 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Todd has had the best inside dope on this race and on BOR this year (3.00 / 1)

Todd, I think if Ronnie Earle gets in the race one positive result for sure will occur.  Kay Bailey Hutchison, the indicted, one will not resign from the Senate and will not file for the governors race.  She would be to busy puking her guts out thinking about all the Earle knows that the public has not yet heard.

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by: hamiltonfan @ Sun Sep 13, 2009 at 16:35:02 PM CDT

Thanks (3.00 / 1)

I pointed out a couple of months ago that I don't believe Hutchison will resign.  I'm sure she will run for governor, but she does not have to resign her senate seat to run for governor, and I don't think she will.  The Dallas Morning News and other media have picked up on that theme in the last month.

The fact that David Dewhurst announced this last week he was running for re-election to the Lt. Governors office adds to my speculation.  I think Hutchison is beginning to piss off a lot of people in the Republican Party because of her fence riding and so they have to make immediate decisions so as not to stalemate their careers due to her indecisiveness.  

Perhaps she will surprise us all.  It will certainly be the first time that she does that.    

Todd

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

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by: Todd Hill @ Sun Sep 13, 2009 at 20:11:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I predicted it even before then (0.00 / 0)

If it was a planned strategy, to sucker Bill White and/or John Sharp into a Senate election that never existed, thereby spoiling each their shot at being killer whale in the Democratic gubernatorial pond, then it was brilliant.  We know the Republicans too well to think they can plan so shrewdly but the outcome would be the same:  White and Sharp would be sitting with mud on their faces and you-know-what in their hands.  It is conceivable that some Republican conservatives would gain a new-found respect for Kay-Bee for pulling that off, and grudgingly vote for her.

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by: Dale Napier @ Mon Sep 14, 2009 at 11:42:20 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Maybe, instead of (3.00 / 1)

The fact that Earle made it a point to mention his Tarrant County roots indicates that he feels Schieffer is the man to beat early on in this primary campaign.

...it just meant he was talking to the Fort Worth Star Telegram, not that he's set his sights on TS as the man to beat.

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by: aerialist @ Sun Sep 13, 2009 at 16:56:04 PM CDT

Yes, that is possible (0.00 / 0)

However, I believe Earle will be entering the gubernatorial race as an anti-Schieffer candidate.  What better way to demonstrate that then to point out that "oh, I have Tarrant County ties too."  

Earle has gained traction most with those who can't fathom supporting Schieffer.  Gilbert's campaign may have siphoned off some of those folks, but I think Earle has banked his campaign on being everything opposite of Schieffer.

I actually think it is very smart on the part of Gilbert's campaign to simply ignore all other primary opponents and focus on potential Republican opponents.  

Todd

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

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by: Todd Hill @ Sun Sep 13, 2009 at 20:03:58 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

RE: Tarrant County Democrats for Ronnie Earle (3.00 / 1)

Ronnie Earle is a real Democrat with a record of accomplishment.  I fear that Schieffer's close ties to Bush will depress Democratic enthusiasm.  Many Tarrant County Democrats I know are not enthusiastic about Schieffer.  While I think Schieffer is enough of a Democrat to work for if he were our nominee, I am one Tarrant County Democrat who would welcome a real Democrat like Earle to the Governor's race and Tarrant County.  

"Be kind to dogs - and vote Democratic!" -Senator Tom Eagleton

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by: mondalejones @ Sun Sep 13, 2009 at 21:10:02 PM CDT

Too many "Pro Business Democrats" around here (0.00 / 0)

This poster is correct. Most of the precinct chairs in Tarrant county that I have talked to can't get past the fact that Mr. Schiffer has close ties with Bush, and basically is another "pro business" politician who could probably get equal support running as a Republican. We have a lot of oil/gas/energy issues that need to be solved in Texas and I can't see Schieffer bucking Bush and his energy pals in Democrats' favor. Like I said, no one is very enthusiastic about Schieffer, and although I'll vote for him if he's the party nominee, I can't see spending any time or campaign money helping him get elected. There are too many important State Rep races, not to mention the Senate race, to waste the effort and money. However, if Earle ran, I'd definately help him out, just for the fact that he slapped around Tom DeLay. At least I wouldn't be questioning whether or not the guy's actually a Democrat.

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by: JohnInDFW @ Mon Sep 14, 2009 at 00:01:05 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Earle (0.00 / 0)

Has also prosectued 13 Democrats if I remember correctly. He has been an equal opportunity prosecutor in that regard.

Having said that, his pursuit of Hutchison failed miserably with the case being dropped during trial, and would open Earle up to a "you've got a bone to pick with KBH," line of attack.  His pursuit of Tom Delay has only yielded a resignation from congress, but we still get to watch twinkle-toes dance on ABC's Dancing with the Stars, and occasionally Chris Matthews gives him time on Hardball. Yuck!  

If Earle were to enter the primary I think it helps Perry more than it helps Hutchison.  I would see Earle as a spark for hardcore Republicans, which are solid with Perry, and he would add a dynamic to the Democratic Primary that would hopefully make all of our declared candidates better in the end. Maybe he would help siphon some independents into our primary because of his equal opportunity prosecution of both sides of the aisle.  I don't know.  

I guess you could say, as Harvey Kronberg did over at Quorum Report, that Earle has the opportunity to do in the primary what he couldn't do in the courtroom with Hutchison: Beat her!

Todd

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

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by: Todd Hill @ Mon Sep 14, 2009 at 13:42:37 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Breaking the law is partisan? (0.00 / 0)

I sure hope he'd prosecute anyone breaking the law regardless of party affiliation.

I think we need to worry more about our own party, as we haven't even had the primary yet. Far too many folks have already said Schieffer is a non-starter for their active support. Regardless of how the Republican primary turns out, if we don't have a candidate that gets people riled up and enthusiastic about his chances, it doesn't matter if it's Perry or Hutchinson, no one's going to care. From my perspective, with Bush's ex-lackey, the Bobblehead guy, the guy who bounced his campaign check... we just need Gary Coleman and an old action movie star, and we'v got the California Governor's race for our primary.

I think we all need a real Democrat we can believe in, and hopefully Earle's momentum will build quickly.

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by: JohnInDFW @ Mon Sep 14, 2009 at 14:15:36 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Hmmm... (3.00 / 1)

Real Democrats?  They exist?  Come out, come out wherever you are.  

That's the problem with being a big tent Party.  We all have our own definitions of what a "real Democrat" is.

I plan to keep sitting on the sidelines and listening.  I hope someone motivates me to do something for their campaign in 2010.

Todd

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

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by: Todd Hill @ Tue Sep 15, 2009 at 13:15:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

good guy (0.00 / 0)

would make a valuable addition to the field.

plenty of room for everyone.  we need a good, spirited primary.

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by: colin @ Sun Sep 13, 2009 at 22:52:05 PM CDT

If you think (0.00 / 0)

"...Earle will be entering the gubernatorial race as an anti-Schieffer candidate" then you just do not know Ronnie Earle. He's got his eyes on a far bigger and more important prize than being the anti-Tom Whatshisname in the race.

Earle doesn't think like a political consultant and when you analyze his moves, you'd be better off not thinking like one too if you wanna get it right.  

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by: stacksucker @ Mon Sep 14, 2009 at 00:08:22 AM CDT

I like Ronnie Earle (0.00 / 0)

but I also like what I've heard about Hank Gilbert so far, and I'd rather see Earle run for AG where I think he's a natural fit than to have one of these guys get picked off in the primaries and not be on the ballot in November.  Schieffer is a non-starter for me.

As for Kinky, he's in the race for one reason and one reason only: shameless self-promotion.  That's why he spends so much time talking about his book and so little time talking about his web site.  He's unserious, and so is anyone who wastes a vote on him.

- 7.12, - 7.54 / Attack of the Machine Elves / My Twitter feed

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by: Big Tex @ Mon Sep 14, 2009 at 00:59:31 AM CDT

Correction (0.00 / 0)

I need to correct you Todd. It seems you identified all the candidates in the governor's race by their profession, or last position, but Felix you identified as "check bouncer Felix Alvarado." So readers are not misinformed I wanted to correct you...Felix is a school teacher by profession and not a check bouncer. He bounced a check. It was something that happened. Frankly, I don't know of anyone that bounces checks for a living.

"...former Ambassador Tom Schieffer, former candidate for Agriculture Commissioner Hank Gilbert, humorist Kinky Friedman, Garland therapist Mark Thompson, and check bouncer Felix Alvarado."

This may be an interesting article to BOR readers, but I take offense at the manner in which you identify Felix Alvarado. If you meant it to be amusing - it was anything but amusing to the Alvarado Campaign and if you thought no one would notice - well someone did.  

Todd, we may not agree with the politics of certain candidates, nor would we support their candidacy - nevertheless they still deserve respect. You may not feel that Felix is worthy of your respect, but that does not make him any less deserving. If Democratic candidates are to be identified by profession then the proper thing to do would be to list all candidates accordingly. Other information and personal opinion should be entered afterwards.    

Again, for future reference..Felix is a school teacher by profession.

If readers of this blog desire to learn about Felix please visit www.felixalvarado.com. Seems to me an apology and a correction to your posting are in order.


Alvarado Campaign

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by: Alvarado Campaign @ Mon Sep 14, 2009 at 09:09:45 AM CDT

Correction Made (0.00 / 0)

Alvarado Campaign,

I have corrected my post and your comments are duly noted.  My apologies to Mr. Alvarado and the campaign.

All my best,
Todd

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

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by: Todd Hill @ Mon Sep 14, 2009 at 10:25:33 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

in todd's defense (0.00 / 0)

i think he was identifying people in the manner others would most likely remember them.

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by: colin @ Mon Sep 14, 2009 at 14:01:03 PM CDT

[ Parent ]