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John Sharp Announces Support from Texas Democratic State Senators

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman

Mon Dec 14, 2009 at 02:30 PM CST

First the news- former state comptroller John Sharp has announced support from 11 of the 12 Texas Democratic state senators in nonexistent U.S. Senate special election. Included in the endorsement where the following officials.

Wendy Davis of Fort Worth
Mario Gallegos, Jr. of Houston
Juan 'Chuy' Hinojosa of McAllen
Eddie Lucio, Jr. of Brownsville
Eliot Shapleigh of El Paso
Carlos Uresti of San Antonio
Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio
Kirk Watson of Austin
Royce West of Dallas
John Whitmire of Houston
Judith Zaffirini of Laredo

Rodney Ellis of Houston couldn't be reached.

Of course, at this point, is there news here? Even when Bill White was contesting John Sharp for the nonexistent U.S. Senate primary, the back and forth was all a bit silly because I've long held the belief that Hutschison was never going to resign, which so far has kept becoming more and more true. And while the Sharp campaign I'm sure was thrilled (along with many Democratic primary voters) that Bill White was moving to the Governor's race, what exactly has it won?

The point of releasing a slate of the state senators' endorsements is to position yourself against any other latecomers that might want to get into your race. But if in the end, there isn't a race to get into, what does it matter? If there is no resignation and there is no race, then we're assuming that Sharp is running for 3 years until 2012, and that all of these endorsements are going to stick all the way until then, and that no one else is going to get in and change the calculus for the endorsers?

I don't dislike Sharp (I actually like his brand of old school politics) and if helps them to have my personal endorsement, sure, fine, you've got it. But that's the point- what difference does it make if you know it's being given in a nonexistent primary for a nonexistent election? Other than policy releases or attacks on other potential candidates for the nonexistent election, I'm not sure Burnt Orange Report really has a place to write about any more endorsements on the Democratic side of this "race" until there is a reasonable expectation there is a race once more.

Am I wrong? I'd be more than interested in hearing from readers on this one in the comments.

Tags: John Sharp, TX-Sen, (All Tags)

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John Sharp Announces Support from Texas Democratic State Senators | 18 comments

You're taking a bit a hard... (0.00 / 0)

What's wrong with giving Sharp some oxygen?

This is the internet, not print. You have plenty of space to use to cover everybody.

by: Aero @ Mon Dec 14, 2009 at 23:43:58 PM UTC

by: you @ soon

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didn't understand your title (0.00 / 0)

but it's not about space, it's more about interest, both on behalf of the readers and of the writers. In terms of priority of writing, I just don't think anyone should take a lack of writing about races that are further out in election as indication that the candidates or race isn't important, just that there is a natural priority for elections that happen sooner.

Please read the Community Guidelines and How to Rate Comments.

by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Tue Dec 15, 2009 at 04:58:35 AM UTC

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by: you @ soon

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I thought it was Republicans (0.00 / 0)

who were always trying to shut people down, and Democrats being more inclusive. So why are you making such a big deal of forcing your feelings on everyone? If you don't care about it, then don't write about it. Let others write about Sharp if they feel like it. What's so hard about that?

by: Dale Napier @ Tue Dec 15, 2009 at 15:58:53 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

??? (0.00 / 0)

Do you mean, "You're taking it a bit hard"? This may not be print, and even with so much space, it's always courteous to correct multiple typos.

by: Elsbeth @ Tue Dec 15, 2009 at 16:08:22 PM UTC

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by: you @ soon

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So what? (0.00 / 0)

I agree. But if the point is what difference does it make, then why are we even discussing it?

by: Hydrogen Jukebox @ Tue Dec 15, 2009 at 01:40:05 AM UTC

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Hearing who agrees... (0.00 / 0)

The point is that KT is looking at making an editorial decision about not covering this race anymore for a long time, but before he instructed the BOR staff in that manner, he wanted to solicit feedback from readers and the community. He is asking the whole of BOR to weigh in on an editorial decision for the site.

You know, new media and such...

Now, a very great man once said that some people rob you with a fountain pen.

by: Phillip Martin, Progress Texas @ Tue Dec 15, 2009 at 16:06:10 PM UTC

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There we go (0.00 / 0)

Phil as always, boils it down more eloquently.

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by: Karl-Thomas Musselman @ Tue Dec 15, 2009 at 18:06:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Interesting ... (2.00 / 1)

Sharp has the support of Texas State Democratic senators, ...

These Senators need a Lt. Governor candidate, ....

Do I smell the perfect factual scenario for a "Draft Sharp" movement in the making?

I for one will plant that seed, water it, and lead him to the harvest as he certainly is a first round candidate.

by: Eric Roberson @ Tue Dec 15, 2009 at 13:36:01 PM UTC

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My vote - (3.00 / 1)

Blackout on Sharp unless he switches races. No race, no story.

Do I get a candy cane for participating?

by: Robert Ryland @ Tue Dec 15, 2009 at 18:11:30 PM UTC

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Agree (0.00 / 0)

We don't need to waste time and money on Sharp in a non-existent race. We are too busy trying to elect people like Bill White, and Hank Gilbert in 2010.

If and when Sharp's senate election comes up, we need to help him. But only then.

by: DallasDavid @ Tue Dec 15, 2009 at 19:14:33 PM UTC

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keep covering (3.00 / 1)

if it is newsworthy.

this could go down in the next 90 days...or in 2 years.

until we know that it will NOT happen in the next few months, i think it is a notable political storyline that would really shake up the summer months.

Please refer to KT's signature.

by: colin @ Tue Dec 15, 2009 at 20:04:41 PM UTC

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As Long As Resignation a Posibility, It's News (0.00 / 0)

As long as Sen. Hutchison is openly contemplating resignation, it's news and should be followed. Keeping opinion leaders -- if that's not being to presumptuous a description of BO's readership, and I don't think it is -- informed on developments in a potential U.S. Senate can only help progressives should such a race come to pass.

by: MikeM @ Wed Dec 16, 2009 at 09:57:01 AM UTC

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You say she won't resign, but what if she does? (0.00 / 0)

What if KBH wins the primary for governor, because Medina takes just enough votes from Perry? If you haven't been covering Sharp till then, and if Sharp wasn't staying in the race until then, suddenly BOR and Democrats would have to scramble. I'm glad John Sharp made a decision and is sticking to it.

by: jfung79 @ Wed Dec 16, 2009 at 20:33:20 PM UTC

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well if she does, we'll have a race...probably in November, though. (0.00 / 0)

Anything is possible, but KBH probably won't win the primary because of Debra Medina. Remember, primaries require runoffs, unlike general elections.

And I still would be very surprised if KBH resigns before the deadline for a May special election. I see a November special election as more likely.

"Let us tenderly and kindly cherish therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write." - John Adams

by: Michael Hurta @ Wed Dec 16, 2009 at 22:41:04 PM UTC

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Good point about the runoff (0.00 / 0)

I'd semi-forgotten that Hutchison would need 50%+1 in the primary. Medina could still hurt Perry a little in a runoff by having decreased enthusiasm for him among the hard-right so people might not care enough to come out and vote for him, but great point.

by: jfung79 @ Wed Dec 16, 2009 at 23:04:30 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Cover the big stuff (0.00 / 0)

Treat it like any other "on the horizon somewhere" election, with lower priority than the current hot races. Whenever there's real news, like end-of-year fundraising numbers, or whenever Sharp makes a significant policy statement, cover it! When covering KBH, remind people that Sharp is running to replace her. But don't bother with non-events like obvious endorsements.

by: LSadun @ Wed Dec 16, 2009 at 23:13:30 PM UTC

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Texas Round-Ups? (0.00 / 0)

So you're saying we should maybe put info of this caliber in Texas Round-Up type posts if in anything at all for the time being?

"Let us tenderly and kindly cherish therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write." - John Adams

by: Michael Hurta @ Wed Dec 16, 2009 at 23:52:45 PM UTC

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That would make sense (0.00 / 0)

You definitely don't want to go completely silent on the Senate race, since it could pop back up at any time. Sharp needs to be prepared to act on short notice, and so do we. But if there isn't anything really newsworthy, don't give it a headline.

by: LSadun @ Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 04:59:24 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

John Sharp Announces Support from Texas Democratic State Senators | 18 comments

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