Democrat John Sharp Announces for U.S. Senate Race

Wow (2.00 / 1)

When I wrote a post about Sharp talking to the DSCC yesterday, I had no idea an official announcement was coming so soon.

Like Phil, I have criticized Sharp several times on BOR. I thought his energy proposal was not forward thinking at all and showed an unwillingness to adapt to a changing world.

I also was less than impressed with his reception at the Democratic National Convention at which Union Pacific executives were the honored guests.

I'll certainly support him if he is the only Democrat running but I expect a better Democratic alternative to emerge in the coming months.

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by: David Mauro @ Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 13:15:14 PM CST

Sharp is a business-over-people crypto-Democrat but ... (0.00 / 0)

he has a strong history as a successful fund-raiser (although he's not as strong a fund-raiser as Bill White) and a history of demonstrable crossover appeal (which White also has).

If White jumps into this race, I'm all for White, but Sharp is just about the only other Democrat I can reasonably foresee winning the race so if White is bumped to another race by Sharp's peculiarly early announcement (so early we don't even have a winner decided for the 2008 Senate race in Minnesota yet), I'll be 100% behind Sharp.

Of course, jumping into a race where KBH has professed she will not seek re-election is not without risk.  Barbara Radnofsky also jumped into the race for KBH's Senate seat early when it was widely expected that KBH would run for governor, and that didn't work out so well ...

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by: StopCornyn @ Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 13:37:12 PM CST

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Historically he is a good fundraiser (5.00 / 1)

But he has never had to raise money with the federal contribution limits. Should be interesting to see how that affects his numbers.  

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by: David Mauro @ Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 14:33:08 PM CST

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If White joins the race (3.00 / 1)

We can use the competition to highlight both candidates,  I think we were weakened by Noriega not having opposition.
We can also show how mature and interested in good government we are by having a mature and issues based campaign.  Two years of the candidates going to each town and discussing how they would be better at understanding and accounting for the problems of that community.  
It'll be the first statewide democratic platform this state will have seen in a while.
My uneducated guess is that White would win, but hey I'm sure John Sharp isn't impressed by my analysis.

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by: not humble enough @ Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 13:53:10 PM CST

There is a good chance (3.00 / 1)

that this race would be a special election (hence no primary).

A lack of a primary may be what attracted Sharp to this race, because I think you are definitely correct that he would be an underdog to Bill White in a Democratic Primary.

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by: David Mauro @ Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 14:01:09 PM CST

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Sharp is shrewd here. (3.00 / 1)

If Sharp talked to the DSCC yesterday and declared today, then Washington thinks Texas can be won when this seat goes up for grabs.  I would expect the right candidate could get a ton of DSCC money if this ends up being a special election with a non-November election date.

While loyalty is not owed to anyone just because he declared first or has the DSCC blessing, good team politics includes avoiding needless bloodletting.  The GOP won Texas by avoiding needless primary fights and building unity prior to filing deadlines.

I understand why some in the party will think Sharp is too moderate, but Sharp probably has the best chance for victory in this not-so-progressive state.

Remember that special elections often attract multiple candidates that want a free run at a promotion without risk of losing their current seat, making it hard to break out of the pack.  

Only White starts with anywhere near the name recognition or chance to win that Sharp has, but White's name ID is not as deep or wide.  White will not be easily scared off by this quick declaration, but almost everybody else will be (or should be).  

So, Sharp's quick declaration is both smart politics and probably good for the party (especially if it prevents multiple Democrats from clogging a special election ballot or a costly and divisive primary fight).  

Sharp is once again showing he is a pretty shrewd Pol.  

Sincerely,
Eric  

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by: Eric Roberson @ Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 15:15:27 PM CST

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He did not talk to DSCC yesterday (0.00 / 0)

We reported it here on BOR yesterday but his talks with them began quite some time ago, I believe.

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by: David Mauro @ Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 17:37:58 PM CST

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Name recognition (0.00 / 0)

I don't think White has anywhere near the name ID that Sharp has, especially in West Texas. I know West Texas isn't a hotbed of Democratic activity but I think Sharp could win the votes of many moderate Republicans (depending on the Rep candidates that come out). Sharp is known by  people in both parties and also by people that aren't politically "aware/active" but would still come out and vote.

I agree with most that Sharp is not the most progressive candidate we could put out there. But crap! We live in Texas for crying out loud, we get all giddy at the prospect of trading one really crappy Republican Speaker for another less crappy Republican Speaker.

I think in a campaign that could be very congested he would have the most name recognition of any possible Dem and he can fundraise to boot. Those are two huge plusses (speaking pragmatically).

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by: matthew_lt @ Tue Dec 09, 2008 at 03:36:16 AM CST

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true (0.00 / 0)

nothing but the best education on this website

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by: not humble enough @ Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 15:27:32 PM CST

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How Does That Work? (3.00 / 1)

How would a special election work--do parties somehow select who will run on their line, or, does everyone qho qualifies get on the ballot all at once?  If latter, are party identification included on ballot and is no one receives a majority is there a run off between the top two?

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by: Sicembears @ Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 21:48:43 PM CST

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It works like cheese going through a sieve -- can be messy! (3.00 / 2)

Anyone who pays the fee or gets the signatures gets their name on the ballot with their party identified.

If nobody gets 50%, then the top progress to a run-off.  Under this system, it is possible that the run-off could have 2 people from the same party.

The math makes it important to not dilute your own party's chances with too many candidates.  

So, if there are 4 viable from one party, each getting about 15% and 2 viable candidates from the other party, each getting 20%, the party with only 40% of the vote gets both finalists in the runoff and the party with 60% gets nobody!

Sounds lovely, doesn't it.

Sincerely,
Eric

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by: Eric Roberson @ Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 23:31:02 PM CST

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Not 100% sure (3.67 / 3)

But this is what I think:

Everyone who qualifies gets on the ballot and is identified by party. If no one gets over 50%, there is a runoff for the top two.

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by: David Mauro @ Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 23:31:32 PM CST

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smart move by Sharp (0.00 / 0)

stake out the territory and become the instant frontrunner.

Sharp starts out with instant name id and a base of support.  unlike other vanquished Dems, he has maintained his rolodex and continued to be active in Dem politics...most recently chairing Bill Richardson's effort in Texas.

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by: colin @ Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 15:53:46 PM CST

What has John Sharp been doing the past 10 years (3.00 / 2)

besides the tax reform commission?

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by: TheUNTEdge @ Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 18:21:57 PM CST

he's been active (0.00 / 0)

...as opposed to the ron kirks, paul hobbys, tony sanchezs, etc.

Sharp has been active and supportive of Democratic candidates up and down the ballot.

Furthermore, Sharp (as the biggest budget-cutter of the last 40 years in Texas) agreed to try to get our ass out of a cinch.  If you wanna turn that into a negative...go on with it.

Most of the former electeds that we all know that have any character or affection for Texas would never say no to the opportunity to address a problem and try and fix it.

I don't like the final product, in particular, but how can you fault someone for selflessly serving our state?

If we're going to do this same old shit where we tear to hell everyone with the balls to serve...we should just hang it up now.

I don't see anyone else beating down the door to run.  And when I do, I plan on being considerate.  Any Democrat willing to put their name, reputation and career on the line to represent our party in an up hill effort deserves our respect.

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by: colin @ Mon Dec 08, 2008 at 23:47:06 PM CST

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Good question. Sharp has been "palling around" (to use Sarah (0.00 / 0)

Palin's phrase) with crazy-as-a-bed-bug Preacherman John Hagee, who hooked Sharp up with Hagee's BFF Rick Perry so that Sharp and Perry could come up with a tax plan that protected corporate property holders from fair taxation at the expense of small businesses.

The plan was a flop.

Sharp is better than any Republican who would run, but he's completely middle-of-the road ideologically.

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by: StopCornyn @ Tue Dec 09, 2008 at 09:41:42 AM CST

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Hagee? (0.00 / 0)

If true, then Sharp is not a Democrat I can support.

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by: Elsbeth @ Tue Dec 09, 2008 at 21:56:08 PM CST

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Wayne Slater reports (3.00 / 1)

that it was Hagee who brokered the reconciliation between Sharp and Perry.

http://www.dallasnews.com/shar...

There are also articles about Sharp speaking at Hagee's mega church prior to the 2002 election.

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by: David Mauro @ Tue Dec 09, 2008 at 23:53:03 PM CST

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Isnt Sharp Against Choice? Backed Bush Tax Cuts? (0.00 / 0)

Correct me if Im wrong-isnt John Sharp against the right to choose? I recall this from the last go round. Also when he ran for lt guv in 2002 i remember he gave a speech in dallas supporting the bush 1 trillion dollar tax cuts. Im not trying to bash him or anything but these things are of great concern to me and many dems. richards didnt appoint him to thr sen seat back in 94 bc she couldnt bring herself to put in someone against choice. im hoping bill white runs. heck id love to see some more dems run.

ohdidnt sharp partner with perry in 06 to craft that nutty school budget plan? argh

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by: benhur @ Tue Dec 09, 2008 at 03:40:18 AM CST

Bush Tax Cuts (0.00 / 0)

Whether he was for them or against, it does not matter now. More than likely, even Obama is not going to touch them.  

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by: Aero @ Tue Dec 09, 2008 at 09:40:36 AM CST

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Says who? n/t (0.00 / 0)

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by: Elsbeth @ Tue Dec 09, 2008 at 21:53:53 PM CST

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