I don't know. Every day that goes by is one more day where a new Tea Party organization splinters from another larger Tea Party organization. Every day that goes by is another day where the crazy Limbaugh/Palin/Beck fringe of the Republican Party gets more and more upset at the core GOP itself. And every day that goes by is another day where Rick Perry continues to sew up the Republican gubernatorial nomination over Kay "I don't know what I'm doing" Hutchison.
With that said, an interesting turn in the saga that is the fracturing Texas Republican Party took place this week when fringe secessionist, and American flag hater Larry Kilgore dropped his bid for the Republican nomination for governor and threw his support behind Debora Medina.
There has been a substantial protest vote in the past two Republican primaries. Last year those votes went against Sen. John Cornyn and candidate Larry Kilgore got 18 percent of the 1.2 million votes cast. That's nearly 227,000 votes.
In 2006, Kilgore led a group of fringe candidates in scoring nearly 16 percent of the vote against Perry.
"The question is whether that fringe vote goes three or four percent or nine or 10 percent," said Cal Jillson, an SMU political science professor. "At nine or 10, it can affect the outcome and cause a runoff."
Larry Gilgore, former Republican Guberntorial candidate best known for his secessionist political stances, has announced he is withdrawing from this year's contest and throwing his support to GOP gubernatorial primary candidate Debra Medina. Kilgore received just over 50,000 votes representing less than 8% of the 2006 GOP gubernatorial primary vote, over 225,00 votes or 18.5% of the 2008 U.S. Senate primary vote against John Cornyn.
From Kilgore's statements in the last 24 hours he writes about why he's decided to make this move.
I, Larry Kilgore, officially withdraw from the Texas Gubernatorial race. Thank you campaign supporters for all your hard work. The campaign has always been about Texas Secession and not about me; therefore the campaign for Texas Secession has not ended. I will continue to work with others to protect individuals and local governments from US and Texas government oppression.
Debra Medina - Please accept my endorsement. I encourage the 226,000 Republicans that voted for me in 2008 to vote for you. Your character and actions will restore honor to the office of Texas Governor.
Medina, with nearly 4,500 facebook supporters, hails from the more libertarian, Ron Paul, Tea Party wing of the Republican Party and is currently polling in the high single digits in available polling in the GOP gubernatorial primary- a margin that could be decisive in the larger race between Perry and Hutchison should it tighten in the coming months.
Debra Medina won't win the Republican nomination, with our without Kilgore's support. Maybe she should seriously consider going after signatures to found a Texas Tea Party with ballot access.
If there is one thing that there is not a shortage of this year in the U.S. Senate race, it's the cast of minor candidates that are challenging what are the presumptive nominees and front-runners for each party's nomination. Gene Kelly, Ray McMurrey, Rhett Smith... these are well enough known in the Democratic party (even though one of them has run as a Republican and another was planning to do so as an Independent). But some BOR readers may not be as familiar with John Cornyn's primary opponent Larry Kilgore.
Larry Kilgore last ran in the Republican primary against Rick Perry (along with Rhett Smith actually) where he got 7.6% of the vote. (Rhett got 4.6%). Back then, his campaign website had an aborted fetus on the front page if I remember correctly. It's slightly toned down now, but he is featuring such lovely bizarre right wing bumper stickers like the one seen here. He also makes sure to note endorsements from "Christian Statesman" and "Gospel Proclaimers" on his website- admirable, but oddly worded.
And on the issues, I would be remiss if I didn't point out some key stances.
What do you think about the undeclared US war in Iraq?
I do not plan on voting for or against any US legislation not directly related to Texas Independence. The US war in Iraq is not a Texas problem it is a US problem. The US has a history of invading sovereign nations and Texas is one of them. Texas National Guard troops should immediately be released from US conscription by the Governor.
And beware of dating!
What are the skeletons in your closet?
From age 16 to 24 I dated and did not treat these ladies with respect. Physically I was virgin when I married at age 25, but I did not guard my heart. Dating is not wise!
I have repented of watching pornography on the TV and computer.
So while some ponder whether or not there is a debate among Rick Noriega and any of the colorful characters that have entered the race on our side since Mikal Watts exited, it begs the question...
Will John Cornyn debate Larry Kilgore on these important issues?
Larry Kilgore last ran in the Republican primary against Rick Perry (along with Rhett Smith actually) where he got 7.6% of the vote. (Rhett got 4.6%). Back then, his 