Why was Bush a popular gov in Texas?

This I don't understand.

Jeb isn't terribly popular in Florida, though he isn't unpopular either.

Why did people like him so much there? Didn't he do a terrible job? I'm not asking why a fraction of the population there loved him, but why was that fraction so large?

That explains a lot about this place.

There's a great article about the mindset, though, at http://mondediplo.com/2004/02/04usa

Add to that the fact that in rural areas, the only social scene that doesn't involve alcohol and fistfights is the local church. The very real advantage wingnut churches have is that anybody can call himself a preacher, no education or doctor of divinity degree required. Just open up a storefront with a cross painted into the window, and they will come, if only out of curiosity. This explains a great deal about the poor biblical scholarship and the often creative interpretations of Christianity. People who are angry and fearful find a home in the worst of these.

What to do? Tell them what a rich frat boy who never did any work in his life Bush really is. Tell him he talks the talk real purty, but he has never walked the walk. Ask them how many people Jesus killed, and what he might think of Bush's body count.

Truly, this explains it all and is worth your time to watch, it will answer your question explicitly:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/jesus/view/

It's still not totally clear to me

Historically, Austin has been the only "liberal bastion" in Texas, and I have been out of the state for over 10 years now... much has changed. However, Texas is now an absolute Republican stronghold. Much of the success of the Republican agenda in Texas is due solely to the work of George W. Bush as an "evangelical Christian". The place is full of them. Just watch the video from start to finish, it really should clear up your questions, I hope.

The suburbs aren't. I think Travis County went to Gore in 2000.

For those who do not know, Austin is in Travis County.

Nader got 12-14% in Travis county. Bush got 42% or so. Gore got 41% or so.

Since Austin is in Texas, and Texas is going to go for Bush no matter what, don't be surprised to see Nader get 10+%, if he gets on the ballot.

Jeb Bush won re-election by a wide margin, so apparently a majority of the people who voted like him somewhat.

George W. Bush was owner of a baseball team before he ran for governor, which helped make people feel like they knew him.

by a "large margin" same as GW got the white house?

cause he's "jesus" and he's there to save them from all the dark skinned people

One of the reasons that Texas has switched sides is the influx of conservative Xians. With the booming economy, many corporations are locating their remaining employees here. Many, if not most, of these arrivals are conservatives.

Since there is a church on every corner, it doesn't take long for a certain critical mass to be achieved. And since the pulpit has become bully, it became the duty of all these newly minted Texans to change the government.

Austin is one of the last remaining liberal hold-outs. But the rest of Texas pretty much sucks if you are a free-thinking person.

Have a look at this if you like,

http://www.calpundit.com/archives/002380.html

The Republicans have gone crazy, IMO.

he is the reason bush was popular.

Bullock has been acknowledged as one of the most outstanding Texas political leaders of the 20th Century. A legendary public official, he was noted for his ability to get both sides together, regardless of their points of view. His political career spanned over 40 years and he was considered a principal architect of modern Texas government. As lieutenant governor, he actually held more constitutional power than the governor. But his constructive approach to the legislative process included strict enforcement of a non-partisanship rule in the Senate. He often admonished lawmakers to “leave their politics at the front door.” http://www.austinscottishrite.org/messenger/1999/fall/bullock.html

bullock got all the work done and bush took all the credit.
http://csmweb2.emcweb.com/durable/2001/01/29/fp2s1-csm.shtml
http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/061999/new_bullock.shtml

I agree with the above assessment. Texas is weird in that the Lt. Gov. usually has more power and authority than the Governor. Because he was such an effective leader, Bullock actually had far more power than Bush as Lt. Gov. and was the driving force in Texas politics during this time period.

The good times that Bush enjoyed in Texas was due to Bullock's leadership. Bullock could had fought with Bush but then nothing would had been accomplished.

To give you an idea of Bullock's influence during this period, when the Southwest conference was breaking up, it was Bullock who in effect guaranteed that Baylor was taken into Big 12. Without Bullock's influence, there is no way that Baylor belong in the Big 12.

Most of the people in the GOP used to be in the Democratic Party, here in Texas. The GOP is basically the white folks party these days, although there are token blacks and Hispanics here and there. It's a screwy goddamn place, also. Ann Richard's campaign lacked motivation, they thought Bush would blow it, but he didn't. A lot of elected officials switched from Democrat to GOP in 1980 and 84, by the way.

According to Tucker Carlson's Talk profile, Bush famously won over Bullock when the latter said he'd have to support a bill Bush opposed, and Bush stood up, grabbed him by the shoulders, and kissed him, saying, "If you're going to fuck me you'll have to kiss me first."

http://slate.msn.com/?id=1006387

he was gone before the real results were fealt in Texas. The guy who replaced him isn't any better either.

George will probably win the Tx vote in Nov. because Texans LOVE haveing a Texan in the WH, but go visit the State. You'll hear many many people who are very unhappy with what George left behind!

on his death bed endorsed bush for his second
term ...Read Molly Ivans "shub"

The Democratic candidate running against Bush for his second term was Garry Mauro. Bullock was godfather to Mauro's child, talk about an asshole. Bullock endorsed Bush early on for his second term for governor so Mauro wouldn't be able to raise a lot of money. We're not all sold out Republicans here, they just have a majority, not a totality, if that makes sense.

46% of the vote has been Democratic. When you look at the cultural values: Texas has ranked 3rd from the bottom in public assistance programs (welfare), a rich state ranking just above poor states Alabama and Mississippi. It had "blue laws" for decades. The White voting class admires high speed highways, rich people, low taxes, no state income tax, and robber baron type non-regulation.

Minorities could probably swing it if they would only vote. Almost ALL of the white ruling class VOTES; a small percentage of eligible minority voters VOTE.

Plus, Texas has an even stronger Favorite Son syndrome than most: If it's Texan LBJ who's pRez or whomever. And the clubby power elite syndrome is not just a D.C. phenom; it's rampant in Austin: Shrub kissed up to the powerful Dem Bob BULLOCK, who was the HUGE domino.

As for Shrub's record, which was reported by Molly IVINS, but not even TOUCHED by the national media because Shrub said, "Don't mess with Texas" (which is a state slogan refering to littering), the state has a WEAK GOVERNOR system, with the LT Governor being more powerful. But Shrub managed to pile up sweetheart deals (getting the state or the City of Arlington to pay for his baseball stadium and housing development for the Very Rich) and to get de-regulations benefitting his donors.

The national media has covered more about GORE's "earth tones" and KERRY's "medals/ribbons" than it has deigned to glance at Shrub's record.

The second link is to Governor Goodhair's boyfriend's Secretary of State site, which gives the turnout percentages:

2003 Special 12% turnout of all eligible voters

2002 General/gubernatorial 36%

2002 Primary/Dem 8%--------EIGHT effing percent.

2000 General 52%

There could have been a Black senator replacing Enron-GRAMM and a Hispanic governor in 2002.

*******QUOTE*******

http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/newsbyid.asp?id=7402

.... One of the two researchers who conducted the survey, Rice University political scientist Bob Stein, told The Houston Chronicle that African-Americans - "a highly disciplined and mobilized group across the state" - would vote a straight Democratic ticket.

Hispanics, however, "are doing ... what black voters did 20 years ago. They either didn't know if they were going to vote or they didn't know who to vote for," Stein said. ....

http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/historical/70-92.shtml


********UNQUOTE*******

When he was in office, I barely knew he existed and only before that as the owner of the Rangers. I remember Ann Richards, the smart, witty one-have read that she didn't really fight for her job because she couldn't have imagined that Challenged could possibly get it.

And enough with the white trash backwards talk about rural areas. I live in one, and it is largely Democratic, and is not full to the brim with terbaccy-chawing-and-spitting rednecks who are only likkered up and spoiling for a fight when not at church.

The legislature only meets sporadically, so all he had to do was nap, watch tv, play nintendo, and go out and schmooze with the "people".. What's not to like?

The fundamentalist/libertarian bent of Texas in recent years, pletty much set the path, and all he had to do was make some speeches , and let the legislature do its thing.. Then he could claim credit for the stuff that the people liked, and blame the legislature for stuff they didn't.. Sound familiar??

His "reforms" ended up causing many, many problems and the symptoms didn't appear until he was ensconced in the White House.

eom