Should Bell (D) or Friedman (I) drop out of the TX Gov race?

What would happen if one of them did?
Perry is winning with such a small plurality of the vote.

Perry (R) 35%
Friedman (I) 21%
Bell (D) 20%
Strayhorn (I) 19%

http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReportPopup.aspx?g=5d90d44a-e155-4d92-8f08-14fd1696d602&q=27091

Had no idea he'd gone so far.

Most people aren't even paying attention yet. Of course the Democratic nominee should stay in the race! Let Kinky eat up those Repug votes. Bell will prevail!

we Texas Democrats will stick with Bell. He has the brains, the judgment and the plan to win the Governor's race and this year presents the best opportunity to get Texas back to rationality.

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You shouldn't advocate against the Democratic candidate unless they have proven themselves not to act like a Democrat. Bell is the best candidate in the race.

Are you in Texas? Because if not, you have no business suggesting we should be governed by a comedian who is on the Republican side of nearly all of the issues.

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Neither of those choices are good for Texas. Bell is good for Texas.

in this day and age. They should, but many will not even look at one. I live in Houston I know.

I do not think it is possible in the state of TX for a democrat to win a state wide race at this time. It has been almost 10 years or so since the last one.

An independent is better then Perry, and sadly Bell does not have realistic chance in this race.

And if you believe that, you need to be hanging out at the Kinky forum, not at DU. Which by the way, stands for DEMOCRATIC Underground.

that because you don't "think it is possible in the state of TX for a democrat to win a state wide race at this time," that Bell shouldn't run?

10 years doesn't mean that it's impossible to me. Perry has done a hell of a job messing up the state. I'd rather have Strayhorn than Kinky (if Bell doesn't win)

There are about 30 to 35 percent that would vote for Perry even if he got caught in bed with a dead woman and a live boy just because he has an R by his name. This is TX. If there were only 2 others running I think one could take Perry, but with 3 it just dilutes the vote to much.

And every time he's run for President. Of course, I knew Texas would go Republican. But I didn't flush my vote down a Green toilet--I voted for the Democratic candidate.

This is a Democratic board, by the way.

My whole point is that Bell can not win. Period. Not in TX these days. The state party is to weak, and his base is being diluted by Strayhorn and Kinky. Yes Bell would be ideal but we are not goign to get ideal this year. If he dropped and put his support to Strayhorn she could win. She most likely would govern like a moderate Dem anyway. It sucks but there it is.

and think Bell can't win, I think he can. It's going to be a good and interesting race through November, but Bell can pull it out.

edited to add: If you're already starting with a defeatist attitude, how the hell to you expect to win???

This is a but of a round about way i heard this but it comes from a man who I believe. His wife is a dem precinit chair in Houston. They held a meeting adn openly discuss Bell as nothing more then a place holder. Apparantly the party officials approached several other people to run none would. I stan by my statement that the party in TX needs to rebuild and grow its base because right now it has no state wide offices.

Then voting against its candidates is an unlikely strategy.

How would Bell dropping out strengthen the Texas Democratic Party?

Go peddle your stuff elsewhere.

And as for Strayhorn that is what she was before she like a lot of other dems switched when they saw that just by having a D by their name was a poison bill to many TX voters. There it is. In state wide votes the party has lost all elections in almost 10 years.

Before she became a Republican. Now she's an Independent!

She's had almost as many party affiliations as last names.

I still fail to see how Democrats refusing to vote for the Democratic candidate will help the party. And I doubt your concern for the party is sincere.

that argument - duh.

They jumped when the state party started to tank. No backbone.

Whose your dog in this fight?

Woof!

I think she can beat Perry in a three way race. I do not think the others can. Look at it this way if Strayhorn was in the governors mansion in 2004 as an independent would we had redistricting? I think not.

Here in Texas we have a "weak executive" system. Read up on it and then let us know if you think a true blue republican like Strayhorn could have done anything about the redistricting scam - even if she wanted to.

And he as is the right of the Governor by law set the agenda for all 3 or was it 4 sessions to get the redistricting passed. He and Delay rammed it through, that is why he has to go.

That voted for the redistricting plan. She has just as much blood on her hands as Goodhair or DeLay.

I propose that c4n3p henceforth also be known as "our lady of many surnames". I'm not sure she should be called a Lady so at least I'm not going to capitalize it!

Sonia

about Republicans here in the 1960s until things began shifting. Things are shifting right now, genius.

Give it a rest. You have too many pissed off Texans here who will fight you tooth and nail about Kinky. The man is a moron who has no business in politics.

"You have too many pissed off Texans here who will fight you tooth and nail about Kinky." That's exactly it. I don't think this poster realizes where he's at....we're not stupid enough to fall for Kinky's ploy.

But I also do not think Bell can either. That is why I am backing Strayhorn so we can get rid of Governor Good Hair.

Because you are obviously not a Democrat. By saying you're voting for Strayhorn, you have made yourself very unwelcome here.

Why are you here exactly, if not to stir up trouble? And where's your profile, Sparky?
Too chicken to tell us?

I can only hope that you're not really a registered voter in Texas.

Don't get me wrong, I wish Bell could win, I do not think he can. I think Strayhorn has a outside shot.

You say you will work to elect our opposition, so you have more than worn out your welcome.

I want to start to win, we need to get rid of Perry and as an added beneift he is a close friend of shrubs so gettign Perry in Bush's state will only serve to make him look worse.

Strayhorn, having been a loyal Republican and appealing to the moderate R's, is most likely pulling votes away from Perry.

Have you seen c4n3p's poll numbers? That grandma won't hunt. The better choice is for Stinky Kinky to drop out since he isn't the least bit interested in running this state. He only wants to increase his book and record sales. He's done that, so now he should move along.

Running a state government is serious business and Stinky Kinky doesn't have the cajones.

Sonia

It's an ego trip. Before the election season is over with, most of those 18% will have grown tired of his act.

I want Kinky to stay in the race. He would bring a breath of fresh air to Texas.

All these folks popping in to tell us what a great guy the Kinkster is & not a one of them has profile coincidence?

The others are all repubs of varying degrees of virulence.

who would ordinarily vote Pub because they view Dems as NE Damn Yankees and they just don't like their thinking!

I think, as time goes on, Kinky will only improve his numbers, and actually could win!

Shrub or Perry!

I lived in Tx when Ann Richards was Gov. I moved about 1 1/2 years after Shrub was elected Gov there. Hell, they named a school after Barbara Bush just down the road from me!

I don't think Kinky would do anything nearly as bad to the State of Texas as Shrub or his little protege Perry already did!

Would he do anything good? I doubt it! Would it shake up the Pubs everywhere? HELL YES!!!!!

You are free to support whomever you choose in your own state.

He voted ONCE in 12 yrs - FOR BUSH.
The man is chock-full of inane sayings and that is about all there is to his "campaign".
He is anti-choice.
He wants to bribe "Mexican generals" to police the border.
He thinks the word "Negro" is "charming".

Kinky Friedman is only amusing in a Clayton Williams kinda way - har-de-har-har.

I'd like a REAL governor, not a freaking crackpot sideshow.

That is one of the most idiotic things I have ever heard! I suggest you study your history, do the names Sam Rayburn or Lyndon Johnson ring a bell? NE Damn Yankees my dying ass!

How about you stay our of your local state politics and we'll stay out of yours. You won't have to live with that asshole Kinky running your state government, and neither will we, because we're not that stupid.

And I'm highly offended by your comment that loyal Texans view our Democrats as NE Damn Yankees. You have insulted all the loyal Texas Democrats on this board and our North East Democrats as well. You napi21 are not a good Democrat.

Sonia

Need to get edumacated. Kinky is no progressive, he is human garbage.

I saw him being interviewed somewhere and he got to talking about prayer in schools. He supports it. I think we are all a bit enamored by these maverick types who come on the scene and want to shake things up but beware of what you buy into.

Is there a full moon or something?
:shrug:

and trying to tell us we should blow off Bell and support Kinky, that is what is going on. Notice how a bunch of low post count, no profile folks show up and start touting him? Viral marketing at it's finest.

well, you'd think they would realize that they just stepped onto the wrong board to start carrying the banner for Kinky.

But I was trying to be polite and not mention it. Now we know what Naderites do in the midterms. Which reminds me, have you seen this?

How can any liberal/progressive/Democrat say that Kinky - I want prayer in schools and I'm anti-choice - is good for Texas?????

:shrug:

He is also a republican, trying to masquerade as an "independent".

Frankly, if anyone spends a mere 10 minutes researching his "campaign", they will recognize it as a publicity stunt for self-promotion.

Egads, I can't even believe people take this crap seriously.

And as a Texan I am sickened that this guy is going to be taking away votes from Bell! :mad:

He's a joke. He might as well be running as a republican. He believes in school prayer, he's anti-choice and wants Mexican generals to patrole the border for Texas. These are just three things off the top of my head on why there's no way in hell any liberal or democratic person should vote for him.

If you really think Kinky would be good for Texas, check out http://stopkinky.blogspot.com/ and learn a little more about him.

He is a true original & I defend his right to stay Kinky!

However, I've been a Democrat longer. So I'll vote for the Democratic candidate--Chris Bell.

until I got to your last sentence. :)

and I don't think Strayhorn will take an equal amount away from Perry to matter. This has me worried.

Friedman is drawing half non-voters and the rest a mix of voters from the other three. Probably he's a net-no-impact candidate. The problem is Strayhorn, who's sucking up a lot of old school small town Democrat voters. Still, I expect her to fade in September, alongside Friedman. Together they'll barely comb up 25% of the vote.

Just because I would laugh my butt off watching Kinky be Governor.

Is there a whole cult society of Georgians supporting Kinky? If you are are real Democrat, then I wouldn't be laughing at us in Texas. You don't have anything on us with Sonny Perdue. I say why don't you Georgians draft Kinky to your state and have him run for Governor there. He's not going to have a political career in Texas very long.

Sonia

is one of the main reasons that Tom Delay is now retired. Kinky Friedman is a running Texas joke.

All he's doing is promoting himself, and I find him personally repulsive. Voted for Bush, anti-choice and for prayer in school. Come closer to Nov and people will wake up and realize that Bell is the ONLY candidate!

If you're going to ask who should drop out, the choice should be which of the independents. It's ludicrous to suggest a major party candidate would cut and run, unless his name is Tom DeLay.

My understanding is that Strayhorn (as Scottie McClellan's mom) is probably pulling more votes away from Perry. It would be my guess, especially given the support that Friedman receives here, that Bell and Friedman are splitting the dem/ progressive independent vote. I could be wrong, hence the question.

I wish Bell was the only one running, but he isn't. My question is whether our priority should be defeating Perry. That is obviously not going to happen with so many candidates.

Sorry you find my question so "stupid."

That is an indisputable fact.

Edit to clarify: She is ONLY running as an "independent" because she didn't want to lose in a primary.

This is a personal bitchfest between her and Perry - they are skunks of the same stripe.

I am just wondering what people thought about the effects of one of the non-Perry people withdrawing, and whether it would be worth having anyone but Perry elected.

that as an out-of-stater you had a sincere question, and I take back my "stupid" remark. As you now well know, Kinky is a sore subject in these parts, and we've gone through these battles many times in the Texas forum, plus many of us are frustrated with Democratic family and friends who support Kinky. Let me close by saying that between Bell and Kinky we have a choice between a former Houston city council member and Congressional representative who has dedicated his life to public service, and a drunk comedian and author. To most of us, it's a no-brainer.

of why splitting the vote isn't a good idea. If the asshat Republican is only garnering 35% of the vote, his ass is beatable, and it would be a crying shame if he wins because none of his opponents can see the forest for the trees.

The OP's question is really a no-brainer, particularly here at DU where advocating for anyone other than the Democratic candidate is allegedly verboten.

Since it appears none of the non-Republican candidates can garner a clear majority, each with almost identical support, it would be nice (in a perfect world) if the indies dropped out and supported the Democrat. Ha, I made a funny.

So, it's 3 slimy repubs against One Democrat.

We will have to beat the Vermin Triumvirate off with sticks.

That is exactly why I asked the question. Sure, I want Bell to win, but would Bell be doing a service to TX by dropping out and trying to throw his votes towards Friedman? I don't know, that is why I asked. Obviously it would be great if Friedman and Strayhorn dropped out. Something tells me it they are in it for their egos, and never would though.

I understand you may not be up on all the TX politics, so please reassure yourself with every real TX Dem on this board.

Neither Strayhorn or Friedman is any kind of better replacement for Perry - they are ALL THE SAME.

One is simply "Kookier" than the others.

We have 3 slimy repubs and ONE DEMOCRAT.

local, nutty political wannabes.

We have a long, colorful history of freakish republicans.

:hi:

He's all over the map.

So, how can we classify him as anything else? I mean, besides a cheap crank?

I like his no-cat-declawing bit, but he has not a single democratic-leaning position on ANYTHING.

Why do you think he is all over the map?

He seems to be all over the map. Bio-diesel for instance.

But more than anything, I think the crank bit is the most accurate label. I still don't think this is a serious run. I keep waiting from him to do the cha-cha and bust out into song... "Dance a little side-step and lead the people on."

I don't think that Mexican generals to protect the border is necessarily republican....it's just whacked. :P

but I agree - "whacked" works too.

Of Perry's three opponents, Bell is pretty much the only one who has a real agenda; Friedman has catch phrases and Strayhorn is changing her mind about as often as she changes husbands (and of course, the reason she's running as an independent is because she couldn't beat him in the primary).

If Strayhorn drops out, it helps Perry (although having her in the race doesn't necessarily hurt him) since Republicans, even if they dislike Perry would probably still vote for him over a Democrat.

Friedman is drawing more liberal support, I suspect, which hurts Bell, but I'm not entirely sure how much ground Bell would gain by having Kinky drop out, although I'm sure he would gain.

A two way race between Bell and Perry would be interesting, and for some reason, Bell has chosen to focus on Strayhorn, which I think is a misplaced focus, since I believe he should be focusing most, if not all, of his attention on Perry, particularly with regard to school finance. Perry is focusing his attention on Bell, and the favor should be returned. Don't acknowledge the other two, but just get your message out and stay on target.

She is. Otherwise Perry's numbers would be in the mid 40s. They're not. Carole is a Republican and she is cutting into his base. We would have preferred a 3 way race with just Bell, Adios MoFo & c4n3p but we got that idiot Kinky as well. Fine we'll deal with it. Carole is important to us to draw off more voters from the MoFo. Kinky is a waste of space and he hurts us. As this race gets closer to election time I guarantee that Bell's numbers will go up as more people start to pay attention and Stinky Kinky's numbers go down, as people pay attention to how stupid this guy really is.

Bell is attacking c4n3p because he needs the money that is flowing her way from our side. The trial lawyers gave her the best shot of winning and started pouring money into her campaign. Now that her numbers are sinking and Bell's looking better the money is coming back to him. Perry has not been forgotten.

Sonia

Chris Bell is the only candidate who supports our beliefs and values http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=180x33705

I was thinking about how many issues there are where Chris Bell stands up for my beliefs and values while Perry, Strayhorn, and Kinky have each failed to support the issues, candidates, and causes which matter most to me. Here's my list (I stopped with 10 issues because there were so many):

1. Bell is the only candidate who didn't vote for Bush/Cheney,

2. Bell is the only candidate who supports raising the minimum wage,

3. Bell is the only candidate who hasn't flip-flopped with regard to his political party,

4. Bell is the only candidate who hasn't been a cheerleader for Bush's Iraq foreign policy debacle,

5. Bell is the only candidate who did anything to bring down the DeLay empire of corruption,

6. Bell is the only candidate who would stop the practice where Texas actively misinforms women about their reproductive health,

7. Bell is the only candidate who has endorsed and voted for other Democrats over the past decade,

8. Bell is the only candidate who favors raising teacher pay $6,000 to bring Texas teacher pay up to the national average,

9. Bell is the only candidate who respects the First Amendment's separation of church and state, and

10. Bell is the only candidate who has successfully fought lobbyist abuses and the improper influence of undocumented political action committee money on public policy.


End of discussion

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