Third Term, Perry Eyes the Future
Bill White wasn’t even going to run for governor. This time last year he was focused on beating a crowded field for the never vacated senate seat held by Kay Bailey Hutchison. But when he did enter the race he worked hard, raised plenty of money but in the end just couldn’t beat one of the state’s most successful campaigners.
“You know tonight despite the hard work of so many tens of thousands of Texas, it does not look like we will elect a new governor,” White told supporters in Houston. But in the same breath he warned his supporters to stick together for election battles yet to come. “This will be an enduring legacy and I hope you keep this network alive because it is something powerful and it’s time will come in our state,” said White.
That time could come in as little as two years as many political insiders think White will run for U.S. Senate in 2012. Last night’s winner and still champion, Rick Perry, also at times pointed away from the present and his re-election to the battles ahead. Specifically: unspecified efforts he will make to nudge the whole country back in the right direction.
“Our citizens are tired of big government raising their taxes and cooking up new ways to micromanage their lives,” Perry told a crowed room of supporters at the Exotic Game Ranch in Buda, ”…our citizens are tired of big government killing jobs with their do-gooder policies. In short the people are Fed Up!”
That last line was a plug for his new book titled “Fed Up! Our Fight To Save America from Washington.” A book with a book tour that will take him across the country later this month. A great way to launch a Presidential campaign. Now Governor Perry has always said he has no interest in running for President. But some of his supporters last night, like Thomas Mackey, think it would be a good idea.
“Absolutely,” said Mackey, ”…I think he’s qualified. I think he has support. I think he has done some really good things for the state of Texas. I think he’d do some great things for the country.”
Meantime, though, Governor Perry has a nasty legislative session looming. While the Republicans will hold overwhelming control of the Legislature, there are still massive budget cuts and political redistricting to tackle in the next 7 months.
Ben Philpott covers state politics and policy for KUT News and the Texas Tribune.
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