Well, between a dead car battery, a preschool that closed early, and a wife that had an unbreakable noon appointment, I am at home instead of at the Bill White for Governor launch. At least I have Elise Hu’s liveblog to keep me informed. Here’s the release that Team White sent out at noon on the dot:
Today, after listening to thousands of Texans from all backgrounds, Bill White filed to run for Governor, pledging to fight for Texas’ future.
“I am proud of the people of Texas, and as Governor I will move us forward as America’s great state of opportunity,” White said. “I’ll be a Governor who challenges Texans to lead, not leave, the United States.”
White highlighted ways of creating new jobs with businesses small and large across the state. He emphasized that Texas could not be its best with skyrocketing insurance and electric rates and college tuition that increases faster than the incomes of Texans.
The son of San Antonio school teachers, White vowed to focus on improving educational achievement in K-12 grade levels, improving high school graduation rates, and reducing the costs of college.
White, a successful businessman, was first elected as Houston Mayor in 2003 and was twice re-elected with margins averaging 88%. He has been hailed as a strong leader and a problem-solver, with the Houston Chronicle noting that he has “deftly steered Houston through fiscal and tropical storms.”
During White’s administration, Houston led the nation’s cities in job growth, adding more jobs than 16 states combined. At the same time, he cut property tax rates five years in a row. After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike, Bill White mobilized an effective disaster response including first responders, businesses and churches.
“I don’t have the polish of career politicians. But as a businessman and Mayor I know how to be accountable for results, not just rhetoric. I have a track record of bringing people together to get things done,” White said. “That’s what Texas needs now.”
Last December, White launched a U.S. Senate campaign that in 11 months attracted more than 1500 volunteers, more than 5500 contributors, and more than $6.5 million. He has visited 70 Texas counties to date.
This is the race I wanted him in from the beginning, and I can’t tell you how happy I am that it has happened. It was a long, strange trip to get here, to say the least, but getting there is what matters. It will be a tough campaign, but I’m as confident as I can be about it.
In related news, Hank Gilbert announced that he was dropping out of the Governor’s race, and will run instead for Ag Commish, which is where he started out. He also endorsed Farouk Shami for Governor. Whatever – next summer at the convention, when White is the nominee, no one will remember that. Time to move forward, we’re eleven months out.
Thought it would be AMONG battery, school and wife, not between.
Whatever – next summer at the convention, when White is the nominee, no one will remember that. Time to move forward, we’re eleven months out.
________________
No surprise to some that he withdrew. Quite a surprise to some that he endorsed Farouk Shami instead of Bill White. His way, perhaps, of telling the boys in the backroom in Austin what they could do with Bill White?
The major objection of so many to Schieffer was his connection to teh Bushes. Rick Perry doesn’t have to play nice with regard to the Bushes. He’s not their lapdog. Kay Bailey Hutchison is. And he is probably on the phone already with Allen Blakemore. Talking about the connection of Bill White to the Bushes. And all of their connections to terrorism in the Middle East. Not going to play well. People may forget Hank Gilbert by March. By November people will not have forgotten about Ft. Hood. Or about Issam Fares. Or the Bushes. Or the ties to Bill White.
I doubt Bill White will be able to garner the 30% of the 31% of the votes of the corpses that Chris Bell garnered. He will be lucky to garner 25%.
You can cover up the manure. But you can’t always cover up the smell.
Pingback: Eye on Williamson » And y’all thought the GOP Gubernatorial primary was going to be the bloody one