Chris Bell - Texas Senate Or Bust
So Chris Bell has made it official, he’s in. It’s now the Texas Senate or bust. And I say that literally, because after a failed re-election campaign to the US Congress and a failed run for Governor, if Mr. “I Lost to Mr. 39 Percent” (sorry, I had to do it once) loses this one then it’s practically over for him.
I won’t be supporting him, but I do admire Mr. Bell’s courage to push all of his last remaining chips into the pot on, at best, a 50-50 shot. If he wins, Mr. Bell keeps his name at the top of the possible statewide candidates list. If he loses, likely no one will even recruit him to run for dog catcher.
I also agree with Mr. Bell in that this is not a step down. A seat in the Texas Senate is a very important post to serve from. If he were to win and hang around, he would find himself with far more constituents than if he remained a Congressman. And if changing Texas policy is what he truly wants, then this would be a better position to do it from. Senators write the laws, all the Governor does is sign on the dotted line.
Mr. Bell’s participation gives this SD 17 special election instant rock star status. First, he has name ID where his collection of Republican opponents don’t. Heck, even I can only name one of them off of the top of my head. Second, he’s a lone democrat candidate meaning his best case scenario is an outright win and his worst case scenario is a heads up run-off in what would likely be a very low turnout December Election Day.
The Republican Party now needs to really get geared up for this race, as the democrats have put themselves in the best possible position to win. It will still be an uphill battle in a district that had Mr. Bell 7.5 points behind Governor Perry in ‘06, but my guess is that the money and the troops are going to pour in for the democrat candidate.
This begs the question, are we as Republicans prepared to man the wall and defend what has been ours? I think so, but frankly, I am not 100 percent sure.
Either way, we’ll find out soon enough.
2 Responses to “Chris Bell - Texas Senate Or Bust”
By el_longhorn on Jul 24, 2008
Bell started to get good toward the end of his 2006 gubernatorial campaign. He hit his stride and was looking and sounding solid in front of the cameras. I would say he will take this seat unless the Republicans fight 100%, like you said. I don’t think they will, though, because all of their efforts are going to be focused on the House side. Let’s face it, the GOP can afford to lose this seat and Brimer’s and still be OK in the Senate. But losing a seat or two in the House probably means the end of Craddick and conservative Republican rule (I could still see a moderate R becoming Speaker).
And as long as we are on topic, what is Brimer’s problem with this election lawsuit against Davis? After the Dingus lawsuit was shot down, what is the point in even pursuing this? The courts have spoken and they say let the voters decide. Thankfully for Brimer it is July and no one is paying attention to politics right now, but none of this speaks well of him or his campaign. All Brimer has done is given Davis some free press and a talking point for the Fall.
By Jake Hatlin on Jul 24, 2008
Re: El Longhorn
Brimer is giving Davis free press, true. But consider your own words, its July and no one is pay attention.
I had this exact same conversation with Sam not long ago, and Sam offered an intersting opinion that I will repeat. Brimer knows he won’t win this. But every dollar he makes Davis spend in legal fees this summer is one less dollar she has to put into her campaign come this fall.
Legal representation is not cheap and he’s bleeding her dry.