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EDITOR OF REDSTATE

The Establishment’s Near Sexual Advances on Ted Cruz Are About to Begin

By: Erick Erickson (Diary)  |  August 1st, 2012 at 04:47 AM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

“[T]he Perry-Dewhurst shared campaign team spent $50 million in the past year to ruin the reputations of Rick Perry and Ted Cruz. That’s just sad.”

It turned into an atrociously nasty runoff. The same crew who failed Governor Rick Perry’s Presidential bid has now also sunk David Dewhurst’s bid for the Senate and spent tens of millions of dollars in the process. Along the way they damaged Governor Perry’s credibility with the tea party and picked every scab possible to make Ted Cruz’s election as painful as possible.

Who knows — maybe they’ll cut Dewhurst a deal on a gubernatorial bid in two years.

Despite all the barbs and lies and dirty tricks, including phone calls to Cruz voters during yesterday’s primary telling them to vote today, Ted Cruz won.

It is a very satisfying victory. Ted has spoken at every RedState Gathering and will be the first speaker at this year’s Gathering too. He will make a fine Senator.

A lot of people are going to give lots of credit to lots of people for Ted Cruz’s win. Success has many fathers. A lot of people will also make a lot of wild claims about what it means for the GOP and its supposed radical drift right — a drift right that in 2010 saw it pick up more electoral victories than any time since the late 1800′s.

One thing a lot of people will fail to comment on is that the Tea Party victories of 2010 have morphed into anti-establishment victories in 2012. On both the left and right, the base hates its leaders. It has moved beyond distrust to contempt.

In Georgia last night Republican voters across the state rejected Republican proposals for infrastructure taxes and spending and, in the process, threw out a number of incumbent Republicans in retribution. In Texas, several strong conservatives got the nod over candidates backed by Republican leaders. In Florida, Michigan, Tennessee, and Arizona, as the primaries get closer, voters are rallying to the outsiders, the real small government conservatives, and the people most likely to pick a fight with their own party.

The media views these races as the “fringe” taking over. But the media has been and is as much a part of the problem as the people being thrown on the ash heap of history in these primaries. The media likes the “smart” guys who sit in the room and make deals. Voters increasingly want people to say not just “no” but “hell no.”

Should Ted Cruz win the general election, and the odds are in his favor, he will join Mike Lee, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Pat Toomey, and Ron Johnson as yet another Senator who owed his nomination more to Jim DeMint than the Republican leaders in Congress.

Already, as the sun rises this morning, there is a great game of co-opting happening. Republican leaders and conservative establishmentarians are already whispering that Ted is a “reasonable” and “smart” conservative. “He won’t be like Jim DeMint.”

Ted Cruz established himself by being like Jim DeMint. He better remember that as the great fellating of his ego by Washington insiders begins. The Republicans in Washington aim to co-opt him, to pacify him, and to make him an ally in preservation of the status quo. They will use conservative editorialists, fundraisers, and others to do the dirty work. They will try to surround him with staff who can “tame” him and “show him the ropes.” They will push conservative think tankers on him who know the game and where their real allegiance is. They will try to undermine him while building him up.

Washington insiders always try to bring outsiders to the inside. Jim DeMint remains a hero to the antiestablishment crowd because that crowd knows he won’t be bought off. Ted Cruz will, we can all hope and expect, be a Texas version of Jim DeMint, and not just another go along to get along Republican on the way past $16 trillion in debt.

The message of this election is that the trend continues — the base is tired of politics and usual and back room compromises that keep growing government. The base wants Ted Cruz to fight.

One parting point worth reiterating – the Perry-Dewhurst shared campaign team spent $50 million in the past year to ruin the reputations of Rick Perry and Ted Cruz. That’s just sad.

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COMMENTS

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  • athanasiusrc

    “Ted Cruz didn’t get elected by himself.”

  • trutexan

    In my little county, I couldn’t believe there were at least a dozen voters standing in the Texas sun outside of a little metal building with no shade waiting to vote. The dash said 104 degrees. We even had a fender bender on the 2-lane highway at the voting location. Last count at 7:45 pm was 662 in just my precinct. We only had 1504 total in the entire county in the primary. Lines for a primary runoff are unheard of. I text everyone I know and asked them to stop by to vote and they all said they would.

    The grassroots has spoken and I firmly believe that Ted Cruz will hold to the principles he campaigned on. CONGRATS TED!! And congrats Donna Campbell!

  • eldstenorge

    And, what Eric says here should be turned on the media and we should hit them with it in everything we say: “The media is the fringe.” Stop saying conservatives are and start telling the truth, that the media is on the fringe and will never get off of it and will never represent the American people.

  • WmCraig

    Our national legislative branch has become a self perpetuating independent governing body little different then that our founders fought against. There is no practical difference when Nancy Pelosi imposes her political agenda on me from 2500 miles to the west then Parliaments efforts to impose their agenda on the colonies from 3000 miles to the east.

    Far too much of what is regulated in this country is regulated by Washington under the control of only 537 people.

    The problem facing every outsider is once you become part of the imperial Washington government, you see behind the curtain and realize that you are one of the elite rulers of a vast empire covering the North American continent. There is little or nothing anyone can do to you and the appeal to join your parliamentary predecessors as a ruling member in the legislature of this great new empire that has subjugated the states united is apparently almost irresistible. The Washington elite of both parties have more in common working to maintain their power over the American people then they do in difference regarding how that power would be imposed.

    Congratulations to Ted Cruz, to the supporters of liberty who helped get him elected. May he remain true and independent of the Washington Republican Elite who will surely attempt to corrupt him.

  • clamdigger53

    The United States voter reminds me of that NYC poster that shows NYC,the Statue of Liberty,the Mississippi river,and as the earth curves, some prospectors in California. Texas knows the story but the other 49 dont see it. Small government,small problem.Please dont apply the breaks to Cruz (after all its the republicans who made me an independent!

  • gmscan

    Where two Tea Partiers beat the Establishment choice for U.S. Senate, with Tom Smith coming out on top.

  • babykaboomer

    How significant and humbling it is to reflect that so many of our best young leaders are the sons and daughters of immigrants. These newcomers have a love and appreciation of our country that all too many of us do not fully fathom after being established so many generations here. They know first-hand the unique opportunity that liberty still affords, despite its being shackled with scorn from so many who have never known anything other than the richness of life it has provided for them. Heartfelt thanks to our immigrants and their children for reminding us once again that we live in the greatest land in the history of humanity.

  • travis690

    will come from handing the Establishment their own heads.

    It’s a great day for America when the Power Elite’s choice loses an election. As a nation, we need to squeeze the power from the elite, and deposit them on the sidelines permanently.

    And I trust that Ted Cruz will be one working in that direction for Texas and for the rest of the nation.

  • lonestarmom2813

    Can we return America the principles of the Founding Fathers? YES, WE CAN. Ted knows which side his bread is buttered and he won’t drop it!

  • Scott

    I know that is putting the cart before the horse, but the current Republican leadership is part of the real reason we are in this mess in the first place. At some point in time, they must go.

  • commonsenseobserver

    Plus, he’s up for re-election in 2014.

  • bruceinva

    It is great, magnificent. Maybe the happiest thing in Texas. And as a former resident of the Lone Star State of which both my sons are native, you did well, Texans. But it does not overshadow the huge win by Scott Walker.

  • ncfamilyman

    the word “hope” because it represents something to me that can’t be solidly relied upon, but this sure is “heartening”.

  • RichmondG30

    Is there any chance of that happening? I am SOOOOO sick of Mitch McConnell.

  • txgrunner

    Dewhurst’s campaign wasn’t just negative hardball, it was underhanded, despicable, and unethical for the baseless attacks on Cruz’s character. For all that, Dewhurst at least personally said he now back’s Cruz.

    Even worse was Jeff Wentworth who bemoaned and whined about negative ads against him in the primary by Ames-Jones, predicted a “mild” runoff against Dr. Donna Campbell, and then proceeded to personally trash her and her husband.

    Last night, he told KSAT he will offer Campbell advice “but she won’t listen” and proceeded to describe her and al Tea Party members as extremist, close-minded, and with a narrow focus. Then he made a cutting remark about she’ll probably “never take the seat” because of her narrow-mindedness.

    Talk about a sore loser!!! …and we’re supposed to be the rotten brats who refuse to support the nominee when we lose a primary…Wentworth and Lugar are the ones who’ve destroyed the GOP and the country.

  • acat

    Gotta tilt all three of the Senate “classes” (1/3 of the Senate elected every 2 years…) toward conservatism, while at the same time replacing those who’ve gone past their sell-by … so more like 8-12 years.

    I think McConnell survives this one, but 2014 keeps looking worse for him… he has to move to the right to get re-elected …

    Mew

  • tnguy

    The Perry-Dewhurst campaign team is not to blame for the soiling of Perry’s reputation: Rick Perry is.

    I think very highly of Perry, but ultimately, his campaign team was his decision, just as his endorsement of Dewhurst was. Many conservatives will remember Perry in a poor light, and for that, Rick Perry has no one to blame but himself.

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    Is the best way to crowbar, McConnell’s butt out of the majority seat. Just remember, pols like McConnell never retire; they are either “retired” by the voters or stay until the grave.

  • msctex

    A fact which should shake them to their core. This in its way is even more of a harbinger of doom (sorry, DOOM) for the Dems than Wisconsin. The RINO’s have been recognized at last.

  • msctex

    Both may well have ended their political careers. I will find it very difficult to vote for Perry, and I will not under any circumstances vote for DD for any elected office, after watching this campaign.

  • evilbloggerlady
  • evilbloggerlady

    Time to move on.

  • avagreen

    He would have been shooting himself in the foot if he hadn’t as I’ve written before. Surely, as a resident of Texas you know this.
    He needs Dewhurts and his base in order to keep up the good fight here in Texas (you are aware of the Good Fight here in Texas, aren’t you? ) If not, I’ll give you a list.

    The libs in Texas have always hated Perry and this endorsement is right up their alley’s. They are working overtime to continue to besmirch his name.

    Please don’t fall for it.

  • avagreen

    in your first paragraph.

  • renl57

    …always gladdens the heart.

    Best wishes to (soon to be) Senator Cruz.

  • izoneguy

    That Rick Perry won’t be attending anymore
    Red state gatherings?

  • Common_Cents

    We have found out what happens when we let the DC establishment cocktail class decide candidates for us.

  • red_oakster

    If you want McConnell out, primary him and defeat him. Otherwise he’s leader for as long as he wants.

    Elect as many of Rubio and Cruz and Mike Lee as possible. Boot as many Lugars and Corkers as possible. And elect as many Scott Browns in blue states as possible. When you replace a Lugar with a Mourdock, you go from a getting what we need 60% of the time to 90% of the time. When a Scott Brown defeats a Coakley, we go from 0% to 50%. Josh Mandel will never be as good as Mike Lee or DeMint because he will represent Ohio if he wins. But he would take a Sherrod Brown 0% to somewhere in the 70-80% range. But the “moneyball” of conservative victories in the Senate is getting these marginal improvements whenever the opportunity arises. We don’t need doctrinal purity; we need more and more conservative coalitions that can reach 51 votes on more and more legislative priorities.

  • msctex

    The playing field was largely leveled, re-sodded and the end zones moved back to their proper positions as of last night. The Political Pragmatism you shake you head and cite, as though you have a level of insight the rest of us lack, has run its course and has for years now been doing far more harm than good. Compromises can ONLY be made with allies. Compromises with enemies are at most postponed sacrifices. And as for Dewhurst’s “base,” he got STOMPED last night, so I’m not sure how relevant it still could be. (I suspect Austin as well took note.) More importantly, voters are truly and deeply disgusted by the way he ran this campaign, and we have long memories here. It was as though he felt entitled to the job, as though he had earned it by simply putting in his time elsewhere. And remember: this was ostensibly one of his own he attacked, a man rapidly emerging as a symbol of something larger than himself. People will remember who stood in his way, and the utter lack of class and civility with which DD conducted this campaign.

    As for Perry, I had hopes for the guy, and even made some predictions on RS which I now find nothing but embarrassing, given his performance. Magma for blood and bare-handed hunting. . .Not so much, put to practice. I will put up with Perry if necessary, but not Dewhurst. He drew a line I will not cross.

  • ctredstater

    as clear and correct an analysis as is possible.

    Dead on.

    that is why I am supporting Linda McMahon over Chris Shays in the Republican Connecticut US Senate Primary. Shays is pure RINO. It would be like electing Weicker’s Ghost. McMahon is about as conservative as one can be and run for state office in CT.

    all the polls suggest that Shays might have a shot at winning this open seat, whereas McMahon, supposedly, would not. My take is that it would be a minor miracle for either to get elected in this absurdly blue state. and I would rather take a shot at getting the “right” result.

    Reminds me a bit of the Delaware situation last year. The aging RINO – can’t remember his name – was so unacceptable, I supported Christine O’Donnell, and donated to her campaign. These lines have to be drawn somewhere, or else we will get party control of the Senate, but not conservative control.

  • Brookhaven

    I expect the GOP establishment to undermine Cruz’s run so they can jump up and down, point their fingers, and say “see, another failed tea party candidate.”

    I’ve come to the conclusion that the GOP establishment would rather burn the party down than allow the tea party any influence.

  • Oldpatriot

    Not lately. The NFM and establishments in both parties only dream of that happening. The TP sentiment is only growing. I just can’t believe these polls showing the Pres. race within margin of error. Ted Cruz proves that result questionable, at best. Could a twenty point beat down be in the offing on November 6?

  • dmt1021

    “The great fellating of his ego…”??? That sucks! Who writes your material, Erick?

  • lineholder

    Those who have been inside the Beltway for a while definitely attempt to seduce newcomers with all the so-called hidden advantages/special priviliges to becoming a member of their exclusive club. They’re worse than a high-school clique on that particular point.

    That makes “fellating” a pretty accurate description to what takes place.

  • tnguy

    …if he ended his career or not. Or even if he wants to continue one in the political arena.

    He willfully chose the side of big government establishment vs. conservatism. That automatically isolates him from conservatives, so how exactly is it that he needs to placate moderate republicans, but it’s perfectly acceptable to give the finger to conservatives?

    Keep in mind, the only presidential candidate I have given any $$$ to at all this cycle was Rick Perry.

    Your comment makes no sense, though I’ll admit I know (or care) little of the inner-workings of Texas state politics. But if Dewhurst loses badly to a conservative republican challenger, how is it those same people wouldn’t rally to support Perry? Is it the old, the conseravtives will hold their nose and stick with us, it’s the middle of the road people we need to worry about gambit?

    And even if not, how is it Gov. Perry doesn’t value his own principles more than his office?

    That line of thinking is the same thing that already has us on the verge of being eaten alive, as a nation, by a bloated, debt-ridden federal gov’t.

  • gflyer3364qt

    She should run for Senate in 2014. Would win easily.

  • WA_Cowboy

    many seem to have “forgiven” Sarah Palin for helping/endorsing John McCain in 2010, even though he’s far from conservative. Why did she do it? the reasons are obvious. he put her on the map nationally

    So many will forgive Rick Perry for supporting Dewhurst. He was faced with a bad choice — endorse Dewhurst and damage Tea Party Credibility, or endorse someone else, guarantee Dewhurst’s loss, and have to deal with a Lt. Governor holding a grudge.

    yes Dewhurst tarnished the Perry image, sadly, in the eyes of many. But we don’t need to make it bigger than it is.

    in addition, the Perry team had a congratulatory post up early this morning supporting Ted Cruz. I’m sure they’re glad this primary is over too.

  • CincoSolas_del_Bronx

    at least before mid-November–there being a general fixation here on … doing no harm to winning the current cycle.

  • twinelm

    I especially like your observation: “Compromises with enemies are at most postponed sacrifices” The GOP establishment is especially guilty of this. Ditto also your observation of Perry and Dewhurst. While I was ok with Perry before, I am deeply suspicious of him now. While I was kinda ok with Dewhurst before, I can’t stand him now. That won’t change for many moons and I suspect you and I are not alone. Yesterday was a proving point for Texans. And we (and the Republic) are not finished yet.

  • rightlane1111

    It is so easy for many of us to play armchair quarterback. I happen to agree with Ava. Yes, I am glad that Ted Cruz won. Tell me…did Ronald Reagan endorse Daddy Bush…Yes he did…and that was the BEGINNING of this globalization crap that we are now being exposed to. So, what was he supposed to do…dump his Lt. Governor?

    Again…I am glad that Cruz won..please understand me. It was Perry’s team…so I understand that worked for Dewhurst.

    Now…I want to state something about Perry. He made a mistake getting into the race so soon after his surgery. If any of you have known someone that has had his back fused…those people are in mega pain and it USUALLY takes three tries to make it right…IF you have the right doctor. Otherwise…one is doomed to pain, back braces and pain pills. This was Perry’s mistake…he should have given himself time to heal.

    So, let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater (Dewhurst being the bathwater. Concerning my remarks on RS about Perry…I am not one darn bit sorry for the stance I took.

    We have Romney…let’s PRAY that he does what is right for America. I know that Perry would have…and he IS NOT AN apendage of GWB.

  • avagreen

    And even if not, how is it Gov. Perry doesn?t value his own principles more than his office?

    That line of thinking is the same thing that already has us on the verge of being eaten alive, as a nation, by a bloated, debt-ridden federal gov?t.

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    just because he has hit the glass ceiling (where is up from Governor). He already has held the top spot for a decade + a deuce. His future on the national stage won’t be determined by Ava Green in Texas but folks like tnguy in Tennessee, Mel in Alabama, acat in Illinois.

    To many of those folks, his introduction was one of the worst political campaigns for President in modern political history and then supporting David Dewhurst’s embarassing campaign for Senator. He is going to have to do some work to repair his reputation nationally. First thing is he has to separate himself from David Dewhurst; Dewhurst is a pariah among conservatives nationally.

    I know you as an involved Texan, are satisfied with “Perry had to work with Dewhurst as Lt. Gov.” mainly because it’s true but that isn’t going to fly in Tennessee or Alabama or Florida or North Carolina. There has to be a “I made a mistake; I endorsed a loyal friend but I should have spoken out against the embarassing attacks on Ted Cruz”.

    Anyway, that’s my opinion and yep they are like rear ends: “Everyone has one and the stuff that comes out stinks”.

  • avagreen

    about him and his politics in the past.

    Just sayin’

  • Freiheit (ZachV)

    Lest I be accused again of being a downer.

    A lot, I feel, is going to be hanging on what Perry does between now and November and if he seeks to mend bridges with Cruz, DeMint and others or not.

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    for Romney – he ran for President for 4-6 years; raised money for every conservative in the book, etc. I agree with you if Perry wants to stay in Texas and be an “Old Man” of Texas politics – he’s fine. If he has national aspirations (and I think we both know he does), then he’ll have to put time, money and effort in getting the stench of Dewhurst behind him (and yes, he is going to have to hurt Dewhurst’s feelings regardless of what that does to the relationship) and the stench of those first two debates (pounding people with his record). It’s certainly not impossible and is even likely he gets passed it but saying “that’s the reality in Texas” sounds a lot like “Good Ole Boy establishment” in South Carolina. Like I said, he is going to have to rough Dewhurst up a little bit (just a little – Dewhurst is a big boy – he can handle it – moreover he deserves it).

  • avagreen

    and of Texas.

    All you know is what you’ve been told by the liberal MSM. They are gleefully continuing to use this to beat him over the head as they did during the campaign.
    Wise up!

    http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2012/08/ted-cruz-texas-senate-runoff-rick-perry-/1?csp=34news#.UBl7oKO8zKc

    Perry was featured in Dewhurst?s final TV ad ? often referred to as a campaign?s closing argument ? and was increasingly visible in the final weeks of the campaign. Many of Perry?s top aides guided Dewhurst?s campaign down the stretch, including consultant David Carney and spokesman Mark Miner. Another top Perry aide, Rob Johnson (who has also worked for Dewhurst), spearheaded a pro-Dewhurst super PAC, the Texas Conservatives Fund. In a lot of ways, though, Perry and his team had little choice. He relies on Dewhurst, after all, to guide his agenda in the state Senate, where Dewhurst is unusually powerful under the he Texas constitution.

    ?Failing to endorse Dewhurst would have been tantamount to implicitly endorsing Cruz and would have damaged beyond repair Perry?s relationship with Dewhurst, who was going to be either the next U.S. senator or continue to be lieutenant governor,? said Jones. He added that when Perry endorses, ?he goes all in.?

    But just because Perry had to support Dewhurst doesn?t make the loss hurt any less. The fact is that Dewhurst had the backing of the biggest name in Texas GOP politics. If anyone could move votes, it would seem to be Perry, not outside figures like Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), who joined conservative grassroots organizations in backing Cruz.

    And Perry is a supposed to be a guy who speaks to the same grassroots conservatives that were so key to Cruz?s victory.

    Still, Cruz backers weren?t faulting Perry for his involvement. The governor notably didn?t attack Cruz.

    ?I don?t know that it does (hurt Perry),? said Chris Chocola, president of the pro-Cruz Club for Growth. ?There was an expectation that he would support Dewhurst.?…
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/rick-perrys-political-capital-takes-another-hit/2012/08/01/gJQAnY4PPX_blog.html

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    and little of Texas are the ones who hold his fate, nationally. They have to be won over. I supported Perry and still would – there are many that are going to see Rick Perry and David Dewhurst as the same guy – those are the ones he has to win over.

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    That this is the end of Rick Perry’s career – he’ll do what he has to do. It is David Dewhurst’s swan song however. A 13% defeat the establishment guys will never trust him in an election that matters again just ask Rick Santorum.

  • avagreen

    It’s more than “having his feelings hurt”. He has more power than Perry and can from his place in Texas government destroy anything that we have had Perry to help spearhead in this state.

    Again, you know LITTLE of how Texas works.

    Like I said, he is going to have to rough Dewhurst up a little bit (just a little ? Dewhurst is a big boy ? he can handle it ? moreover he deserves it).

    Do you really think Dewhurts won’t do the same to Perry as he did to Cruz?
    Why/how do you think that?

    Yes, Perry has a hard, long haul in front of him, but please if you don’t know crap about Texas politics, keep your uninformed thoughts to yourself.

  • acat

    Not the time.

    That discussion was had, the volume was loud, tempers flared, bile flew, spleens were vented …. and Romney is the nominee.

    Mew

  • civil truth
  • avagreen

    trying to destroy Texas (which he most certainly is), Perry needs all the help he can get to get continued legislation passed. And, yes, he DOES need the help of Dewhurts to do so.

  • civil truth
  • avagreen

    being shown regarding two different candidates.

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    and that the Lt Governor of Texas is a powerful position. I am pretty sure Dewhurst isn’t going to like Perry calling him a creep and will use the power of his Lt Governor’s position to stop Perry initiatives. Nationally, that won’t matter; I am willing to leave it up to you as to whether it would matter to his support in Texas.

    What I am saying is this: Rick Perry has a choice to make. He can either spend the next two years working with David Dewhurst; basically allow himself to be tied to Dewhurst and his legacy will be a great Governor of Texas (not a bad consolation prize) but he will be toast nationally because conservatives in number in Georgia and Tennessee are going to tie him to David Dewhurst (and no, Jim DeMint, Ted Cruz or Sarah Palin will not save him).

    Alternatively, he can speak the truth and yell from the rooftops that Dewhurst ran a vile, disgusting campaign knowing this will kill him with Dewhurst and legislation will grind to a halt in Texas. I hope he does so, I love Governor Perry, I want to see him on the national stage because he will fight to get government the heck out of my life.

    Let me say it here plainly, I don’t give a crap about Texas politics unless it affects me (i.e. Senate and House races) or when a great leader like Governor Perry arises. I don’t want Texas politics to drag Governor Perry down nationally and as long as his opponent can run commercials tieing him to David Dewhurst; Governor Perry is a Texas politician and not a national leader. I happen to thing that is a waste.

  • CrabCakes

    .

  • politicalsudoku

    Once again Texas reminds us of the Power of Freedom.

  • cbartlett

    Perry was absolutely faced with a very difficult choice – which ultimately became the choice between the lesser of two evils. How many times in the past few decades have conservative voters faced that exact same choice? Way too many IMHO. I also think in this case, Perry had no idea that his endorsement of Dewhurst would drag out this long or be this messy – he probably would have re-thought the timing of an endorsement or possibly, not done one at all. Hindsight – yeah well – we all know how that story ends.

    Yes – I’m sure the Perry team IS glad this primary is over. Glad to know that he is supporting Ted so quickly – really hope it is genuine congratulations and that he will follow through. Agree with post above: his reputation and future with conservative voters will depend on what he does between now and November to show which “side” of conservatism he is on. I just hope, for the sake of the state, that hen is able to keep Dewhurst in line since we have to have them both for at least a couple of years. I assume they both know they are being watched now, more than ever – very closely.

  • avagreen

    matter very much to us that live here. If Texas goes liberal, if the illegals overrun us (as they are about to do), if drugs/terrorists are able to cross our borders……what do you think that will do to the rest of the nation? I’m sure Tennessee will be affected.

    You see……..I care about more than just Texas. I care for the whole nation. Texas, Arizona, and CA are the last stops before a complete over-run of this country. The Feds won’t help us to stop this, so Perry is doing what he can.

    Again, you know little of Texas. And, apparently only care about your corner of the world. Shame.
    Just how selfish do you want to sound?

  • acat

    Romney’s the nominee, Perry isn’t.

    This doesn’t mean Perry shouldn’t have been the nominee, but it does mean we’ll wait to discuss Romney’s warts until after the election.

    Nobody promised fair.

    Mew

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    I am not denigrating your opinion; I understand that Texas politics is important to you, but to me Rick Perry could be a great President; a great one. I don’t want him dragged down nationally and I am seeing anger towards him (anger that I believed is misplaced but is still there). My fear is this has put Perry in a box nationally (I’ll take your word for what it does in Texas because you do lots more about Texas politics than I do – I am not even arguing Texas politics) where he has to chose. Most people are going to be like me nationally: we don’t know about the inner workings of Texas politics. The problem is I don’t see a solution that both works for him as Governor of Texas and as a national leader who could be President. If you have one, I’ll listen and support it.

    Here is one thing to know if Governor Romney asked me today to make an argument for one person for VP – I’d chose Governor Perry.

    I am still wondering how the guy who wants Rick Perry to be President became the enemy of the Texas who says his blood is filled with magma?

  • CincoSolas_del_Bronx

    ouch

  • avagreen

    I have no problem with mixed parentage. “half-breed” as a common term used a word of contempt for someone who is half Native American and white European.

    What I do have problems with is a man who is raised in a white culture by a white grandmother, and then chooses to portray himself as a “black” man in order to get the black vote.

  • CrabCakes

    nt

  • gekster

    It only is if you are looking for it.

  • avagreen

    Let me say it here plainly, I don?t give a crap about Texas politics unless it affects me (i.e. Senate and House races) or when a great leader like Governor Perry arises.

    Sounds as if you want him to throw Texas under the bus in order to run for President, which is what would happen if he took on Dewhurts, and it wouldn’t happen because then he would have lost his base that voted for him for the past 12 years. Talk about naked ambition.

    I’m glad you want him for President. So do I. But, I also him as our Governor because he’s just half done doing what he can to save this state and by doing so, he will also be doing the rest of the nation a favor.

    If we can win some of these battles with the Feds over illegal immigration, it would help AZ, and CA, which would help the rest of the U.S.
    My thoughts.

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    It’s also true that Barack Obama is 1/2 white and 1/2 African American and he is a threat to everything we hold dear whether you live in Texas or Maine.

  • CrabCakes

    “Half-breed” is an offensive racial slur.

    Even if it weren’t, using race in a string of insults is racist on its own.

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    out as Lt Governor – maybe that is the best option – put him on the Lugar plan?

  • avagreen

    I’m sure all the liberals will do their best to get him re-elected.
    Or, as Cruz put it: “”That’s the way the democratic process is supposed to work. It’s not supposed to be a bunch of guys in a smoky room in Austin picking the next Senator,” Cruz added.”

  • celador2

    Cruz is a national figure more covered than many candidates today. But his fame is not situated in himself as center but his position in the tea party. He has the backing of great men and women that helped him win.

    He knows his mission as he has repeated it to the people every stop. He is not going to deal make and compromise on debt and growth of government . The constitution is his guide.

    Pres Reagan said a simple solution does not mean it is an easy one.

    In this case of debt and growth of government the solution to debt reduction is doable and not hard at all.

    Demint , RS, Express, CFG, FW and thosands of rank and file shined the light on Cruz and its up to him to keep it burning.

  • gekster

    It is only racist if that is what you were looking for.

    If I call a dog a halfbreed, would that be racist, and why or why not.

  • CrabCakes

    ..

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    I apologize – I love Governor Perry – I just don’t want him drug down by that creep Dewhurst. Maybe after 2014, Dewhurst will be sent off into the sunset. Any ideas who might be able to step up and send him packing?

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    Please…

  • Trumble

    That’s why I named my new female dog Ava.

  • CrabCakes

    then feel free to step in at any time.

  • Viet71

    A word like half-breed is not neutrally descriptive. It has seriously racist connotations based on its long history of use in the U.S.

  • 10ab

    That is not representative of RS. It is unfortunate it was posted here but it does speak volumes about the author.

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    Are we sure the meds are working

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    Path 1) Hit the contact button and complain to the mods and then respect their decision

    Path 2) Don’t contact the mods and then also don’t fly out accusations of racism against a person you don’t know and have never met (which is what gekster is hinting at)

    Either way using a term generally accepted as a denigration against woman doesn’t put you on the moral high ground.

    But I am just a dumb hillbilly from Tennessee

  • http://llphsecondrevolution.wordpress.com/ spoasteph97

    they have lost. Dewhurst lost his senate race, and rumors are that he could get a primary challenge for lt. governor in a few years.

    And Wenthworth is out of a job.

    It was a good night for conservatives and a bad one for RINOs.

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    Don’t think we ought to lightly fly accusations of racism against a person he or she does not know and don’t think the right path to address the concerns was taken because it leads to conversations like this.

  • Viet71

    Words fly here. Loaded words.

  • msctex

    There are times for Pragmatic choices, and then there are times for simply doing what is Right, no matter the cost. And the higher the stakes, the more often the latter is the case. Perry apparently chose loyalty to a man over loyalty to what are SUPPOSEDLY his principles, and paid a heavy price. He watched as DD ran a disgusting campaign, and said nothing throughout a haze of lies and shameless distortions of fact. That’s not who I want on my team, much less leading it. Such men will always — always — eventually let you down.

  • CrabCakes

    pretty much by definition.

  • CrabCakes

    Sheesh

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    Again (copied word for word):

    Path 1) Hit the contact button and complain to the mods and then respect their decision

    Path 2) Don?t contact the mods and then also don?t fly out accusations of racism against a person you don?t know and have never met (which is what gekster is hinting at)

    Either way using a term generally accepted as a denigration against woman doesn?t put you on the moral high ground (and yes you used a term Bill Maher uses to insult Sarah Palin and Ann Coulter).

    But I am just a dumb hillbilly from Tennessee

  • Viet71

    Hurling loaded words in the heat of an extended exchange is one thing.

    Hurling a loaded word in a calculated way is another.

    Not sure the hurler deserves the appellation racist.

    To me, FWIW, loaded words raise a red flag and a question mark, however.

  • westcoastpatriette

    I am not ready to throw Perry to the curb over this. It’s kinda like the problem Solomon faced when both women claimed ownership of the same baby. What is the wisest thing to do to save the baby? In this case, the baby being the future of our nation.

    While I can see both sides of the argument, as usual, sometimes we have to be able to see the bigger picture and we cannot always apply the same standard to every situation. Emotions are still high from yesterday’s race and I think we should wait until the dust settles and see how Perry handles himself going forward. And we cannot afford to lose good conservatives like Perry due to friendly fire in our own camp.

  • CrabCakes

    Someone writes the word “bitch” in its inoffensive context, you can either take:

    Path 1) Hit the contact button and complain to the mods, get laughed at for your inability to recognize context, and then respect their decision.

    Path 2) Don?t contact the mods and then also don?t start trying disingenuously to link the person to offensive uses of the word.

    But I am just a dumb hillbilly from Alabama.

  • CarolT

    I have had two neck fusions, they were and still are very painful. The last surgery was in November 2004 and I still live in pain.
    I could not go back to work full time for 2/12 or 3 months after it. I worked from home most days and went to work to do things I could only do from the office.

    I am glad Cruz won. Perry would have looked awful if he did not endorse Dewhurst, he is his Lt. Governor.
    I agree with Erick that the fact that they spent 50 million to ruin their reputations is, in fact, very sad.

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    You need not worry

  • tnfriendofcoal101368

    I also don’t want a thread about the the word around a bunch of false outrage because I hate it when the lefties do that.

  • gekster

    well, maybe two.

    1. Do you calling her a racist rank as the same as calling Obama a half breed.
    Both are meant to denigrate the target, and as such have the same effect. To cause hurt to the target.

    2. If Obama is half white and half black, hence for all practicle porposes he is a halfbreed, and since niether half is Indian, as what was the original word was ment to imply, is it racist because he isn’t Indian.

    (you can answer or not, but you slinging the word racist is as bad as what you percieved to be a racist slur)

  • Viet71

    In the 1950s, half-breed meant Native American-white American mix, with a racist connotation.

    The term mulatto meant a child born of a black and a white parent. Generally, it had a racist connotation. For example, in the first James Bond movie, Dr. No, there were Chingros — offspring of Chinese and Negroes. Clearly racist.

    The problem here is historical.

  • CrabCakes

    1. I never called avagreen a racist. I said that the term “half-breed” is racist. Whether avagreen knew that or not is something that I can’t know. That she used a racial term in a list of insults, though, makes it doubly troubling. Just imagine if someone called someone an “ugly, demented Jew.” Would you really try to argue that the comment wasn’t anti-Semitic, even though “Jew,” unlike “half-breed,” is a neutral term?

    2. Obama is half-white and half-black. That does not make him a “half-breed.” Races are not “breeds.” People do not belong to “breeds”; animals do. The term “half-breed” uses animal language to refer to a person (which is dehumanizing in the literal sense of the term) because of their race. I’m sure that you can think of plenty of other examples of animal language being applied to racial groups in an offensive fashion without my posting them here. That is why the term is “half-breed” is racist and that is why it is listed as “offensive” when applied to people in any dictionary that you choose to consult.

  • gekster

    Why is it wrong for her to call Obama one thing,
    but it is ok for him to call her another thing,
    which to me may be equally offensive,
    that is if I would let meaningless words offend me.

  • gekster

    you posted:
    It’s a good thing for her that the mods are napping. They don’t usually tolerate blatant racism.

    By saying she was using ‘blatant racism’ you were implying she was a racists.

    So you were calling her a name because she called Obama a name.

    I got it now,
    Ok for you, bad for her.

  • Viet71

    But I get your point.

    Calling someone racist is a serious charge.

    On the other hand, recognizing that certain words have loaded meanings is reasonable.

    Wish I were a referee.

  • gekster

    I do know some words are ‘loaded’,
    but that is only if you let them be.

    The ‘sticks and stones’ thing from grade school.

  • CrabCakes

    If you want to jump from that to calling her a “racist,” then go for it. It is not a move that I made.

    And, by the way, “racist” isn’t a “name.” There are actual racists. A few non-controversial examples: Hitler, Bull Connor, Nathan Bedford Forest. Name a single person who can properly be called a “half-breed” and then we can start to pretend that the two terms are anywhere in the same universe as one another.

    Now, I agree that it is wrong to accuse someone of racism falsely in order to discredit them, but that’s slander, not a slur.

  • gekster

    ntnt

  • Viet71

    Attack me. I won’t go to management.

  • PowerToThePeople

    a bump in the dirt and turned into a huge mountain. Just move on…….

    Not your place to decide what is racist, who is racist, or what should or should not be on the site. You made your point, let it go.

  • krish

    Rove will do the dirty deed for the RINOs in senate & house to make sure that Cruz does not shake things up! we only can hope & pray, he aligns with the tea party backed seantors rather than the RINOs.

    Now is the time to target the republican leadership …cannot fathom why Tea Party did not primary Boehner, Cantor & few other power hungry republicans. Ryan also is becoming part of the corrupt RINO leadership with his support of Boehner & Cantor in all the talk shows!

    I guess, it is very difficult to resist the spotlight & praise from liberal media! I hope that Cruz does not fall for the glamor of DC & remain true to his conservative roots.

  • CrabCakes

    http://xkcd.com/386/

  • CrabCakes

    No offense intended. Back to lurking for CrabCakes.

  • streiff

    keep that in mind. You made your point a dozen comments and charges of racism ago. We’re taking care of this as a site matter and it is none of your concern. So stop it. Now.;

  • avgjo

    I agree!

    I’d like to add to your list:

    1. Robert Byrd

    2. Jesse Jackson

    3. Jeremiah Wright

    4. Al Sharpton

    5. John Sylvester (Condi Rice as ‘Aunt Jemima’)

    6. George Lopez

  • rightlane1111

    Reagan: Support For Bush Strong
    May 13, 1988|By Jon Margolis, Chicago Tribune.

    2

    WASHINGTON ? President Reagan “is mortified“ that his endorsement of George Bush`s presidential candidacy has been seen by some as lukewarm, the White House said Thursday.

    Bush, who seems to need a lot of help, got as little as possible Wednesday night from Reagan, who gave his vice president a tepid political endorsement.

  • tngal

    about a year and half before their next election. McConnell won’t be able to fight it. Its like an epiphany! They discover their inner conservative. Listening to their constituents and voting the way they should have all along. Then- after they’re reelected, their epiphany falls out of their head, lands on the floor and quietly rolls under the refrigerator. Where it can’t be coaxed back out, even by a cat.

  • rightlane1111

    That says it all.

  • streiff

    this comment is totally out of line and violates site standards. I’ve suspended your account. You need to hit the contact button if you want it reinstated.

  • msctex

    Ronald Reagan at least backed the winner.

  • celador2

    Perry as a governor made a choice to back the Lt Gov for Senate. Perry is still the same man he was before he backed Dewhurst, his friend. But he made a tone deaf call that has hurt him with teaparty.

    i have never voted based on who someone endorsed. Has it reached that point. we ask,

    Show me who you endorsed if you want my vote!

  • edintexas

    you are saying that Bush 41 ran a filthy campaign replete with lies, character assassination and dirty tricks.

    Odd, I don’t remember that from the election of ’88, but I sure do remember the robocalls, ads, etc. with lies and character assassination “approved” by Dewhurst.

  • curlygirlconservative

    I live in Washington state and have no hope to ever vote in a Tea Party candidate….

    I just wanted to note that it’s FASCINATING how the headlines (on Fox) , referring to the Ted Cruz win, are talking about how the Tea Party is the “new GOP establishment” ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Goes to show how clueless they really are.

  • willik

    When told about the strong showing of the TEA Party candidates in 2012, Speaker of the House, Boehner, replied that “We, the Republican Party leaders, will just have to co-opt and marginalize them.”

    I was among the many Texans that wein through Dewhurst’s, Democrat like, despicable mud slinging campaign and was totally put off by it. Mr. Cruz stuck with the issues and beat Dewhurst on Dewhurst’s undefensible record.

    I truly hopes Mr. Cruz has the strength of character he showed in the campaign and withstands the slings and arrows of DC’s RINOs.

  • willik

    Second paragraph: Change “wein” to ‘went.’