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Title: Texas GOP Primary A Battle Of Conservative Cred (Incomplete Mention of Medina 9/11 Reference)
Source:
NPR
URL Source: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123900074
Published: Feb 24, 2010
Author: Wade Goodwyn
Post Date: 2010-02-24 19:38:26 by Deasy
Ping List: *The Border*
Keywords: medina, paul, perry, hutchison
Views: 171
Comments: 8
Copyright ©2010 National Public Radio®. For personal, noncommercial use only. See Terms of Use. For other uses, prior permission required. February 24, 2010 - RENEE MONTAGNE, host: Rick Perry has been the governor of Texas longer than anyone in the state's history, and he wants to stay in the job. But he's got some stiff competition in next Tuesday's Republican primary. His main challenger is the senior senator from Texas, Kay Bailey Hutchison, though a third candidate is making a surprisingly strong run: Tea Party favorite Debra Medina. From Dallas, NPR's Wade Goodwyn reports on a race that highlights some of the fault lines within the GOP. WADE GOODWYN: At the beginning of his political career, Rick Perry was a Democrat - an Al Gore Democrat, in fact. But for the last 20 years, the man who is now governor of Texas has made his political fortune by moving steadily to the right. Governor RICK PERRY (Republican, Texas): Do you want a leader who loves Texas and all it stands for? (Soundbite of cheering) GOODWYN: At a campaign rally in Houston, Perry was so proud of the Lone Star State's economy, he was about to bust wide open. Gov. PERRY: Fact is, Texas is better off than might near any other state I can think of. GOODWYN: Fifteen thousand people are at this rally, a huge turnout, but many are here to see Sarah Palin, who's supporting Perry for governor. Although he's the one running for office, Perry warms up the crowd for Palin. Gov. PERRY: Would you join me in giving a great Texas, old-fashioned welcome to one of the nation's top conservative leaders? A wife, a mother, an author, a commentator, ladies and gentlemen, my friend and yours, a great American patriot: Governor Sarah Palin. Ms. SARAH PALIN (Former Republican Alaska governor): So good to be here in the big old state of Texas. I was just telling Piper: Honey, you know where we are today? We're in Alaska's little sister state. (Soundbite of cheering) Ms. PALIN: Many of us in both of our states, we will proudly cling to our guns and religion. (Soundbite of cheering) GOODWYN: The Houston rally provides a window into Perry's current success. Just over a year ago, the Texas governor, in office nearly 10 years, was perceived as stale goods - Perry fatigue, the pollsters called his lackluster numbers. But then came a recession, followed by the election of Barack Obama. For conservatives, it was one catastrophe after another. A career politician, Perry could hardly present himself as the agent of political change, but that's exactly what he did. He fast-walked to the front of the Tea Party backlash before any other mainstream conservative politician really understood. Not long after Obama was elected, Perry said he understood the feelings of certain Texans who wanted to secede from the Union. That comment earned him much derision at the national level. But to certain elements of the Texas GOP, Perry's statements proved something important: It proved Rick Perry understood them. Gov. PERRY: Who agrees with me that Washington is out of control? (Soundbite of cheering) Gov. PERRY: Uh-huh. Whoo! GOODWYN: In the race for governor, Rick Perry's campaign message has been simple: Washington, D.C. is filled with a bunch of big-spending losers, and his opponent, Kay Bailey Hutchison, is right at home there. Hutchison has hit back by casting the Texas governor as a puppet of toll road builders. Perry does have a reputation in this state as a lover of toll roads. (Soundbite of political advertisement) Unidentified Woman: A toll is a tax. If a highway is already built, and you toll that highway, you are taxing people twice, and that's not right. GOODWYN: Some of these toll road companies have also been financial donors to the governor. This was supposed to be one place where Hutchison could really get some traction, but this campaign ad only vaguely alludes to the problem of influence peddling. (Soundbite of political advertisement) Unidentified Man: The Hutchison plan: ban tolling of existing roads, end government land grams, prohibit foreign companies from operating toll roads, and audit the good old boys at TxDOT. Kay Bailey Hutchison: She's not messing around. GOODWYN: But Hutchison has not galloped to the front of the race riding the toll road issue. During the campaign, it's come to light that Hutchison herself has taken contributions from the toll road interests. And this points to a problem her campaign has struggled with: How does the conservative senator differentiate herself from the even more conservative governor, when the group she's trying to appeal to, Texas GOP primary voters, are pretty darn conservative? In a televised debate, Hutchison tried to answer Perry's accusation that she'd sold her ideological soul while trying to legislate in Washington, D.C. Senator KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON (Republican, Texas): Yes, I have been in Congress. I am fighting against the government takeover of health care. I am fighting against the government encroachment in so many parts of our lives. I'm fighting against new tax increases on energy. GOODWYN: Rick Perry and his campaign staff have taken to calling the senator Kay Bailout Hutchison, because she voted to rescue the big banks from collapse. And this kind of political sneering has hurt her with the Texas Tea Party crowd. For a politician who wanted to make her moderation a virtue, the Tea Party timing couldn't have been worse. (Soundbite of song, "The Star-Spangled Banner") Unidentified Group: (Singing) And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air... GOODWYN: And then there's the political wildcard, Debra Medina, the true Texas Tea Party candidate. (Soundbite of song, "The Star-Spangled Banner") Unidentified Group: (Singing) ...that our flag was still there. GOODWYN: At a political rally at a Chevrolet dealership parking lot in Cleburne, Texas, Medina spoke to hundreds of supporters, standing in the cold Texas sunshine. Ms. DEBRA MEDINA (Candidate for Governor, Texas Tea Party): Private property ownership and gun ownership are the essential elements of freedom. GOODWYN: Medina is a former volunteer for Texas Congressman Ron Paul. Medina is in favor of abolishing all property taxes, is pro-life, with no exceptions. Her economic program begins with abolishing the Environmental Protection Agency, which she says will create thousands of jobs. Ms. MEDINA: We begin to do that by telling the EPA you have no authority here. Get out of Texas energy. Get out of Texas agriculture. Get out of Texas manufacturing. GOODWYN: Medina has amazed the political pundits by going from 4 percent in the polls in to the mid-20s, where she's begun to challenge Hutchison for second place. But then came her appearance on the "Glenn Beck" radio show. Beck said he'd heard Medina was a 9/11 Truther, and asked if that were so. (Soundbite of radio show, "Glenn Beck") Mr. GLENN BECK (Host, "Glenn Beck"): Do you believe the government was any way involved with the bringing down of the World Trade Centers on 9/11? Ms. MEDINA: I don't have all of the evidence there, Glenn, so I don't - I - I'm not in a place - I have not been out publicly questioning that. I think some very good questions have been raised in that regard. There's some very good arguments, and I think the American people have not seen all of the evidence there. GOODWYN: Not long after her answer, Beck ended the interview. Mr. BECK: Okay. Debra, thank you very much. I appreciate it, and best of luck to you. Ms. MEDINA: Thank you, Glenn. Mr. BECK: You bet. Bye-bye. I think... Unidentified man: Problematic? Mr. BECK: I think I can write her off the list. Let me take another look at Kay Bailey Hutchison if I have to. (Soundbite of laughter) GOODWYN: Medina's radio interview was treated with the same scorn that Rick Perry enjoyed after his sympathy with would-be secessionists. But this time around, Texas political pundits have been a little more cautious when trying to predict whether Debra Medina's political fortunes will rise or fall as a result. Wade Goodwyn, NPR News, Dallas.
Poster Comment: More evidence of incomplete, shoddy reporting here: Medina has amazed the political pundits by going from 4 percent in the polls to the mid-20s, where she began to challenge Hutchison for second place. But then came her appearance on Glenn Beck's radio show 11 days ago. Beck said he'd heard Medina was a "9/11 Truther" and asked if that were so. "Do you believe the government was any way involved with the bringing down of the World Trade Centers on 9/11?" Beck asked. "The American people have not seen all of the evidence there. So, I've not taken a position on that," she answered. Not long after her answer, Beck ended the interview. Medina's radio interview was treated with the same scorn that Perry enjoyed after his sympathy with would-be secessionists. But this time around, Texas political pundits have been more cautious when trying to predict whether Medina's political fortunes will rise or fall as a result. I was asked a question on the Glenn Beck show today regarding my thoughts on the so-called 9/11 truth movement. I have never been involved with the 9/11 truth movement, and there is no doubt in my mind that Muslim terrorists flew planes into those buildings on 9/11. I have not seen any evidence nor have I ever believed that our government was involved or directed those individuals in any way. No one can deny that the events on 9/11 were a tragedy for all Americans and especially those families who lost loved ones. The question surprised me because it's not relevant to this race or the issues facing Texans. This campaign has always been about private property rights and state sovereignty. It is focused on the issues facing Texans. It is not a vehicle for the 9-11 truth movement or any other group. The real underlying question here, though, is whether or not people have the right to question our government. I think the fact that people are even asking questions on this level gets to the incredible distrust career politicians have fostered by so clearly taking their direction from special interests instead of the people, whether it's Rick Perry and his HPV mandate or Kay Hutchison and voting for the bank bailout. It is absolutely the right and duty of a free people to question their government. Texas does not need another politician who tells you what you want to hear, then violates your liberties and steals your property anyway. I fully expect to be questioned and to be held accountable as Governor, and that's the underlying issue here: should people be questioning their government. And the answer is yes, they should be.Hurt By The Beck Effect?
There's no mention of Medina's later remarks, especially on her blog: by Debra Medina on Feb 11, 2010
NPR is siding with the centrist candidates like Hutchinson and Perry who are unwilling to campaign along side people who question the trustworthiness of government.
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#1. To: Deasy (#0)
Perry and Hutchison are Bilderbergers.
The Truth of 911 Shall Set You Free From The Lie
(Soundbite of cheering) Ms. PALIN: Many of us in both of our states, we will proudly cling to our guns and religion. (Soundbite of cheering) Oh, lordy. It's like reading The Onion.
Dear God. I had to stop there with whatever else the light-in-the-loafers, cheerleader, Mr. HairSpray had to say. Guy's a NWO tool, just as is Kay baby. Eff'em both.
Great rant, Lod.
PERRY: I'm a bigger Neocon. HUTCHISON: No, I'M a Bigger Neocon. PERRY: NO, I'M A BIGGER NEOCON!! etc., etc.
_________________________________________________________________________ NPR: we side with the puppets, and we give them free advertising.
NPR is the milder, gentler side of zionism, perfectly suitable for discussion over after-dinner brandy & cigars.
_________________________________________________________________________ It's not the bombs that kill. It's the humanism behind them.
#2. To: Deasy (#0)
Ms. SARAH PALIN (Former Republican Alaska governor): So good to be here in the big old state of Texas. I was just telling Piper: Honey, you know where we are today? We're in Alaska's little sister state.
#3. To: Deasy. all (#0)
Gov. PERRY: Who agrees with me that Washington is out of control?
#4. To: Lod (#3)
#5. To: Deasy (#0)
"This man is Jesus,” shouted one man, spilling his Guinness as Barack Obama began his inaugural address. “When will he come to Kenya to save us?”
-Schweizerische Schuetzenzeitung (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941
#6. To: X-15 (#5)
#7. To: Deasy (#6)
"This man is Jesus,” shouted one man, spilling his Guinness as Barack Obama began his inaugural address. “When will he come to Kenya to save us?”
-Schweizerische Schuetzenzeitung (Swiss Shooting Federation) April, 1941
#8. To: X-15 (#7)
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