Home > First Reading > Archives > 2009 > November > 23 > Entry
A Hutchison head-scratcher
Hutchison in national spotlight … Group that opposed Perry order is hosting him today … A Texan named among the country’s most influential Republicans
Austin weather: Scattered clouds and patchy fog in the morning, then mostly sunny in the afternoon. South wind 5 to 10 mph. High of 74.
(Send me an e-mail at jembry@statesman.com if you want a link to First Reading when I post it.)
Weekend highlights and the day ahead
• U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison was on “Meet the Press” on Sunday — not a bad spot for someone seeking statewide office. She got in some of her standard licks on the Democratic health care plan, saying, “Our only avenue to stop it is to let the American people know that their taxes are going to increase, that their premiums are going to increase, that Medicare’s going to be cut, and hope that then the Democrats will bring Republicans to the table.”
That’s great exposure for Hutchison, since the footage of Hutchison criticizing the Democrats was picked up in print stories and news segments around the state.
But David Gregory giveth and David Gregory taketh away, and there was one moment that caused Gov. Rick Perry’s campaign to pounce.
Gregory brought up that Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, had said Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner should resign. Gregory then asked a couple of his panelists, including Hutchison, whether Brady was right. Hutchison tried a couple of times to sidestep the question, Gregory seemed to get a little annoyed at her non-answer. Then there was this exchange:
GREGORY: “It’s a simple question: Do you think he should keep his job?”
HUTCHISON: “I think they’re all — look, then we shouldn’t keep our jobs, either. The president, the Congress and — and Mr. Geithner are all responsible for going in the wrong direction. This stimulus package is wrong.”
Kind of a strange suggestion, that if Geithner goes, then all of Congress should go, too. Hutchison probably didn’t mean it the way it sounded, but the Perry people were quick to try to make hay: “Senator Hutchison finally admitted that she is part of the problem with the out-of-control spending in Washington,” said Perry spokesman Mark Miner.
Todd Gillman of the Dallas Morning News’ Washington bureau made a good point on this front: “Hmmm. Doesn’t that contradict Perry’s old standby that Texas is better off if Hutchison stays in Washington? Admittedly, Perry has said she has fallen down on the job in many ways. And Miner is playing directly off the senator’s own words. But while Hutchison’s entire premise is that Perry should lose office, this may be a turning point, with Perry arguing that she should lose her job.”
Here is the larger clip that includes the Geithner discussion. It’s almost eight minutes long, the Gregory-Hutchison remark comes at about 5:35.
• The Heritage Alliance, a social-conservative group in the Dallas area, is hosting Gov. Rick Perry at a luncheon today. But in 2007, the group made robo-calls to conservatives to stir up opposition to Perry’s order that schools vaccinate girls from the human papillomavirus, according to an article at the time in the Dallas Morning News.
• Chris Cilizza of the Washington Post on Friday ranked the 10 Republicans who will have the most influence over the future direction of the party. There’s a Texan on the list, but perhaps not the one you thought it would be.
That’s right, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn came in at No. 9 on the list. Said Cilizza, “The Texas Senator and chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee will spend the next year in the limelight as his slate of candidates seek to start the GOP on the long road back to majority status. Cornyn deserves major kudos on the recruiting front; if he can manage to convince either North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven or former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani to run for the Senate, he could lay claim to one of the best classes in recent memory.”
• Wayne Richard, a Republican candidate for the Plano-area House seat that Rep. Brian McCall now holds (but is not seeking again), explained in a recent e-mail why he voted in the 2008 Democratic primary: “I saw the potential danger of an Obama Administration, and like many Texas Republicans, voted in the Democratic primary in 2008 to help our Republican ticket in ‘Operation Chaos.’ Our fears have come to pass.”
• Forgot to mention this on Friday, but last week Gardner Selby and I stepped into the Texas Political Parlor with KUT’s Ian Crawford to talk about everything going on in the world of Texas politics. You can listen here.
• Mike Hailey over at Capitol Inside has an interesting story about the commercial resurrection of a decades-old album by Schibbinz, the band that Democratic strategist Kelly Fero helped found in Argentina many years ago.
• Programming note: Feel free to check back tomorrow, but this will probably be the final FR of the week. If I don’t post again, I’ll be back on Nov. 30 as we head toward the filing period. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, please be safe in your travels.
Stat of the day
Members of the Employees Retirement System pay 17 percent of the cost of the system’s health-care program for state employees and retirees. In 2003, members played 23 percent, meaning the state is picking up a larger share of the burden. The fund is now facing a $148 million shortfall. Source: Austin American-Statesman
Poll watch
President Barack Obama’s Gallup approval rating has hit 49 percent — his first drop below 50 percent. Since World War II, only three presidents have gone below 50 percent faster: Ford, Clinton and Reagan. Source: Gallup
New AP and BCS Top 5: 1. Florida 2. Alabama 3. Texas 4. TCU 5. Cincinnati. Texas got 11 first-place votes in the AP poll.
Countdown
10 days until the start of the filing period.
42 days until the end of the filing period.
85 days until early voting begins.
99 days until the March 2 primaries.
In the news
“Texas members of the U.S. House mostly marched in step with colleagues when the House on Nov. 7 passed legislation to greatly expand access to health coverage, with Democrats celebrating the action as long-awaited history and Republicans insisting their ideas had been roundly ignored.” Austin American-Statesman
The real estate investment firm entangled in a dispute with two State Board of Education members over gift disclosures got the heave-ho from the board Friday. Austin American-Statesman
Security training companies in Texas and elsewhere, bolstered by an alarming increase in kidnappings and violence in Mexico, are finding a new niche in clientele: Americans and Mexicans living, visiting and working across the border. Houston Chronicle
Carona said he has talked to Gov. Rick Perry and Perry primary election challenger U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. He indicated both want to address transportation, but neither has committed in any way to his idea. “As is always the case in politics, I think we’ll see much more focus on this issue after the upcoming elections than seeing it become part of the debate during campaign season,” Carona said. Does that seem to anyone like a backward way to do it? Peggy Fikac
The Texas Legislature beat back attempts to extend the authority for so-called comprehensive development agreements - 50-year contracts with private companies that agree to build roads in return for toll revenue - and the department’s ability to enter into the contracts expired Aug. 31. But less than six months later, state highway bosses may have found a loophole. Dallas Morning News
Everything else
Cowboys beat the Redskins 7-6 Sunday to move to 7-3 on the season. In the NFC East, Cowboys lead the Eagles and Giants by a game.
On the very off chance that you hadn’t already heard, Colt McCoy is now the winningest quarterback in college football history.
And speaking of UT quarterbacks — McCoy’s predecessor is playing the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium tonight on Monday Night Football, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
“New Moon” had a pretty good weekend — $140 million, the third-largest weekend gross of all time, trailing only “The Dark Knight” and “Spider-Man 3.”
Get more Legislative coverage inside the Virtual Capitol
Comments
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By Joseph
November 23, 2009 6:40 AM | Link to this
KBH, Has always been a follower..never a leader..if this is what we want as our Governor.. it will be a sad day for Texas..She followed Dick Armey for years, and now follows Cornyn.. now that she is by herself..she has no idea..what she is talking about.. not unusual.. Cheerleading is hard work..!!!
By tx rider
November 23, 2009 7:07 AM | Link to this
Hucthison is right for once: she should go as well. What a weak cup of tea! she has the passion of a slab of concrete.
By Jackson
November 23, 2009 7:13 AM | Link to this
Wrong Embry. Obama’s Daily Tracking in Gallup is down to 48% not 49%. He and all you socialists can no longer hide behind flowery words. The American people may have been fooled once but they wont be fooled again. You and your leftist media friends cannot no longer fool the American people. We know what you and he stand for.
By No More Bailouts
November 23, 2009 7:15 AM | Link to this
Senator Hutchison should go ahead and retire from politics. She is not an effective voice for Texas. Michael Williams would be effective. More than that, he wouldn’t vote for bailouts or half billion dollar bridges to nowhere in Alaska like KBH does.
By Lisa
November 23, 2009 7:22 AM | Link to this
Where is this story in your column Embry? Trying to hide the bad news from your readers? Trying to cover for your leftist president Obama who cannot seem to understand it is JOBS people what stupid NOT WORDS!!!!!!
Nov. 20 (Bloomberg) — California, Delaware, South Carolina and Florida registered record rates of unemployment in October as weakness in the labor market stretches from coast to coast and limits the economic recovery.
Joblessness rose in 29 U.S. states last month compared with 22 in September, the Labor Department said today in Washington. Michigan had the highest jobless rate at 15.1 percent, followed by Nevada at 13 percent and Rhode Island at 12.9 percent.
The national rate last month reached a 26-year high of 10.2 percent, weighing on consumer spending that accounts for about 70 percent of the economy. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said Nov. 17 that joblessness “likely will decline only slowly,” a reason policy makers will keep interest rates near zero to ensure growth is sustained.
By ROBERT DAVIS
November 23, 2009 7:35 AM | Link to this
UNLESS AMERICANS START PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THEIR COUNTRY AND VOTE AGAINST DEBT PILING UP THEIR KIDS WILL NOT HAVE MUCH OF A FUTURE. THAT DEBT WILL KILL PROSPERITY FOR THEIR KIDS AS THEY PAY HUGE INCOME TAXES JUST TO PAY THE INTERST TO CHINA AND INDIA FOR THESE IDIOTS SPENDING MONEY WE DID NOT HAVE. LLOYD DOGGETT IS NO. 1 ON ANYONES LIST FOR THOSE DOING THE MOST TO KILL YOUR KIDS FUTURE. HE IS THE MOST SPENDTHRIFT PICKPOCKET CONGRESSMAN IN WASHINGTON AND MUST BE THROWN OUT OF OFFICE FOR SURE.
By Jan
November 23, 2009 8:25 AM | Link to this
Hey Embry forgot about this poll from the liberal Los Angles Times newspapers???? What is wrong. You and your liberal newspaper friends cannot gloss over the disaster we have in the White House?? You can no longer hide the bumbling news stories. Did you hear leftist Chris “Tingle” Mathews this weekend bemoan that Obama was feeling like a Carter Administration. Welcom BACK CarObama!!!
Los Angles Times:
Not that it matters politically because obviously she’s a female Republican dunce and he’s a male Democrat genius.
But Sarah Palin’s poll numbers are strengthening.
And Barack Obama’s are sliding.
Guess what? They’re about to meet in the 40’s.
Depending, of course, on which recent set of numbers you peruse and how the questions are phrased, 307 days into his allotted 1,461 the 44th president’s approval rating among Americans has slid to 49% or 48%, showing no popularity bounce from his many happy trips, foreign and domestic.
Riding the wave of immense publicity and symbiotic media interest over her new book, “Going Rogue,” and the accompanying promotional tour, Palin’s favorable ratings are now at 43%, according to ABC. That’s up from 40% in July.
One poll even gives her a 47% favorable.
By Joseph
November 23, 2009 8:28 AM | Link to this
W did not do that great with jobs either.. the problem..is that the Republicant’s are the party of No but no alternate plan.. KBH is nothing more than a cheerleader..and while Obama may be trying to do the best for the country.. what is the alternate plan for the party of NO..? Nixon’s healthcare reform was stopped by the Dems..and now it is the Republicants who are trying to stop it.. it is all about.. politics.. Ms. KBH is offering healthcare reform only for small businesses..but it is not working.. too late!! Yes. small businesses need help.. and there must be some type of reform..you can’t be against..what americanp people need the most..!! Polls don’t matter.. W was in the tank..and what did he do? Nothing.. it doesn’t matter what numbers Obama gets.. he is still president.. for another.. 3 years..and if he wins agains.. 4 more.. quit politicizing the issue.. healthcare reform is needed..!!! The stimulus was going to pass..whether or not.. Obama was president or not..
By James
November 23, 2009 8:43 AM | Link to this
I could not have said it better. “Senator Hutchison finally admitted that she is part of the problem with the out-of-control spending in Washington,” said Perry spokesman Mark Miner.
By natty
November 23, 2009 9:23 AM | Link to this
You didn’t mention Kay Hutchinson’ butchering the name of one of our 50 States Massachusetts. Perhaps Ms. Hutchinson did not go to publik skool because she said, Massa TWO chettes like a common REDNECK or Trailerpark dweller. She is Senator for KRIS sake’ You’d think she could pronounce her colleagues home state’s since she worked with them for 20 years. what a more on.
By Rowdy
November 23, 2009 9:39 AM | Link to this
Yes Kay, we do need a new Governor. No Kay, it is not going to be you.
By Debbie Russell
November 23, 2009 10:00 AM | Link to this
“Wayne Richard, a Republican candidate … explained in a recent e-mail why he voted in the 2008 Democratic primary: “I saw the potential danger of an Obama Administration…Our fears have come to pass.”” There was no substantial difference between Obama’s and Clinton’s voting record (except for she voted for the war, but he wasn’t there yet to do so) or campaign promises - the ONLY difference is that of skin color (and the fact that she was married to a previous 2 term president making her more an ‘insider’ than Obama—something the Repubs claim to fear).
By Pass the baton
November 23, 2009 10:00 AM | Link to this
Danger Will Robinson! I mean Kay Bailey. Her entire campaign has been a monumental disaster, it’s gotten so bad that even Embry can’t defend her diseased campaign effort. Time to put this house out to pasture ladies and gentlemen. The Kay train has officially run out of steam.
By Big Pete
November 23, 2009 10:51 AM | Link to this
KBH is one of the following - someone that (1) cannot make up her mind, (2) cannot stand behind her own word, (3) has no confidence in her own decisions, (4) cannot tell the truth, (5) does not mind misleading her constituents, (6) plays political games at the expense of her constituents, (7) is scard she will lose the governor’s race or her senate seat and have to leave the limelight, (8) is appartenly more concerned about herself than the people she supposely represents. Do you really want someone like this for governor or continuing as our U.S. Senator?
It is time to step down KBH. Your comments as to why you are not resigning to run are VACUOUS. You are just playing games stretching the time out so you can still have political options if you lost the primary or the general election for governor. So you have backtracked on your word, misled the people of Texas, putting your interests ahead of Texans.
Do yourself, the people of Texas and the Republican Party a big favor, resign your senate seat and drop out of the governor’s race.
Folks we do not need a 16 year Washington Beltway insider that is wishy washy and wafering that puts her interest ahead of Texas and Texans as our governor or representing us in the senate.
We need fresh blood, new minds and new ideas or directions who has interest in our state to work for every citizen above their own special interest.
By Rowdy
November 23, 2009 12:07 PM | Link to this
HUTCHISON: “I think they’re all — look, then we shouldn’t keep our jobs, either. The president, the Congress and — and Mr. Geithner are all responsible for going in the wrong direction. This stimulus package is wrong.” HYPOCRITE. She rubber stamped Dubya’s in ‘08 without nary a question.
By People are lost
November 23, 2009 12:17 PM | Link to this
The blogosphere is just full of junk. People read and believe what they want from Limbaugh/Imus poison but few that actually resembles reasonable information.
A reason that Cornyn hasn’t been insulted by Perry GOP in the media like KBH is that he isn’t running for Gov. He’s part of Washington. Operation chaos has turned into operation confusion. They are all just throughing out junk too like blogsphere is and it is coming full circle in a big old mess. That is what happens with fabricating to get and edge.
By Rob
November 23, 2009 2:14 PM | Link to this
STFU a
By Terry
November 23, 2009 2:24 PM | Link to this
Hey Embry you always ran the Saturday NIght Live skit about George Bush. Whats wrong? Did you not see SNL skit last Saturday about Obama and the Chinese Premier. Everyone is talking about it at the water cooler today. What’s wrong? When they make fun of your guy it is not funny? Tell Mr Zipp this is another example of selective and biased reporting at his paper something he said a few months ago does not exist. Give me a break Embry and Zipp.
By Jason
November 23, 2009 2:45 PM | Link to this
Since the Austin American and Embry certainly will certainly never tell you anything bad about Obama and since Embry only likes to report on polls that favor his man you need to know Rasumsson is reporting today the lowest support ever for the Democrat Health Plan. Down to 38%.
By Elizabeth
January 18, 2010 9:58 AM | Link to this
quite interesting read. I would love to follow you on twitter. By the way, did anyone know that some chinese hacker had hacked twitter yesterday again.