Change the Rules: Why Not?

On October 19th, the major newspapers in Texas along with KLRU-TV will sponsor the first gubernatorial debate of 2010.  The invites went out to front running incumbent Rick Perry, closest rival former mayor of Houston Bill White, Libertarian Kathie Glass and the Green Party's Deb Shafto.  Not everyone involved is happy with the ground rules that have been hammered out, especially the Austin American Statesman, who's editorial staff argue that the change from 10% threshold of people surveyed to 1% is a waste of time and accused the Perry camp of more stall tactics.  Now while it's true that Perry has been seen as ducking question and seemingly is scared to meet White face to face, the fact that other candidates will be present is not that big of a deal.  We the voters know who the election will come down to and a "progressive" paper like the Statesman usually backs the inclusion of minority parties.  Are we to believe that a third party with any chance of competing wouldn't get their full endorsement?  After all this is the paper that was in favor of the so called "Fairness Doctrine".  These other candidates have no other means to get their message out, they can't raise the funds that the two major parties can, and exposure during the debate, while not ultimately proving the decisive factor, will prevent these others from feeling like the sacrificial lambs that they truly are.  We should hear all points of view.  Isn't that what free speech is all about?

Texas Governor's Race: Too Close to Call

Well the Texas Governor's race is heating up, and it's football season. Time for hard hitting, eye gouging action on and off the field. The Houston Chronicle is all over the action as the new poll numbers show Bill White pulling within the margin of error for the first time since he announced his candidacy.  Both campaigns are dealing with accusations from the other side this week.  Rick Perry has demanded White release his personal income taxes after word came out that White claimed no income for 1995 and received over $24,000 in refunds.  White is charging that Perry's camp is afraid to debate him on substantive issues and continues the "duck and dodge" approach.  Whatever the case, both men are digging in for a brutal finish to the race, with enough hitting and scratching to make the Dallas Cowboys jealous.  Hey, maybe the loser could join the 'Boys as an offensive coordinator, he couldn't be worse than Jason Garrett.

Arguements

Don't you love it when someone is trying to argue with you, and ends up proving your point exactly. Please....

My Texas Gov't Class

So I am starting this blog to satisfy my requirements for Texas Government. In doing this I may have just found a new outlet to express my views on this great state and the positive and negative influences within her borders. Hopefully we can all learn something about ourselves and each other.