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Normally, when evaluating party performance, one looks at how the top of the ticket performs, but TCR says throw that conventional wisdom to the wind.
The future is told to us by seeing how the down ballot farm team is doing. A strong showing by a down ballot candidate lays the foundation and moves up major players in future elections.
For example, before Attorney General Greg Abbott became a statewide player, he was a State District Judge in Harris County and a Supreme Court Justice. There are other examples on both sides.
In fact, politics is a lot like major league baseball where a strong farm team ensures the future. So this November when you vote, vote the entire ballot to make sure the down ballot conservatives (almost always Republican) win.
2012 Presidential Possibilities For GOP,
Part 2: Governor Haley Barbour
TCR is in the process of previewing the possible 2012 GOP field for President. We previously covered Governor Mitch Daniels; this time it's Haley Barbour, Governor of Mississippi.
He is the outstanding former Chairman of the Republican National Committee. Your Editor had personal dealings with Haley and he was a visionary Chairman and one of the architects of the 1994 GOP takeover of Congress, and was a phenomenal fundraiser to boot. His resume demonstrates that he is one of the top political strategists in the country, who has shown innovative leadership as Governor of Mississippi.
Among the highlights of Governor Barbour's leadership was during Hurricane Katrina, contrast his performance with the train wreck of political leadership in Louisiana. He balanced the state budget without raising taxes, despite inheriting a budget hole of $720 million. His "Momentum Mississippi" brought job growth to his state in the midst of an economic downturn. He was able to increase funding to a record level for education.
Politically, he now leads the Republican Governors Association, where he is replicating his RNC success, raising $40 million to date for the 2010 elections. These funds should help elect many Republican governors who will be thankful for Barbour's help.
Barbour for 2012 is a possibility as he is a great strategist, fundraiser, good on television and in debates. On the other hand, is the country ready for a Southern conservative who prior to being Governor was a Washington lobbyist, which is how the Democrats will paint him?
That being said, he certainly has what it takes. He is certainly someone TCR would like on its side in a political battle.
Local Democrats In Harris County Target
Jerry Eversole And Judge Susan Brown
As revealed on last week's Red, White and Blue, Democratic operative Mike Malaise revealed the targets of this year's "Smear a Republican Campaign" in Harris County. First, despite having found no one to run against him, they are targeting for attack County Commissioner Jerry Eversole, who despite a lot of hot air has been neither charged nor convicted of anything. Yes, he is guilty of being a taxpayer watchdog and of being a Republican. They have little credibility here as he is no more guilty then his Democratic colleagues. As for Judge Susan Brown, the attack has little merit. She warned an audience in a criminal case not to speak out after the verdict and when someone did, they were reprimanded. Don't we want our courts to maintain decorum? This year without anyone to attack, they are grasping at straws. Their big problem is the mess the Democrats have made of America and their massive defeat in November will be the response by the voters of Texas.
TCR on the Air
Red, White & Blue, featuring TCR Editor Gary Polland and liberal commentator David Jones, Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and replaying Sundays at 5:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 11:00 p.m. on PBS Houston Channel 8. Coming Congressman Ted Poe and Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, County Judge Ed Emmett and others in the Fall Great Debate Series. For a new fun feature go to www.houstonpbs.org and under Red White and Blue, you can see commentary about the show and its guests by Gary and David each week. The current show as well as past shows are also available on YouTube.
About Your Editor
Gary Polland is a long-time conservative and Republican spokesman, fund-raiser, and leader who completed three terms as the Harris County Republican Chairman. During his three terms, Gary was described as the most successful county Chairman in America by Human Events - The National Conservative Weekly. He is in his thirteenth year of editing a newsletter dealing with key conservative and Republican issues. The last eight years he has edited Texas Conservative Review. Gary is a practicing attorney and strategic consultant. He can be reached at (713) 621-6335.
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