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We Texans love our matriarchs, from Ann Richards to Miss Ellie. So Kay Bailey Hutchison's gubernatorial run strikes a chord for many who like to see big hair in the governor's chair. But if this primary is truly a battle for the soul of the Republican Party, should even Texas Dems support the anti-Palin?
It's true that Hutchinson's opponent, incumbent Rick Perry, belongs to the loopier wing of the Republican Party—witness his support for anti-sodomy laws and Texas secession. And it's true that Sen. Hutchison is pro-choice and has an intelligent, well-thought-out voting record on tax issues—appealing to the state's many "socially liberal, fiscally conservative" types.
But she remains unmistakably conservative in ways that make a "social liberal" think twice—like her proposed legislation to overturn Washington, D.C.'s restrictive gun laws, her commendations from the NRA, and her support for a border fence. She's played down that pro-choice stance since her decision to run for governor (leaving the board of the WISH List). Worse, her views on health care seem limited to a list of what not to do, accompanied by a bland support for unspecified "reform." She's rightly pointed out that Texas has the most uninsured children in the United States—but beyond making sure that no aid reaches any children who are here illegally, she's offered no solutions.
I left Texas years ago, so the only dog I've got in this race is an enduring hope that the GOP will move back toward the center, returning some degree of choice to our two-party system. Hutchison doesn't cut it. Would she have made a less generally offensive choice for VP nominee than Sarah Palin? Sure. She's smart and experienced. But if she' s the lesser of two gubernatorial evils in the state that gave us W., I'm pulling for Kinky Friedman.
Photograph of Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson by Joshua Roberts/Getty Images for Meet the Press.
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KJ,
Like you, I am interested in Texas’ gubernatorial race but not actually invested in it. I’m not from Texas, but I am a Republican woman, and I like to see female politicians helping to shape the party. (I would have loved to see Kay Bailey Hutchison as McCain’s VP candidate.)
Your post, though, raised a question for me. Is there any kind of Republican you would vote for? I ask sincerely and without snark, since there are, I admit, very few Democrats that I could see myself voting for. Hutchison is pro-choice and what I would consider moderate on immigration. Her voting record, as you point out, is pretty conservative. But she has a reputation for civility, for hearing out the other side. Frankly, I think both parties could benefit from more politicians who talk rather than shout.
If you’re looking for a Republican who’s pro-choice, moderate on immigration, for health-care reform, and against the Second Amendment, it sounds like what you really want is a ... Democrat. So I’ll make you a deal: Tell me about your ideal GOPster and I’ll try to find a few Dems I could put up with.
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Rachael, describing my ideal GOP-ster isn't hard. She supports civil liberties, she wants the government out of its citizens' personal lives and favors smaller, effective, government-run programs where needed. She supports free trade, recognizes global warming and opposes the death penalty. No invasions, no torturing—and no bailouts. Finding her—on either side of the aisle—proved harder.
I ruled out Maine's Olympia Snowe—too protectionist. And that state's Susan Collins—she's a bailout girl, and I don't think my government should be in the banking business, or the auto business, for that matter. Connecticut's M. Jodi Rell is fiscally pretty sound, but too caught up in the gay marriage issue. New Jersey's Christine Todd Whitman comes close. In particular, I appreciate that she didn't compromise her views on the environment in order to further her political career. Of course, she hasn't had to weigh in on health care reform. And to me, that falls into the area of government we actually need. I'm looking for a Republican who wants to create a health care plan, not just destroy one, and that's where Kay Bailey Hutchison, civil though she may be, falls short.
I'd support a Republican candidate who was sound on the economics, creative on policy, and sane on the social issues—but I've been researching the votes of minor political figures for the past two hours, and the closest I came to my ideal was ... Mark Sanford. Socially moderate, innovative on education reform, willing to go out on a limb to reduce government spending, felled, like so many others, by a libido that matched his ambition.
I'd fail just as badly digging around Democratic records, too. But I'm not the best person to ask about crossing party lines—in five Presidential elections, I've voted for the Republican candidate thrice and the Democrat twice. So, for any real party members—and that includes you, Rachael—who's out there that you'd cross party lines for?
Photograph of Christine Todd Whitman by Mario Tama/Getty Images.
