Well, this was somewhat surprising when it arrived in the inbox:
Hey, a Democrat endorsing a Republican, it happens. Heck, Gary Polland endorsed Annise Parker, right? But somehow, I don't think Bill White took money from Mr. Christie.
One other thing that I thought was interesting is that Mr. Christie is a Republican in Harris County. And the Harris County Republican Party is dominated by social conservatives who don't care much if anything about fiscal conservatism. So, check out this part of Mr. White's endorsement letter:
I have not forgotten Jack Christie’s political courage and good judgment when he served as Chair of the State Board of Education in 1995-2000. He pushed back against those in his own party who sought to use textbooks for political purposes. We need more public servants like that.
What Mr. White is saying of course is that Mr. Christie refused to push the reforms that social conservatives eventually pushed through the SBOE. You know, like say, talking about Thomas Jefferson instead of politically correct worldviews? Or, oh, American exceptionalism instead of the white man raping the land?
Now, there are more D's in Houston than there are R's, so Mr. White's endorsement should help Mr. Christie. On the whole. Maybe. Remember, he only lost by a half percent two years ago. But I have to think that some of those HCRP precinct chairs will be none too happy about this.
One wonders how the State Board of Education, indeed, the state of education in Texas, would be different had Bill White beaten Jimmy Dick for Governor. We can hope that this endorsement signals a beginning of bipartisanship in Harris County, Texas and dare I say it, our country? "Remember, Red, hope is a good thing. Maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." Or am I being obtuse?
Frankly, Iz, I think that the whole concept of hope has been damaged by the current occupant of the White House. I think that White's endorsement of Christie is far more about local politics than it is about bipartisanship. Jolanda Jones was a thorn in White's side – remember, it was White that changed the terms of the Red Light contract, making it so difficult to discard.
BTW, why do people call Gov. Perry "Jimmy Dick"?
Because (1) Perry's full name is James Richard Perry and (2) people think that they're funny.
DJ, I really like your post but must disagree with you. Obama has given the Repubs lots of hope. And, although he's not the best Dem for the job, who would you rather have; someone who denies global warming, would teach creationism alongside evolution, govern by cronyism, and thinks the Revolution occured in the 16th century? I read the "Jimmy Dick" reference on another blog. I thought it was cute and edgy, however, it was probably written by a guy with a fixation. Probably not apropriate for here.
LOL, I guess he has given some R's hope. But all in all, I'd rather he have kept his hope and change to himself. Be a long, long time before this country recovers from his ineptness.
I don't know too many people that deny the climate is cyclic and changes over time – but the issue is to what extent does mankind influence it and what to do about it. Certainly Al Gore making millions upon millons by scaring people isn't the answer. I hear you on the creationism/evolution teaching but that is why Ron Paul makes the most sense when he says to abolish the Dept. of Education – no worries. Please, if you're going to pick on a slip of the tongue, then we need to rush out and find those missing 7 states that President Obama talks about.
I've heard the "Jimmy Dick" line before but never knew until Leif explained it what it referred to. Anything is appropriate here, 'cept maybe cursing.
I agree with you on almost everything, including the part about the slip of the tongue and Leif's expertise on "Jimmy Dick."
Personally I dont like BIll White that is not based on political party but from being stranded on Hwy 59 during the Rita evacuation and listening to him and his spin and lie. I have a recording from the day before where he spoke about evacuating up Hwy 59 however during the huge traffic jam instead of stating 1. we didnt use the money that we were given to come up with a evacuation plan and I need to fire some folks for screwing this up; 2. Sorry to the people on Hwy 59 we only have enough resources to help out on I-45 and I-10; instead he said that anyone on Hwy 59 shouldnt be there it wasnt a Houston evacuation corridor and that he had never stated it was. That was a lie and I have the recordings to prove it, after that I kept up with him and I found more lying to spin mistakes than reality with that man.
Now for Jo Jones, I tried to talk to her office after the far West side of Houston did not get assistance that was given to other areas after Hurricane Ike, no response. Then after two major incidents where Houston Police either did not show at all after being called about someone with a weapon, or refused to do anything when given information on a Credit Card information theft ring, I sent an email to her. Again no response, when I met her when she came around asking for our vote, I asked about both of these, she refused to respond only stating that she was the only Council person who listened to the voters. I said using those examples that obviously she wasn't responsive, the discussion broke down there. I guess she doesnt consider me one of the voiceless, something that I could comment on both her and her big supporter Sheila Jackson-Lee about but I will keep this nice and on track.
Being an Independent, I am to the point of wanting to get rid of all of them and keep on throwing them out until someone gets the message and decides to stop the insanity. That is on a State, Local, and National level, I am also tired of having to hold my nose when going to the poll to vote for the lesser of two evils. We need 'None of the Above' as a choice.