Word: democratizer
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...Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, his rival for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, talk of a possible 2012 Perry presidential push began. But before Perry can stride into the national arena, he must win re-election this fall in what some say will be his toughest face-off with a Democrat yet - against former Houston mayor Bill White. Indeed, political analyst Charlie Cook has moved the Texas governor's race from "leaning Republican" to "toss-up" status...
State senator Leticia Van de Putte, a San Antonio Democrat and board member, told the Dallas Morning News that Perry does well with some Hispanics because he often visits their communities and has distanced himself from immigration hard-liners by criticizing Washington's push for a border wall and opting for high-tech border controls and boosts to local sheriffs' budgets. He also touts his support for a 2001 bill that allowed the children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition at state colleges...
...Democrats say Perry has come close to being vulnerable before, citing the 2006 election, when he squeaked back into the governor's mansion with just 39% of the vote. But that was a race that included three other major candidates with widespread appeal - Democrat Chris Bell, who got 28% of the vote; renegade Democrat turned Republican turned independent Carole Strayhorn, who garnered 18%; and songwriter-novelist Kinky Friedman, who won 12%. Short of a scandal, Perry's base seems secure. Democrats are hoping that the election might reflect voter weariness with Perry, who has served almost 10 years...
Congressman Adam Smith's phones rang so much on Monday that one of his aides called it a "siege." Almost all the calls were about health care, and most of his constituents' opinions were the same. "In my case, it's very one-sided," says Smith, a Washington State Democrat. "It's all been on the anti side...
...Crist should not even try to battle the resurgent right but instead run in the November general election as an independent. Or perhaps even follow formerly Republican Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, who, facing a conservative revolt in his state, last year bolted the GOP to run as a Democrat in his re-election bid this year. But with even Florida's usually centrist independent voters appearing to shun Crist now, polls suggest Rubio could defeat him in November as well as the leading Democratic candidate, Congressman Kendrick Meek. Either way, Crist adamantly rejects the idea, and aides close...