The day before the Rick Perry Bloggers Summit, Elise Hu at the Texas Tribune wrote a great piece on what the plethora of Bush 41 & Co. endorsements for Gov. Perry’s primary opponent, Kay Bailey Hutchison (Michele at Blue-dot-Blues has a complete run down of all of the GOP candidates endorsements):
What’s going on here? It’s a question without a definitive answer and a subject that those in-the-know do not want to go anywhere near. Nearly every one of the two dozen sources contacted for this story refused to be quoted by name; several of those who went on the record saved their best material for after they went back off. But everyone with knowledge of the Bushworld-Perryworld divide had a theory. At least four emerged as plausible.
Her four theories were:
1. The predecessor-successor rivalry.
2. It’s a moderate-conservative thing.
3. It’s not personal, it’s business.
4. It really is personal: The Bushies can’t stand Perry.
Why Not Just Ask Him?
Having lunch with the Governor
The following afternoon at the Blogger’s Summit, one of the only available empty seats was the one right next to mine — which is where Governor Perry ended up sitting during lunch.
Which gave me a great opportunity to show Governor Perry Ms. Hu’s article, and I asked him directly what he thought of all of the Bush41 & Co’s endorsements for KBH, and which (if any) of Hu’s theories were accurate.
I told Gov. Perry that I thought all of these inside-the-Beltway endorsements are actually going to harm KBH’s campaign more than they help her. Perry has been battling Washington D.C.’s interference into state policy and politics, and is running on a platform of standing up to Washington.
Meanwhile, all of these Beltway insider endorsements just re-enforce the notion that KBH is just another Washington D.C. insider who is more likely to bring more of D.C. with her back to Texas then stand up and say no to Federal interference in state issues.
Gov. Perry agreed with my assessment.
And the Winner is…
As for the theories, it was clearly No. 1 — the predecessor-successor rivalry.
Gov. Perry started by making sure to differentiate Bush 41 and the “Bushies” who are supporting KBH.
First of all, Governor Perry had nothing but wonderful things to say about former President George H.W. Bush (no. 41), and how much he respects and admires the former President. As to Bush41’s endorsement, Gov. Perry believes that Bush41 made a promise to KBH many years ago, and is simply keeping his word.
But as to the rest of the Bushies supporting KBH, Gov. Perry thinks that prior to him becoming Governor of Texas the Bushies ran Texas. And they thought that they would go off to D.C. to do their thing, and when they returned, they would simply pick up where they left off.
Except there was one little roadblock to their plan — Governor Perry standing in their way.
And that is why Gov. Perry thinks the Bushies are coming out of the woodwork to support KBH.
Good assessment.
I’m inclined to believe it is more of the D.C. insider connection. KBH needed a lot of help to fight the legal challenges to her election win and being seated as Senator.
Then there is the Jose Ernesto Medellin matter, which I think caused a serious rift between the Gov. and the Bush administration.
Irrespective of all that, endorsements are what they are, and in the case of KBH, short of God coming down and bestowing her with his blessing, she can’t win. Her D.C. years and voting record are poison.
Geoge and Barbara supporting Kay Baiiley Hutchinson! We could not believe it! No matter what or who he promised GEORGE HW should have never back KBH…that is a slap in the face to his son when he was Governor of Texas and his LT governor at the time, Rick Perry! What were they thinking. Maybe they are getting too old and forgot.
yes, I appreciate Gov Perry's respectfullness toward the elder Bush's. Gov Perry is a wonderful man, we love his family and he has been a fabulous leader for hte State of TEXAS. We are sujpporting him 100%.
I’m inclined to think it is because Rick Perry is a buffoon and Kay Bailey Hutchison, though not as conservative as some of us would like, is an individual of substance.
And as I so frequently remind folks, the best reason for opposing Rick perry for any office is GARDASIL.
Hey, I guessed right!
In 2000, I was trying to tell some lefty that Clinton and Gore were not best friends and Gore wanted Clinton to just go away.
If there is one thing that Texas does right, is enforce the death penalty. KBH mentioned a moratorium which is b.s.
Rockin’ pic MoFo!
Actually, BrownEyedGirl, the fact that the senior Bushes and Dick Cheney have all endorsed Kay probably is the best indication of where Dubya's sentiments are. So is the fact that Dubya HAS NOT endorsed Perry.