Thoughts on Texas elections 2010

In this home stretch of the never-ending search for the 44th president of the United States, perhaps it is time to project ahead to 2010 in the state of Texas when all sorts of dominoes might fall for office holders.
Leading the pack will be the drive for the (torched) Governor’s Mansion in Austin and there isn’t a political operative who doesn’t think that the Lone Star State’s senior U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison will toss her hat/hairband into the ring for governor. She isn’t being coy or anything in denying any rumor to that effect.
IF KBH runs for Gov, I predict the current occupant, “Helmethair” Rick Perry will, in turn, seek her Senate seat. After all, it actually makes sense for him; running against her (perhaps the most popular Republican in Texas) is possible career suicide. If she beats him in the primary, his political days COULD be over. After all, being governor means you don’t take a step backwards in politics; the only way is upward and that means Washington, D.C. on a bigger stage than the House of Representatives.
Besides, the GOP does not want a bloodbath at the top of its ticket. It can plainly see what will happen come Tuesday to the national party – a national implosion leaving the Republican brand less than desirable in almost every part of the U.S. – EXCEPT for Texas.
So what of the others seeking to move UP the food chain?
The biggest loser could be Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst … with nowhere to go. He cannot beat KBH for any office she wants and perhaps he cannot defeat Helmethair in an 1-on-1 battle in the primary. Of course, no one counted on him to defeat Democrat John Sharp to become the state’s senatorial leader.
Look for Land Commish Jerry “Six Guns A-blazin’” Patterson to run for Lt. Governor if Dewhurst vacates (Paterson is a former state senator and a pro-gun wacko) and others scrambling to see how those chips fall prior to the filing date next year – which is a little than ONE year away (unbelievable).
And what about them Dems? Houston Mayor Bill White, in his final term and unquestionable the state’s BEST mayor, can pick and choose where he wants to go – Governor? Senate? Lt. Governor?
But can he inspire and lead others to follow and file? And it needs to be people of substance and quality.
I’d love to see State Sen. Judith Zaffirini of Laredo move into statewide office. But the question pops up again – just where is her best fit?
Sadly for Democrats, the list of quality names is short. Perhaps it will increase based on the results from Nov. 4, where turnout for Democrats should be higher than at anytime in the last 12 years.
Politics these days permits NO time for a breather or respite – it has become 24/7 in terms of campaigning and the public gets saturated and badgered sooner than anyone knows … or appreciates.
Still, such is the new world order to get elected – a constant spinning wheel that must be fed and kept in perpetual motion.