Texas Democratic Party: Moving Texas Forward

But White has to define himself, control the issues

Attorneys general, former lawmakers and a slew of lawyers have ascended to the Texas Governor’s Mansion, as have a flour manufacturer, a housewife and a couple of oilmen. Bill White, if he beats Gov. Rick Perry in November, would be the first mayor to make that triumphant trek to Austin.

“Local politics is designed to piss everybody off, so it’s never been a very good entrée for career building,” said James Riddlesperger, a political scientist at Texas Christian University.Still, a big-city mayor who was re-elected twice by huge margins would seem to have a leg up in his quest for higher office, even as his opponent’s oppo-research team truffles for “sanctuary city” pronouncements, budget problems, ties to Washington and other nutritious campaign fodder.

The former Houston mayor arguably is the strongest gubernatorial candidate Democrats have nominated since Ann Richards in 1990. Not only is he a proven fund-raiser, but his business background makes it a challenge for Republicans to label him as Barack Obama’s Texas twin.

As in any election, money is key. What White does with that money is vital, said Garry Mauro, a former Texas land commissioner who lost to George W. Bush in the 1998 governor’s race.

“First of all, he’s got to define himself, because the Perry people will be happy to do it for him,” Mauro said. “Bill White is a liberal Democrat who supports Obama and health care. If this election is about Obama and health care, Bill White loses. If he makes this race about the governor’s record — the failure of secondary and primary education, higher education out of reach of most middle-class families, clogged roads — then he’s got a chance.”

For more go to the Houston Chronicle article.