Great News

Perhaps our most electable choice.  Do you really think that Kay Bailey will resign in order to run, though?  Seems unlikely she'd give up her seat until she's Governor, especially given the distinct possibility that the wing nut base could give the primary to Perry.

That said, I almost think it would be better if the election were held after the midterms.  We'd probably already have sixty, and thus the election would not be for complete control of the federal government.  I think arguing that White should be the sixtieth Democratic Senator would be a tough sell.

(By the way, I'm assuming that Franken wins in this scenario.)

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by: Sean Fitzpatrick @ Sat Dec 13, 2008 at 17:12:44 PM CST

Well, she's already talking about it

This is from last week:

On Thursday, she said she had not made a decision whether to resign.

"If I should quit, I would not intend to resign before the end of next year," she said, scotching rumors that she might resign as early as June to focus attention on the governor's race.

I certainly believe that she's seriously considering it at the very least.

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by: James L. @ Sat Dec 13, 2008 at 17:16:56 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I hope this happens...

If KBH steps down early to run for Governor, then we may be in good shape for the special election if we have only one or two strong candidates for that vacant Senate seat while they have dozens. In fact, this might be "sweet revenge" for what happened in 1993.

C4O Democrats: A Place for All Democrats

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by: atdleft @ Sat Dec 13, 2008 at 18:58:56 PM CST

[ Parent ]

A strong primary contest

between Sharp and White, so long as it doesn't get too nasty, would be could for the Texas Dems, I think.

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by: SC @ Sat Dec 13, 2008 at 17:33:00 PM CST

It would not be that tho

The articles say it would be an all party election... meaning we want as few Democrats as possible running.  Just one would be ideal, let the Repubs split up their vites 20 ways.

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by: tommypaine @ Sat Dec 13, 2008 at 17:44:34 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Right

There will be a runoff, of course, but we want to make sure that one of our guys makes it to that dance.

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by: James L. @ Sat Dec 13, 2008 at 17:46:08 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Two Is Likely Fine

Two is likely fine.  The only way one of the two would not make the runoff is if two Republicans finished in front of both Democrats.  And if that happened, I think it extremely unlikely that the Democrat who missed out on the runoff would have won it.  Three or four candidates, however, could be real trouble.

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by: sicembears @ Sat Dec 13, 2008 at 17:59:27 PM CST

[ Parent ]

But that depends...

On how many strong GOP candidates jump into the fray. If there are only two along with dozens of no-names & extremists, then we might be in trouble. But if there are 3 or 5 or 7 or more big GOP names, then it's almost assured that at least one of our top 2 Dems makes it to the runoff.

So if we see a complete free-for-all on the GOP side for a special election, I say let both Dems run. But if it seems like they're mostly consolidating behind two strong candidates, then something will need to be done to ensure we have one strong Dem who can make it to the runoff.

C4O Democrats: A Place for All Democrats

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by: atdleft @ Sat Dec 13, 2008 at 18:52:29 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Fat chance it will be just Sharp & White on the Dem side..

I'm from Texas and I'm 99% POSITIVE that in the event of a special election for Senate, there will be more than 2 Democrats who will throw their hat into the ring. I fully expect someone like Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) to compete, at least one of the Austin area state reps or state senators and possibly a conservative rural dem. Why?

(1) Folks have nothing to lose so why not give it a shot, you might just win by default;

(2) Demographics. This is key since Texas is the 2nd largest majority-minority state. You have two Anglo Dems running for the nomination of a party that at least 60% of its base are racial minorities. Just half the 12 TX Congressional Democrats are Hispanics yet Hispanics comprise nearly 40% in all but one of those Dem held districts. If they coalesce behind one candidate they are almost guaranteed to make it to the runoff. Ain't no Hispanic politician in his right mind would pass off such an opportunity.

(3) Henry Cuellar has had statewide ambitions for a VERY long time. He is young, bright, can say he knows Washington (whatever that means), he is the most conservative Dem in the TX House Delegation so he can claim to be acceptable to the TX electorate and not overall bad looking guy. His problem will be raising money and getting his name outside of the Valley but the latter should not be too difficult. Heck Obama made it in Illinois under like circumstances and see where he is today.

(4) Sharp, unfortunately, may carry loseritis with him so why give White a free pass if you think you can do a better job?

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by: Shinigami @ Sat Dec 13, 2008 at 19:54:29 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I hope we get someone better than Cuellar

The guy was endorsed by the Club for Growth and campaigned for Bush in 2000.

Follow the elections in Georgia at the 2010 Georgia Race Tracker.

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by: TheUnknown285 @ Sat Dec 13, 2008 at 22:16:09 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Poetic Justice...

Would be us winning back the very Senate seat that Lloyd Bentsen once held, the Senate seat we lost to KBH in 1993. I'm so ready to make this happen! ;-)

C4O Democrats: A Place for All Democrats

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by: atdleft @ Sat Dec 13, 2008 at 19:04:50 PM CST