TX-Gov: Bill White Polls Well for General Election

[ccharles000]

PPP (pdf) (2/4-7, likely voters)

Bill White (D): 42
Rick Perry (R-inc): 48
Undecided: 10

Bill White (D): 38
Kay Bailey Hutchison (R): 45
Undecided: 17

Bill White (D): 38
Debra Medina (R): 44
Undecided: 18
(MoE: ±2.8%)

PPP (which had surprising Republican primary numbers yesterday, showing Kay Bailey Hutchison imperiled as far as even making it to a runoff) has some pretty encouraging numbers for Democratic candidate Bill White in the general election. White's losing, but by a 6 or 7 point margin, a good showing in a generally conservative state like Texas. (On the down side, there aren't a lot of undecideds here, especially in the Rick Perry matchup, so you have to wonder where the last few votes that would get him over the top might come from.)

Interestingly, unlike a lot of other polls which have shown Hutchison, who passes for a "moderate" by Texas standards, outperforming in the general, PPP finds everyone performing about the same vis-a-vis White, not just the very conservative Rick Perry but even the around-the-bend conservative Debra Medina. Perry's approvals, a woeful 33/50, seem to be holding him back; KBH is at least in positive territory at 40/37, while Medina and White benefit from not being as well-known, at 32/13 and 34/17 respectively.

In other news, White just got the endorsement of the Texas League of Conservation Voters, while his primary opponent, Farouk Shami got a noteworthy endorsement of his own: from the Mexican American Democrats, who liked how his personal story represents "what the American Dream is all about." I don't think either of those endorsements can compete with the one Rick Perry just pulled in, though: the mighty Home Scholers.

http://www.swingstateproject.com/diary/6381/txgov-bill-white-polls-well-for-general-election

[Skink]

1. fouruk Shami would do better running on the Republican ticket.

Obama should campaign with White. Obama almost won the state. With that kind of turnout we could win. Medina is just crazy enough to run as an Independant and would only get republican votes.

[NoPasaran]

3. Crazy or not, Medina is done after the primaries

Having run in a primary, she can't be on the ballot as an independent.

Shami would have been on the Monster Raving Loony ticket.

[Ter]

2. How well is that?

Even Debra Medina is beating him.

[ShadowLiberal]

4. Not the best numbers, but they remind me of Christe vs Corzine early on

http://www.pollster.com/polls/nj/09-nj-gov-ge-cvc.php (Christie vs Corzine polling in 09)

http://www.pollster.com/polls/nj/jobapproval-govcorzine.php (Corzine job approval numbers in 09)

Perry's approval ratings are about as bad as Jon Corzine's approval ratings were when he ran for reelection and lost in what's usually a safely democratic state, actually they're even worse right now. Chris Christie was behind early on, but then held the lead for most of the election, until towards the end when he almost blew it from not giving specifics on anything.

The same stuff that took down Corzine for being an incompetent governor could take down Perry for being an incompetent governor.

[TexasObserver]

5. Bill White has a shot at the governor's mansion. The GOP is having a brawl.

The GOP's main event is supposed to be Hutchinson v. Perry, but the rowdy Tea Bagger - Medina - is making huge noises among the Tea Party faithful. I imagine many of the tea baggers will get mad and stay home on election day in November.

I've noticed the tea baggers are going after some local races. They're trying to challenge inside the GOP, and it is fucking hilarious to see the GOP right wingers attacked for being too liberal!

[Ishoutandscream2]

6. From your lips to God's ears

It ain't gonna happen here in suburbia, but I'm counting on the large cities and the valley. C'mon, Bill!!