Conservatives Unhappy With Perry

It looks like we're starting to see more cracks in Governor Perry's conservative base of support. The AP is reporting that many Texas conservatives are unhappy with the governor. They believe he violated his conservative credentials by passing the new business tax. Many businessmen see the new tax as a back-door income tax.

The Perry campaign dismisses the report. Campaign spokesman Robert Black said, "Businesses are coming here because of the climate we have in place. And they're still coming. This economy is the best in the nation in terms of job growth and has been for two straight years. And these same businesses are the ones that told us this structure, to continue that job growth, was the way to go. As the governor states, whether education or tax policy or transportation, he's governor of the entire state. Sometimes that means you've got to make tough decisions and take stands on issues you believe, what Rick Perry believes, is in the best interests of the state's long-term future."

Harris County Republican Tax Assessor-Collector, Paul Bettencourt, disagrees. He says, "I guess it's the summer of conservative discontent. It's just kind of boiling in the background." He noted that the tax had been brought up at the Republican convention, and there was a lot of opposition to it. Bettencourt says, "For the party to have that significant discussion in a gubernatorial year is important because it means there's a substantial amount of dissatisfaction, and not just in Houston. Clearly it's a problem for a grass roots party that believes themselves to be anti-tax."

Republican activist and co-chairman of Texans for No New Taxes, Norman Adams says, "I'm getting e-mails from all over the state. I think a bunch are so upset with Perry they may not vote at all in the governor's race. I'm one of the people who contributed to him since he decided to become Republican. I've been there in every race he ever had. And that's what he's giving us. There are a lot who are going to vote for Kinky, or Carole Strayhorn, or not at all."

I hope this schism is a serious one, and we'll soon be seeing more conservatives deserting the governor. Adams is right. If these conservatives abandon Perry, they will not be going to Bell. They would stay home before they'd vote for Bell. But Kinky might get a good portion of those votes, especially if Grandma continues to sink in the polls. About a month ago, Kinky won a poll in the San Antonio Business Journal. I thought it was a bit strange at the time, but now I begin to understand. If enough conservatives turn their backs on Perry, Kinky could win this thing.