Perry Upstages Bell In Cowtown

Yesterday, we got an inkling of why Chris Bell can't seem to get any traction in his race for governor. Both Bell and Perry were in Fort Worth yesterday to discuss the 400 acres of park land around Eagle Mountain Lake. Let me quote from the Star-Telegram regarding what happened:

"The Texas governor's race came to Eagle Mountain Lake on Wednesday.

Before seven TV cameras, three radio microphones and a north-side conference room full of gray business suits and power ties, Gov. Rick Perry announced a deal to save a long-unfinished lakefront park as a nature preserve, not to sell it off for a luxery home development.

Fifteen miles away, at a fishing camp along the lakeshore, Democratic challenger Chris Bell had called a news conference to criticize Perry. The turnout: two TV stations, two Star-Telegram writers and about 25 Democratic supporters, none wearing a power tie. Or any tie.

While Perry basked in TV news lights and declared "a victory for park enthusiasts" -- to be exact, that would be a victory over Perry himself, since his office had authorized the possible sale of the 400 acres -- Bell stood at the end of a dirt road and delivered a stinging attack to almost nobody besides a corgi dog running loose at his feet."

Perry is the guy who lost this particular fight. Bell was on the winning side. But who gets all the news coverage? Perry. Bell just flat got outmanuevered by the Perry campaign. Bell schedules a press conference, and then Perry comes in and schedules one for 30 minutes earlier than Bell's. As the sitting governor, he naturally gets the coverage, and Bell is left out in the cold. It is sad when a serious candidate for governor comes to town to help celebrate a victory over Perry, and only gets two TV stations and one newspaper to cover the appearance.

Part of the blame must be placed on the media. Where were they? Surely they have enough resources to cover more than one event at a time. Where was the Dallas Morning News, the Denton Record Chronicle, and several other north Texas newspapers? The DFW area has four TV stations with network affiliations and several more with their own news departments. Why did only two of these stations think Bell's appearance was important enough to cover?

But part of the blame must also go to the Bell campaign. They allowed themselves to be upstaged by the Perry campaign. Maybe Bell should have rescheduled his appearance to later in the day. Maybe he should have gone around to the TV stations. I don't know. But I do know that if this kind of thing continues to happen, Bell will not be our next governor.