OPINION:
The Lone Star State is still very, very red, and new survey numbers have implications for the Bush political dynasty, a certain state official famous for pink sneakers and the White House aspirations of Texas Gov. Rick Perry himself.
Republican candidates are leading by double digits in all of the state’s major races for 2014 says a new Public Policy Polling survey. In the governor’s derby, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, who bills himself as “conservative to the core” has garnered 51 percent of the vote, compared to 37 percent for Wendy Davis, a state senator and pro-choice Democrat with a very high profile.
“Davis had a 39 percent favorability rating right after her famous filibuster last June, but since then voters in the state have mostly moved toward having negative opinions about her,” says pollster Tom Jensen.
“We also looked at the race for Land Commissioner. It looks like the Bushes should be back in statewide office in Texas. George P. Bush leads Democratic opponent John Cook 50 percent to 32 percent,” he notes.
Mr. Bush, 37, is son of Jeb Bush. He is an attorney, a Naval Reserve officer and has been on a high-profile campaign, complete with a fancy bus tour and multiple public appearances. His promise to voters: “I will bring my conservative values and my real-world experience with me.”
Another son will soon lend Mr. Bush a hand. That would be New Jersey State Sen. Tom Kean Jr. - yes, the son of the former New Jersey governor - will host a private fundraiser for the younger Bush in May.
Gov. Rick Perry, meanwhile, is back in the proverbial saddle again. The new poll reveals that he has a positive approval rating, with 48 percent of voters approving of him to 44 percent who disapprove, Mr. Jensen says.
That’s up from 39 percent positive approval following his bid for the White House two years ago, Mr. Jensen says.
All that in mind, creative minds could mull this over. Just imagine Perry/Bush 2016. As in George P. Bush.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.