Chris Bell or Bob Gammage?

[jobycom]

I know a lot of people are undecided, but I won't leave a category for that. I'm curious where you'd vote if you had to now.

[cosmik debris]

1. I need more info

I will keep my eyes and ears open and decide later.

[jobycom]

2. I'd like to hear more, too. My mind is made up, but for mostly personal

reasons. I met Gammage a while back, while he was a judge in Austin. I was an office assistant/researcher for a short time for Ralph Yarborough, just before his death. Bob Gammage was at his house several times, and I had to run a few errands to the judge's house. That, and the fact that Yarborough really liked him, is just about the only reason I support him.

And for some reason I never liked Chris Bell's email ads, even before he had an opponent. Not sure why, I just never was enthusiastic about him.

I'd still love to hear more about them, though, aside from their email posturing. I could be persuaded. I don't really know enough about either man for my decision to be deep rooted yet.

[Czolgosz]

3. My personal experiences with Gammage were like yours (I did some work at

the Texas Supreme Court while he was there and Gammage was a great guy personally and ideologically).

Bell seems like a great guy, too. I think it comes down to the question whether the party is at a stage where it wants a good moderate (Bell) or a good progressive (Gammage).

In truth, I think it matters most for the symbolism and the future of the party unless 4Names/3Parties gets on the ballot and Kinky doesn't because I think we have a shot in a 3-way race but I cannot see either candidate winning a 2-way or 4-way race.

[crispini]

4. Pfftth for the moderate OR the progresssive.

I want the one who can WIN! I'm not sure who that is yet though. I wish they would do another swing through the DFW area before I have to decide.

[Czolgosz]

5. I'm with you. I rather have a moderate governor than a progressive failed

candidacy.

[Texas_Kat]

7. I'm backing the Gammage

Who has already passed Bell in the polls.

http://www.gammageforgovernor.com/node/108

Gammage has only been in the race for what? 2 months now?

Bell's been doing this an entire year and can't even break 15%.

How's he gonna do with Democratic turnout? That's the key to this race in the fall. Not 'moderate' stands. The Democratic base in Texas is 35-38%.

BUT they need a compelling message. That's the job of the top of the ticket. Otherwise, it's every man (or woman) for themselves.

[jobycom]

16. It would certainly be a factor if I saw a clear advantage one way or the

other. I'd vote for a moderate who could win over a liberal who couldn't, all other factors being equal. But I don't see that as being the case this time. Perry and OTG will split the conservatives, and OTG and the Dem will split the moderates. That leaves the liberals for the Dem candidate and Kinky. I can make an argument for either Bell or Gammage there--Gammage might get more of the liberals away from Kinky, Bell might get more progressives from OTG.

Since I don't see a clear advantage, I'm choosing on other factors.

[efhmc]

9. This is how I feel also. They both seem like good Democrats and I

can go for either. Who has the better name recognition?

[acmejack]

13. Were you a clerk for one of the Justices?

My Sister clerked for one of them but she is almost as old as me, which means we have age rings...

[Czolgosz]

14. ,

[Justitia]

6. Here's my vote: I hate primaries!!! Primaries suck!!! -eom

[crispini]

8. Yeah, it is a lot more fun

when we're all pulling together to try and beat the Republicans, isn't it?

[efhmc]

10. I have a friend who explained to me that we get much more coverage

with a good fight going on and that means more pr for whoever the candidate turns out to be.

[crispini]

11. That makes sense.

Guess I'll just have to try to wear my "I'm enjoying this dogfight" attitude. :D

[efhmc]

12. I have signs in my yard for both Dems running for state rep. Really

have not decided which one I will vote for. I would prefer an amalgamation of both. I will campaign hard for any Texas Democrat. (Unless they are not prochoice.)

[jobycom]

15. That's usually true. Fights draw a crowd,

The media covers primary fights better if they are vicious, and that spreads the name of the winner around more, while the other party doesn't get as much air time. Since a lot of people just vote for the name they've heard the most about, it definitely helps.