The debate is scheduled tonight at 7pm. It will be broadcast by TXCN, the Texas Cable News Network, in our area which is viewable on Expanded Basic cable channel 39. Tune in locally or view it online!
The Dallas Morning News reports:
Debra Medina has come out of far right field to add some fire and suspense to the GOP governor’s primary, and many
believe, tilt the outcome.
During tonight’s debate, sponsored by The Dallas Morning News and Belo Corp. television stations, she is again ready to challenge the state’s Republican titans, Gov. Rick Perry and U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Medina’s message: that she is the sole straight-talking, steadfast conservative.
As her poll numbers hover around 12 percent, there is a growing belief that Medina, a Wharton nurse and businesswoman, could force a runoff between Perry and Hutchison, continuing a costly fight and weakening the eventual nominee. If no candidate gets 50 percent of the vote in the March 2 primary, the top two finishers will face off April 13.
Well, that’s certainly a ringing endorsement from such an outlet as the DMN… But now that they have finally gotten on board with considering Debra Medina as a viable candidate for the process (a bit late for you isn’t it?) then what do citizens watching the debates think about the candidates?
Shelley Brian, a grade school teacher in Beaumont, heard Medina speak before a small group in a friend’s home. But she was sold during the debate.
Hutchison and Perry have “gotten all caught up in the glitz and glamour,” Brian said.
She considers herself conservative, but three years ago, she voted against Perry, she said. Now, she can’t bring herself to vote for Hutchison.
“It’s time for a change,” Brian said. “People are tired of big government. Every time I turn around there’s a new tax, a new law, a new provision.”
Kent Bicknell, who runs a Dallas investment firm, said he considers Medina an ideological conservative and likes her she-bear protection of state sovereignty.
She might find governing more difficult once on the inside, and Bicknell said he’s hesitant to fully support someone who is still polling as spoiler. But he has given her $25, and if her numbers improve, he would consider a stronger commitment.
“I’ve not soured on Perry. I’m disappointed with some of his stances,” Bicknell said. “But I’d vote for Medina if she began to have enough of a following.”
Even if the Medina camp is raising 10 times less in campaign money than Perry and Hutchison, the campaign is making up for it in confidence. Medina and her aides believe they can win.
The message is about freedom from government, and that inspires support, Freeman said.
“We’re hoping, and our target and our first priority is to win outright. Then we’ll take a second, being one of the runoff candidates,” she said.
Well, if the people are interested in her, then she definitely is viable! So, get the word out to your friends and neighbors to vote Debra Medina this March. She is the best candidate for the position.
