Democrat Bill White Afraid to Be Seen with Obama

Bill White wants your vote to become governor of Texas. He just doesn't want you to realize he's a Democrat.

When Barack Obama announced he was visiting Texas on August 9 (to attend fundraisers), White's campaign announced that he would not be meeting with the President. The move raised eyebrows among many, especially when Republican Governor Rick Perry announced he would meet briefly with the President to discuss border security. A single fundraiser appearance by the President could bring in over a million dollars in donations.

According to a story in The Dallas Morning News, White downplayed the decision, saying "I don't use national figures as surrogates for me. I tend to campaign for myself."

White also refused to comment on the issue of gay marriage (specifically, the overturning of Prop. 8 in California) and on President Obama's job performance.

Given Obama's sagging poll numbers and general unpopularity in Texas, it is no surprise that White would seek to avoid being seen with the President. Such a move would provide significant fodder for fall campaign ads to cast White as a friend of liberals.

What is unusual is White's general avoidance of the term "Democrat." The word is not present on his campaign signs or bumper stickers. The front page of his website does not use the term "Democrat" either, nor does White identify his party affiliation or political leanings in his online biography or record of service. His online ads also do not mention his party affiliation.

Gov. Rick Perry, on the other hand, makes several references to his party affiliation on his home page, including links to area G.O.P. offices. In describing his record and stand on the issues on his website, Perry repeatedly calls himself "conservative."

White, the former mayor of Houston, trails Perry by nine points in the most recent Rasmussen poll.

Sources: The Dallas Morning News, Rasmussen Polls, Bill White Campaign website, Rick Perry Campaign website