Is Hutchison's Run for Texas Governor for Us, or Her?

Did somebody put something in Kay Bailey Hutchison's Wheaties?

The senior senator seemed perfectly suited in her role serving with John Cornyn in Washington. Her inexplicable decision to run for Texas governor when we had a perfectly good one in place has set off states of confusion and anger among her Republican colleagues. In a time when the GOP brand is under siege, she has attacked and undermined her own Republican governor. If she was looking for a new job, could she at least try to take one from a Democrat?

Hutchison has also put her own Senate seat in jeopardy. Two things are going to happen if she resigns her seat to run. Either a Democrat wins it, or we all have to watch several prominent Republicans, including Michael Williams and Florence Shapiro, fight each other for it. It seems Hutchison's candidacy has done nothing but create more in-fighting for her own party. Sacrificing party unity for her own political gain is creating nothing but ill will for her run.

In addition, Hutchison has been accused of not being a true conservative. While she is not 100% pro-life and she supports stem cell research, she usually supports conservative legislation. Her problem here is more image than substance. Hutchison has not been an outspoken voice for conservatism while in the Senate. She chooses her words carefully and rarely enters controversial debates in public, unlike many of her sound-bite ready peers. By "playing it safe," many interpret that as a lack of leadership, which is probably why the response to her gubernatorial run has been so tepid.

Hutchison has stepped up her attacks on Rick Perry, including blaming him for the lack of progress during the recent legislative session in Austin. While that many be only partially true, her attacks have only backfired and garnered Perry even more sympathetic support. Instead of offering real criticism, it sounds more like Monday morning quarterbacking. The senator seems to have miscalculated Perry's popularity; he may not be loved, but he certainly is liked.

The real problem with Hutchison's candidacy, and the reason she won't win, is her inability to show any reason why she deserves a vote over Perry. She has offered nothing new. She has yet to show the leadership her candidacy claims to offer. She offers no solutions or alternatives. Hutchison seems to be under the impression that she has paid her dues and deserves the office. It appears most Texans do not agree.