The Big Endorsement
Bill Clinton throws his rock-star power behind Bill White
If there's one overriding complaint about Bill White's campaign for governor — even among his supporters — it's that the former Houston mayor is sort of naturally boring. OK, more than sort of.
If being boring was a disease, Bill White would be in critical condition.
So how does one spice up a Democratic campaign that's heavy on substance? Bring in Bill Clinton of course. The longstanding rock star of the Democratic party officially threw his weight behind White this afternoon, releasing a statement that gives White's campaign some instant juice. "Texans will get to choose between a proven, mainstream public servant, Bill White, and one of the most strident, divisive political figures in the nation," Clinton says in the statement.
Clinton goes on to knock Texas Gov. Rick Perry's love of the theater. And no, we're not talking about the Alley.
"The state received more funds from the federal government than almost any other state under the Recovery Act," Clinton says. "But for the purpose of political theater, Texas' current governor turned down federal funding opportunities for education."
Whose side did you expect Clinton to be on?
Still, the public endorsement figures to boost White heading into the Democratic State Convention in Corpus Christi this weekend that absolutely no one is talking about. The convention lineup is void of any national figures, any buzz producers that would give it much coverage. Now at least, White has Bill Clinton on paper. This on the heels of a poll showing that White and Perry are in a virtual deadlock in the governor's race.
Clinton's been on something of a roll with his endorsements lately too. Hillary's man has received credit for helping push Mark Critz to victory in special election in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District, and he swooped in at the last moment to give Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln traction in a grueling primary challenge.
Clinton wrote about the Texas governor's race being a watershed race in the country — important to determining which way America is heading.
And just think if White gets Clinton to come out for a future rally. Things are suddenly getting interesting around Boring Bill.