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We have received a good deal of discussion about why we chose to endorse Governor Perry. As home schoolers are independent by nature and opinionated as well, I thought you deserved to have more details on our decision.
First of all, we endorsed Governor Perry because our issue is home schooling, and in spite of what anyone may say, he has been a staunch supporter of home schooling even when it would have been easy for him to ignore us.
Some examples (this is by no means an exhaustive list): In 2003, he supported requiring Texas colleges to treat home school graduates the same as public high school graduates. In 2005, when the Texas legislature was running as fast as possible to give CPS more funding and power "to protect children," Perry had his commissioner of DFPS meet with us and adopt at our request a policy for the whole agency to make clear that home schooling is not relevant to an abuse investigation. The DFPS commissioner also wrote a letter to state his opinion on the issue as well.
Governor Perry's office also arranged a meeting with us and the new DFPS commissioner in 2009. She reiterated those were still the policies of the agency and clarified, in response to a letter from me, that a home school co-op that had been told by CPS they were required to be licensed for child care was not required to do so. She also stated that the policy, instituted by her predecessor, of allowing a waiver for home school adoptive parents to home school during the 6 months of the final time of adoption was still in place.
Perry's commissioner of education has been very responsive to us on issues that we have with public school officials and wrote a new letter to districts at our request upon his taking office in 2007. When we have had problems with DPS, the Higher Education Board, and many other state agencies, they have responded to our concerns because the heads of those agencies are appointed by the Governor and they know he supports home schooling. On many occasions his staff has personally intervened on our behalf.
In this year's session the Governor's chief of staff met with us, and we outlined our legislative agenda - including Texas Parental Rights Restoration Act (TPRRA) - and asked the Governor to support us. He did so. He came to our rally and publicly called on legislators to support the TPRRA.
As to SB 1440, some argue that he waited till the last minute to veto the bill, showing it was a last minute decision only giving in to political pressure, and that shows he really didn't support us. The truth is that his office used the same process in vetoing SB 1440 they did with the other 37 bills he vetoed. We gave him good legal reasons to do this, which we outlined in our 21-page document. They did lots of research, took public input, waited until the end of the time allowed to veto the bills, and then announced them all at the same time on a Friday afternoon to minimize the media coverage and the political opposition. Several major Texas newspapers took Perry to task for this action, and none praised him. So, the bottom line is that he gave us a great victory for parental rights and told DFPS to work with the parental advisory committee (to which he appointed me) to address the issue, and yet some of his critics refuse to give him any credit for this.
These are but a few of the many examples of Governor Perry's strong and consistent support for home schoolers over many years, and THESE are the reasons we endorsed him. In our view, it would be unwise, wrong and short-sighted to endorse any other candidate when the current Governor has done so much to protect and promote home schooling and home schoolers in Texas.
Obviously, there are also issues of a political nature to consider. Most of the negative feedback we have gotten has been from Medina supporters. I believe Mrs. Medina (while a wonderful woman, a friend of mine, and a home school mom) is unelectable - she has never held any elective office, much less a statewide office; she has virtually no name recognition; she cannot raise the money necessary to compete in a statewide race in Texas.
We don't expect every home schooler in Texas to follow our lead and support Governor Perry - We are Texas home schoolers after all! For some, issues other than home schooling may be more important, but for us it is the issue.
We celebrate the freedom we have in Texas to homeschool our children and to choose our curriculum and the groups with which we associate, and we also celebrate the freedom to support whomever we believe to be the best candidate for each elective office in Texas; for us for governor, that is Rick Perry. We encourage those who disagree to work for the candidate of their choice.
Monday, September 7, 2009
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31 comments:
Using this sort of logic, a candidate could be a big spender, soft on the border, in favor of amnesty for illegals, and support gay marriage, but if he/she supports homeschoolers consistently, you'd endorse them. Makes no sense to me. It makes alot of sense to endorse someone who homeschooled her kids and has been a consistent conservative on all the issues. Debra Medina gets my vote. It's so obvious she's the right choice, it baffles me why THSC didn't even give her the time of day.
Governor Perry is conservative and has the endorsements by many conservative groups to prove it. He also happens to be a staunch supporter of home schooling which is why he has the THSC PAC endorsement.
Perry is awesome. I see where the Medina people are coming from, but she has no track record, Perry does. His track record is spectacular on home school
issues. He is also one of the most conservative governors in America today, and one of Texas' best and most principled governors in state history. In the end, a vote for Medina is a vote for Kay Bailey Hutchison, and a vote for Kay Bailey Hutchison is not a vote for liberty, it is a vote for big government. I don't trust KBH on home school issues.
A vote for Medina IS NOT a vote for Hutchinson.
Ever heard of run-offs?
My complaint and the reason the fire was lit under my seat by Mr. Lambert at the THSC convention, was not and is not support for Perry, but his demeaning proclamation that his friend does not have a chance.
We are arguing support for a candidate in the PRIMARY.
Philosophically, Ms. Medina is clealy supperior to the other two and has more than a chance. Unless, people are convinced, erronously, that they have to discount their vote before they even vote.
Very well stated,Tim. We need someone who can win not divide votes.
Bless you all,
Gale
Yes, I have heard of a run-off. We should not want a split vote! I do not know Mrs. Medina, so I will not comment on her or her views, but Governor Perry is known and I do know his views on homeschooling, and conservative issues. There will be a LOT of people who would like a split vote to bring someone in who is not like-minded. To many issues are at stake to take a chance on our freedoms or with the liberal thinking minds. Thank you
With all due respect to those who support Ms. Medina, it is so obvious that the eventual Republican nominee for governor will be either Governor Perry or Senator Hutchison that it is hardly worth mentioning. The political naivete of those who think otherwise is stunning. I have been through many, many election cycles going back to the 70s. In my younger days I would sometimes support candidates who realistically had little or no chance of winning. Often that is a legitimate method of expressing one's political views or encouraging a candidate who is worthy of support. But I learned long ago that these "long shot" candidates are described as such for a reason. They seldom if ever win. As wonderful a person as Ms. Medina apparently is, realistically she has virtually no chance of winning this nomination. It would be irresponsible of THSC to endorse such a candidate when they have the option of supporting a Governor who has demonstrated strong support for homeschooling even when it wasn't politically expedient to do so.
You did the right thing, THSC!
The only reason the eventual Republican nominee for governor will be Perry or Hutchison is the kind of circular logic that is accepted as truth. We do the thing we ask our kids not to do. We base our vote on what we think everyone else will do. We don't want to be the lonely one standing up for what is right so we choose the lesser of two evils. Maybe I'm an idealist, but I don't believe in going along with a candidate that is wrong on a lot of counts just because more people will vote for that candidate. If organizations like THSC would get behind a truly conservative candidate, that candidate would have a much greater chance of getting elected and we might just have a fighting chance to turn this country around. Instead we'd rather just stay with what we see as the safe option, because we'd rather be on the winning side than the right side. (If you really think that's possible)
OK. Suppose that the Home shcoolers really force a run offs between Perry and Hutchinson.
Now, think. THink some more.
Will the home schoolers, now that their numbers have been demonstrated, carry more weight?
Or, what if the one one who is unelectable because people discount her as unelectable actually gets the votes and ...
Is Ms. Medina as the nominee in the GOP such a horribible (misspelling on purpose) thing?
At some point the sheep and the goats will be separated. There will be no votes to be discounted.
I beg to differ - I DO NOT BASE MY VOTE ON WHAT I THINK EVERYONE ELSE WILL DO! I have awakened up politically since the last Presidential Election, as have many others in this Nation. The rose colored glasses are off! Big Government is not my choice or the choice of many Texas conservatives! Govenor Perry, like all humans has pros and con, flaws and also has many strengths. He is looking out for Texas and has good conservative principles. He supports Home Schoolers and our right to teach our children at home! I think he is doing just fine and so did THSC and Tim Lambert for supporting him. Be careful who you vote for, it could end up taking away your liberty and forever limiting your rights as you now enjoy them! Read Liberty and Tyrany by Mark Levine and educate your self on the founding of our Nation. True conservatism does not mean more government. Government should be limited and certain candidates will not work toward that end. I home school my 19 year old and plan on home schooling my grandson who is just starting out and is 3 years old. I want a govenor who will support my right to do so now and in the future.
Guess what? My liberties keep eroding under Republicans as well.
The difference is that I also call the GOP out on it.
As to reading history. I read plenty and not the neoconservative pabulum.
Have you read Henry Hazlitt? How about John T. Flynn? Ever heard of them?
I stopped discounting my vote a long time ago. And I still see the same march toward the unitarian federal consolidation, unabated, regardless whether the GOP is in the majority.
What I noticed about Texas, when I got here in 1985, is gone. Texas is just like other States now. We are not in as bad a shape as other States yet but it is just a matter of time. Seen the Texas budgets of the recent past?
My struggle with voting for a newcomer has to do more with the times. What I'm seeing in Washington is scary to me, and I want someone with experience and maybe a little clout standing in my corner at every level possible. My husband and I tried voting for the newcomer when Ross Perot ran, and we ended up with Bill Clinton, whom almost two thirds of the country didn't want. Right now I want someone who is going to protect my rights and my family, and who doesn't have to expend all his or her energy just trying to earn political capital. It's not fair to Mrs. Medina, and I know that. I regret that.
I must disagree with your "Not following the croud" statement. It is somtimes neccesary for us to vote for the lesser of the evils. I was not a very big McCain supporter, but he was the only one that even stood a chance against Obama or Hillary.
To conclude that either Perry or Hutchison will be the eventual nominee does not involve circular reasoning at all. It is based on solid historical evidence. Both have demonstrated on several occasions that they can successfully wage and win a statewide race in a state as large and diverse as Texas. Both have the name recognition, financial resources, and organizational infrastructure to run a credible race against their eventual Democrat opponent.
Both have demonstrated that they can withstand the public scrutiny that prohibits so many from electoral success. History runs squarely against gubernatorial candidates who do not have these characteristics. With all due respect to Debra Medina, she has demonstrated none of these essentials. Maybe she is capable, but we do not know that because she hasn't done it before in this arena.
No, if anything your argument is the one that is circular. You've begged the question when you say we don't want to be the one standing up for what is right. You presume without offering evidence that Medina is the "right" choice.
Rick Perry has demonstrated strong support for homeschooling and has proven his electability. As I see it there is no compelling reason to endorse anyone else in this race.
Unfortunately the way the system is set up, the only way that someone without prior political experience wins a major race is to have significant personal name recognition in the public (e.g., Governor Arnold in CA). Even Jesse Ventura in MN had served as a Twin Cities suburban mayor before his win as MN Governor.
Very disappointed in your reasoning. The best we can do is ask everyone to pray and listen to the voice of the Lord themselves. God doesn't follow the political tides.
Tim Lambert says.
In our view, it would be unwise, wrong, and short-sighted to endorse any other candidate.
~ Tim, Hate to break it to you but you are not God. I think we want our money back from this organization that judges us.
Robert and Lisa Gailey
Robert & Lisa,
Never claimed to be God and I'm not judging you or anyone else, but I do think it is unwise and short sighted of home schoolers to turn their back on a governor who has done so much to protect home schooling parents in this state. That is of course, if home schooling is an important issue for you.
Tim,
Did you ever hear of staying neutral in a hotly contested race with two good candidates?
Only trouble is the choice on this one is clear to people really wanting to fix the problems of RINOs in office. I know you are in a tough spot because of Perry and your relationship with him and your board, but quite frankly I am glad to see that you are taking some heat over this one.
We clearly need people who will stand up and endorse people of principle in the primary. My disappointment is that you are not able to do that in this case. I hope that your organization can survive it because you have been there for us on occassion and I hope you can get there again.
Meanwhile people have to realize that their money donated to THSC is funding profile for Rick Perry. Just guessing that is not going to go down well with many, but then you are no novice here and must know what you are doing and why.
Is there any way you could get to the place to support a long shot because it was the right thing to do?
Is there any percentage polling that Debra Medina would have to get to to make you rethink your decision here?
Looking for ways to work together to Restore the Republic both now and in the future!
For Life and Liberty,
Sandra Crosnoe for R3publicans in Texas
Sandie,
Did you ever stay neutral in a hotly contested race between two good candidates? Seems like the only time someone wants me to "stay neutral" is when they disagree with me and want me to give up my right to express my opinion so it will help their candidate.
I thought you just referred to Perry as a good candidate and now he is a RINO? Oh, that was just a way to try to get me to withdraw my support.
I've supported many long shot candidates...in fact I supported Debra Medina for Vice Chair of the RPT in 2008 and that was a long shot...how soon we forget.
It is disappointing when friends challenge the motives of their friends when they disagree on candidates. Maybe we'll be on the same side next time.
Tim,
I aplogize for my comments on your blog and thank you for answering my husband and I privately. However, Luke 16:15 has kept running in my head since yesterday. Even though we do not agree on canidates, it is voters rights which should be respect. Thank you. ~Lisa
Lisa,
Thanks...I think.
God does know our hearts and I agree that voters right should be respected. Here is the last paragraph:
"We celebrate the freedom we have in Texas to homeschool our children and to choose our curriculum and the groups with which we associate, and we also celebrate the freedom to support whomever we believe to be the best candidate for each elective office in Texas; for us for governor, that is Rick Perry. We encourage those who disagree to work for the candidate of their choice."
Sounds pretty respectful to me.
Gov Perry has the experience and track record to run Texas. Medina like Obama represents change. Medina like Obama has no experiene or track record. Medina like Obama would be a puppet in office relying on her unelected advisors to tell her how to run Texas. I'll vote Perry and eagerly await Medina to gain experience and a track record.
I received immunity from "anti-incumbancy" at all costs as a greenhorn in the early 90's after voting for Ross Perot. Lesson learned. Shuck it all down to the husk folks. Perry can, has and will perform as a conservative American. Ms. Medina respectfully needs to start at the bottom and earn her stripes. One shot wonders burn out too quickly (and are too easily manipulated by those with black hearted intentions). Let us humbly pray to be wise stewards. I have had enough change.
All I have to say is Mrs. Medina "sounds" like she may make a good candidate "someday". She needs to get experience in some bigger playing fields before she tries to run for governor. Voters need to see how she will handle things when under pressure from all sides. At this time in our history we can not afford to take a chance on someone in the hopes that she can handle the job.
As a parent and a homeschool family I am concerned about my parental rights to raise my children and to direct their education. So far Rick Perry and those in office with him have protected my right to do so. I am not blind about some of Gov. Perry's views and actions he has taken. I have been paying attention to his time in office long before George W. Bush left Texas and have noticed that when he did do things that "we the people of TX" did not like he took notice. Over time he has gotten better at listening to us when we speak up. That comes with experience.
Your vote is not the only voice you have. Once a candidate is in office you still have a voice. Pay attention to what issues and bills are coming up. Read and learn what is really there and be sure to take action when you don't agree. Be an activist for what you belief in. We may not all agree with every single thing about a candidate, but you do have a voice after election, and I don't mean for complaining.
Gov. Perry has kept Texas in pretty good shape considering the condition of the rest of the country. I do know some are hurting now, but our hurts are not just because of government. We need to take responsibility for our own action or lack of action. Which ever it may be. We can not expect any of these candidates to fix our problems on their own. We have to be active and involved. We have to practice what we expect from our elected officials.
Pick your candidate and get active helping them. As for Mrs. Medina, I hope to find more on her as she moves along in her career. So those who are backing her, don't stop after this election. Keep active.
I have met Debra Medina briefly, and know her views and philosophies. I think her grasp of freedom, small & limited government, and local control are stronger than Rick Perry's. I will support Medina in the primaries, and if there is a runoff, will support her again if she makes the cut, or Perry. In the general election I will be glad to support either Perry or Medina, but pray that Medina surprises everyone and comes out on top. Either way we have a homeschool-friendly candidate, and just have to watch them to make sure our other freedoms are preserved as well.
I say "if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Texas is in the black, not the red like most states and Perry is pro homeschooling, he's got my vote.
I just received my thscpac endorsement for Rick Perry in the mail. I read all of the posts on here. I agree with two things. First, we'd get a pro-homeschool advocate whether Medina or Perry won. Second, Medina would be very electable had you chosen to place your endorsement behind her, especially given your power of influence in the homeschooling communities.
I have listened to Medina in her debates and interviews. She is a very sound conservative and I believe more of a complete package, meaning that the issues she backs represent my concerns as a Texan.
We teach our children the constitution, she memorized it. I believe she will do her best to implement it while in office as the governor of the state of Texas.
I am disheartened that thspac did not take the time to do research in finding out who all would vote for Medina before sending out their endorsement obviously narrowly based on prior experiences and allegiance.
(please do not confuse my post as being dissatisfied with the otherwise great work thsldl does on the behalf of Texas homeschoolers)
THSC PAC does not make its endorsements by polling the home school community. As I pointed out in this posting we endorsed Governor Perry because of his long and dedicated support and defense of the home school community and parental rights. If you want to call that prior experiences and allegiance, I suppose that's fair enough.
However, since our issue is home schooling it makes sense to support the best friend that Texas home schoolers have ever had in the Governor's mansion.
This whole "split the vote" argument is totally moot. In TX, a candidate has to win in the primary with 51% of the vote. If no one reaches 51%, then the top two candidates go in a run-off. So, if Hutchison should SOMEHOW miraculously get 35% of the vote and Perry got 34% and Medina got 31%, then Perry and Hutchison would face-off.
I think that a fair amount of the heat comes might come from misconstruing "we", as in "our issue is home schooling". The THSCP is a single-issue PAC, and as such, it makes its endorsements based on this single issue. But it does not, cannot, and will not pretend to speak for each and every homeschooler in Texas--or even on its own board! (Unless that have a rule requiring unanimous votes.)
The endorsement is also not a command, it is a piece of advice. Advice coming from one of the wisest and most experienced conservative leaders in Texas.
People pay attention. If loyalty is not rewarded, then what is the point of loyalty?
As for the total package argument, Medina is too Libertarian for me.
Thanks for continuing to take stands, Tim. We need more like you.
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