The Texas gubernatorial race: Time for a change
EDITORIAL BOARD
Published: 6:59 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010
The temperature rises when Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White enters a room, but not much. When he speaks, the excitement level goes up, but gradually. His speeches are devoid of anything that takes a crowd from zero to frenzy in a moment.
If you’re driven by campaign-trail zingers, White might not be your candidate. But a longer listen produces the inescapable conclusion that White is a thoughtful, experienced, unifying leader — just what Texas needs now. That’s why we are endorsing him to become Texas’ 48th governor.
There’s much to appreciate about White, both in his past public service and the direction he plans to lead our state if voters oust GOP Gov. Rick Perry on Nov. 2.
White’s résumé is as impressive as any Texas gubernatorial candidate has offered in many years. As a deputy secretary in the U.S. Energy Department in the Clinton administration, he ran a large federal agency. As a lawyer, he won respect as one of the state’s best. As a businessman, he lived through the ups and downs of the private sector — a valuable life experience many politicians lack.
And as Houston’s mayor for six years, White effectively led a diverse city, experience that would serve him well in dealing with state lawmakers and the daunting challenges they will face next year in budget and redistricting battles.
We like White’s nose-to-the-grindstone style and campaign rhetoric free of hyperpartisanism and promises of quick fixes.
If elected, White will face a projected two-year budget shortfall now estimated by some at $21 billion. There is no magic-bullet solution. White offers none. He will look for responsible ways to decrease spending. never forgetting his on-target priorities: Education and public safety.
There is no promise that closing the budget gap will not require more money.
"Until we look under the hood and see how bad (Perry) has left the state, I don’t know," White said.
We also like White’s take on education. He has been a force in creative education programs, including the Expectation Graduation initiative that keeps kids in class. Texans should share White’s view that our public schools have an "overemphasis on high-stakes, standardized multiple-choice tests" that he believes "produce a standardized product, and that’s not what the job market demands."
He’s interested in pumping up early childhood programs that offer high return on investment.
"People in this state want somebody who is more interested in results than rhetoric and theatrics, who has common sense and is dedicated to getting things done," White said in summing up his campaign. "I’ll work hard to run state government efficiently as a public service machine, not as a political machine."
There’s plenty in White’s record to indicate he can be that kind of leader.
