Clinton’s latest “endorsement”

The Clinton campaign has released an internet video insinuating the late Texas governor, Ann Richards, would be a strong Hillary supporter. Her two sons object to the video.

From the link:

But sons Dan and Clark Richards, partners at an Austin law firm, say nobody can know who the outspoken and opinionated former governor would have supported in the race between Clinton and Barack Obama.

“As her children, we never presumed to know her mind when alive and we are not prepared to make a claim as to who she would endorse or what she would do if she were still with us,” they wrote in an e-mail last week. “We are not granting permission for her name to be used in advertisements on behalf of either candidate.”

The e-mail, provided to The Associated Press by Dan Richards, was sent to Cathy Bonner, a friend of their mother’s and member of Richards’ administration. Bonner is working with Clinton’s campaign and sent Dan and Clark Richards an early copy of the video on Feb. 19 “to make sure you are okay with it.”

Dan Richards said in an interview Tuesday that they denied permission and he’s angry the campaign published the video anyway. He said the campaign contacted him again last Friday to ask him to reconsider, and he repeated his objections.

Another smart move from Team Clinton. As the sandcastle crumbles, her entire presidential effort is looking like a case study on how not to run a campaign.

(Hat tip: the Daily Dish)

Texas primary on March 4

The Texas primary is coming up in several weeks on Tuesday, March 4. It’s an open vote and I intend to pull the lever for Obama. My blog has probably been showing a bias that direction for a while.

There’s no reason to vote on the GOP ticket since McCain will be the nominee. Plus, even though I have some substantial policy differences with Obama, I would like to see him as president. I think there is something truly transformative with his message. Transformative far, far beyond his race.

I don’t have a problem with McCain as president, either.

And, I have no problem with women in executive positions. I voted for Ann Richards, a Democrat, for governor of Texas more than once. I vote for Kay Baily Hutchinson, a Republican, for reelection to the Senate every chance I get.

I had no beef with the Clinton years in Washington. I liked the balancing of the budget, and the GOP hate thrown Bill’s way was stupid and counterproductive. I do have great qualms with a Hillary presidency. The arrogance of her early campaign, and a serious lack of overall competence managing these primary battles, make me think she’s not capable of running this country.

We may soon have the first black president. We will have both a black and female president in the future — possibly in the same person. Condi Rice, anyone? Anyone who votes for a candidate based solely on their race, gender or party affiliation, rather than what that candidate brings to the table, is doing their vote a disservice.

(Just for the record, I wouldn’t vote current Texas governor, Rick Perry, for dogcatcher. I thank our state’s political power structure that all the real clout resides in the lieutenant governor’s office.)