Hutchison-Perry fight begins

Houston Chronicle:

While Gov. Rick Perry took a whirlwind tour of Iraq Tuesday to support 3,800 Texas troops deployed to the Mideast, his likely GOP nemesis in 2010, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, was circulating criticism that Perry's tenure has set a poor tone back at home.

As the 81st Texas Legislature gets ready to start next week, Perry was focused on the Middle East and Hutchison was sending out fundraising letters accusing him of "challenges unanswered, too little trust and consensus, and too much infighting."

With no major budget or school finance crisis dominating the Legislature this year, no issue will be too big or too small for political overtones.

"It all gets down to politics at the end of the day," said House Appropriations Chairman Warren Chisum, R-Pampa.

In what was seen as a shot at Hutchison, Perry in December endorsed a bill to create a "Choose Life" automobile license plate, legislation that has died in every session of Perry's governorship.

The governor says his unwavering support for the issue is simply a sign that he is the most "pro-life governor in Texas history." But others say Perry is hoping to broker support from right-wing Republicans in preparation for a GOP primary challenge from Hutchison.

Other issues with political undercurrents will include transportation, college tuition, children's health insurance, border security and hurricane relief — all of which are expected to echo through campaign rhetoric leading up to a governor's race in 2010.

In her fundraising letter, Hutchison said the state budget has doubled under Perry and said state government was indifferent to private property rights "in a quest to cover our state with massive toll roads" under his Trans Texas Corridor plan.

Perry spokesman Mark Miner said Hutchison has been ineffective in Washington, so "all she can do is attack."

The letter coincides with Tuesday's announcement by the Texas Department of Transportation that the Trans Texas Corridor project will be scaled back and renamed the Innovative Connectivity Plan.

Perry, in a conference call from Iraq, said the name had changed largely because political opponents had misrepresented it.

"The idea that there was misrepresentation of what it was certainly plays into the decision that (the Texas Department of Transportation) made, and I support their decision," Perry said.

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I am not sure changing the name will change the politics. I have been agnostic on the Trans Texas Corridor. I am not reflexively against it, but believe its proponents must make their case which they have had a tough time doing. Their opponents will make the same arguments against the program whatever its name. Having seen how toll roads have significantly enhanced mobility in Houston and Dallas, I favor using them particularly in urban areas.

I think it would be a mistake for Kay to fall into the trap of opposing the "choose life" license plates. If she favors choice, she should just say and compliment those who make the choice for life.

It is way too early for me to be making a choice in this race, but it will be entertaining watching these two accomplished politicians position themselves for the battle. I would not count either of them out at this point, but Kay may have an edge in the early polling.