This requires a little backgrond.
Sarah Palin came to visit and speak for Governor Rick Perry's upcoming campaign while most Tea Partiers in Texas support Tea Party candidate, Debra Medina.
Polls in Texas show Medina gaining ground on both Governor Perry and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.
But then Glenn Beck interviews Medina and all hell breaks loose. Tea Partiers in Texas have decided that Glenn Beck can go to hell. Or not.
And then, to top it off, someone decides that Glen Beck must be a progressive.
Only in the great state of Texas.
Texan Tea Partiers are having a hard time making up their minds about what do about the Gubernatorial Republican Primary. Some of you will have read thatSarah Palin came to Houston to speak for Governor Rick Perry. Shame on Sarah for not realizing that the Tea Party has put forth their own candidate, Debra Medina.
A recent poll showed Medina pulling more points away from both Governor Perry and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. Katherine Haenschen over at Burnt Orange Report:
Medina, on the other hand, may be only the Republican Party Chair of Wharton County, but at least she knows her principles and she sticks to them. She even took the Republican Party of Texas to court because she found the state convention insufficiently open to activists such as herself and her supporters. And while Democrats are quick to dismiss her as "just another crazy," she's speaking to a growing electoral base who are frustrated with what they see in DC and in Austin.
Now, as a wider swathe of Republican primary voters have started paying attention, polling reflects the growing momentum behind Medina's candidacy. Similarly, flagging numbers for the Senior Senator illustrate the continued troubles of Hutchison to pick up any energy.
Perry's numbers have largely held steady over the course of the campaign. However, it's Medina who has gone from zero to Tea Party Hero, drawing support steadily away from Hutchison and undecideds a like. Many Hutchison voters are simply anti-Perry, and Medina now provides an equally compelling choice for folks dissatisfied with the status quo. And for the Republican activist base who are unhappy with both Austin and Washington, Medina is a clear alternative, a fresh voice for their far-right ideals.
But wait, there's more! Yesterday, during an interview with Glenn Beck, Medina may have made the mistake of a lifetime.
BECK: Do you believe the government was any way involved with the bringing down of the World Trade Centers on 9/11?
MEDINA: I don’t, I don’t have all of the evidence there, Glenn. So I don’t I’m not in a place, I have not been out publicly questioning that. I think some very good questions have been raised in that regard. There are some very good arguments, and I think the American people have not seen all of the evidence there. So I’ve not taken a position on that.
For the full story, check out http://thinkprogress.org/...
There has been an absolute uproar here in Texas about this. On her website, Medina retracted her statement:
I was asked a question on the Glenn Beck show today regarding my thoughts on the so-called 9/11 truth movement. I have never been involved with the 9/11 truth movement, and there is no doubt in my mind that Muslim terrorists flew planes into those buildings on 9/11. I have not seen any evidence nor have I ever believed that our government was involved or directed those individuals in any way. No one can deny that the events on 9/11 were a tragedy for all Americans and especially those families who lost loved ones.
The question surprised me because it's not relevant to this race or the issues facing Texans. This campaign has always been about private property rights and state sovereignty. It is focused on the issues facing Texans. It is not a vehicle for the 9-11 truth movement or any other group.
According to many, this is the end of Medina. Our old friend and former San Antonio Tea Party Chairperson, Robin Juhl makes that clear on TheyThinkYouAre Stupid,
Wow. Debra Medina just lost her bid for governor. "He Who Shall Not Be Named" has a better change after this answer:
Wow. I mean, just...wow.
But Robin has not proven to be a great judge of character up to this point in the story. After all, she practically handed over the San Antonio Tea Party to a convicted felon. What do other Texan Tea Partiers think about all this?
Most think Glenn Beck screwed them over. For an overall story, you can check outPhilip Martin at BurntOrangeReport.
But here's a good sample of the kind of conversation going on at the 9/12 Forum. This on starts off with Bad Beck (emphasis mine):
Beck Lynches Real Reformer
Posted by Jessica Hughes on February 11, 2010 at 9:52am in TEXAS
In response to the demands of his viewers/listeners that he give some air time to the only genuine reformer in the Texas Race, Beck staged a lynching of Debra Medina today.
As she laid out her excellent plans for restoring Liberty to Texans and standing firm against the Federal Government, he launched into a grilling over whether she is a 9/11 Truther, whether she has any advisers who are, and then if she did would she disavow them.
If Beck thinks this is the most pressing issue facing the People of this nation he is an idiot. If he is smart enough to know there are bigger fish to fry then he is the Party Tool so many have accused him of being.
Either way, there will be a free hour on many DVRs in Texas in the future.
REPLIES TO THIS DISCUSSION
Permalink Reply by Debbie McKee 1 hour ago
I have never trusted him and now I have no respect for him.
He has shown his true colors, I hope and pray it will hurt him more than it hurts us.
Permalink Reply by Nan 1 hour ago
I think that many Texans will find better use of their time in the morning and in the afternoon during his show. I know I will, he did lynch her. If he thinks either SlickRick or KBH is better for Texas than Medina, he doesn't know what he is talking about.
Further, she didn't say she believed that the Federal Gov't was involved, but that the jury was still out. I agree. The jury is still out on many things.
How can you believe that Saul Alinsky principles and Clower and Piven strategies have invaded the White House and then dis someone who says the information on 9/11 is not complete. More than a little hypocritical to may taste.
Permalink Reply by Daniel A. Merka 1 hour ago
This was a pure ambush by Beck. He came across as Perry supporter.
This one leads with Bad Medina (emphasis mine):
Debra Medina Bombs on Glenn Beck Radio Show (BREAKING NEWS)
Posted by Jared Law on February 11, 2010 at 9:45am in 9.12 Project Candidates
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First of all, to be clear, I am NOT endorsing ANYBODY for the Texas Governor's Primary race. I am a fan of SOME of Rick Perry's statements, but I am a HUGE opponent of some of his garbage, like the Corridor project, and other anti-sovereignty policy failures of the Rick Perry Administration. I think Texas can do A LOT BETTER than Rick Perry, but I don't think he is the Anti-Christ.
I am totally opposed, personally, to Kay Bailey Hutchison; she's a pro-abortion "progressive," and I'm confident that very few in here are fans of hers.
I was hopeful about Debra Medina, but I was wary because of several reports that she was evasive when it came to answering questions with straight answers, and her refusal to talk about her personal views.
Sadly, today, Debra Medina totally bombed on the Glenn Beck radio program; I can imagine that most Debra Medina supporters were in shock as their candidate melted away like dew in the morning sun.
Glenn asked her basic questions, but instead of answering them, she rattled off talking points, just like John McCain.
And just like Barack Hussein Obama, who refused to disassociate with/disavow the 9/11 Truther Van Jones, Debra Medina refused to clearly disassociate herself with 9/11 Truthers, refused to acknowledge in her campaign, and she refused to disavow the 9/11 Truther movement. Her answers to Glenn's straight questions were evasive, and they reeked of something-to-hide.
Glenn Beck ended the call early; it was a very short call because of her lack of character. She COULD have chosen to answer Glenn's questions straight, but she refused when given the opportunity. Glenn even gave her a second chance to clarify.
I got a very bad vibe; I feel bad for Debra Medina's supporters; she had a wonderful opportunity to shine, and she bombed like you wouldn't believe. Debra Medina has nobody to blame but herself. And I really hope that Debra Medina supporters won't shoot the messenger; I'm just calling it like I heard it, live on the radio. I totally agree with Glenn.
She may have destroyed her campaign with a single phone call.
It's time to talk about other lesser-known candidates, don't you think?
I hope we haven't devolved into hero-worship in the case of Debra Medina; we should have faith that another candidate has a chance, don't you think? Shouldn't we look at ALL of our options? There are what...nearly a dozen candidates who are Republican, independent, Libertarian, and Constitution Party candidates?
I mean, when an unknown candidate just parrots talking points instead of giving a straight answer to questions, just like "Slick Rick" Perry is so often accused of doing, shouldn't we re-evaluate the choices?
What are your thoughts (I suppose I should brace myself for insults, personal attacks, and rotten vegetables tossed my way)?
But basically, folks think that Glen Beck ambushed Medina and that something is stinks in the state of Texas, like maybe another candidate put him up to this:
Well people today we got the clarification we all wondered about. Beck is in the pocket of the establishment that is laughing all the way to the bank as they profit off of the hopes of sincere Americans. We are in this to fight for the soul of our nation. We will get the word out about you Glenn Beck all across this land!
Apparently, Glenn decided to ambush a candidate for governor in Texas with questions of surrounding the 9/11 truth movement instead of interviewing her on the only issues she's ever campaigned for, "property rights," "state sovereignty" and our "2nd amendment rights." Or in other words, our rights to life, liberty and property.
Debra Medina exemplifies all of the qualities that this group espouses as its core principles. We should use those principles as the standard by which all candidates for office are judged.
I hope more people wake up and realize that Glenn is NOT what he claims to be.
Debra just said that no one knows the full story about what really happened.
It's not an issue in this campaign.
He set her up.
And you know what? Now I question his motivations for doing what he did. He just risked being put in the same place he is putting the politicians - in the category of suspicion. I'm wondering if either Hutchinson or Perry 'tipped' Glenn off that Medina was a 'truther?'
This interview has shaken my faith in Beck.
We even have a fellow Kossack who is less than pleased with Mr. Beck,
I am extremely angry right now. I seriously want to throw something at my computer or probably better, Glenn Beck.
I always knew that Glenn Beck had serious problems. But I never took part in the boycott because A) he entertained some libertarian notions and B) I always have concerns with silencing our media.
But I will be silent no more. I am ready to fight!
But not everyone is on the same page. Some are willing to let Medina go. They can't imagine Glenn Beck being anything but a great man,
Glen may have started this movement, but he has never been the leader. He has left it up to the people to carry on, and has stated as such on his show a few months ago. Please make sure you know what you are talking about before making statements like this.
Debra Medina is all talk. period and many have seen right through her. We dont need truthers in office she blew it period and i find it interesting as long as beck agreed with you he was ok as a leader but because he didn't jump on her bandwaggan you are ready to thrw him overboard. LOL too funny. you cannot blame Beck for that. Beck has taught us to look more closely to the candidates. and not buy into their slick campaign ads etc. and to make up our own minds on who to support.. Get over it your girl blew it all by herself.
I'm sorry you choose to personally attack Glenn Beck. Please stop it. She screwed up her chance, not Glenn. She has nobody to blame but herself. Please don't hero-worship Media to the point of personally attacking Glenn!! He has done SO MUCH for the Patriot Movement!!
The board over at 9/12 is going crazy. Without Glenn Beck telling them what to think, they're actually trying to think for themselves. This is George Lakoff and framing to a tee - Glenn Beck messed with the frame. He messed with a Libertarian candidate and true Libertarians just can't wrap their head's around it. So Medina can't be wrong, Glenn Beck must be. The Glenn Beck lovers just can't imagine that Glenn would ever purposefully take someone out at the knees (at least not a valid candidate), so Medina must be crazy. It's an either/or proposition here.
The split personality of the Tea Party crew is likely to last a little longer. It will interesting to see how Rush Limbaugh tackles this one. It may be the downfall of Beck in Texas; is Limbaugh far behind?
And I've saved the best for last, Glenn Beck is a progressive. Yes, he really is. This email was received by a friend of mine earlier today, emphasis mine:
Well, I guess we can see where Glenn Beck really stands. I thought he was an honorable man, but he proved me wrong today on his radio show when he just came out and lied about Debra Medina being a 9-11 Conspirator Advocate. Mrs. Medina never said that. She only said she didn't want to comment on an issue that she didn't know or have all the facts. Isn't that just what anyone would say if they didn't know or have all the facts.
The problem is when our leaders and personalities start making comments that they don't know, like Glenn Beck did today. And to laugh at her on the air is unforgivable. I will never watch him again ever. He is a moron! It seems he is a Progressive like he tries to tell us everyone else is. Shame on him!
So, I think we've just been called Glenn Becks. I, for one, am highly insulted. Otherwise, I am finding all of this highly entertaining.
I still worry that the Tea Party may pull something out of all of this. But moments like these make me think that the mountain is crumbling. And that it may take down Glenn Beck along with it.
Status Update - for those that really want to dig into this fight, Compost On The Weeds shares the link to the TX Gubernatorial Republican Primary debate.
Status Update #2 - fellow Kossack just posted Can this poodle wearing a tinfoil hat get more fans than Glenn-Beck? I highly recommend that all disaffected Texans visit the Facebook link and join.