2010: Austin American-Statesman Endorses Bill White

The Austin American-Statesman this morning backed Democrat Bill White for governor over incumbent Republican Rick Perry:

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.

...

Perry, whom we endorsed against a weak field in 2006, has evolved into a caricature of himself. He has not wavered from the core principles that drove him when he was a conservative Democrat in the Texas House. But the delivery has become shrill and the show has become tired.

There's little to indicate Perry can be the kind of unifying leader needed as Texas confronts defining challenges in coming years.

There's plenty in White's record to indicate he can be that kind of leader.

The Statesman, which endorsed Perry in 2006, is the second Texas paper to endorse White in the 2010 contest. The Houston Chronicle backed White, Houston's former mayor, two Sundays ago.

Perry, it should be noted, has not sought the endorsements of any newspapers; he has declined to meet with editorial boards during the general election campaign, as he did during the primary campaign, when his GOP rival, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, won the backing of every big-city paper in Texas.