Carole Keeton Strayhorn's campaign has announced they have over 100,000 signatures awaiting verification when they only need 45,000 or so. Friedman's campaign won't say how many they have except they do say they expect to be on the ballot.
While Strayhorn fights for statistical sampling of the verficiation processs in court, Friedman's campaign replies that they'll just watch what happens. I'm not sure how I feel about that. Why wouldn't they join up and saying, "Helly ya...that statistical sampling shit is the way to go, yo." Oh well, it just makes us look over at Strayhorn, the grandma with the big brass balls and realize she ain't playin' around.
May 11 is the deadline to submit signatures. We think they'll meet the criteria (both Friedman and Strayhorn) but we sure as hell don't think it ought to take until July to verify them. That's some bullshit. So, go Carole...give 'em hell.
Probably Kinky wants to save some $ while Strayhorn spends her $ to facilitate the process, if she can. Whatever favorable decision takes place will still help Kinky. I suspect too that Strayhorn is worried about her validation rate. Her paid circulators did not do a very thorough vetting process out in the field from what I saw first hand, ie checking if petition signer was registered voter, voted in the primary and/or runoff primary or had previously signed Kinky's petition. In fact, some Strayhorn circulators were asking people who had literally just signed Kinky's petition to sign Strayhorn's too!
The Kinky camp doesn't have the money for the legal firepower needed to take on Roger William's and his war chest. Better to let Strayhorn have her fun and reap the benefits (should there be any)
Bubba,
Unfortunately the big money folks do pay attention early and they won't be sending Kinky any cash until they are certain he is on the ballot.
You don't think Roger the dodger is playing these shenanigans for his own amusement do ya? He and his pretty boy master are running skerred and want to keep the competition down as much as they can.
That's a good point, Anon. However, Big Money will not be contributing to Kinky's campaign. He's a lightweight, and his platform doesn't attract anyone who isn't already spoken for. Carole already has significant backing from her friends at Ryan & Co, as well as several (billionaire) trial lawyers.
With regard to your other point--yes, Roger's doing all he can. I just don't think that he can do much. Hence, "meh."
Furhtermore, don't forget that this issue keeps her in the papers (for free--sort of) and probably serves to solidify support for more independent-minded voters.
Don't count Kinky out yet. I think people would be wrong to say that he won't have a significant upward spike in his coffers once he is on the ballot. If everyone is already "spoken for" why don't we just quit talking and crown Perry governor based on the most recent poll.
I suspect that there will be some new money heading his way. How much is anyone's guess.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/columnists/apeppard/stories/DN-OTTpeppard_0501gl.ART.State.Edition1.e2dee32.html
last time i checked, jimmy buffett was a billionaire.
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Meh. I'm all for those two getting on the ballot. However, they both have the necessary name recognition so that getting started in July won't hurt them. Nobody starts paying attention to elections prior to Labor Day, anyway.