Disappointment at the last minute... UPDATED

Go to the bottom for the update:

Texas is deep in primary campaign season for the upcoming Texas Governor's race. I had decided a while back that no matter which of the Republican contenders won the primary - Texas would be in good shape for the foreseeable future. For much of the race it looked like a race between incumbent Rick Perry and Senator Kay Hutchison. Recently, though, Debra Medina has appeared as a fresh face, done well in debates, and shown a marked rise in the polls.

I had pretty much decided that Perry would get my vote, for a number of reasons. I have my issues with Perry, but over all the state is doing much better than the rest of the nation. Perry isn't responsible for all of that success, but he gets at least part of the credit. Kay Hutchison has done a passable job as a Senator - but has become increasing disingenuous to my eyes. She's not as conservative as I would like, and has not shown me anything major in the way of how she would do things differently from the way they are now.

After I heard more about Medina, though, I began to consider her as an alternative. I didn't think she had a chance of winning, but I thought it might be a good idea to throw my vote her way since it looked like it would also be a vote against Kay - at least in the primary. Maybe my vote would send a message to Rick Perry that many of us are less than happy with some aspects of his reign. He would undoubtedly get the Republican Nomination, though, but he would hopefully get the message.

Most recently, though, Medina has shown serious legs in the race. I began to hope not only that she would do well.... but might actually go on and win. So much so that after spending the morning running errands and listening to the non-stop attack ads on the radio from the bigger candidates, I had decided to come out on this blog as an all out Medina Supporter. Great big banners and links publicly endorsing her as my choice for Governor.

I heard something disturbing on the radio a few moments ago, however. Apparently, Debra Medina was on Glenn Beck's show this morning. He asked her if she was a part of the "9/11 Truther" crowd that believes that the US Government was directly involved in the plot to destroy the World Trade Center Buildings.... and she did not come out firmly against that non-sense.

Its very easy to make yourself clear. When asked if you are part of a group that is clinically insane, the answer is NO. You don't equivocate. You don't become evasive. You don't remain vague.

I'm going to give this a bit and see how the Medina Campaign reacts to this. However, if I don't hear, in simple plain language, a public statement from Medina that she IN NO WAY lends any credence to the 9/11 Truther bullshit.... I'm am completely done with her.

Period.

UPDATE: Medina posted a statement on her website today, that clarifies her position on the Truther Stuff. You can read the whole thing here, but this is the bit I was looking for:

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.

That seems pretty clear to me, and I'm willing to accept that as her position on the matter. As long as that's the end of it and there's no more quibbling about it on her part, I'm more than satisfied. She goes on to state that she was surprised by the question, and I'm also willing to give her a pass on having a deer in the headlights moment with that too. One of the prices you pay for having non-career politicians in the running is the lack of complete "polish" you find on the lifers. I'm OK with that, as long as such flubs aren't indicative of a deeper problem.