Media punditry at Legislative Conference in New Braunfels

Christi Hoppe (DMN) said Gov. Perry is probably the best politician Texas has produced, and that includes LBJ.

Harvey Kronberg (Quorum Report) - Perry is in a position to virtually ignore Bill White. Aside from Tommy Merritt losing, the tea party folks didn't do much.

Ross Ramsey, mg editor Texas Tribune - Republican primary drew 1.5 million because there was a fight. Downballot voters numbered 900,000. It didn't change the Congressioal delegation, and the Democrats ave a very narrow window to take the state House.

Bill White chances in November?
Hoppe - starts out as 7 point underdog, would have to run flawless campaign. Perry's campaign hits on all cylinders and White's hands on managing of a campaign may not work.

Kronberg - White has a political base in Houston, he has money and the capacity to raise money, and he has new voters after the Obama election. White is ignoring Perry's demands for him to release his income taxes.

Ross - White starts with a disadvantage. Were White to win, it would be an upset. Perry would have to make a mistake, and voters are unhappy with Democrats. Usually the larger the R primary turn-out, the more center they are, but not so this time - Perry doesn't need to run to the middle. The larger turnout was conservative.

Victor Carillo losing as Railroad Commissioner?

Hoppe - Republicans are on borrowed time unless they learn to elect Hispanics. The leadership does well to appoint and bring in leaders.

Culture war at the SBOE?

Hoppe - It is said that for some positions, when you are in the news, it is bad. If too many people know what is going on at the SBOE, you are inn trouble. We saw moderate conservative Republians she said were moving to the "religious right."

Kronberg - When Republicans talk about smaller government, they tend to win elections. Marginal voters don't agree with the SBOE conservatives.

Ramsey - We asked recently if humans and dinosaurs lived on the planet at the same time "like the Flintstones was a documentary." When the SBOE makes a spectacle of itself, it goes too far - perhaps they should be appointed.

Kronberg - Some D's will be running against the SBOE.

(Sorry, Pundits - it is clear you just don't get it!)