Hutchison's Tenuous 'Leg Up'...

As was noted yesterday, a recent poll conducted by a Raleigh, N.C.-based Public Policy group shows Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson leading incumbent Rick Perry in what could be a nasty primary battle for the Texas Governorship.

Having spent a good bit of time in Texas, around Texas Republicans, something about this doesn't quite ring true to me.

Looking into PPP will cause many conservatives to have heart burn, but it's important to put their polling numbers into a more proper perspective.

In recent weeks, Senator Hutchinson has come under fire from conservative circles on just how "conservative" she is. For example, her past support for The Wish List is going to be a key part of this debate (this organization is dedicated to identifying, training, supporting and electing pro-choice Republican women).

This, of course, is not widely known, but my guess is it will be by the time the campaign is over -- and I have no doubt that Texas conservatives will react negatively to it.

It's also interesting to me that the folks who conducted this poll do not appear to specialize in polling Republicans. For example, their clients include:

- AARP

- National Education Association

- NARAL Pro Choice North Carolina

- The NC Democratic Party

- NC AFL-CIO

- Planned Parenthood Action Fund of Central NC

- UAW

... While I have no reason to doubt this survey is legitimate, the skeptic in me still wonders why it is that a liberal polling outfit from North Carolina would be who is behind these interesting results...

Regardless, I suspect that if Republicans get to choose, Perry will be re-elected. As such, my guess is Sen. Hutchinson's strategy will be to get as many Independents and Democrats as possible to cross-over and vote for her in the GOP Primary.

It will be heated ...