As I mentioned previously, the call left me a bit lukewarm about Bell's possible run for the Governorship. Since then, the Senator from Tightly Wound has decided to try to retain her Senate seat (giving the only declared Democratic candidate, Barbara Ann Radnofsky a definite if tough opponent to target), and One Less Independent Than She Looks Grandma made her sniping with Govna Goodhair an official campaign.

All of which makes the prospect of any Democrat running for Governor even more difficult. (Please, don't anybody mention Useless as Tits on a Statewide Bull John Sharp to me, either. I'm down with Kuff's idea that he could make himself useful in CD 14, but that's about it.)

So, a partial Q & A with maybe/maybe not Gubernatorial Candidate Chris Bell :

Q: You've said that ethics is going to be a mainstay of any campaign you run. What reforms would you want to put into place?

Stop the Revolving Door from the Governor's office directly to lobbying firms. Model the law after Houston's ordinance that I championed on the city council there. People who go into public service ought to be people who want to SERVE. At least one year between holding a position in the Govs office and employment by a lobbying firm. Cited two examples of the opposite-Mike Toomey and Dan Shelley from Perrys office.

Contribution limits on in state campaigns. There are limits at the federal level, and several municipalities-including Houston and Austin-which has a very stringent limit of $100 per person yet they still find qualified candidates who are able to run effective campaigns.

Election Reform-people mention this frequently to me when I goes to events. I support a paper trail for electronic voting so voters can have a measure of confidence that their votes will be counted and accurate.

Q: Budgets are a moral document. What would you do to change the state budgeting process?

Start a lot earlier. Right after the election with a Blue Ribbon commission. The Governor has to engage both sides-not just focusing on education finance. Texas financial structure is, as many agree, antiquated. The people of Texas are fair-minded. If a fair plan can be drawn based on current economic conditions, I think they'll accept it. It will mean closing some business tax loopholes, and the business won't like it. They'll fight it tooth and nail. That will require a Governor who can show strong leadership.

Q: Given that Texas has a consitutionally "weak" governor by design, how will you approach these changes. It almost seems like Lt Gov might be a better position to accomplish this things.

People who say the Governor's a weak office are full of hooey.* The Governor needs to set the agenda, and of course he has the veto. He has to be willing to work with folks-particular when, as is likely to be the case the Lt Gov and House Leader are of the opposing party. The Governor is not powerless.

There's a bit more, but it's covered elsewhere.

I hope Bell gets off the dime soon. One way or another, Texas Democrats need to bring the fight to every office. It's coming down to either lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way.

_{*(Hee, Chris Bell called me full of hooey. I shouldn't be this amused, but I am...) FTR, I said "constitutionally weak"- which is generally acknowledged by students of government -not "powerless".}

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