To some in GOP, Tea is bitter brew

By Bud Kennedy

bud@star-telegram.com

Texas is a two-party state: the Republican Party and the Tea Party.

Never have the two been more sharply divided, according to a poll this week showing both 68 points apart on the choice for Texas' next U.S. senator.

Nearly two-thirds of traditional Republicans have a favorable opinion of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, according to North Carolina-based Public Policy Polling. But 43 percent of Tea Party voters don't like him at all, and that throws the overall poll lead to Houston appellate lawyer Ted Cruz.

Which brings us to Texas' third party: the Democrats.

If East Texas lawyer Paul Sadler can win his party's July 31 runoff, he stands ready to pick up support from the 20 percent of Republicans who consider themselves too moderate for Tea.

"There is such a culture of fear in that party, I don't think any Republican could ever publicly support a Democrat," Sadler said on his way to raise money in Dallas.

But privately?

"More than one" of Sadler's former fellow Texas House lawmakers has promised to cross party lines and support him, he said.

"I don't want this to come out as 'Sadler has a chance if Cruz wins' because I think I have a good chance anyway," he said.

"I think a majority of voters will still respond to somebody who can solve problems and who tells them the truth."

Sadler is your typical underfunded long-shot Democrat. But he might draw moderate voters.

Not many Democrats stayed as overnight guests in Gov. George W. Bush's White House or were praised in his book A Charge to Keep.

As chairman of the House Public Education Committee, Sadler worked with Bush and Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff to pass the governor's education reforms and repair Texas' school finance system.

"We were trying to solve problems and move the state forward, and back then we thought that was important," he said.

Sort of like today's U.S. Senate.

"I think the original Tea Party grew out of frustration with both parties in Washington," Sadler said.

"I have a strong record of bipartisan work and success. ... I think [Cruz's] message in particular is much more divisive."

First, Sadler must defeat runoff opponent Grady Yarbrough of San Antonio, a perennial losing candidate in both parties but a familiar ballot name.

Winner gets three months' supply of Tea.

Bud Kennedy's column appears Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 817-390-7538

Twitter: @budkennedy

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