Roger Williams says Texas Republicans are this year's "underdogs"

"We're the underdogs and we have to act like it."

That's what Weatherford car dealer and former Secretary of State Roger Williams told a crowd of Republicans Tuesday night at a meeting of Texas Victory, the Texas Republican Party's coordinated get-out-the-vote effort for 2008. The group is holding meetings with Republicans around the state.

"This is a challenging time to be a Republican. No question about it," Williams said. "What happened in Dallas County can happen anywhere in Texas. We know that."

Of course, this isn't the first time a high-profile Republican has told Tarrant County Republicans that the party is in trouble, but Williams seemed to be hitting on the theme a little harder.

Williams has raised money this election season to elect Republicans statewide. He said Gov. Rick Perry's recent announcement that he plans to run for another term could affect his own plans.

"I'll be behind [Perry] whatever he chooses to do," Williams said. "The Senate seat will be open so there are options."

Other Williams musings:

On McCain's strengths and his limitations: "I think he'll reach out and capture the majority of the independents and if I get our base out to vote, we'll win."

His argument to those who say the current slate of GOP candidates aren't conservative enough to support: "The other side is zero percent conservative."

On the John Cornyn/Rick Noriega Senate Race: Williams said he's acting as if the recent Rasmussen poll showing Cornyn with just a 4-point lead is accurate even though he's not sure if it's that close. "We're not taking anything for granted," Williams said. "That's the only poll I have to go on so I tell people he's only up by four."

-Aman Batheja

*[Ed. note - A Texas Victory spokesman explained to us that the money Williams has been raising this year is for Texas Republican candidates, not for his own possible future run for office.]

Comments

[herb]

Stop illegal immigration
Fix our broken border
NO AMNESTY
Renegotiate NAFTA
Respect the 2nd amendment

These are the issues that will get republicans either elected or replaced.

[Better than Mahalo]

Indeed, it looks to me as if the Republicans are going to be replaced and not elected with their election manifesto.

[Earl]

Go sell cars, Roger, and leave political items to people that havent been fired because they were plotting a run for governor against the very man who appointed them to a lofty state position like Secretary of State.

[Clay]

Roger has what it takes: Lots of flags in the background of his photos and really good hair. The rest is just window dressing...

[Debbie]

I am a Democrat and a supporter of Hillary, coming November if she's on the ballot (bet she will be) and it must be for President, I will vote for her. Now, on that day too, I planned to vote for the re-election of Senator John Cornyn, because Senator Conryn has proved over and over he hears the will of the people in regards to "NO AMENSTY" "ENFORCEING OUR CURRENT IMMIGRATION LAWS" and "FIXING OUR BROKEN BORDERS".... But!!!... last Sunday on one of our local newscast media outlet when I saw him (Cornyn) on the screen I didn't listen to a word he was saying my eyes were fixed on whom was sitting next to him, and for this reason of that person sitting next to him, I instantly and permanently changed my mind, coming November I will vote for Rick Noriega. By the way, that person sitting next to Senator John Cornyn was R-I-C-K-Y P-E-R-R-Y.

[kevin]

Roger I think you worry too much about Republicans. I don't think you care about the issues. You are more concerned with how the Republican Party looks. The American people should be your concern. Ask them what concerns them, and use that as a barometer for your worries.

[Sharon Williams-Elton]

Roger, Keep up the good work for the GOP. Dad (J.B.) was proud of you and admired the good you have done for our state and our Party. Please tell Patty Hello, and tell me how I can help during this election year.

[JD]

What has John Cornyn actually done for YOU, the constituent? Pretty much nothing, since he's been busy being one of Bush's wind-up quote monkeys in the press, and doing whatever has been commanded of him for the last six years. Almost anyone, no matter what party they belong to, would be better than a 100% dyed-in-the-wool Bush stooge representing us.

P.S. Rather telling that a Clinton supporter was willing to re-elect Cornyn, isn't it.

[Mrs. Eddie Robinson]

I have some interesting information to help the national election. Eddie and I have met you in Ft. Worth and at the ball park numerous times. Eddie is writing a book about his long career in baseball. It will be interesting to any baseball lover.

Good luck in your work for the November elections.

Bette Robinson