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<img src="http://www.texasobserver.org/images/email/emailHeader_top.gif" /><br /> <a href="http://www.texasobserver.org"><img src="http://www.texasobserver.org/images/email/emailHeader_home.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.texasobserver.org/subscribe.php"><img src="http://www.texasobserver.org/images/email/emailHeader_subscribe.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.texasobserver.org/donate.php"><img src="http://www.texasobserver.org/images/email/emailHeader_donate.gif" /></a><img src="http://www.texasobserver.org/images/email/emailHeader_right.gif" /><br /> <h2>Why You Can’t Blame TMA for Endorsing Perry</h2> <h4>by Dave Mann</h4> <div style="width:594px;"> <p>Gov. Rick Perry picked up a<a href="http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2009/11/02/texas_docs_endorse_perry.html" title="Statesman blog"> key endorsement</a> earlier this week from the political arm of the Texas Medical Association.</p> <p>The endorsement wasn't a huge shock. TMA, which represents more than 40,000 doctors, has been tight with Perry since 2003, especially on tort reform issues. </p> <p>But it wasn't an easy choice. TMA has also endorsed Kay Bailey Hutchison every time she's been on the ballot. On TMA's core policy issues, there isn't much difference between Perry and Hutchison. The doctors' group might have endorsed Hutchison or taken the easy path by sitting the primary race out and waiting to make an endorsement until the general election.</p> <p>David Reynolds, the director of political education for TEXPAC (TMA's political arm), told me the group considers both candidates "friends." One advantage for the governor is that "Perry has been a friendly incumbent."</p> <p>It's clear not everyone in TMA's leadership is thrilled with the Perry endorsement. <a href="http://www.quorumreport.com/" title="Quorum Report">Quorum Report</a> wrote earlier this week that the vote by TMA leaders to endorse Perry wasn't unanimous. A group of present and past leaders at TMA have broken ranks to support Hutchison by forming a group called <a href="http://texans.forkay.com/Jeff/2009/11/02/physicians-for-kay-announce-support-for-kay" title="Texans for Kay …<br/><br/><a href='http://www.texasobserver.org/contrarian/comments/why-you-cant-blame-tma-for-endorsing-perry'>Read the entire article »</a> <br /><br /> http://www.texasobserver.org/contrarian/comments/why-you-cant-blame-tma-for-endorsing-perry </div> <br /><br /> <img src="http://www.texasobserver.org/images/email/email_footer.gif" />