Stumper of the Week: A Brand-New Golden Rule

The nuttiest things said this week in Texas politics

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Lord Almighty: Only 10 days till we know just how disastrous it’s going to be for Democrats—and what kind of, er, leadership Texas will have as it deals with a massive budget deficit, among other challenges, in 2011. With the rhetoric flying hot and heavy, the competition for the most outlandish, befuddling, illogical or just flat-out clueless statements of the week in Texas politics was unusually heated—and the winners unusually nutty.

Here are this week’s Honorable Mention Stumpers:

Especially if I lose

“Our nation was founded on violence; the option is on the table. I don’t think that we should ever remove anything from the table as it relates to our liberties and our freedoms.”

Stephen Broden, Republican challenger for state House District 30, asked by WFAA-TV’s Brad Watson about past comments calling for a violent revolution against the federal government

Seriously: My new chicken-plant job is hell on wheels

“I miss being pampered.”

Former President http://www.tylerpaper.com/article/20101020/NEWS08/101029998at UT-Tyler on Oct. 19

The miracle of democracy

“If you voted yes you were voting no, if you voted no you were voting yes.”

El Paso early voter Arnold Montiel, who accidentally voted against domestic-partner benefits on the city’s confusingly worded proposition seeking to overturn those benefits

If you love a child, set him free

“Maybe they know something about what’s good for them and their lives. Let him go his own way if he’s of that mind, because he’s not getting anything out of his experience.”

Kathie Glass, Libertarian candidate for governor, calling for Texas dropouts to be allowed to leave quit school if they want to during the Oct. 19 gubernatorial debate

And that’s why I wanted to run against him

“Gov. Perry has not only been true to the values that matter most to the people of Texas, he is also a conservative leader that has led our state in job creation and renewable energy.”

—Former Democratic candidate for governor Farouk Shami, endorsing the Republican he sought to face in November

Just not a Democratic someone

“The ideal scenario is Perry will announce the day after election night that this is his last term. And then mean it. Texas needs a change in the governor’s mansion after 2014, but it needs to be someone who will have the best interests of Texas voters in mind.”

The Midland Reporter-Telegraph, “reluctantly” endorsing Gov. Rick Perry for re-election after saying nice things about Democrat Bill White

Informed voter department

“Why mess a good thing up?”

Sheri Kennedy of Montgomery, explaining her support for Gov. Rick Perry after his Oct. 21 appearance in Conroe

Stumper of the Week

The Bible says: Treat your Democratic neighbors the way Republicans would want them treated

“Above all, practice the Golden Rule.”

—Williamson County Democratic Party chair Gregory Windham, who endorsed Republican state House candidate Larry Gonzales over Democrat Rep. Diana Maldonado and abruptly resigned his post two weeks before Election Day, citing ” divisive, rigid leadership” in the Democratic Party and accusing Democrats of “engaging in personal name calling” against him.