There was a time when analysts thought Democrat Bill White, former mayor of Houston, had a shot at beating longtime Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R). The trick was getting Governor Perry to agree to a debate, which could boost White’s stature and shake things loose if Perry made a mistake.
In September, Perry said he’d debate, but with a condition: if Mayor White would release his tax returns for three years in the 1990s, before his time as mayor.
White refused on principle; Perry insinuated that White had something to hide. Texas political analysts say White made a mistake in not accepting the deal. He never got his debate, and Perry looks set to get another four years.
