AUSTIN -- Experts say former Vice President Dick Cheney’s endorsement of Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison’s bid for the Republican gubernatorial nomination essentially deflates Gov. Rick Perry’s argument that Sen. Hutchison is too liberal.
While Hutchison has strong support from moderate Republicans, a recent poll shows she's having trouble winning over conservatives.
"Typically endorsements don't mean a whole lot in most races,” said veteran Texas political watcher Harvey Kronberg, who edits the online newsletter Quorum Report.
"The governor's big argument is that he's more conservative that Kay Bailey Hutchison; well, frankly, there's nobody more conservative than Dick Cheney,” he said. “(Cheney) is probably one of the few people that could move the needle in terms of driving approval or getting people to take a second look."
Kronberg points out that many Texas Republicans have fond memories of Cheney, beginning even before he was elected vice president.
A nationwide poll commissioned by CNN over the summer indicates that Cheney's actually gaining in popularity since leaving office.
The poll surveyed Republicans and Democrats.
Of those polled, 37 percent expressed a favorable opinion of the former vice president, up from only 29 percent when he left office.
That means Cheney's endorsement of Sen. Hutchison could be even more pivotal.
"If it's someone who I don't respect or whose politics I don't believe in, that can definitely influence me as well,” said Bill Mennucci, voter.
Experts say this early in the race, candidates are looking for endorsements which can help them raise campaign cash.
They say Cheney is still one of the Republican Party's best fund-raisers, but so is former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin; she's expected to endorse Gov. Perry early next year.
