"I just couldn't convince enough people I could win, and I couldn't get the money to convince them ..." said Ambassador Tom Schieffer at a press conference at the Texas Capitol this afternoon regarding his candidacy for governor.
Schieffer, who until 3 p.m. was running for Governor of Texas on the Democratic ticket, said he is endorsing Houston Mayor Bill White in the primary. But White, at a 4:15 p.m. press conference, said he would wait until Dec. 4 to make a decision. (See press statement below.)
"I hope my actions will be a catalyst for others to reassess their intentions and to support Mayor White for governor." Schieffer said, at his press conference.
Schieffer said Democrats must "get behind one candidate who will unite the Democratic Party and offer a credible alternative to the Republicans next fall."
He said he spoke to Mayor White on Sunday and made a decision then, having requested the meeting on Friday afternoon. Until Friday, White was publicly saying it was still his intention to run for the U.S. Senate. (Note: television ads featuring Republican gubernatorial candidate U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison began airing on Friday, in which she placed front and center her intention to stay in the U.S. Senate in order to oppose socialized health care. Incumbent Gov. Rick Perry also released his ads that day, lauding his credentials and Texas' positive job growth numbers, etc.). White's campaign videos and press statements were still rather ambiguous according to many observers and caused some speculation -- and questions from the press -- as to whether he wanted to be in the federal Senate at all.
Schieffer declined to answer whether he knew if White had intentions of seeking the governacy. Nevertheless, Schieffer called White a "man of great intellect" and praised his credentials.
"I think he can appeal to a broad spectrum of support in the Democratic Party. He also has the ability to raise money -- and that will be a big factor in the race. I frankly found it difficult to raise money. And I think that he can do that, and I wish him well," Schieffer said.
It was Schieffer's announced hope that White could "unite along conservative-liberal lines ... If we don't do that, we're going to miss one of the great opportunities to elect a governor who can change the direction of our great state."
Schieffer did not address the other candidates in the race -- Hank Gilbert, Kinky Friedman, Felix Alvarado or Farouk Shami -- and denied having spoken to them. He also said "never and no" when asked if he has plans to seek any other office: "Whichever one you want to take."
He said he doubted his ties to the George W. Bush Administration hurt his chances or his support.
"I know there are some people who have a visceral hatred for George W. Bush, and I'm sorry that they do," Schieffer, a former partner in the Texas Rangers baseball team with Bush said. "But I didn't find it in the end a great impediment. Whenever I was able to get in front of them and talk about what I wanted to do as governor, I thought I was persuasive. It's just hard to get in front of 24 million people in a short period of time."
He said his campaign funds have largely been expended, not going into specifics.
It didn't take long for Texas Democratic legislators to respond to the news of Schieffer's departure from the race. Reps. Garnet Coleman of Houston, Jim Dunnam of Waco, Jessica Farrar of Houston and Pete Gallego of Alpine released the following statement:
"We thank Tom for his steadfast support of Democratic principles, and the sacrifices that he and his wife have made over the last eight months as they traveled across Texas, addressing our states' crisis of leadership. We were proud to endorse Tom to serve as the next governor of Texas because he was willing to address issues and concerns that are important to Texas families - public education, jobs, children's health insurance, rising college tuition, energy, protecting the environment and transportation. The Democratic Party is still the only one that offers a chance for real change in Texas. ..."
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White's statement is as follows:
"Since Friday a week ago Texans from all backgrounds and all regions have asked me to consider running to be our next Governor of Texas. Today I agree to consider running for Governor, and shall make a decision by Friday, December 4th. [...] Both our next Governor and Senator should bring new energy to the task of moving our state forward. In both positions, we need leadership that can bring our state together and reduce the strident partisanship in both Austin and Washington.
"Texans know we can do better than ranking dead last in the nation in the percentage of our population with a high school diploma. Texans know we can do better than the last decade of soaring electricity and insurance costs, and skyrocketing college tuition.
"Sen. Hutchison has postponed her departure from the Senate and acknowledged that her continued service limits her ability to campaign in our state. I share her belief, and that of her supporters, that we need a new Governor.
"I thank many thousands of Texans who have supported my campaign with their volunteer hours and dollars. I will listen to your views on how we can best work together to do what is right for Texas. I especially welcome advice from the citizens of Texas' largest city, who know me best and have supported leadership by solutions, not just soundbites. You have been my partners in moving Houston forward by finding common ground, and running our City Hall with integrity, in a business-like, financially sound, and inclusive manner.
"Politics aside, Texans should enjoy their friends and family during this week of Thanksgiving and say a prayer for those who cannot be home with their loved ones because they are serving us abroad."