Section 1: introduction
Jane “Bitzi” Johnson Miller was a born leader. She is the type of leader that the people of Texas can count on to perform and deliver to their wishes. “Bitzi”, is a granddaughter to the renowned former governor Joe Johnson alias “Big Daddy” of fictional Texas between 1954 and 1958. Bitzi’s grandfather was a proactive politician and a conservative Republican who devoted his life relentlessly to serve the people of Texas in his reign as a governor. Bitzi fully understands the plight of the poor and the less fortunate in the society. She was born and brought up in West Texas in a ranch. She is a lady who believes that every challenge in her life is a doorway to an opportunity that awaits. Beating all odds, Bitzi has always strived for excellence.
Her educational backgrounds are no doubt that Bitzi is smart. She graduated with her first degree in software engineering and later proceeded for a master’s degree in the same. The passion for succeeding in life compelled Bitzi not to be blind to opportunities. Bitzi in 1993 started her own software company in Dallas. Her outstanding entrepreneurial and leadership skills and capabilities enabled Bitzi to run her company for 17 years. The exceptional performance of Bitzi’s Software Company in Dallas remained appealing to investors and Software Companies that always wished to buy the company. By 2010, she sold the company to Dell at a cost of $2.5 million. The then Dell Company CEO was so impressed with Bitzi’s managerial and business skills that he offered her a job that she declined due to her interest in politics. While taking this bold step, Bitzi resolved that it was time now to serve her people in a different capacity.
Bitzi believes that as a leader serving the people is her top priority. She has always supported different development programs within and beyond Texas especially on education and to fight against poverty in the society. She is a servant leader, the rare types in the contemporary society.
Section 2: Cultural and Regional Support
It is commonly believed that history repeats itself. Texas is usually known to be a stronghold of the Republicans. Despite popularity and personal characteristics of a candidate for any elective post in Texas, racial backgrounds and partisan politics still play an important role in influencing the voting patterns in Texas.Analyzing the voting patterns in Texas, it is possible to preempt the potential voting regions that will immensely support Bitzi’s candidature for governorship. Bitzi is likely to do well in West Texas, Dallas and East Texas.
The fact that Bitzi established a software company in Dallas since 1993 increases her chances of garnering substantial votes from this country. In Dallas, she stands high chances of getting a number of votes due to her notable contributions to the development of the economy of Dallas. It is worth mentioning that Dallas is among the leading voting blocks in Texas that can significantly increase the chances of Bitzi winning the election. Bitzi’s profile in Dallas is commendable. A number of people were able to secure employment in her company at different capacities. For this reason, the people of Dallas are fully aware of how much Bitzi can do to change the state of Texas as governor. Her 17 years of running the software company in Dallas saw her win the trust of most of the Dallas residents. West Texas is also a region that is likely to give significant support to Bitzi. Bitzi place of birth is West Texas where she was raised up in a ranch. The consideration of being from the West Texas makes her stand higher chances of getting the westerners’ votes.Her possibilities of getting votes from the East Texas is also embedded on the fact that East Texas has always supported Republicans. Voters from the East Texas are usually known to be moderate. Their overwhelming support for Perry in the 2010 elections is a clear indication that party influence significantly determines their voting patterns and preferences.
Although Bitzi is likely to be supported by most of the regions in Texas, the voting patterns in Texas indicate that some regions in Texas support Democrats (Torres). For instance, regions such asHarris, Travis and Bexar. These regions are known historically to be dominated by male chauvinist people, the Latinos. These regions believe in male leadership and may be difficult to convince to vote ina female leader. Moreover, the voting patterns in these regions have also changed over time nearly bringing to an end the dominance of Republicans. For instance 1982 and 1986 saw a different face in the election patterns in Texas between Republican and Democrat. In 1982, a Democrat Mark White won against Bill Clement in Texas, and the converse was true in 1986 following the economic downturn.
Section 3: Demographic Support
Voting in Texas like any other part of the U.S normally follows a particular trend. Popularity of a candidate can be understood by analyzing the population structure that make up the voting bloc. Governor in the U.S is usually elected by total popular votes rather thanElectoral College. It is worth mentioning that Texas population is not evenly distributed. There are counties in Texas that are more populous compared to others.Population in the cities is much more than that in the rural settings.
U.S particularly, Texas, is characterized by exceptionalism (The University of Texas at Austin). Voting in the United States is usually linked tied to liberty, egalitarianism, individualism and free market. Texas political platform does not portray democratic politics and economic liberty. The American Exceptionalism philosophy is based entirely on the two party system. Texas is not left out when it comes to the American Exceptionalism. Texas’ political characteristics are associated with a strong strain of individualism and a strong tradition of pro-business sentiment. It is thus prudent to predict the demographic voting patterns that are likely to be realized in the gubernatorial elections.
Bitzi is likely to be supported mostly by the Hispanics, the elites the females and the corporate society. Being a female aspirant makes her a suitable candidate for her female counterparts. The fact that women in the contemporary society are determined to rise to power and clinch opportunities will be a substantial boost to Bitzi’s candidature. A number of female voters will vote her in order to fulfill their long fought desire to compete against the females. In fact, the modern women today are on the verge of fighting to rise to authority and gain power. Bitzi’s candidature is a good opportunity for the female voters to meet their dreams. Moreover, Bitzi is known for her relentless efforts to improve the economic status of Texas. It is, therefore, notable that she stands high chances of being supported by the corporate society. The business people always believe in leaders whose history is associated with success in business. Such leaders are perceived to be in a better position to understand the necessary conditions for economic prosperity. Bitzi having run a company for 17 years is a potential leader who is capable of reshaping the economic landscape of Texas to create a more enabling environment for business activities. It is undoubtable that business persons will overwhelmingly want to vote in someone who is well-versed with what it takes to run a business.
Support from the educated people is also notable. Bitzi educational records place her strategically to be supported by the elites. She has always remained passionate about education in the society and has been at the forefront in supporting various educational programs including community educational programs. She is known for her unceasing concern towards educational standards in the society. Bitzi has always believed that education is a powerful tool that one can use to identify and exploit opportunities that may be hidden in the society. The Hispanics as well will also give their support to Bitzi. They have always remained tuned to support Republicans.Bitzi stands on a middle ground to be supported by both the whites and the Hispanics. The fact that she traces her origin from mixed race standpoint make her a preferred candidate who can work towards uniting the racially divided society.
In her campaign strategy, Bitzi will be inclined to reach out to people of all walks of life. She targets both the low class, middle class and high class. To reach out all these groups, campaigns will take advantage of both modern forms of communication and face-to-face campaigns. Social networks, which so far are used by a number of Americans, will be very essential in reaching out to the educated and the youths. In selling her policies, tools such as banners will be used as well. Nevertheless, the media will also be important in trying to penetrate to all the social strata.
Section 4: Campaign Themes
Bitzi is a candidate whose political aspirations are directed by the passion for serving the people of Texas. Bitzi never offered herself to vie for governor in Texas as a by the way. She is a visionary leader who is up to ensure that the people of Texas get everything done right for them. Bitzi is championing for three issues that she believe will help her fulfill her desire to transform Texas. Educational Reforms, Economic Growth and Poverty Eradication are the three issues that Bitzi looks up to deal with as governor of Texas.
Bitzi believes that education is the secret weapon a society can use to conquer the world. Depriving a society education is like taking away the society heroes leaving it for attacks. Bitzi is persuaded to do everything to ensure that education provided to the people is that which can enhance their functionality in the society. She is determined to transform the educational system to make it competitive both at the state level and federal levels, especially in the job market. For instance, inclusive education that has remained controversial is one of the primary agendas that Bitzi wishes to streamline. Education for all policy has remained a challenge to achieve. Bitzi has new innovative ways of transforming Texas’s educational standards.
Being an entrepreneur, Bitzi fully understands the pinch that Texas has been forced to put up with for long. Bitzi believes that everyone has an idea that remains unhatched because of the unfavorable economic situations. Creating a stimulating and enabling business environment in Texas for economic growth and prosperity is her top priority. According to Bitzi, the chains of poverty remain prevalent in the society due to the inability to convert challenges into opportunities. She usually believes in the phrase, “I did it myself and succeeded, why not others?” This phrase is always the economic standpoint of Bitzi. She will ensure that she supports various business ideas and create a stimulating economic environment for investment.
Poverty according to Bitzi is a conqueror that enslaves a society due to lack of awareness on opportunities available. She is out to fight poverty through consultative approaches agreed.
Section 6: Win or Lose
In reference to the 2010 gubernatorial election in Texas that saw Rick Perry of the Republican win against Bill Whites of Democrat is lays a very essential ground for evaluating Bitzi’s chances of winning the elections in 2014. In the governor race of Texas, Perry carried the day with a landslide of 54% votes against his competitor Bill White (Stiles). Perry not only won against Bill White on the grounds of party support but also on individual standpoint. It is clear that people of Texas voted overwhelmingly in support of Republicans both in Presidential ballot and gubernatorial elections.Perry had overwhelming support from almost all the counties in Texas save for the regions along the border and in Travis County where Bill Whites got substantial support (McKinley).
Republicans are known to dominate most of the regions of Texas. In fact, their strong support for the Republicans is even manifested at presidential elections where despite Obama’s popularity in 2008, the Texas still voted overwhelmingly to McCain due to the influence of the party. The voting patterns in Texas over the years makes it clear that Bitzi being a Republican is likely to win. Her popularity in most of the regions in Texas that are loyal supporters of Republican makes her have high chances of winning the elections.
Works Cited
McKinley, Jr. James C. "Election 2010." New York Times 2 November 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/03/us/politics/03texas.html.
Stiles, Matt. 2010 Texas Governors's Race Maps . 5 Novemeber 2010. http://www.texastribune.org/2010/11/05/2010-texas-governors-race-maps/. 4 July 2014.
Torres, Matt Stiles & Zahira. "Can a Democrat Win the Texas Governor's Race?" 25 July 2010. The Texas Tribune . http://www.texastribune.org/2010/07/25/can-a-democrat-win-the-texas-governors-race/. 4 July 2014.
