Candidate stumps away from Obama's visit

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- The effect of Texas Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Bill White's bypassing President Obama's visit to Austin Monday won't be known until November, pundits say.

For White, missing a joint appearance with Obama is a way to avoid the snubs of Texans who aren't fans of the president, whose popularity ratings in the Red State are worse than elsewhere in the country, political observers told the Austin American-Statesman Sunday.

"The only thing that would probably cause White to run and hide more quickly would be if (House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi came to visit," said Jerry Polinard, a political science professor at the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg.

Many Texas liberals are unhappy with Obama, which is why White's decision to avoid a Democratic National Committee fundraiser and Obama's speech on education at University of Texas doesn't carry much risk, Polinard said.

"The polls show the liberal base is a little bit angry at Obama themselves," Polinard said, explaining liberals are exasperated about the progress on issues such as comprehensive immigration reform, a cap-and-trade system to limit carbon dioxide emissions and ending the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays and lesbians openly serving the the armed forces.

White said he was keeping to his campaign schedule that involves trips to Midland, Abilene and Alvarado Monday and that he was available by phone if Obama wants to chat, the American-Statesman said.

"I'm campaigning for governor of Texas, and that means meeting the people of this state and listening to what they have to say," White said in July.