White's plan to turn the state blue

HOUSTON (KXAN) - Already having received money from more than 9,000 donors, Bill White has some ammunition in his camp; but it will be a tough road to break 15 years of tradition.

"There is no doubt I start out as an underdog," White said. "It is a David versus Goliath. I'm running against a career politician who has been running statewide for 19 years."

As mayor of Houston for three terms and having won more than 80 percent of the vote in two of those elections, White has experience appealing to voters in both parties. But, pulling those numbers in a statewide election is an entirely different beast. Immediately after White was announced the winner on Tuesday, the Republican Governor's Association made its position clear.

"Let’s just say we would be a lot more concerned if Bill White were the Democratic candidate in New York where his run-up-the-debt fiscal policies, protection of illegal immigrants, and staunch support for President Obama’s leftist agenda might be a bit more palatable," read the association's statement.

But, White said he is confident he can convince voters across the state to give him the same regard as the Houstonians he won over as mayor.

"In the past week, 10 days, I was in 20 cities," said White. "People were familiar with what we did here in Houston and they were impressed. That is the best form of advertising. Anyone can dream up a TV commercial."

White has consistently referred to Perry as a master politician who can "manipulate" emotions. Painting himself as the everyman, White said his experience in the private sector will set him apart from his competitor.

"Part of my base are fiscal conservatives," White said. "I have cut tax rates five straight times. I believe in running government lean."

White's plan to turn Texas blue focuses on the two E's: education and employment.

"We have now almost a million Texans who are unemployed," he said. "That is the highest number we can find on record in the history of our state."

When it comes to education, White said higher tuition rates, drop out rates and low test scores give Texas a bad name and pave an uncertain future for the state.

When asked about Perry's biggest vulnerability, White responded with "his job performance."

It's a message White will likely repeat often as he plans to communicate with millions of Texans in an effort to make White a household name.

"Now, I have to spend a little more time on the road," he said.