Medina may force GOP runoff

Hutch, Hair and Medina

I did not see the most recent Republican gubernatorial debate, but those who did told me that Debra Medina bettered both Gov. Hair and Sen. Hutch and easily won the debate. Now poll numbers are supporting that assessment.

According to the poll, conducted by Rasmussen Reports in conjunction with the Fox Television Stations Group of 831 likely Republican voters, only Medina gained support (12 percent, an increase of 8 percent). Hair lost 3 points, Hutch lost 2 and the number of undecided voters decreased from 14 percent last November to 11 percent now. Hair still leads Hutch 43-33 percent, but if Medina continues to gain ground, she will probably force the two frontrunners into a runoff neither of them want.

Medina's showing has also forced the Dallas Morning News to include her in the Jan. 29 debate it is sponsoring. Here was the face-saving statement from Mike Devlin, president and general manager of WFAA, which will host the debate:

"The Rasmussen poll released today shows Debra Medina is now at 12 percent, which is a substantial jump since the previous poll. Factoring in the margin of error (+/- 3.5 percent) and using reasonable news judgment, it appears Ms. Medina is a viable candidate and qualifies for the Belo Debate to be broadcast on January 29."