Republican Consultant Bryan Eppstein:

Mindless Boy Wonder and His Crystal Ball Politics

Bryan Eppstein got out on a limb yesterday, speaking at a Republican forum. He predicted that if both Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were not on the ticket, John McCain would win in November.

Bryan Eppstein, The Eppstein Group, is widely recognized as one of the best political minds on either side of the aisle in Texas. The Fort Worth consultant has concentrated on the Legislature and run hundreds of campaigns for House and Senate candidates, winning far more than he's lost… His methods are sometimes controversial - and he's not shy about picking a fight. Some Republicans don't like the idea that he doesn't necessarily despise all Democrats as a matter of habit... The Eppstein Group's award-winning resume includes a second-place Pollie from the American Association of Political Consultants last year for a direct mail effort for Michael Burgess in his U.S. House race in 2002.

Republicans usually pay thousands of dollars for Bryan Eppstein’s political advice, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, “Eppstein predicts Clinton/Obama ticket”.

In addressing the monthly meeting of the Republican Forum at the Petroleum Club in downtown Fort Worth on Thursday, Eppstein said:

“Hillary is appealing to the older Democrat faction. Barack Obama is appealing to the younger faction… If they don’t hold that together, then I’ll go out on a limb: Republicans will win. John McCain will be the next president... They cannot hold their party together unless they have that ticket.”

Alas, here is a case of Crystal Ball politics put to open shame. Is this strategy or prophecy?

Eppstein speaks to his fellow Republicans like an angel of doom, bringing glad tidings for the Democrats. Is he advising the Democrats what they must do the win the Whitehouse? Or, is he painting a doomsday scenario for his clients? Or, is he forewarning of what must be done to stop the Democrats?

The Republican Party has more than a crystal ball reason to fear the upcoming November elections. But, it is Mr. Eppstein’s job to see that his clients win. So, why does he speak with such inevitable certitude of an Obama-Clinton ticket? Is he suggesting that McCain cannot beat such a ticket? Is he suggesting to his clients that the Republicans throw in the towel if an Obama-Clinton ticket emerges?

“A lot of people will say the race at the top of the ticket in this upcoming election will be the presidential race,” Eppstein said. “Well that’s not really true. The race that’s at the top of the ticket will be the straight ticket option... I see a lot of people voting but I don’t see a lot of them voting straight ticket, because I think voters, Democrat and Republican voters, have kind of lost their sense of confidence in the two parties."

Well said by the doomsday prophet: Only the mindless masses will vote a straight Democratic ticket, but the discerner will pick and choose carefully. Herein is the only hope for some of his clients. Can they survive the impending Democratic tsunami?

“We’re not going to lose the majority in the Texas House. We’re not going to lose the majority in the Texas Senate. But those majorities could continue to shrink,” Eppstein said.

He noted there are a few tough races in the state senate, including one in Tarrant County. Eppstein is representing State Sen. Kim Brimer of Fort Worth in his re-election bid against former Fort Worth City Councilwoman Wendy Davis.

Eppstein is like gasoline to his clients, a man with a crystal ball standing in the light of day... hot as a firecracker genuis... too ready to blow.

For example: In trying to keep candidate Wendy Davis off the ballot through some petty technical violation, the strategy backfired and created a formidable foe for Eppstein client Kim Brimer. The incumbent good ole country boy's day in the legislature might just be coming to a crystal ball end.

Voting in the March 4 primaries for Texas Senate District 10

Republicans 33,500 for Ken Brimer
Democratic 62,500 for Wendy Davis

Total Tarrant County Republican Votes: 100,000
Total Tarrant County Democratic Votes: 200,000