# If Al Gore were governor of Texas.... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 31, 2000, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-al-gore-were-governor-of-texas/39156 "2000-10-31T23:01:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2000, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-al-gore-were-governor-of-texas/39156/1 "2000-10-31T23:01:54Z")
wouldn’t there be just as many executions as there are with George W. Let me explain why I think this. 1. The governor of Texas can NOT pardon criminals who are slated for executions. All they can do is grant a 30 day clemency if it seems that part of the crimes might not have been commited, or if the gov. feels that he/she hasn’t had full access to the courts. George W. has granted clemency to prisoners, but in all cases, it turned out that the person was guilty and executed. 1. In Texas, people are executed only when they commit 2 or more capital crimes. For example, if I murder someone, I don’t get executed. But if I murder 2 people or if I rape and murder, I can be executed. So why does Texas lead the nation in executions? 2. Prosecuters in Texas seek the death penalty as often as possible. That’s the main reason, not because George W. is some whacked out lunatic who likes to kill. Actually, the job of the governor is to carry out the law of the land, even if it is hard. I think Al Gore(at least I hope) would do the same. Again, I emphasize that I am totally wililng to change my view if I am in error. I am an honest seeker of the truth, not a stubborn ignorant fool. By the way, I’m not a gung ho George W. Supporter either. ---
**Author:** ![SterlingNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@SterlingNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SterlingNorth)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2000, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-al-gore-were-governor-of-texas/39156/2 "2000-11-01T00:50:51Z")
But the thing is, the governor appoints the people to the Board of Pardons and Parole, so Bush had a chance to select people there who’d look at each case instead of rubberstamp **DEATH** each and every time in their attempt to (as Molly Ivins would say) git tuff on crime. And Bush has vetoed some bills that would have made the criminal justice a tad more equal. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2000, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-al-gore-were-governor-of-texas/39156/3 "2000-11-01T01:42:13Z")
You all know that Al Gore supports the death penalty, right? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2000, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-al-gore-were-governor-of-texas/39156/4 "2000-11-01T03:18:36Z")
Yes, but not nearly as ruthlessly as Bush is. He DID seem very proud of that fact in debate #1. ---
**Author:** ![jk1245](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/49beb7/32.png) [@jk1245](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jk1245)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2000, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-al-gore-were-governor-of-texas/39156/5 "2000-11-01T04:45:19Z")
Pretty much every politician says they support the death penalty “in certain cases” now. Just pandering to the Jerry Springer/WWF crowd. Mahaloth makes a good point that the gov can only give a 30 day repreive, but Jeez, some of the cases I’ve read about certainly deserved a second look. Not with dubya, though. Let’s also not forget his charming mocking of Karla Faye Tucker’s clemecy appeals. Bush or Gore? Ugh. That’s like choosing between being drug across a field of broken glass by your left or your right ball. ---
**Author:** ![Brainz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Brainz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brainz)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2000, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-al-gore-were-governor-of-texas/39156/6 "2000-11-01T06:14:33Z")
If Gore were Gov. of Texas there would be swinging doors on the border and a taco for every vote! Tipper may become a senior eator just to get him elected. She is soooooo sweet. ---
**Author:** ![SterlingNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@SterlingNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SterlingNorth)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2000, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-al-gore-were-governor-of-texas/39156/7 "2000-11-01T07:15:24Z")
“Senior eator”? Unless you mean _señorita_, I have no clue what you’re talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2000, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-al-gore-were-governor-of-texas/39156/8 "2000-11-01T07:47:48Z")
You realise, of course, that Al Gore invented tocos. ---
**Author:** ![Ayesha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c0e974/32.png) [@Ayesha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ayesha)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2000, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-al-gore-were-governor-of-texas/39156/9 "2000-11-01T08:19:37Z")
[slight hi jack] SterlingNorth, I love your armadillo ! [/slight hi jack] ---
**Author:** ![Brainz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d9b06d/32.png) [@Brainz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brainz)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2000, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-al-gore-were-governor-of-texas/39156/10 "2000-11-02T07:26:51Z")
Sterlingnorth…sorry “senor eater” (oralsex,fletio,hummer,blowjob)