Published: November 17, 2009 04:11 pm      

4:15 p.m. Tuesday- Former Vice President Cheney to endorse Hutchison

JAY ROOT,Associated Press Writer





HOUSTON (AP) — Former Vice President Dick Cheney is taking sides in the volatile race for Texas governor Tuesday, endorsing Republican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and help her raise money for her bid to unseat Republican incumbent Gov. Rick Perry.



Cheney is scheduled to appear with Hutchison at a campaign rally early Tuesday evening at Hobby Airport. After that, they were off to a fundraiser at the home of Houston businessman Dan Tutcher, former president of Enbridge Energy Co.



The event at Hobby was delayed by about two hours so Hutchison could make it back to Texas from Washington, where she has served in the Senate since 1993.



Cheney's blessing represents the highest profile endorsement Hutchison has gotten so far. Support from the former vice president, who remains popular with many conservative activists, could help Hutchison shore up her right flank.



Cal Jillson, a political scientist at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, said Cheney may feel more comfortable about Hutchison's knowledge of national security issues — an area that continues to provoke passionate speeches from the former vice president.



Jillson said the nod could help Hutchison with some social conservatives who view her with suspicion, but only a little.



"You'd rather have it than not, but it's not a game-changer," Jillson said.



Perry, who is stoking populist fires with antiestablishment rhetoric, has dismissed the Cheney endorsement as the usual dealings of Washington insiders. He is also reminding supporters that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has cast her lot with him.



Last year's Republican vice presidential nominee endorsed Perry months ago, saying he "does what is right regardless of whether it's popular."



"He sticks to his guns," she wrote in a January endorsement letter, "and you know now how I feel about guns!"