Why Rick Perry’s indictment could be a political blessing in disguise

The Washington Post ^ | 8/18/2014 | Sean Sullivan

[DRey]

Less than a week after Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) was indicted by a grand jury on two felony counts, he may be in an even stronger political position than he was before the charges hit. Several prominent Republicans have spoken out on Perry's behalf. Conservative activists in Iowa and New Hampshire aren't shying away. Even a well-known Democratic strategist has suggested the case against him may be flimsy. For a politician who is openly weighing another run for president, it's a welcome turn of events: While politicians embroiled in legal fights of this magnitude typically find few public allies, Perry has been quickly backed by a small army of conservative supporters. "Kind of ironically, it's helped him," said Craig Robinson, founder of the Iowa Republican, a conservative news Web site. "I think people kind of see this as an overreach, and he's kind of the victim." David Kochel, who was Mitt Romney's top Iowa advisor, said the particulars of the Perry case -- he vetoed funding to an anti-corruption unit after a district attorney who pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated refused to step down -- will endear him to conservatives in the first-in-the-nation caucus state. "I think he comes out of this looking like a champion for ethical government," said Kochel.

[mylife]

You got that right.
It’s killing us.

[mylife]

People do not understand that traditional Tx democrats are more conservative than modern republicans.

[Ditter]

That is correct, my father was a TX conservative and he voted for the most conservative democrat because in many many races there was no Republican. Things have changed in Texas over the years, I hope they don’t change back.

[Professional Engineer]

What you said!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[boxlunch]

Like!