Rick Perry Dismisses Nevada Rancher's Racist Remarks

Business Insider ^ | 04/24/2014 | Hunter Walker

[SeekAndFind]

In an interview with CBS This Morning Thursday, Texas Governor Rick Perry discussed the situation at the Bundy Ranch in Nevada and racist comments made by the man at the center of the recent standoff there, rancher Cliven Bundy. Perry said Bundy's remarks were a "side issue" and pointed to a land dispute in Texas with the same federal agency Bundy battled in Nevada, the Bureau of Land Management.

"I don’t know what he said but the fact is Cliven Bundy is a side issue here compared to what we’re looking at in the state of Texas," Perry said. "He is an individual—deal with his issues as you may. What we have in the state of Texas, I don’t get distracted about, is the federal government is coming in and attempting, from our perspective, to take over private property. And you must—f this country’s to stay the land of freedom and liberty, private property rights must be respected."

In an interview with the New York Times published Thursday, Bundy claimed blacks would be "better off as slaves." CBS This Morning co-anchor Norah O'Donnell had asked Perry for his thoughts on Bundy's "very inflammatory racial comments." Earlier in the show, Perry more generally discussed Bundy's standoff with BLM officials that attempted to round up his cattle after he refused to pay fees for grazing on federal land.

"I think Cliven Bundy is a side story. The federal government and how the federal government deals with these issues of private citizens, whether it’s on the public lands or whether, in the state of Texas we have a big issue about whether this is private land or this is public land. And rather than sending armed troops,

[Mechanicos]

GOP needs to grow a brain. There is zero evidence he said anything. This is the NYT on its own with no evidence to back up their “hearsay” claiming he said it.

First word should be, “you’re playing the race card? Really? Ha,Ha,Ha”

[apillar]

And this was the CORRECT response...other Republican politicians...cough...cough Paul, take note before you fall into the media trap and release a knee-jerk condemnation...

[dfwgator]

Amen, Rick!

[sappy]

we do however have Harry Reid saying things about Obama and his choice/non choice to invoke negro dialect. but, he’s a democrat. the party of racism. bizarre world continues with spineless gop.

[Tau Food]

Well, by dismissing Bundy as a "side issue" Perry is not showing much courage. He's essentially throwing Bundy overboard. What Perry should do is state his own position on the issue of slavery, whether he's for it or against it. Perry is probably opposed to slavery and, if so, he should have the courage to just say so without demeaning Bundy. Bundy's issues extend far beyond the issue of slavery.

Slavery is the side issue, not Bundy.

[Logical me]

There was no racist remarks. Problem stupid Americans and the entire liberal clan just did not get the message. Millions of blacks are still slaves. AND TO WHO? The communists Democratic State, the Federal Government.

[ilgipper]

Perry’s gotten better at this since 2012! Well handled.

[Da Coyote]

When one sees the word “racism,” one can rest assured that the speaker has 1) no brain, 2) no real education, and 3) no real argument, and 4) a very real agenda.

If you hear the word “racist”, simply disregard the verbal burps of an idiot.

And tell them to shove their opinions into their very smelly Obamahole (that’ll send them into the stratosphere).

[Cementjungle]

CBS This Morning co-anchor Norah O'Donnell had asked Perry for his thoughts on Bundy's "very inflammatory racial comments."

I don't suppose it would occur to any of these "journalists" to actually ask Bundy himself if he made the alleged remarks. Naw, of course not.

[bigdaddy45]

If you think that agreeing with these statements is going to be a winner for Republicans, then you are politically tone deaf.

[mylife]

I see the Dem hit machine is in full gear.
Perry simply did not comment on Bundy’s statement.

[dragonblustar]

Meanwhile, Harry Reid calls patriotic American’s, “Domestic Terrorists”.

[struggle]

ASK FOR THE TAPE.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: ASK FOR THE TAPE.

In the case of the Slimes, VERIFY before Trust.

[Zathras]

I saw it on CBS. Clearly they had a series of setup questions to trap Perry.
He handled it very well.

[Sacajaweau]

Someone had to ask him a question that led to his comment. He didn’t just pull it out of the sky.

[cincinnati65]

"In an interview with the New York Times published Thursday, Bundy claimed blacks would be "better off as slaves."

THAT IS A LIE! He said he wondered whether or not they would be better off as slaves. I can WONDER what this country would be like if Ronald Reagan rose from the grave and could offer his perspective on the America of today, but I really am not expecting him to rise from the grave.....

[UCANSEE2]

ACTUALLY, what he said was

"Cliven Bundy Wonders If Blacks Are 'Better Off As Slaves' Than On Gov't Assistance"

Seems Perry or the 'media' missed those last four words, on purpose.

[grania]

Finally, someone showed some good instincts in quick-moving events. I never would’ve guessed that Rick Perry would be the one to get it right and not dismiss the cause in this “kill the messenger” moment by a biased NYT reporter.