[Sudetenland]

Sorry, this one is quite long, so I am only posting an excerpt. I try not to do this, because I am not concerned with driving numbers up on my blog, but at almost 1700 words it's a bit long to post in its entirety.

I believe it is important information and well worth the read. It's up to you, of course.

Thanks!

[The Bronze Titan]

No matter how you spin and shake this, it's hard to swallow!

Perry needs to spend at least 40 days and 40 nights in the 'wilderness' before he can shed the "I campaigned for Gore ('before' he invented the internet), but...."

[Thane_Banquo]

Rick Perry was a Democrat up until 1989

Ronald Reagan was a Democrat for much of his life too.

[HerrBlucher]

Even aside from the “Texas Democrat” context, to dismiss Perry simply because he was a Democrat and ignore his subsequent 10 year record as Governor shows a very shallow approach to vetting a candidate. However, if he did not have the 10 year record, then yes, the fact that he was a Democrat might have some bearing.

[Artemis Webb]

old news

[Lazlo in PA]

I like that you explained the Solid South mentality of yesteryear. Many slamming Perry on this never look at any context because it would destroy their argument. There are many solid Conservative people around who were once Rats, some of which populate FR. This “He used to be a Rat” is the weakest of all arguments on Perry being bad for America.

[shield]

Perry Ping....

[Mr.Unique]

...but at almost 1700 words it's a bit long to post in its entirety.

It takes as long to paste 1 word as it does 1700 words...

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thanks.

Great reference and LINK!

[Essie]

I moved to West Texas in 1982. When I first moved there, our Congressman, Charlie Stenholm won his Democrat primary, and since there was no Republican opposing him won the election. Over the years, I saw people start to run against him and his margin of victory began to shrink. Unlike Perry, he didn't switch parties, and he eventually lost his seat. Texas didn't really change. It was the Democrats who moved left and lost much of Texas.

[shield]

I finally got some time to read the article...excellent...instead of all the spin we’re even seeing here at FR.

[ontap]

In the sixties virtually all Texans were democrats,we were part of what was referred to as the solid south. LBJ and the lurch to the left of the democrat party ended that. Most Texas democrats to be honest were always to conservative for the liberals of the northeast!!!

[CA Conservative]

Well written. Clear, concise, well sourced. This won’t deter the Perry-phobes, the ones who see Perry as a threat to their preferred candidate. But it provides necessary context for those who did not grow up in the land of the “yellow dog” Democrats.

[wolfcreek]

I can remember growing up in Texas where everyone was a Democrat.

My late Grandfather use to talk about how he hate Tricky Dick Nixon.

I use to always laugh to myself at that one.