Salon Exclusive: The Texas governor's uncomfortably close ties to groups that glorify the Lost Cause
[UPDATED BELOW]
Rick Perry made national headlines in 2009 when, during a speech to a Tea Party group, he floated the possibility that Texas could secede from the union. But the governor's substantive ties to the neo-Confederate movement may be deeper than previously known.
A 1998 voting guide published by a leading neo-Confederate group and obtained by Salon not only endorses Perry for lieutenant governor but also describes him as "a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans." Perry's office did not respond to a request for comment about the governor's possible membership in the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
This is the document, published by the League of the South on its website DixieNet.org; it was unearthed by Edward Sebesta, a Texas-based independent researcher and co-editor of "Neo-Confederacy: A Critical Introduction." Click the image for larger size.
[BIG BIG BIG SNIP]
UPDATE 7/14/11: Perry spokeswoman Catherine Frazier issues this denial: "[T]he governor never joined that group nor has he ever paid any dues to it."
I've asked her if he has a position on the pending license plate issue, and if I hear back I will update this post.
“Gov. Rick Perry told a Florida television station today that he opposes the creation of a Confederate license plate in Texas.”
“Sheila Jackson Lee Accuses Rick Perry Of ‘Fooling Around’ On Confederate Flag License Plate Issue”
How about that?
Shelia Jackson Lee demands that Rick Perry speak out against the Texas Sons of Confederate Veterans license plates and Rick Perry does exactly what he is told!
Rick Perry stands with Sheila Jackson Lee.