Posted on 08/12/2011 9:56:32 AM PDT by Brices Crossroads
Rick Perry is rapidly becoming known as a politician who talks a good game, but whose actions belie his words. Last year, he waved the bloody shirt of secession, which horrified the New York Times...until they dug deeper and found that Perry wasn't just talking about seceding. He was aiming to hook up with Mexico in order to fulfill his "shared with [Mexican President] Vincente Fox for open borders." Seriously, though, Perry is becoming a caricature of himself. He first waved the tenth Amendment on gay marriage and abortion, first supporting the interpretations that states should be responsible for defining marriage and related issues, and in a flip-flop worthy of Mitt Romney, came out in favor of a federal constitutional amendment to ban both.
Perry's open borders positions tell us that he is not a conservative. His political pan-gyrations on gay marriage, abortion, and the Tenth Amendment suggest he is not reliable there either, but would trim his sails at the slightest pressure.
Well, he must be good on something. How would he handle judicial appointments, for example. Bear in mind that in Texas, in contrast to states such as Alaska (where a Commission presents the Governor with three choices from which he or she MUST select a Judge), the Texas Governor has pretty much unfettered control of the appointments process to fill judicial vacancies. In a conservative state like Texas, it would be easy to remake the courts in a conservative mold. In fact, it would almost follow de facto, since the appointed justices must face election state wide. No doubt Perry will try to take credit for the relatively conservative state of the Texas judiciary as he has done with the Texas economy when the relative health of both has been more in spite of, than because of, Rick Perry.
I have not done an exhaustive study of Perry's judicial appointments, although undoubtedly conservatives in Texas would have done so. I found one particular judicial appointment, the subsequent election, and Perry's reaction to it to be most instructive about his orientation toward strong judicial conservatives.
In 2001, one of Perry's first selections to succeed the staunchly conservative Greg Abbot (who had been elected Attorney General) was Xavier Rodriguez, a self-described moderate. In trying to move the Texas Supreme Court to the left, he drew the ire of conservatives in Texas. An up and coming young conservative, Steven Wayne Smith stepped forward to challenge Rodriguez. Smith, who was superbly qualified, had argued and won the landmark 1996 case of Hopwood v. Texas which successfully challenged affirmative action at the University of Texas Law School. In effect, he was a hero to conservatives in Texas and an anathema to the Establishment. The Establishment, including Perry and John Cornyn, no doubt detested Smith for dismantling affirmative action at the UT Law School. But when Smith stepped forward to challenge a self proclaimed moderate appointment of Perry, who happened to be Hispanic, that was the last straw. Perry and his cronies in the Establishment did all they could to stop Smith but he prevailed over Rodriguez easily and was in stalled as a justice of the Texas Supreme Court.
In 2004, Perry encouraged a challenger to run against Smith. The Establishment lined up with Cornyn and Perry on one side and the Texas Eagle Forum,Kent Hance and Ward Connerly on the other. This time the Establishment prevailed and Smith was defeated. He attempted a comeback in 2006, but Perry recruited another challenger, less conservative than Smith, and he lost by less than 1%.
Perry's actions, and his vindictive crusade against an up and coming conservative legal superstar, suggest that a Perry Presidency would be more likely to yield David Souters and Harriet Miers than Antonin Scalias and Clarence Thomases. When it comes to Rick Perry, the message to the Federalist Society and constitutional conservatives is caveat emptor.
What!?!?!?! You think Muslims supporting Perry is a good thing? Are you out of your mind??
Did you read the link?
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/40924/hamas-cair-netwk-in-love-with-rick-perry/
Perry has baggage; lots of it. It doesn’t take a fanatic Palin supporter to see his baggage; just a rational open mind.
....and Palin doesn’t?
The whole hit piece focuses on a Salon article. have the Palinites degraded or desperate to the point that they think Salon is as reputable source? (snicker)
hmmmm.. maybe the Palinites will be using Daily Kos for their talking points next.
” 2nd, they see Perry as treading into their [Palin’s] turff.”
You are up your tree as usual. Palin would not snuggle up to a Hamas front group like CAIR. She loves Israel far too much If you don’t know that you don’t know her.. or much else
Again, sourcing from Salon? What is your next source... Daily Kos?, du?
Attacking the messenger rather than refuting the facts. Typical of you. Lib tactics like that never work here. But you knew that.
Perry=epic fail.
You Palinites are starting to get scared aren't you?
A. I’m not a Palinite. I’m open to any conservative who is running for Pres.
B. Palin’s baggage doesn’t include being palsy walsy with CAIR. Apparently Perry’s does. Among other things like the TX Corridor deal, borders, Gardasil, and etc.
Hey, I’d like to like Perry. I want info, not word jugglery and online jousting. I just want to know the man’s history and what he really believes and stands for and stands against.
I am afraid Ronald Reagan does not exist this round. I for one wish DeMint would run, but I am afraid there is less chance of him running than Palin. I don't like this rope a dope strategy she is pulling, as it gives her the airs that she is above the fray. Palin...... get in or cut bait, or start another reality show, or whatever.
Sarah Palin.
>>What’s wrong with someone doing research and writing an opinion piece based upon their findings? <<
Because, we want everybody to FEEEEEL GOOOOD.
You know, sunshine and butterflies and lollipops.
We don’t need any Negative Nellies spoiling this good vibe with “facts” and “records” and stuff!!
/s
If you and the Perry haters have someone better...who can take the GOP nomination and actually beat Obama...then please get on his team and get them to win. otherwise, stop with the negativity. Do you want Obama for another 4 years?
>>What concerns me is the level of vitriol directed at anyone who displays even the slightest amount of skepticism about a candidate.<<
AKA “Don’t confuse me with the facts, my mind is already made up.”
Do you consider examining a candidate’s record “negativity?”
What you said.
I never said anything about making everyone feel good. You’re deliberately being obtuse. Whether I agree or not, I appreciate someone’s efforts.
Cindie
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