Posted on 08/10/2011 8:03:16 PM PDT by curth
Rick Perry has been widely touted as a Republican presidential candidate who could appeal Tea Party voters, but some in the anti-tax movement wonder if his record as Texas governor stacks up to his rhetoric.
After all, they say, there are reasons to think he's a spendthrift. He once campaigned for Democrat Al Gore, reviled by the Tea Party for being Bill Clinton's vice president and for his campaigning on climate change, and he even spoke kindly about Hillary Clinton's healthcare reform efforts.
Then there is the issue that he was once a Democrat.
So as Perry plans the 2012 White House bid many observers expect he may announce as early as this week, some Tea Party faithful wonder what to make of him.
"They're vetting, they want to know if he is for real," Dallas Tea Party leader Katrina Pierson, said, adding she has fielded questions about Perry's record from Tea Party members as far flung as California, Iowa and New Hampshire.
Tea Party voters could have a big impact on the Republican nomination if they vote heavily in early U.S. primaries, which historically see low voter turn-out.
Perry "speaks the Tea Party language," said Sean Theriault, a political science professor at the University of Texas. But such rhetoric could alienate independent voters, who play a crucial role in U.S. presidential elections.
"I think the Republican nomination for him would be much easier than the general election," Theriault said.
Perry, who followed George W. Bush as Texas governor in 2000 after Bush was elected to the White House, has earned headlines for saying that perhaps Texas should leave the United States and for holding a prayer rally this month that drew 30,000 people.
He was an early booster of the fiscally conservative Tea Party movement, which takes its name
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Better than Obama
I wonder if Rick Perry took his "farm values" with him when he auditioned for those One-World-Government Kingmakers -- The Bilderberg Group -- in Istanbul Turkey, 2007?
It wouldn’t be the same
Take him camping then.
Reminds me of the much anticipated script for the next Star Trek movie. In March 2011, the writers said it was "90% done" and they "expect to be shooting in a few weeks". But in July 2011, they were pressed to give an update and said it was a "70 page outline of some ideas" and that they're "still working on it".
Seems the mainstream media and the Governor Goodhair Fan Club is having trouble verifying their claims.
Perry is a safe alternative for those who lack the courage to back Sarah Palin.
TTC pissed me off, but our highways do need upgrade.
My biggest pissing point with TTC was that the work was going to Spain..
Turns out I was misinformed and it doesn’t matter since eminent domain issues squelched the deal
Uh oh!
I’m not willing to just beat Obama!
I want a real leader who really wants to turn this country around.
Yep I tweeted my vid right into Iowa caucus hands.
Perry was a conservative Democrat, when he switched to Republican over 20 years ago. He believes in states rights, marriage is between a man and woman, and other conservative view points. He has butted heads with Obama several times about TX, especially the EPA. People should not compare him to President Bush. They are nothing alike personally. Perry can beat Obama, but I am not sure that any of the other candidates can. Perry has a resume, Obama has a teleprompter.
Yes, getting 40% of the vote in a safely Republican state against a goofy country music singer, "Grandma Strayhorn", and an obscure congressman nobody ever heard of it obviously makes him the ideal choice to take on the full force of the Washington media elite, the billion dollar Soros funded goon squad and relentless Chicago machine in the other 49 states.
In related news, supporters of wussy Massachusetts liberal John Kerry say they expect him to "wipe the floor with Bush" once the other 49 states get to vote for him.
Parents can opt out of vaccinations in TX. This should not be an issue. It was a public health recommendation.
Very witty
***hole
>>>I’m from TX, and I will have to hold my nose to vote for this man if he gets the nomination.
I agree with your entire post.
Here is the deal.
While the entire country has suffered unemployment under obamas watch, Texas is prospering
Stick unemployment in your pipe and smoke it
Absolutely. Those vaccines should not be mandated, either.
You die hard SOB!
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