Posted on 09/06/2011 2:13:54 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
A thousand homes and 100,000 acres have burned in just a week. A friend of mine who lives just outside Austin was forced to flee with her family last night as the flames encroached, and not until this afternoon did she learn whether her home had survived. (It had.) Go figure that this guy thinks he should do his job rather than gladhand people on the trail for a few days.
Presidential candidate and Texas Gov. Rick Perry said he does not yet know whether he will attend Wednesday night’s Republican presidential debate…
“I don’t know. That’s a fluid situation at the moment. Again I go back to we’re going to be taking care of the folks here … We’re really focused on the events at hand and the other side of that is we’re pretty good at multitasking,” said Perry on CBS’s “The Early Show” Tuesday…
“This is not the time to be talking about politics. There’s another 14 months ahead to talk politics. Right now I’m substantially more focused on making sure that these people … folks all across this state are being taken care of. Getting out of harms way, saving lives is the big issue for me right now,” Perry told CBS.
Serious question: Is there a single person whining at him for missing DeMint’s forum who wouldn’t also be whining if he had attended the forum that he had shirked his duties as governor?
“It’s obvious that Rick Perry is skipping the DeMint forum because he knew he was going to be asked tough questions about his previous support for gay marriage in New York, as well as his policies in Texas in favor of illegal immigration,” says one representative of a rival camp. “He’s looking for a reason to not actually be compared to the other candidates,” says an official in another camp. “He was grasping for a reason not to show.”
There are eight more debates scheduled before the Iowa caucuses, three of which will be held within the next 15 days. Plenty of opportunities left to quiz him about immigration, an issue on which he is in fact very vulnerable, and on gay marriage and the Tenth Amendment, which won’t hurt him at all given his appeal to evangelical leaders. Ultimately he’s the only one who suffers from having to miss these things since every absence gives Romney and Bachmann a chance to shine unhindered and to attack him without fear of retort. They may have no choice tomorrow night: According to NBC’s new poll, Perry leads Romney by fully 15 points, 38/23, with Bachmann a distant fourth (behind Ron Paul) at eight percent.
Do your duty first, and take care of your people in Texas. Every veteran understands that.
You, sir, are ignorant. Maybe also an idiot.
Yes, Texas has been burning for months. Horrible fires last spring west of Fort Worth.
But this week has been the worst. High north winds generated by Tropical Storm Lee in Louisiana, coupled with relative humidity in single digits and a huge state that is crispy with drought led to horrific NEW fires all over the state YESTERDAY.
Just one spark and you had an out-of-control fire.
Educate yourself.
http://www.inciweb.org/unit/4502/0/
http://ticc.tamu.edu/Response/FireActivity/default.aspx
You are just stunningly wrong.
He’s governing. Thank God for his decision to stay and do what he can for his great state.
Maybe if Zero would try that instead of partying in the WH, he would almost be a president.
Thanks, Governor Perry for being a good example.
I live in NW Austin. We had a brush fire over on Duval this afternoon. These fires seem to pop out of nowhere. My bug out bag is ready.
Perry going to debate isn’t going to stop these fires but I believe he is doing a good job with a very bad situation.
I'm just the opposite. I am a Perry supporter not located in Texas and think he shouldn't pass on the debate. I don't buy the rationale for not debating. While it doesn't affect my support one way or the other it just doesn't make sense to me.
I’m not a real big fan of Perry.
But come on: Would you be criticizing him if he went to the debate instead of attending to the wildfires in his state?
Just for example.
Personally, I don’t criticize him for this, and actually WOULD criticize him if he did go to a debate instead of taking care of a CRISIS in his state.
I mean let’s be reasonable. His abysmal illegal immigration stances should be enough reasonable criticism. If they aren’t, so be it. I’m not going to “kick against the pricks”; at a certain point there is “no peace” if you know what I mean. cf. Psa 29:9
*rolling eyes*
I would LOVE to have seen what you would have posted if he hadn’t made the decision to come back and take care of his state.
Why did this post twice?
This debate is of no real significance. None. It is just another opportunity for the MSM to get soundbites to use to destroy conservatives. Nobody watches these things except political wonks.
The business of the State of Texas is the number one job of the Governor, and quite frankly, if this debate takes away from his duties as governor, then I am disappointed that he plans on showing up.
We do, a pretty strong one. But if nothing more than quelling fears, a governor should remain in his state and be vocally supportive during a disaster.
500,000 acres and 300 homes gone. Perry seems to have his prorities straight, atleast in this instance.
If it were a hurricane and he was at a debate, he’d be crucified.
With people’s homes burning down, he should be with his state. He is the governor and the leader.
There will plenty of other debates.
Honest disagreement is fine, but the nastiness is unnecessary and uncalled for, it makes FR look immature and petty. I just hope once the primaries are over with, folks don't stay bitter if their guy or gal isn't the nominee. That's when we really have to be completely united.
You remember what happened to Pres Bush for not visiting after Katrina?
I just got home from work and since I live in Central Texas this was the first thread I opened. Surprise, surprise, same old, same old. I don’t like all the candidates — there are a few of them I strongly dislike. But there is no need to proclaim hatred for them from every mountaintop and accuse them of everything short of genocide. People on here need to get a grip. Perry is not your enemy, and for the other side, Palin is not your enemy. I suspect the Palinbots are venting misplaced anger. Sarah is not running, must be Perry’s fault.
Well I don't know about that poster but I sure would have, and he's given me plenty to oppose him without that too...It'd be like leaving your job at hand to chase a group interview...the man's doing the right thing and I do give him credit for that.
It's a perception thing as well....he's the Gov. Governors govern... especially in a crisis where delegating needs to be right.
Very sad for Texans having to deal with these flames...praying they all will be contained sooner rather than later.
Perry refused to debate Bill White in the last gubernatorial election. Debate phobia?
both good analyses!
Bury your head in the sand. It's OK with me. You are probably very good at it.
Personally, I am tired of getting the same old thing (meaning a candidate anointed ahead of time by the GOP ruling class).
In order to get something new, you have to try something different.
And, by the way, if you are so good at running campaigns, why aren't you running one?
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