FIRST-PERSON: Rick Perry is no George W. Bush

Baptist Press ^ | 9-14-2011 | Richard Land

[smoothsailing]

FIRST-PERSON: Rick Perry is no George W. Bush
By Richard Land
Sep 14, 2011

Richard Land

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) -- Many people assume Texas Gov. Rick Perry is a carbon copy of George W. Bush. Well, he isn't. Those who either love or despise former President Bush need to understand that Perry should be neither accepted nor rejected based on their opinion of Bush. Indeed, as the nation heads with full force into the 2012 election cycle, many of Perry's opponents in and out of the news media will try to tear down the Texas governor as "Bush, continued." To do so would be neither honest nor fair to either man.

As a sixth-generation Texan of similar age and life experiences, perhaps I can explain some differences between the two. Of course, it will be up to voters to decide whether these differences make a difference.

THE SAME, ONLY DIFFERENT

Bush moved to Texas as a toddler and eagerly embraced the Texas ethos. Texans love people who move to the state and embrace its "Don't Mess With Texas" creed. They smile when they see bumper stickers proclaiming, "I wasn't born here, but I got here as fast as I could."

Perry, however, is the son of tenant farmers from the West Texas hamlet of Paint Creek, outside Abilene. Texas is his DNA. Perry has often said that while they did not have much financially, his family was rich in the things that mattered. He attended Texas A&M when it was permeated by an all-male, all-military culture, which Perry embraced, becoming a "yell leader" (A&M's version of a cheerleader on steroids).

Bush, by contrast, was raised by wealthy New Englanders, summered in Maine and attended Yale and Harvard. In this case, parentage made more than just a stark economic difference.

In many ways, I have lived between George W.'s and Rick Perry's worlds. Like Perry, I was raised in modest circumstances. Like Bush, I went to an Ivy League school (Princeton). Like Perry, I had a Texan father, and like Bush, a New England mother. My father imparted to me the sheer sense of "anything is possible" that is the Texas heritage, but my Bostonian mother reminded me that biggest is not always best and loudest is not always wisest -- Texas with perspective, a rare gift. All three of us had fathers who were World War II combat veterans. Their dads were pilots, my dad a Navy chief. We are all proud of our fathers' patriotic service.

In 2010, Newsweek featured Perry with a revelatory cover photo. Perry's boots were adorned with what Texans call "the first Texas flag." What that flag says about Texans of the Bush-Perry era is instructive. In 1835, Mexico demanded that rebellious Texas settlers return a cannon it had lent them to ward off hostile Indians. The Texans responded by drawing a replica of the cannon on a bed sheet and writing under it, "COME AND TAKE IT." Mexico did not get the cannon back. That Texas folklore was a significant part of every young Texan's upbringing. That Perry would put that flag on his boots tells us more about him than anything in Newsweek. This "Don't Mess with Texas" mindset is embraced by both men, but Perry, the Aggie, had neither Bush's parents nor Yale or Harvard to tone it down.

It is clear to those who know former President George W. Bush that he has great respect and affection for the average man and tremendous appreciation for those who have risen through the meritocracy from humble beginnings. However, as one of those "up from the ranks" individuals, I don't believe George W. Bush or any such son of privilege can as fully identify with the average family that lives from paycheck to paycheck as Perry can. Bush loves and appreciates them, Perry is them.

Their different backgrounds make them different men. Perry is less subtle. While both are men of genuine faith, Perry (life-long evangelical) is going to be more overtly Christian in his faith statements than the former president, who became a Methodist but was raised by New England Episcopalians. Perry is more conservative than Bush. He would be the most conservative president since Calvin Coolidge both fiscally and in foreign policy. He would be less interventionist in the latter and far more frugal than "compassionate" in the former. Perry also has a well-deserved reputation in Texas as being a less-forgiving political opponent than Bush. If you cross Perry, he will get even.

NATIONAL APPEAL?

It would be a mistake to underestimate the appeal of this candidate's conservative populism. Perry has never lost an election and while he would be offended if you called him an intellectual, Perry is far more shrewd than people assume. His brain trust in his past election, where he defeated the George H.W. Bush-backed establishment candidate, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, included a group of Ivy League brainiacs on the cutting edge of campaign and election research.

The USA is not Texas, but large chunks are similar. Perry's appeal increases the farther you go from either the east or left coast. Large numbers of Americans are moving to Texas. Enough people moved in the past decade to give the state four new congressional seats. The question for Rick Perry and GOP primary voters: Does America want to be more like his pro-business, pro-growth Texas? If the answer is "yes," Perry is the "down to his bone marrow" Texan who is eager to lead them in that direction. However, George W. Bush he isn't.

If Perry is the Republican nominee, what presidential debates those will be. The contrast could not be more stark. In one corner the whippet-thin, fastidious, ultra-urbane, somehow detached Siamese cat that is President Obama. Across from him the muscular, Marlboro man, Rottweiler that is Gov. Perry. Wow! The debate moderators will need striped shirts, whistles and yellow flags to throw during those debates.
--30--
Richard Land is president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Commission. A version of this column first appeared in USA Today.

© Copyright 2011 Baptist Press

Original copy of this story can be found at http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=36117

[Paperdoll]

I recognised you as a Freddie boy! oh, I see. Calling me a prima donna and that I should get over myself are not personal attacks? Believe me, I can handle it. But FYI, personal attacks are discouraged on Free Republic.

Mitt Romney has more money than any other GOP candidate because the Mormon church is behind him. He is a high ranking Temple Mormon. I do believe the Mormon church is a cult. I have said a number of times that Mormonism is a very close cousin to Islam. Joseph Smith even identified himself as the new Mohammad!

Speaking of Islam, I understand that Rick Perry is very close to some people from CAIR, and looks forward to having Islam taught in Texas public schools. The same can be said of Washington State.I am concerned about this.

I’ve given Perry supporters any number of occasions to fill me in, politely and calmly, on Rick Perry. But no, all I get are replies by people like Reagan Man.

[Goreknowshowtocheat]

You have that right about signing some paper. We have Islamic citizens that signed citizenship papers only to find they will vote in Sharia law if they have half a chance.

[magritte]

Who’s your candidate?

[TexMom7]

If they don’t get the permanent green card (legal residency) then they won’t be able to get a job or a drivers license.

According to this, it is not just a Texas or Calif thing.
24 states with in-state tuition or bills introduced for children of illegals who qualify.

http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/undocumented.phtml

Several states — Texas, California, New York, Utah, Illinois, Washington, Nebraska, New Mexico, Maryland (community colleges), Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Kansas — have passed state laws providing in-state tuition benefits to illegal aliens who have attended high school in the state for three or more years.

Similar legislation is pending in Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

(Connecticut also passed such a law, but the governor vetoed it.)

The Nevada system of higher education does not consider immigration status for in-state tuition, but does require it for a state-sponsored scholarship.

Also, some schools in Georgia provide in-state tuition benefits to illegal aliens.

[RichInOC]

You do realize that Freepers probably aren’t the only ones who think that.

[TexMom7]

I understand that Rick Perry is very close to some people from CAIR, and looks forward to having Islam taught in Texas public schools.

---

Not true. Where did you get your information?

BTW: Perry is as pro Israel as you can get.

Perry received an award “Defender of Jerusalem” because of his support and commitment.

Texas is Israel’s 4th largest American Trading Partner.

[Paperdoll]

I got that right here on Free Republic, where I get a lot of, but far from all 9of my news.

I am very glad if Perry is pro Israel. That is good!

Thanks for the encouraging info.

[GourmetDan]

I guess I could get one of those and make my own!

[SZonian]

And? Does this make them conservative or not?

I dare say, not.

If you have any information that will help in my understanding of this legislation in TX that Mr. Perry has obviously endorsed, I’d be glad to see it.

[Reagan Man]

>>>>>I recognised you as a Freddie boy!

LOL I'm in good company. Fred received the majority of Free Republic support in 2007.

You need to stop whining. Seriously. I've been around FR years longer than you have. I've taken my hits and some serious heat over that time and never complained. I continue to fight for conservatism with truth and facts.

I don't place any value on gossip, rumor and innuendo. Perry has a relationship with one particular group of Muslims, the Ismailis. He also has a personal friendship with the Ismailis leader, Aga Khan. I see nothing sinister about either one. Perry is the Governor of Texas and that includes ALL Texans --- Christians, Jews, Muslims, whatever. They're all Americans. Perry did help to get Islamic curricula introduced into Texas schools. I see no evidence this is a play to push Sharia Law, however. From what I've read, CAIR has made an effort to get a foot into Perry's inner circle, but has failed. Besides all this, Perry is a huge supporter and defender of Israel. There is no issue here. Except maybe peoples hatred of Islam in general.

[smoothsailing]

Agent P!

[Gene Eric]

Good article.

bttt

[sickoflibs]

GWB vs Perry... just great ...

I saw FNC “the Five’ today and yesterday at the gym (5pm EST), its a pathetic replacement for Glenn Beck.

Yesterday Bush establishment RINO Dana Perino advised Romney AGAINST talking too tough on immigration after playing a video clip of (liberal-TARP-stimulus-amnesty-phony) Romney being critical of Perry on immigration, as if he can talk. Bizarre land . She probably likes Romney the best as he is 100% pro-GWB and she is worried about him.

Today on the show Perino and Andrea Tantaros were joining Bob Beckel calling for a ‘big solution’ to the ‘immigration problem’ that ‘resolves their status’ so they can live and work here.

You know even darker days lie ahead.

[TexMom7]

The Bill states that children of illegal immigrants that have lived in Texas for 3 years consecutively that have graduated from high school can pay in-state tuition.
They must swear an affidavit that say they will file for permanent residency (to be legally in US with a green card).

Most of these kids were brought over by their parents of no fault to themselves and most were between 8mo to 12yrs old.
They have attended Texas Schools for their entire or most of their lives. Most find out they are not legal citizens when they are around 5-7 yrs old (old enough to understand). Most speak perfect English since they have been here most of their lives. Most do not even know what Mexico is like - Mexico is a foreign country to them.

They are like “caught in the middle”. The only way for them to become a US Citizen is to go to Mexico for 10 yrs and apply legally to re-enter US. It is a scary thought for them (I have read many testimonies).

The thought behind the bill is that these kids should not be punished for the crimes of their parents.

The bill does not give them amnesty, it gives no benefit other than a reduced rate on the tuition, they have to pay and there are no other benefits attached.

There are approx 8,000 to 12,000 students in Texas Community Colleges or Universities per year that filed the affidavit and got in-state tuition.
Most are in a Community College.

There are 12-24 states with same in-state tuition bills or with bills pending. So Texas is not unique with this.

We would not even be discussing this if the United States Federal Government had done it’s dutiful job under the Constitution of the United States to protect our country and secured the borders. Because it has failed to enforce it’s own laws - the states have to deal with illegal immigration the best they can. The Federal Government is the reason illegal immigrants kids are being taught in the states schools because the Supreme Court ruled it.

I heard someone (unknown) say recently that a judge put it this way:

Services must be given. If you are a fireman and your fire station got a call that there was a house on fire. Would you ask: Are you legal or are you illegal? And if they said they were illegal - would you let their house burn down or take the chance that they may burn & or die?

---

Now, that said, if you do not like illegal immigration (I don’t) then you need to talk with your President Obama or your Congressman/Congresswoman and tell them to do their job.

Perry knows illegal immigration as much or more than anyone in the country and he has stated over and over that the border needs to be secured.

If President, he would use thousands of National Guard, drones and high tech equipment to secure the border.

And you can bet your sweet buns they would be armed.

Did I mention how strong he is on the 2nd Amendment?

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

I saw FNC “the Five’ today and yesterday at the gym (5pm EST), its a pathetic replacement for Glenn Beck.
Yesterday Bush establishment RINO Dana Perino advised Romney AGAINST talking too tough on immigration after playing a video clip of (liberal-TARP-stimulus-amnesty-phony) Romney being critical of Perry on immigration, as if he can talk. Bizarre land . She probably likes Romney the best as he is 100% pro-GWB and she is worried about him.

Perino will be very happy with Romney if he survives the primaries so he can flip again. He has flipped more times on immigration than Cirque du Soleil.

Today on the show Perino and Andrea Tantaros were joining Bob Beckel calling for a ‘big solution’ to the ‘immigration problem’ that ‘resolves their status’ so they can live and work here. You know even darker days lie ahead.

Eric Bolling is more conservative on this, actually talking about adding to the already too big pool of unemployed. Murdock is a big fan of amnesty, so having a lot of immigration libs and RINOs on Fox is no surprise.

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

They must swear an affidavit that say they will file for permanent residency (to be legally in US with a green card).

That "requirement" is meaningless.

Even if they never apply for permanent residency, it is impossible to prove that they did not intend to do so.

Also, on what basis would they apply for permanent residency? If they were eligible because of a family member, why wouldn't they have applied before?

[tdscpa]

I agree 100%. Sorry I had to disagree with you on another topic. Here, I’m with you all the way.

[tdscpa]

Huh. I didn’t know Fox News presented multiple versions of “The Five.”

It appears you got a different version than I got.

[sickoflibs]

RE :”Today on the show Perino and Andrea Tantaros were joining Bob Beckel (on The Five) calling for a ‘big solution’ to the ‘immigration problem’ that ‘resolves their status’ so they can live and work here. You know even darker days lie ahead.........
Eric Bolling is more conservative on this, actually talking about adding to the already too big pool of unemployed. Murdock is a big fan of amnesty, so having a lot of immigration libs and RINOs on Fox is no surprise.”

You are correct about Bolling, he was the only voice of sanity on the show yesterday.

It is not only amnesty on FNC, but MSNBC had a holiday like celibration yesterday on every show over the end of DADT and I didnt see FNC mention it once. It reminded me how FNC was AWOL on the issue last year when it counted, like the establishment channel wants RINO viewers, and electing RINOs.

Dana Perino has 'COMPASSIONATE CONSERVATIVE' written all over her, and why should we give a crap what she thinks???

[TexMom7]

They may have. They could have filed years before and have been waiting.

It takes many years.

The U.S. Department of State only distributes 226,000 per year for special visa (student would fall under this) and 140,000 a year for employment visas.

That is for the entire United States.

Plus there is a limit on each country.

If they do not apply - they cannot get a job or a drivers license so it would not make any sense for them not to.
They would just be wasting their money and their time going to college.