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

[sickoflibs]

RE :”Huh. I didn’t know Fox News presented multiple versions of “The Five.” It appears you got a different version than I got”

FNC replacing Glenn Beck with RINO Perino (spelled Pe-RINO) is sickening.

That whole liberal-RINO lovefest show makes me want to puke. And why the hell should we care what Perino (spelled Pe-RINO) thinks anyway? GWB poll numbers were even worse than Obama’s are now after his 7+8 years. I never hear her explain why her administration was such a disaster when she is giving her worthless advice on that show.

Eric Bolling is the only sane one on the show. (he had the guts to say 'Deportation' to Beckel.) Andrea Tantaros is just too dumb to be talking on TV(she is a clueless Hannity type) , not much different than Perino. Pathetic!

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

Thank you for the courteous reply. Many of these discussions degenerate into name-calling.

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 why I don't like the loophole in the law which says that they sign a paper stating that they will apply for citizenship at some unspecified time in the future. 29 year old illegal aliens who are not eligible for permanent resident can be eligible for the Dream Act, while there is fierce competition all over the world for student visas.

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.

Unless they know that they are really not eligible for permanent residence.

If they do not apply - they cannot get a job or a drivers license. They would just be wasting their money and their time going to college.

In Texas, currently they can't get a driver's license, but other states are happy to give out licenses. Also, one way of looking at it is that the Dream Act is one foot in the door for amnesty. Perry said in 2001 he was for an "open border," and other politicians from both parties are busy chipping away at our national sovereignty. Here is Texas HB 2886: Workman's bill would offer undocumented immigrants the opportunity to apply for resident alien cards. The card, which would be valid only in Texas, would cost $4,000 — what he estimated a human smuggler, or coyote, would charge to bring someone across the border. The card would be valid for eight years and would require the applicant to pass criminal background checks. It also would enable whoever had this "Texas green card" to get a driver's license, work, etc. Technically, it would violate federal law, but who cares with Eric Holder, (who would love to keep illegals here until they can become leftist voters), in charge?

For me, the danger of importing 10s of millions of leftists voters, and leftist control of all 3 branches of government, is top priority. I think many illegal immigrants are good people individually, but I am afraid of what would happen if they voted. Even when the GOP ran a full-blown amnesty candidate in 2008:

[SZonian]

There are way too many emotional arguments being used to justify this legislation. I’m pointing to the direct impact these kids (?) will have on American kids trying to get into school.

I’ve heard all these and many more arguments, I’m in CA.

As to your snide remark about contacting “your president...” and telling them to do their job...

Says about all I need to hear, you’re not interested in discussing why Perry signing on to this legislation makes him a conservative.

I gave you an opportunity to try and convince me as to why I shouldn’t be concerned about Perry’s “conservative creds” and instead, you chose to attempt to insult my intelligence.

Color me unimpressed.

[Paperdoll]

Why would Perry allow Islam to be taught in Texas public schools when Christianity cannot be taught there. Nor can a cross or a Bible be permitted in many public schools. Is Judaism taught in Texas public schools? Again why has Perry allowed Islam to be taught in the Texas public schools? There are Muslim schools popping up all over the country so why the need to provide it in the curriculum of public schools?

[Paperdoll]

I haven’t firmed up on any one of them yet. I want to learn all I can about each candidate before I decide. I can tell you that I trust Bachmann, Santorum and Cain. I like Palin. She has the experience but I am concerned if she should run the fact that she left office mid term might be very bad for her.

Who is your candidate and why?

[Reagan Man]

Perry initiated a teacher training program on Islamic history. How far that goes, I don't know.

Funny. Someone amnswered you at #106 concerning Perry's ties in Texas. Why not go after her too? Me thinks you are trying to pick a fight. Bad move.

[Paperdoll]

Did you happen to skip happily over post 107?

[Reagan Man]

I read #107.

You didn’t go after her. You came after me.

You’re itching for a fight. Choose your weapons, pilgrim.

[Paperdoll]

Just lookk back at all your posts sto me. That should answer your question. Have a nice day.

[NeoCaveman]

Regardless of what these morons think, in 20/20, GWB was the most conservative Domestic agenda President ever elected.

I think the capital D was downright Freudian. GWB increased the size and scope of government more than any president since LBJ.

Maybe that is conservative over at the Weakly Standard but it is not where I live.

[magritte]

My favorite in Gingrich. He is the smartest of the group and actually has some practical solutions that make the most pragmatic Conservative sense. Unfortunately, he lost me at Tiffanys. I briefly dallied at Bachmann, but she’s too flaky to be President. The boutique candidates like Cain and Santorum are non-starters, with no chance. Palin is ballot box poison, a sure Goldwater style loser.

Perry is the best choice for conservatives at this point. He’s fairly conservative, can raise money, and will do fairly well holding the McCain states with a chance of picking up a few purple states.

Romney, unfortunately, is the most electable Republican. He won’t lose McCain states and he puts into play a number of Obama states that Perry can’t. I can’t support him at this point, as he is too moderate for me.

[little jeremiah]

Romney is the most electable Republican?

Yeah, right - just like Dole and McCain.

Are you a GOP hireling by any chance? RNC? Perry campaign?

Your statment that Palin is ballot box poison is not backed up by anything other than your opinion, and everyone has one of their own.

[Reagan Man]

Oh, you got your feelings hurt. So you take a pot shot and then run away.

Understood, pussycat.

[magritte]

GOP hireling. Lol...is that your question for everyone who doesn’t agree with ya? Nope, I’m a political realist, not a fanboy.

People are looking for an alternative to Obama. A nice, safe alternative. He’s not an Evangelical, but belongs to some weird Christian sect that isn’t scary to independents and Reagan Democrats. The people with the most disdain for Romney are Evangelicals, which gives independents/RD voters a bit of comfort, as they have equal disdain for Evangelicals and, to paraphrase, if Evangelicals don’t like him, he can’t be that bad.

I’m a Perry guy, but I realize that he needs to tone it down a bit to be safe. Plus, he’s a Bible thumper, which independents and Reagan Democrats are wary of as I said before. He’ll have to keep that tuned down as well.

To say Palin is not ballot box poison ignores reality. She might slide through a 4-way Republican primary, only if someone like Christie comes in and takes the Romney votes, but in the general she has little appeal beyond base conservative Republicans, and let’s face it, is not a “safe” option for those independents and Reagan Democrats. Plus, it brings out the “anti-Palin” vote, which is a significant group of Democrats currently disillusioned with Obama. There is no “anti-Romney” voters on the Left, and not as many “anti-Perry” voters (although it will build considerably)

What path do you see for Palin to with the 2012 election, electorally?

I recommend you take a look at the 2008 electoral map.

[little jeremiah]

I disagree with your assessments and conclusions. I’m not a fanguy or gal actually, of anyone. Everyone has bad points and some have some good points.

I looked at your comments, several pp of them, and you really do appear to be a political professional of some kind.

So, I bid you adieu, I have no tastes for political professional types of either party, or their hangers on, or wannabes.

[little jeremiah]

Palin 47% Obama 47%: Turnaround & Why Marist Poll Is No Fluke
www.pollinsider.com ^ | Sept 21, 2011 | Poll Insider

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2781855/posts

Posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 4:16:33 PM by RobaWho

So, there has been much debate about a recent Marist Poll that shows Sarah Palin within 5% of Barack Obama and whether or not this is a fluke. For one thing, the numbers are actually closer to 47% Palin, 47% Obama, a tie. The Marist poll actually oversample Democrats compared to Republicans by 8 points, and oversamples both of them with Independents. (There has been a rise in Indy voters, but not to the tune of almost 40% of the population. Using historical trends, the anticipated 2012 Voter Turnout rate is 36% D, 36% R, 28% I. If your prefer the Rasmussen Partisan Preference it’s essentially a 3-way tie at 33.5% R, 33% D, and 33.5% I. In either scenario, you end up with a 47-47 tie.

The good news here for Palin again is that among the 6% Undecided, 67% are Independents, 20% are Republicans, and just 13% are Democrats. Undecideds usually tilt towards the challenger and in this case those undecideds are mostly Obama-Disapproving Independents followed by Republicans.

(Excerpt) Read more at pollinsider.com ...

[magritte]

No prob. I scrolled through a page of your posts and found this gem:

“Allowing mentally ill sex perverts into the military is evil, hateful, disgusting and worst of all, no Rs are saying a word about it.”

I have no use for homophobes. I believe they hurt the Conservative cause.

[little jeremiah]

I’m not afraid of homosexuals. The fact that you call me a homophobe, which is a fake word invented by homosexuals to attack the messenger when “debating” reveals a lot about you.

Thanks for being so clear about yourself.

[little jeremiah]

So you think the “Conservative cause” will be served by becoming an arm of the homosexual agenda. Okay.

[magritte]

Calling human beings “mentally ill sex perverts” is classy. Bet yer preacher likes it.