As a native Texan and long time republican activist in Texas who previously was a STRONG Perry supporter I will offer the following emotionless opinion.
Rick blew it BIG TIME last last night and lost me as a supporter in the process! Here’s why.
When the legislature passed the bill to provide in state tuition for illegals the make up of the Texas legislature was much different than it is today. Republicans (not conservatives) held a one seat majority in the Texas Senate (16 republicans to 15 democrats). The Texas house was composed of 78 democrats and 72 Republicans. Today the Texas Senate is composed of 19 republicans (not conservatives) and 12 democrats. The Texas House has 101 Republicans and 49 democrats. That is a HUGE change over 10 years and one of the main reasons this has occurred is this very issue!
Rick Perry was dealt a bad hand back then. EVERY member of the legislature save four voted for this bill even though the public was adamantly opposed to it. Perry, the newly minted governor of Texas at that time, signed it into law and I seriously doubt that anyone would have done differently under the circumstances.
The public in Texas adamantly opposed the idea of granting in state tuition to illegals then and they still do today. It was shoved down our throats by the 77th legislature and that is, at least in part, why the current make up of the legislature is what it is!
Until today, I had thought Rick Perry understood all this but his words last night convince me beyond all doubt that I was wrong! He doesn’t get it and chose to insult those of us in Texas who have always opposed in state tuition for illegals! He’s done! He will only sink the polls from this point until he finally decides to pack it in!
That is what I call an educated and reasoned explanation from someone close enough to the situation to understand it. I agree it was a bad night for him as well.
Last night may prove to be an undoing or may be a pothole. The key will be whether or not he really doesn’t get it or whether he expressed himself poorly. He’s got to solve one or both of those problems or he will not win the nomination.
Exceptional insight. I greatly appreciate this fact based, historical education and context from a Texas Freeper. Thank you, sir.
“I will offer the following emotionless opinion.”
hmmmm..... let’s check out that claim against your actual post:
“!” x 6 = FAIL