![](http://media.timesfreepress.com/img/photos/2011/10/10/PARADE_Rick_Perry_t618.jpg?ba5b5b122dd3d37cc13d83e92a6a0ec0d5bfa32a"</img)
Posted on 10/10/2011 5:38:54 PM PDT by TexMom7
So, what happened to you in the early debates?
Rick Perry: "A debate is an eight-ring circus, and you have a minute to talk. Sometimes it can be hard to explain your position on a host of issues. I readily admit I’m not the slickest politician nor the smoothest debater."
Do you feel as if the other candidates have been ganging up on in the debates?
RP: "When you come into the fray and you’re leading in the polls, you’re going to get attacked by everyone. I get it. I’m a big boy, and I know how to play that game. "
Your critics say you’re not electable. Your response?
RP:"Well, I disregard that. Americans are looking for somebody to stand up and tell them the truth, and I have a record to back it up. Ultimately, if I can explain my heart, my jobs record, and my philosophy to Americans, I’m pretty confident that I’ll win."
You’re a very successful fund-raiser. But it’s been reported that nearly half of the major donors during your governorship ended up receiving business contracts, political appointments, or tax breaks. The word that’s been applied to you is “cronyism.” How do you respond?
RP:"That’s the same old, tired criticism which comes when people don’t want to talk about the real issues, like how do we create jobs."
But is there any truth to it?
RP:"No. Decisions in Texas are generally legislative, with the lieutenant governor, speaker, and governor making them together. There were no unilateral decisions from my office dealing with those issues. And I’ll go back to my record. I’ve been elected three times as governor. The people obviously have confidence in me."
Your wife, Anita Perry, tends to stay out of the spotlight. At the Sept. 12 debate, you described her as “beautiful, thoughtful, incredible.” What is she like as a person?
RP:"She’s very smart and loyal. She’s not predisposed to be a public figure since she saw how her father, a small-town doctor, had to be shared with all these other people. She’s also a great patriot. "
Some of our recent presidents have admitted to experimenting with drugs. What about you?
RP:"No, ma’am. Not unless you call caffeine a drug. Or cold beer or whiskey."
Governor, how would you make the White House more like Texas?
RP:We’d have Blue Bell ice cream and Hill Country barbecue.
Look for the full story in the Oct. 23 issue of PARADE.
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"Who Is Anita Perry?"
http://www.parade.com/news/2011/10/23-meet-anita-perry.html
LYNN SHERR: Let’s start with an easy question. How would you describe your husband?
ANITA PERRY: I think he’s the most handsome man. And he’s creative, smart, kind, thoughtful. …
What’s your pet name for him?
Ricky. He calls me Nita.
Your husband says you urged him to enter the race. Why?
My daddy was a family practice doctor, and in the 1970s after Medicare began, I remember him telling me, as wise as he was, “We’re moving towards socialized medicine. The first time you take a dollar from the federal government, they’ll start trying to control your life.” I became a nurse, and I’ve seen government take away more and more of our freedom to choose the care we want and the drugs we want.
When did you first talk to your husband about running?
I started thinking about it last November after his reelection. Then in June a friend sent me a magazine article; it was about Obamacare. I read it and thought, “I don’t want more of the same.” One day Rick and I were talking and I said, “I am so concerned with our children’s future and their children’s future and what will happen to them. We’ve given so many years to public service, and we need to make a difference.” I didn’t want us to wake up when we were 80 and regret we didn’t do this. Our country is in danger, in my opinion.
He’s taken a lot of heat over his 2007 executive order mandating that sixth-grade girls get the HPV vaccine unless their parents opted out. [It was overturned by the state legislature.] What role did you play in his decision?
I didn’t know anything about it.
What was your reaction when you heard about it?
I wish he’d talked to me first.
Was it the wrong decision?
No, but I thought he handled it the wrong way. I’ve been cochair for the March of Dimes immunization program, and I’m pro-immunization. I would have supported the vaccine. I do not see it as an opening for sexual promiscuity in any way. I see it as another immunization.
Do you think your husband’s taking some unfair hits?
Yes, he’s said he made a mistake. He just wants to get rid of cancer in our lifetime. I don’t know how many other men would admit, “I made a mistake.”
Presidential campaigns usually get very ugly. Can you handle it?
It’s already ugly. [laughs] It’s so unkind and unfair, because you know what? All we want to do is serve our country, fight for freedom, and bring back America, the greatest country in the world. The other day, an older lady asked me, “What do you think about the polls?” I said, “I can’t look at them. All I can do is get up every day and tell everyone what a wonderful man and leader Rick Perry is.”
If he is elected president next year, what issues or causes will you take up as first lady?
It’s hard to say. I’m a health care professional. I love our military. But we’ve got a lot of work to do before we make it to the White House.
You’ve said your husband prays every night and morning. Yes. He always asks for wisdom for our president. What about you?
I pray that God will send his angels to protect my children.
Is it hard for you to go out and make campaign speeches?
It’s not hard. I’ve had lots of years to do it, and I’ve become comfortable in that role. I love meeting people—goodness gracious, that’s the best part.
When your husband gives speeches, do you ever find yourself wanting to put words in his mouth?
No, because he always says the right thing.
Always?
Well, most of the time. Whether he says it in a way that you or I want to hear …
Let me ask you one last question about the future. If you make it all the way to the White House, what will you bring with you?
Fun, humor, kindness, and a love for our country.
tomorrow night’s the proof in the pudding.
I see him more like Reagan than any of the others.....a good man with good values.
Texas really loves R Perry now - Ryan that is. Loads the bases with no one out in the bottom of the eleventh and then gives up a grand slam to the next batter.
"Ultimately, if I can explain my heart, my jobs record, and my philosophy to Americans, I’m pretty confident that I’ll win."
Go Perry!
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I can’t believe no one has shown up to start ripping Rick Perry up.
>> I readily admit I’m not the slickest politician
Nice jab, Rick!
I wonder who that one was aimed towards? :-)
Give ‘em a few more minutes. tick-tick-tick..... Right now they’re ripping Cain because Myth likes him.
If Perry didn’t have detractors I’d consider him ineffective. He is stepping on toes and pushing back and the ones that don’t like him just can’t handle it.
He’s good. Made mistakes. Yes. Loves his country and wants to make a difference...the RIGHT kind of difference? HELL yes! :)
Now...you detractors...let the fun begin.......
I am amazed at all the Perry hate on here. Many have gone from being certain Palin was going to ride in and win, and have now pinned all their hopes on Cain. The reality is, Perry is probably the only person in the race that can raise the money and put together the state organizations necessary to actually prevent Romney from getting the nomination.
I can understand not being enthusiastic about Perry. I agree his debate performances were poor and some of his immigration positions are not very good, but he is mostly very conservative and is a 3 term governor with a proven track record of actually being able to win elections.
I'm betting in a few weeks/months, Cain's boomlet will evaporate once he's subjected to intense scrutiny, and people are going to wish they didn't spend all their time savaging Perry because he's probably the only one that can realistically stop Romney.
Because many of us are just “Heartless” and want the illegals out, instead of subsidizing them.
Signed,
Heartless in TN
i don’t care if Rick Perry sounds like Abraham Lincoln tomorrow...
in-state tuition for illegals and romneycare are deal breakers for me.
RP:We’d have Blue Bell ice cream and Hill Country barbecue.
LOL, that's great!
Anita sounds like a wonderful woman.
Weird photo as if he were flashing either himself or knockoff watches. At least it’s better than Gore’s airbrushed package.
Poor Perry; he has blown it.
Empowerment zones with preferential treatment in Cain’s 999 plan is a deal breaker also.
I suggest you look to Obama for that one since it is a federal responsibility to protect the borders. Obama has refused all requests from Perry for boots on the ground and aviation assets. Perry has had numerous teams on the border for quite awhile. TX has spent over 400 million dollars of tax payer moneys policing the border. TX catches the illegals and ICE turns them loose.
Romney has blown it also. Then Cain supports Romney in an old radio show. Cain then has the empowerment zones built into his 999 plan with companies in these zones getting special treatment. Same old stuff! Different name, different politician, same old HANDOUT!
The TX Legislature bill was a veto proof passage with only 4 NO votes. Both Houses are controlled by Republicans. This is a TX issue, and should not be the concern of any other state. Perry is a firm believe of states rights and would not tell another state what to do. Vote for whom you like, personally, I want a conservative who can beat Obama. That is Perry.
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