Posted on 06/20/2014 7:59:33 AM PDT by SoConPubbie
WASHINGTON - Texas Gov. Rick Perry, sounding increasingly like a 2016 presidential prospect, said Thursday that he's given up on cowboy boots and regrets stepping into a divisive debate about homosexuality, warning Republicans not to be "deflected" by polarizing social issues.
The comments came a week after Perry came under criticism around the nation for remarks he made in San Francisco suggesting that homosexuals could be treated through therapy, much like alcoholics.
"I readily admit," Perry said, "I stepped right in it."
Perry's mea culpa at a luncheon for Washington journalists came as U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, another Texan eyeing a White House run, addressed an enthusiastic crowd of religious conservatives at a Faith and Freedom Coalition conference organized by Christian activist Ralph Reed.
At the luncheon, which was sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor, Perry also was called upon to dissect his own turn in the national spotlight, notably his lackluster performance in the 2012 presidential debates, including the "oops" moment when he could not remember the name of the third federal agency he would have eliminated as president.
"I'm glad I ran in 2012, as frustrating, as painful and as humbling as that experience was," Perry said. "Being prepared both physically and mentally is very important. Having run for the governorship of Texas three times, and been three times elected additionally … as a statewide elected official does not prepare you to run for the presidency of the United States."
He vowed that if he runs again in 2016, "I will be better prepared."
Part of that preparation, he said, involves working on the back pain and medications that plagued him two years ago. Besides surgery and a different exercise regimen, Perry said that for the sake of better body core balance, "I stopped wearing cowboy boots."
Cruz's religious themes
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
Clearly we need someone who wants to balance the budget quickly and stop the constant debt ceiling increases.
I’m looking and listening. Rand Paul has said he wanted to balance in five years. I don’t think that’s fast enough.
Perry’s a moron.
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