Posted on 11/08/2006 9:25:40 PM PST by weegee
AUSTIN Savoring his re-election victory, Republican Gov. Rick Perry pledged today to work with lawmakers from both political parties as he pushes to secure the border, create jobs and improve schools.
And although he said he's proud to be governor and that it's "the best job in the world," he wouldn't commit to completing the four-year term he just won.
"That's kind of up to the good Lord. He may decide he wants me doing something different and I'm out of here tomorrow. Who knows?" Perry said. "I plan on being here working, making a difference."
Perry said he was asked during his campaign about serving his entire term, but he said, "I'm not naive enough to take the bait on that."
Perry has been mentioned by some supporters as a possible vice presidential nominee in 2008, but Perry himself never waded into the subject.
He overcame three major challengers Tuesday to win with 39 percent of the vote on a night in which a number of governorships nationwide turned over to Democrats. Perry defeated Democrat Chris Bell and independents Carole Keeton Strayhorn and Kinky Friedman.
If Perry completes his second term he will be the state's longest-serving governor. He became governor in December 2000, when George W. Bush resigned to become president. In 2002, Perry won the office outright.
Perry struck a conciliatory tone and said he wants to put forth an inclusive agenda heading into the 2007 legislative session. He said he wants to build on the bipartisan efforts of last spring when Texas lawmakers approved and Perry signed a new school funding plan.
"We have a very diverse state, very diverse people," he said. "We need less partisanship. We need less cynicism. We need more bridge building."
A strong economy and an expected record budget surplus make him optimistic about what will be accomplished in the legislative session that begins in January, he said.
One his leading issues will be allotting state money to battle crime along the Texas-Mexico border, Perry said. He has said he will ask lawmakers for an additional $100 million for the state effort, though he contends the federal government should foot the bill.
"I hope in two years we're not expending state dollars to defend our border, to secure our border," he said. "For God sakes, Washington needs to understand it's their responsibility."
Perry's campaign aides said Wednesday that border security was the top issue they identified that resonated with conservative base voters Perry worked to win over in the election.
Perry also said he wants to make the state budgeting system more open and transparent. He said his office will soon start posting information online to help Texans see where their tax money is going. He said he will work for "truth in budgeting," in which money that is said to be allocated for a particular project actually goes to that fund.
Other legislative agenda items include battling increasing property tax appraisals and working to reduce the high rate of Texans without health insurance, he said.
"I've never been one of those anti-government conservatives," he said. "I'm a limited government conservative."
Bell, as he consoled supporters after his second-place finish, said he urges those who will be serving the state to ask themselves: "What will we be leaving behind? What will we be leaving for my children and your children?' The best schools? An affordable health-care system? A transparent government? A better place? If you cannot honestly answer those questions in the affirmative, what have you won?"
Even though he didn't win with a majority of the vote, Perry and his aides pointed out that he was the winner in 209 counties, down slightly from 218 when he won decisively over Democrat Tony Sanchez in 2002.
Perry, responding to a question from a news reporter, indicated he's not worried about whether he has a mandate from voters.
"Texans want to see a governor who's moving this state forward," he said.
How strange. Tonight on the TV news he said just the opposite - when someone asked him if he was committed to his 4-year term. He said "of course."
It's a stupid question - what else would he say? *No, I'll get bored with this soon and decide to retire.*
What? You don't think we should elect any more governors of our state?
I assume you are one of the Texas secessionists who wants us to go back to being a republic, so we can have a president, instead? Or "alcalde grande" or "el Jefe"? No comprende.
Fair enough...I'm sorry if I offended you. My statement wasn't at all meant as a derogatory comment on the state of Texas. In fact, my wife and I are planning to move down there, so I wouldn't want to be insulting it. :)
"We have a very diverse state, very diverse people," he said. "We need less partisanship. We need less cynicism. We need more bridge building."
BWAHAHAHAHAHA! Man, you guys (RINOs/Repubs) built bridges okay, bridges that led you right into the LOSERS pasture. Don't want no more bridges Guv'na, thank you very much. I want some d****d leadership. You still have some sort of deal with this "TransTexas" road scheme of yours, I guess to import more poor, underclassed, unskilled laborers. We already have an overload of those too.
It sure would be nice to hear him (or anyone) say:
"We are not only going to secure Texas' borders from illegal immigrants, but we are going to pass laws that do not allow illegals to work or live in Texas. We are not going to provide financial support for people who are here illegally either. And English is our language! What happens in our state is our responsibility."
Heaven forbid Perry going on to anything else. I had to laugh, though, when someone called him a metrosexual. He's not that. Have you ever heard him speak? He effects a Texas good ole boy persona; maybe he is one. Either way, he doesn't seem to stand for principles, just getting ahead in his career.
LOL...yes, you should be led by a tribal council.
*ducks to miss a punch from CindyDawg*
Nah, I meant no more 'bridge building Texas governors' for President...
LOL. Welcome to Texas.
Adios Mofo's!
Please... no more "bridge building" RINO's...
Ditto. There is only so much of "the good Lords" Texas Rino pablum we can take in a lifetime.
Bridge Builing Rinos should fight the Do-Goodery's for world supremacy.
HMM??? Maybe that should be part of our platform in 08'?
Seriously! I know too many people, even here in the Communist State of NJ, that are sick and tired of it!
That might make a good sign. NO MORE PC People probably would take that to mean popcorn!
I always thought if I were elected Governor, Senator, Congressman, or President, my acceptance speech would go something like:
"My fellow Americans...
I will not sit here and talk about happy, flowery stuff like "unity" and building bridges, because when people talk about that stuff, it always means one thing: Republicans bending over for Democrats, and I won't do that. Will I work with Democrats? Sure. In the sense that I will tell them that I expect their support, and why. That's it."
He can jump in the lake as far as I am concerned. Either that or he can pay my ridiculous utility bill. This is tantamount of Enron all over again. Something is brewing on this and the Public Utility Commission is starting to make some noise about this situation. He can forget about it.
Tribal councils, huh? We don't really have enough Indians to run things. Too many chiefs, not enough Indians.
*Way down yonder on the Indian Nation, ride my pony on the reservation, in the Oklahoma Hills where I was born ....*
Yuppers, you got a point there - we *will* have to annex Oklahoma, so we can have tribal councils to decide things, instead of a president or governor.
Otherwise, Congress will have to meet in the Alabama-Coushatta Casino!
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