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Has Rick Perry been tested, I mean really tested?

Do we have evidence that he will do the right thing, when it’s the hardest thing to do?

I don’t mean will he say the right things when it makes him sound conservative or when it goes along with his political ambitions. That’s not a test, it’s the easy thing to do.

I mean in all of his many years as a politician, is there any record that Rick Perry will make the hard choice to do what’s right according to his convictions, even though it brings a heavy personal price and/or a huge political risk?

Based on the fact that the guy has a long record as Governor of Texas, its hard to say that he hasn't been “tested.” I didn't know much about this guy until a few weeks ago, but when you sift through the crap, its quite impressive and he very well may get my republican primary vote. Of course, like any politician, his track record includes a few actions that give me some pause. However, his explanations and subsequent actions appear reasonable to me.

Its a lot like when I voted for Reagan the first time. I didn't like his flip-flop on abortion, and I was very concerned that his explanation for voting for the Therapeutic abortion act in 1967, allowing for abortion in California, were BS. In addition, I certainly didn't like Reagan's track record of raising taxes as California governor - he voted for the largest tax increase at the time in California history. Yet his explanations seemed reasonable (necessary given the California Dem legislature). I gave the guy a shot because, on the whole, he seemed to be the best conservative candidate at the time and I hoped it wasn't BS. It turned out pretty good for me and the Country. Perry's track record as governor of Texas lines up pretty good against this bar. Particularly his stand on taxes, abortion and gun control. Now for those who seem to attack him on immigration issues, do your homework. Perry has what appears to be reasonable explanations and a different take on the spin. In addition, keep in mind that even our beloved Reagan made a goof in this area, granting amnesty for over 3 million illegals. Something Perry is nowhere near being accused of.

I guess we're going to find out how well he holds up.

So far he has.

And here is a snapshot of his strong support.

The "I know this candidate" (recognition) MATCHED TO "I will contribute money and crawl over broken glass to vote for them" (intensity) numbers.

Perry's intensity numbers have held steady as his recognition numbers continue to rise.

And Perry has room to rise higher as more people review his years in office and learn his story.

Has Rick Perry been tested, I mean really tested? Do we have evidence that he will do the right thing, when it’s the hardest thing to do? I don’t mean will he say the right things when it makes him sound conservative or when it goes along with his political ambitions. That’s not a test, it’s the easy thing to do. I mean in all of his many years as a politician, is there any record that Rick Perry will make the hard choice to do what’s right according to his convictions, even though it brings a heavy personal price and/or a huge political risk?

That's impossible to determine until the suituation requiring such decisions occurs. Kind of like soldiers going into battle - not odd for the "real macho men" to lose it ans the apparent Harvey Milquetoast guys to perform some really heroic deeds.

If you want "proof" you're SOL for now. You might also ask, "Who do we have that we can be certain about in this area?" Let me know if you have a name that might meet the criteria.

IMHO, Palin has shown signs of the ability/willingness, and despite what we keep hearing about Perry, he has the potential.

I believe that his books tell us a lot about his thinking. (as he said in Fed UP, he’s risked sabotaging any run for the Presidency by writing a book calling Social Security a Ponzi scheme and advocating overturning of the 16th Amendment.) In the last chapter, he’s included concrete suggestions about how to overturn the move to big, centralized government that’s bankrupting our country and taking freedoms from individuals.

In real life, this year he put the ultrasound bill, the “Choose Life” license plates, the Sanctuary Cities and the voter ID bills on the emergency list which allowed them to be fast tracked. the only one that did not pass was the Sanctuary cities bill, even after being added to the Special Session.

Two tests that stand out are death penalty cases, one during President Bush’s term and one in the last month. Governor Perry successfully - and fairly quietly - stood up to pressure by the two Presidents to yield to international law rather than the law of Texas.

Do we have evidence that he will do the right thing, when it’s the hardest thing to do?

Let me put it this way:

The Trans Texas Corridor

The voters told him, not just no, but HELL NO. So he dropped the subject and it is dead.

The Guardisal [sp] issue.

The voters told him, not just no, but HELL NO. So he dropped the subject and it is dead. BTW, it already had and opt out written into the bill.

Illegal immigration:

The voters told him, not just no, but HELL NO. He tried to give a letter to zero on the tarmac at ABIA, but was ignored by the ~~won~~ @$$hole.