Free Republic

Texas Governor Rick Perry's decision to stop wearing cowboy boots because of his back pain is just a "feeble excuse," according to the state's Republican Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson. "Tell Rick that boots can be purchased with normal heels," Patterson wrote to a columnist at the Austin American-Statesman, as highlighted by Political Wire. "I lament the fact that our governor could now pass for a West Coast metrosexual and has embarrassed us all with his sartorial change of direction." These goddamn metrosexuals, with their ignorance about "heels" and humiliating "sartorial" decisions. Where have all the cowboys gone?

Texas Gov. Rick Perry said President Barack Obama had not called him since the onslaught of illegal immigrants descended upon his state, despite the fact the migrants were probably coming to the United States because of the message from the White House. “I haven’t even had a phone call from this president,” Perry, a Republican, told “Fox & Friends” on Wednesday. “The real issue, from my perspective, is this message that has come out of this administration for too many years of ‘Come on up and cross the border, and you can become a United States citizen.’” …

Two Texans may be vying for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016: Sen. Ted Cruz and Governor Rick Perry. Cruz overwhelmingly won the Texas GOP 2016 convention straw poll, confirming his position as the conservative grassroots candidate. He fires up crowds unlike any other politician today, and the power of motivating voters and volunteers should not be underestimated. But will he run in 2016? The signs point to yes. One of his staffers left his office to start a committee to draft him into running. He has visited the early states and spent many weekends during his first 18 months...

Whether or not he chooses to run, he will be ready, Perry says It’s hard to imagine a presidential campaign that began with as much excitement, money and hope — and ended as quickly and dramatically — as Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s primary bid did three years ago. Initially touted as an unbeatable conservative alternative to Mitt Romney, Perry quickly proved woefully unprepared for the national spotlight. A series of blunders led the dismantling of his campaign in the first weeks of the 2012 primary contests.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry probably shouldn't have attempted to make the case that gay people can "decide not to" be gay despite genetic predisposition, he conceded Thursday, offering no semblance of an apology but trying instead to rally attention back to his message about jobs and the economy. "I got asked about an issue," Perry, a Republican, explained during a lunch hosted by the Christian Science Monitor. "And instead of saying, 'You know what? We need to be a really respectful and tolerant country - to everybody - and get back to talking about: Whether you're gay or straight, you...

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...

HOUSTON, Texas—State Representative Debbie Riddle (R-Tomball) told Breitbart Texas she spoke with Governor Rick Perry’s (R-TX) Office and they confirmed the surge to deal with the Texas border crisis is about to begin. Details are not available at this time, but Riddle said, “It is going to happen.” Riddle spoke with Governor Perry’s office about the issue and was assured it “is going to be coming soon.” She said Governor Perry’s office is working very closely with Lt. Governor David Dewhurst’s office along with the office of House Speaker Joe Straus. “They are gathering together everything they need to begin...

HOUSTON, Texas—Governor Rick Perry (R-TX) appeared on Fox News’ Fox and Friends show and said Texas lacks the resources and manpower to secure the 1,200 mile Texas border with Mexico. The comment sent shock waves through a Texas grassroots discussion thread on Facebook this morning of activists who are seeking a special session call from the Governor to deal with the issue of border security.

Tuesdays on Fox News Channel's "Fox & Friends," Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) discussed the humanitarian crisis of thousands of unaccompanied minors flooding across the U.S.-Mexico border. Perry gave an ominous warning: "We have record high numbers of other than Mexicans being apprehended at the border. These are people that are coming from states like Syria that have substantial connections back to terrorist regimes and terrorist operations. So we're seeing record, historic high numbers of these individuals being apprehended." Perry said he warned the Obama administration about the current border chaos in 2012. "We flagged this issue in 2012 and have...

Media Firestorm as Rick Perry Compares Homosexuality to Alcoholism By Julio Severo Texas Governor Rick Perry has caused a firestorm by comparing homosexuality to a disorder that people can avoid like alcoholism at an event in San Francisco. Rick Perry According to the San Francisco Chronicle, even though most of the event focused on economic issues, Perry was provocatively asked about the Texas Republican Party’s approval of platform language allowing Texans to seek voluntary counseling to leave the homosexual lifestyle. Perry responded to the question by saying that he did not know whether such so-called “reparative therapy” worked.  The...

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said on Friday he disagreed with comments comparing homosexuality to alcoholism made by his potential 2016 Republican rival for the White House, Texas Governor Rick Perry. Perry, who ran an unsuccessful bid for the White House in 2012, said Wednesday during an appearance in San Francisco that he believed homosexuality was a "lifestyle" and a condition that could be overcome. "I may have the genetic coding that I'm inclined to be an alcoholic, but I have the desire not to do that," Perry said. "And I look at the homosexual issue in the same way."...

Liberals in California are up in arms at comments on gays made by Texas Governor Rick Perry during a speech for San Francisco's Commonwealth Club on Wednesday, yet willingly bury their heads in the sand as the state continues to lose jobs to the Lone Star State due to Democrats animosity to business. As Apple, Inc. opens up its Austin location and Toyota flee over-regulated and over-taxed California, left-wing opinion makers obsess about a social-agenda that affects a minuscule portion of the population, while families throughout the state struggle just to make ends meet. Headlines up and down the state,...

Republican Texas Governor Rick Perry addressed the Commonwealth Club of California Wednesday night. The former Presidential candidate, who is thinking about running again in 2016, spoke to the crowd in San Francisco about a variety of topics, ranging from climate change to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s recent primary loss. However, he shocked the crowd, and perhaps put the final nail in the coffin of his Presidential ambitions, when he compared homosexuals to alcoholics and suggested that gays should just refrain from homosexual activity, much like an alcoholic should not drink. Perry was on stage being interviewed by the Commonwealth...

On Wednesday, Governor Rick Perry (R-TX) spoke to the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, pushing for jobs to move to Texas. In the process, he praised former First Lady and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. "Very, very capable public servant," Perry stated. "Great Secretary of State, first lady. Very capable."

Texas Gov. Rick Perry drew a comparison between alcoholism and homosexuality, during a visit that also dealt with economic issues. Perry’s comments to the Commonwealth Club of California came after Texas’ Republican Convention on Saturday sanctioned platform language allowing Texans to seek voluntary counseling to “cure” being gay. […] He said: “I may have the genetic coding that I’m inclined to be an alcoholic, but I have the desire not to do that, and I look at the homosexual issue the same way.” …

Fox News’ Sean Hannity sat down with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal on Thursday at the Republican Leadership Conference to talk about the accomplishments conservative governors have made across the U.S. “All of you inherited deficits you turned into surpluses, high unemployment now low unemployment,” Hannity said of Jindal and Govs. Rick Scott (FL), Rick Perry (TX), John Kasich (OH), Scott Walker (WI), and Nikki Haley (SC). “What can the Republicans in Washington learn?” Washington can actually learn a lot from states if they want to—it’s just common sense, Jindal replied. Lawmakers inside the beltway always talk about the things...

Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has won another straw poll, boosting his national profile and elevating his name among potential 2016 presidential contenders. The firebrand freshman senator and tea party favorite was among a handful of 2016 hopefuls speaking at the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans this week. Cruz finished in first place in the annual conference's presidential straw poll at 30.33%. Dr. Ben Carson, a Fox News commentator and conservative activist, finished in second with 29.38% while Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, was third with 10.43%. Fox News host and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Texas Governor Rick Perry rounded...

HIAWATHA, Iowa (AP) — Behind Texas Gov. Rick Perry's visit to Iowa this week to campaign for local politicians is a careful effort to remake his image from the 2012 Republican presidential candidate who couldn't remember a key message during a debate, to a more polished and prepared contender. While he denies it is a dress rehearsal for a second presidential run, Perry is studying policy, traveling and meeting with key activists as he campaigns for Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and U.S. Senate candidate Matt Whitaker in the state expected to host the first presidential caucus of 2016. "This hasn't...

Behind Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s visit to Iowa this week to campaign for local politicians is a careful effort to remake his image from the 2012 Republican presidential candidate who couldn’t remember a key message during a debate, to a more polished and prepared contender. While he denies it is a dress rehearsal for a second presidential run, Perry is studying policy, traveling and meeting with key activists as he campaigns for Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and U.S. Senate candidate Matt Whitaker in the state expected to host the first presidential caucus of 2016. …

MURRAY, Ky. (AP) - Texas Gov. Rick Perry threw his support behind U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell on Saturday, telling 300 fellow Republicans that the minority leader will win re-election. McConnell finds himself in a GOP primary fight with wealthy businessman Matt Bevin, who attended the event but wasn’t allowed to speak.