Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
Reading Bill Whalen's post just now, I came across a comment from Paul that perfectly summed up what a lot of us must be thinking--so perfectly that I thought I'd post it right here, on our front page:
I would like to know more about Perry. I think that I can gauge Romney and Bachmann, and I know that Perry is serious about the tenth amendment (no small matter). But I want to know more -- lots more. You folks from Texas. Speak up. Is he smart? Is he thoughtful (not quite the same thing as smart)? Is he principled? Or is he a chameleon? Most politicians are a lot like Bill Clinton (without having his skills). They are -- how shall I put it? -- flexible . . . on damned near everything. There are occasions when flexibility is called for and occasions when it amounts to being unprincipled. Is Perry slick? Or is he the genuine article? Speak up, my friends. We all need to know.
Ricochetians in the Lone Star State, do tell, do tell.
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Mar '11
Re: Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
I wouldn't call him a rocket scientist, but he is a skillfull politician who is very serious about the 10th Ammendment. I think he's a much better communicator than W, and a better overall politician than W. He's evolved on immigration, but our problems tend to be different from the other border states since we rely on property and sales taxes. I'll have more later, need to get back to what I'm doing.
Re: Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
Thanks for this--and give us more just as fast as ever you can.
Dec '10
Re: Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
I'm from a Texas family and follow the news there, as well as their local talk radio programs. My dad worked for the Dallas Morning News. What I see from years of watching is very mixed. Noting (and agreeing with) lizzie's comments, and agreeing that he would be vastly better than the incumbent, here's my summary.
1] My mom approves, which is significant as she is conservative, but of the establishment sort. His appeal is not solely to the conservative base where he challenges Bachmann; he appeals to establishment types that would be Romney voters.
2] Immigration is an issue. Guess what, immigration is an issue! However, he's rather, errr, flexible. I have deeply conservative family members that also look forward to the arrival of their migratory friends that they have known for years. These are people that are on the far right in a border state, but know the difference between a coyote and a friend.
We all know about the horror stories from the border states, but should be aware that those are exceptions. If we could really close the borders, my family members would absolutely support significant immigration reform.
Dec '10
Re: Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
3] Him leaving the Governor's office is a problem; his Lt. Governor would be a disaster for Texas. The TX legislature only meets once every two years and it would be better if he stayed in place, instead of heading off into a campaign. He just got done beating off the primary challenge from Hutchison and now he's about to wander off.
4] Many TX conservatives have serious problems with him and with good reason. If you think Romney has flip-flop issues, please be aware that this guy was a Democrat, until Democrat wasn't cool.
5] My opinion of him is that he is a screen in a theatre that will display whatever you project, that that is what he aspires to be. Today, he is mister rough and tumble, let me at 'em, because that is what he carefully cultivates. This guy is a polished performer with a country twang.
7] He's really not much different than Romney, except that he is a more aggresive campaigner, and he is vastly superior to the incumbent.
8] I wish I had a different choice, but suspect he's the best we will get.
Jun '10
Re: Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
The immigration issue is why many conservatives, the border hawks, are distrustful of Perry. But on this issue I agree with Perry, who splits the issue in two. The problem is not that Mexicans come and work. The problem is that just anybody can come in. They overwhelm the federal border patrol, and we don't know who they are. If we could just control our border, we could keep the criminals (and terrorists) out, and bring in genuine foreign workers with genuine US identification. If caught without that US identification, you get locked up.
Video from three and a half years ago (different times economically):
Texas Gov. Rick Perry on border security
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK6XSIY8zoA
Re: Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
I spent ten years in Texas with Perry as Governor.
First, it is helpful to realize that the Governor in Texas has little to do with running the state. The Lt. Governor has a lot of power in Texas.
Second, Perry has a habit of talking big (e.g. state rights, educational reform, or limitations on TSA) but he actually doesn't carry through on these things.
Third, it is useful to remember that Perry was a seasoned politician before he realized that being a Democrat wasn't the way to go. He headed Gore's campaign in Texas '88. He was way behind other Southern Democrats who switched in the Carter/Reagan era.
Fourth, when Perry is active, it tends to be on behalf of special interests/donors. See the HPV executive order and the the super-highway from Mexico City.
Fifth, the Texas state budget is in much worse shape now than it was when Perry took office.
Sixth, I don't care for his argument about creating jobs in Texas. The Governor/government doesn't create jobs.
Perry is not particularly thoughtful, and I don't see any evidence of a firm adherence to principles at all.
Mar '11
Re: Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
Some impressions: 1) Outside election season, he's kept a pretty low profile in the state; I can't recall a major policy address. I'd call him viscerally conservative with an occasional curve ball (e.g., called the Arizona immigration law not right for Texas). 2) I've never heard anybody say, "I'm a huge Rick Perry fan." My Austin neighbors of course wouldn't, but that's also true of conservative family and friends elsewhere in the state. On the other hand, he does not lose elections. Just doesn't. 3) He's open about his religion, as in the recent prayer meeting and early in the speech today; in the context of evangelical piety, it's ironic that one of his most memorable lines was to an interviewer on an open mike: "Adios, mofo" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4tWZNxnABk). 4) Another one was to a state trooper when his SUV was was stopped for speeding: "Why don't you let us get on down the road?" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_bP56SgkLQ) Made for a great attack ad in his first re-election bid, but he's Teflon (like another governor you knew).
Jun '10
Re: Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
John Grant:
....Sixth, I don't care for his argument about creating jobs in Texas. The Governor/government doesn't create jobs.
Perry is not particularly thoughtful, and I don't see any evidence of a firm adherence to principles at all. · Aug 13 at 2:43pm
I heard Perry say in an interview, that he doesn't create any jobs himself. He just works to create a favorable climate (tax and legal) for those that do create jobs. At least on that day he wasn't inflating his role. We should all be aware now, it's possible to create a hostile job climate, as the current President does, so should be possible to do just the opposite too.
Jun '10
Re: Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
Note: I'm a likely future Texan. Not a Texan.
Apr '11
Re: Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
three reasons why my friends don't like him (but will still vote for him)
1. almost mandated the HPV vaccine for all girls 12 and up
2. Trans-Texas corrdor and the immigration/eminent domain issues it brought up
3. not exactly squishy on immigration but not Arizona-tough.
I have noticed local ralk radio has eased up on him in the last year.
Here's a very interesting article from Texas Monthly that I read:
http://www.texasmonthly.com/2011-08-01/btl.php
that maybe you missed. (Curious to see if fellow Texans can find any left or right bias in it - I really couldn't!! and it felt odd!)
My first comment - what a rush!
Mar '11
Re: Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
Here's a useful Texas Monthly primer on Perry for Yankee reporters (the reader will have to get past a bit of Texas snobbery): http://www.texasmonthly.com/2011-08-01/btl.php.
Mar '11
Re: Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
Congrats on the first comment, ljt. If we play by my family's rules, one of us owes the other a Coke.
Dec '10
Re: Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
I posted a few tidbits here. Also, I found this article yesterday, and it seems relatively balanced. Having lived out of the state since before Bush was governor I cannot really comment on his governing style or positions. I will say that democrat is the default party for most (if not all) cotton farmers until they realize there's more to the platform than farm subsidies. I say this as the son and grandson of cotton farmers from West Texas.
Edited on Aug 13, 2011 at 4:23pmOct '10
Re: Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
I am a ninth-generation Texan and have lived here for most of my life. I believe Rick Perry would make a fine president, not least because of his ability to handle Democrats.
Consider how Perry dealt with the so-called "Killer Ds" back in 2003. That year, Democratic legislators twice fled Texas to try and force the Republicans to withdraw a redistricting bill intended to end decades of Democratic gerrymandering of the state's congressional districts. Perry refused to compromise and threatened to keep the Texas Legislature in session indefinitely until all of the state's business was done. The Democrats eventually gave in and the bill was passed. The most essential quality that any potential president needs is leadership, and Perry has it.
Re: Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
Many thanks for these comments. Keep them coming. We need to learn everything that we can about this guy.
Aug '11
Re: Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
Some lefty bloggers I read keep bringing up the fact that he worked for Al Gore's campaign in '88. But I think we have to remember how different the political landscape was in '88. Al Gore was a very conservative Democrat back then -- a pro-life Democrat even -- and he was viewed suspiciously by the left because Tipper Gore walked in lock-step with Phyllis Schlafly. The kids today who think of Al Gore as some wise Lorax saving all the Truffala Trees would have hated the 1988 Al Gore.
Not that this has anything to do with Rick Perry, but I don't think being a Democrat 23 years ago means you can't be a Republican today.
Dec '10
Re: Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
Mike LaRoche: I am a ninth-generation Texan and have lived here for most of my life. I believe Rick Perry would make a fine president, not least because of his ability to handle Democrats.
Consider how Perry dealt with the so-called "Killer Ds" back in 2003. That year, Democratic legislators twice fled Texas to try and force the Republicans to withdraw a redistricting bill intended to end decades of Democratic gerrymandering of the state's congressional districts. Perry refused to compromise and threatened to keep the Texas Legislature in session indefinitely until all of the state's business was done. The Democrats eventually gave in and the bill was passed. The most essential quality that any potential president needs is leadership, and Perry has it. · Aug 13 at 3:26pm
Perry is definitely a gun slinger who can shoot the heck out of a saloon, but, after the smoke clears, it's not always certain that there were any black hats in the saloon or that it was even the right saloon.
Mar '11
Re: Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
Perry got more votes as a write-in in the straw poll than Romney, who didn't compete but had his name on the ballot. (Probably doesn't mean anything.) For a laugh, check @rickperryfacts on Twitter; the latest: "The teleprompter reads off Rick Perry." (Also meaningless, as these circulated about Fred Thompson in '07. On the other hand, nobody's coming up with TPaw facts.)
Mar '11
Re: Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
Paul seems to be at least opening his mind about Perry. Just a few weeks ago he declared that no candidate that talks about succession could ever be taken seriously as a POTUS candidate. Judging from the immediate attacks from Obama's camp today (via David Axelrod), Obama certainly sees him as a POTUS threat.
Edited on Aug 13, 2011 at 4:09pmMay '10
Re: Calling All Texans, Or Paul Rahe Wants to Know More About Rick Perry (And So Do I)
The biggest question on my mind right now is whether that picture of Perry firing a revolver into the air will help him or hurt him.