The Case Against Rick Perry

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A shame he didn't follow up on the secession thing. It would solve so many problems for all of us in the other 49 states if Texas would just go away. And it would give the Tea Party its own country, which is what they really want anyway, so they could stop trying to hijack ours.

aa915 of NJ 11:26AM August 16, 2011

Rick Perry is going to have to run on more than a "large number of low paying jobs."
The Texas deficit is at 27 billion! We need a candidate who knows how to balance a budget and eliminate deficits.
Romney is the only candidate who has the results in that area.

James of TX 11:13AM August 16, 2011

I've never seen a sadder bunch of clowns than what the GOP has presented. Folks - whomever wins the nomination MUST be able to win a general election. Perry cannot. In fact, none of the religious fanatics who have sworn allegiance to the "tea party" (virtually all candidates so far) will be able to win a general election. All of the candidates so far, with the possible exception of Ron Paul, are interchangeable. They are all Bush Jr. all over again.
Is this really the best that the GOP can do??

Tired of Same 'Ol GOP of CO 8:05AM August 16, 2011

Your reasons leave out one issue. Governors who tout their state while criticizing the country with reference to "secession" are hard for independent voters like me to trust. This is a country far bigger than Texas, a diverse country that already has plenty of gridlock by the arrogant already. I want to know if Perry works well with others, and will be watching to see.

Iris of Philly of PA 7:29AM August 16, 2011

1. Perry's economic record - your using Wasserman Schultz's critique of Perry to convince us his policies had nothing to do with creating jobs in Texas? Give me a break. The woman is the DNC chair. She's supposed to trash the opposition.Heck, she probably writes the talking point crap she spouts. As for low wage jobs, haven't you heard how the unskilled labor sector has been the hardest hit? If you're unskilled, your going to work at a low wage job most of the time. Seems like the low-wage jobs would be welcomed by this group. As for jobs Americans don't want, I don't believe it. Here in Ohio we have people willing to take any kind of work. Being without a job for two years has a way of doing that to a person. Thank you, Obama.
2.He's too conservative - Puhleeze! After Obama, there's no such thing as too conservative. Gov. Perry, we want you to do something about SS and Medicare, so they'll be around in some form for future generations. The Democrats think these programs in their current design will support the weight of 80 million baby boomers. Yeah, right.
3.Too cozy with special interests - like Obama isn't? See http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/us/politics/30donate.html?ex=1202360400&en=cc8b002108cca685&ei=5070&emc=eta1
4.untested on the national stage - who cares. As for secession, I wish our governor had considered it.
5.Bush fatigue - I happen to like swaggering cowboys. They beat empty suits any day.

Farmer's daughter of OH 1:11AM August 16, 2011

Guess what..we're coming...We need a new leader that will make changes for America!

ABac of MD 12:31AM August 16, 2011

Mr. Walsh, I surprised you didn't mention Perry's evangelical religious views, which fall in the camp of what many call "Christian Nationalists" or "Dominionists." Even if his views don't go quite that far, southern evangelicism isn't likely to go down well with a considerable number of Americans. Related to that is his use of state resources in connection with his political prayerfest, "The Response." (Before the attack dogs get set on me, I am *not* anti-Christian. I *am* against Christian Nationalism/Dominionism -- which are just other names for Christian Supermecy. Nor am I against the Governor engaging in whatever religious practices he wishes (or none at all, if he so desires) -- but if chooses to engage in any, he needs to do it on his own time and his own dime -- not mine. And though he does a very good record in his interactions with members of other faiths, most notably Muslim Texans and our Jewish Speaker, I wonder how long his Christian base will tolerate it when they realize it -- unless he flip flops, as he now has done on his executive decision to have school-girls vaccinated against cervical cancer.
I'll give him one more point beyond his good relations with people of other faiths: he;s not even in the same league as Michele "Submissive Theology" Bachmann. At least Perry would decide for himself what to say when that 3:00 A.M. call came on the red phone. Bachmann would be the human answering machine and message lady, delivering whatever her husband told her to say, I guess.

Mekhong Kurt of TX 10:51PM August 15, 2011

Larry of CA, I was astounded by most of your points, but one *really* stands out. You wrote, "Texas is above the nation on almost all categories." Well, that's true in some cases -- though how in the world you conclude they're good is beyond me.
Most minimum-wage jobs?
Biggest percentage of the state's population uninsured?
Near the top on highschool dropout rates?
Miles of transportation infrastructure in serious-to-desperate need of repair?
One of the biggest state deficits in the Union?
One of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies around?
Do I *really* need to go on?
Please tell me you were trying to write a satire but just didn't pull it off.

Mekhong Kurt of TX 10:36PM August 15, 2011

@Another One
"Funny how many "conservatives" cant see what has happened. "
I suppose you are implying that Liberals do clearly see what is happening and that its all the fault of Conservatives, that about right? That's classic hypocrisy blaming the other X whatever X is be it a political party or person.
Its NOT the Liberals Fault
Its NOT the Conservatives Fault
Its the fault of everyone who lets anti-liberty and pro-big government thugs convince the rest of us that its the "other partys" fault and that if we can just get "our man" in office the good times will roll again. Its all a scam compliments of the 2 faced special interest/big corporate controlled party in DC known as the Democrat/Republican 2 party

BlueCollarCritic of TX 10:22PM August 15, 2011

Governor for life Perry has used a rainy day fund to fund his own interests, but its initials purpose to assist with school funding, he refused to allow a large amount during this year's legislative session. As TX is mostly Republican, his minions went along, fearing the wrath of gov for life!

lou of TX 5:37PM August 15, 2011