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Rick Perry: Rhinestone Cowboy
08/12/2011 | Brices Crossroads

Posted on 08/12/2011 9:56:32 AM PDT by Brices Crossroads

Rick Perry is rapidly becoming known as a politician who talks a good game, but whose actions belie his words. Last year, he waved the bloody shirt of secession, which horrified the New York Times...until they dug deeper and found that Perry wasn't just talking about seceding. He was aiming to hook up with Mexico in order to fulfill his "shared with [Mexican President] Vincente Fox for open borders." Seriously, though, Perry is becoming a caricature of himself. He first waved the tenth Amendment on gay marriage and abortion, first supporting the interpretations that states should be responsible for defining marriage and related issues, and in a flip-flop worthy of Mitt Romney, came out in favor of a federal constitutional amendment to ban both.

Perry's open borders positions tell us that he is not a conservative. His political pan-gyrations on gay marriage, abortion, and the Tenth Amendment suggest he is not reliable there either, but would trim his sails at the slightest pressure.

Well, he must be good on something. How would he handle judicial appointments, for example. Bear in mind that in Texas, in contrast to states such as Alaska (where a Commission presents the Governor with three choices from which he or she MUST select a Judge), the Texas Governor has pretty much unfettered control of the appointments process to fill judicial vacancies. In a conservative state like Texas, it would be easy to remake the courts in a conservative mold. In fact, it would almost follow de facto, since the appointed justices must face election state wide. No doubt Perry will try to take credit for the relatively conservative state of the Texas judiciary as he has done with the Texas economy when the relative health of both has been more in spite of, than because of, Rick Perry.

I have not done an exhaustive study of Perry's judicial appointments, although undoubtedly conservatives in Texas would have done so. I found one particular judicial appointment, the subsequent election, and Perry's reaction to it to be most instructive about his orientation toward strong judicial conservatives.

In 2001, one of Perry's first selections to succeed the staunchly conservative Greg Abbot (who had been elected Attorney General) was Xavier Rodriguez, a self-described moderate. In trying to move the Texas Supreme Court to the left, he drew the ire of conservatives in Texas. An up and coming young conservative, Steven Wayne Smith stepped forward to challenge Rodriguez. Smith, who was superbly qualified, had argued and won the landmark 1996 case of Hopwood v. Texas which successfully challenged affirmative action at the University of Texas Law School. In effect, he was a hero to conservatives in Texas and an anathema to the Establishment. The Establishment, including Perry and John Cornyn, no doubt detested Smith for dismantling affirmative action at the UT Law School. But when Smith stepped forward to challenge a self proclaimed moderate appointment of Perry, who happened to be Hispanic, that was the last straw. Perry and his cronies in the Establishment did all they could to stop Smith but he prevailed over Rodriguez easily and was in stalled as a justice of the Texas Supreme Court.

In 2004, Perry encouraged a challenger to run against Smith. The Establishment lined up with Cornyn and Perry on one side and the Texas Eagle Forum,Kent Hance and Ward Connerly on the other. This time the Establishment prevailed and Smith was defeated. He attempted a comeback in 2006, but Perry recruited another challenger, less conservative than Smith, and he lost by less than 1%.

Perry's actions, and his vindictive crusade against an up and coming conservative legal superstar, suggest that a Perry Presidency would be more likely to yield David Souters and Harriet Miers than Antonin Scalias and Clarence Thomases. When it comes to Rick Perry, the message to the Federalist Society and constitutional conservatives is caveat emptor.


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: palin; perry; rickperry; rinoricky; sarahpalin; sourcelessvanity; vanity
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To: wolfcreek

What!?!?!?! You think Muslims supporting Perry is a good thing? Are you out of your mind??

Did you read the link?

http://www.debbieschlussel.com/40924/hamas-cair-netwk-in-love-with-rick-perry/


201 posted on 08/13/2011 12:24:45 PM PDT by little jeremiah (Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. CSLewis)
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To: catfish1957

Perry has baggage; lots of it. It doesn’t take a fanatic Palin supporter to see his baggage; just a rational open mind.


202 posted on 08/13/2011 12:25:44 PM PDT by little jeremiah (Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. CSLewis)
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To: little jeremiah

....and Palin doesn’t?


203 posted on 08/13/2011 12:28:04 PM PDT by catfish1957 (Hey algore...You'll have to pry the steering wheel of my 317 HP V8 truck from my cold dead hands)
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To: little jeremiah

The whole hit piece focuses on a Salon article. have the Palinites degraded or desperate to the point that they think Salon is as reputable source? (snicker)


204 posted on 08/13/2011 12:36:43 PM PDT by catfish1957 (Hey algore...You'll have to pry the steering wheel of my 317 HP V8 truck from my cold dead hands)
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To: catfish1957

hmmmm.. maybe the Palinites will be using Daily Kos for their talking points next.


205 posted on 08/13/2011 12:37:44 PM PDT by catfish1957 (Hey algore...You'll have to pry the steering wheel of my 317 HP V8 truck from my cold dead hands)
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To: catfish1957

” 2nd, they see Perry as treading into their [Palin’s] turff.”

You are up your tree as usual. Palin would not snuggle up to a Hamas front group like CAIR. She loves Israel far too much If you don’t know that you don’t know her.. or much else


206 posted on 08/13/2011 12:40:55 PM PDT by Brices Crossroads
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To: Brices Crossroads

Again, sourcing from Salon? What is your next source... Daily Kos?, du?


207 posted on 08/13/2011 12:47:39 PM PDT by catfish1957 (Hey algore...You'll have to pry the steering wheel of my 317 HP V8 truck from my cold dead hands)
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To: catfish1957

Attacking the messenger rather than refuting the facts. Typical of you. Lib tactics like that never work here. But you knew that.

Perry=epic fail.


208 posted on 08/13/2011 12:51:16 PM PDT by Brices Crossroads
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To: Brices Crossroads
HA HA HA HA HA HA !!!!!!! citing Liberal media outlets for an attack, and then calling me a lib? That is an absolute hoot. I can't stop laughing!!!!!!!

You Palinites are starting to get scared aren't you?

209 posted on 08/13/2011 1:02:42 PM PDT by catfish1957 (Hey algore...You'll have to pry the steering wheel of my 317 HP V8 truck from my cold dead hands)
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To: catfish1957

A. I’m not a Palinite. I’m open to any conservative who is running for Pres.

B. Palin’s baggage doesn’t include being palsy walsy with CAIR. Apparently Perry’s does. Among other things like the TX Corridor deal, borders, Gardasil, and etc.

Hey, I’d like to like Perry. I want info, not word jugglery and online jousting. I just want to know the man’s history and what he really believes and stands for and stands against.


210 posted on 08/13/2011 2:32:11 PM PDT by little jeremiah (Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. CSLewis)
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To: little jeremiah
Thoughtful response. I agree. Weighing the two there are still plenty that bothers me about Palin too. (1) Oil windfalls profit tax (I am in that industry), (2) 1/2 term as guv with minimal accomplishments, 2010 McCain Love fest, etc.

I am afraid Ronald Reagan does not exist this round. I for one wish DeMint would run, but I am afraid there is less chance of him running than Palin. I don't like this rope a dope strategy she is pulling, as it gives her the airs that she is above the fray. Palin...... get in or cut bait, or start another reality show, or whatever.

211 posted on 08/13/2011 2:46:21 PM PDT by catfish1957 (Hey algore...You'll have to pry the steering wheel of my 317 HP V8 truck from my cold dead hands)
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To: ilovesarah2012

Sarah Palin.


212 posted on 08/13/2011 3:00:55 PM PDT by Lily4Jesus ( Jesus is LORD)
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To: gardencatz

>>What’s wrong with someone doing research and writing an opinion piece based upon their findings? <<

Because, we want everybody to FEEEEEL GOOOOD.

You know, sunshine and butterflies and lollipops.

We don’t need any Negative Nellies spoiling this good vibe with “facts” and “records” and stuff!!

/s


213 posted on 08/16/2011 2:05:23 PM PDT by Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears ("But resist, we much...we must...and we will much...about...that...be committed." - Al Sharpton)
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To: Brices Crossroads

If you and the Perry haters have someone better...who can take the GOP nomination and actually beat Obama...then please get on his team and get them to win. otherwise, stop with the negativity. Do you want Obama for another 4 years?


214 posted on 08/16/2011 2:09:21 PM PDT by ThomasMore (Islam is the Whore of Babylon!)
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To: SZonian

>>What concerns me is the level of vitriol directed at anyone who displays even the slightest amount of skepticism about a candidate.<<

AKA “Don’t confuse me with the facts, my mind is already made up.”


215 posted on 08/16/2011 2:13:14 PM PDT by Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears ("But resist, we much...we must...and we will much...about...that...be committed." - Al Sharpton)
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To: ThomasMore

Do you consider examining a candidate’s record “negativity?”


216 posted on 08/16/2011 2:16:57 PM PDT by Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears ("But resist, we much...we must...and we will much...about...that...be committed." - Al Sharpton)
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To: TexasFreeper2009

What you said.


217 posted on 08/16/2011 2:22:49 PM PDT by Mr. Lucky
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To: Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears

I never said anything about making everyone feel good. You’re deliberately being obtuse. Whether I agree or not, I appreciate someone’s efforts.

Cindie


218 posted on 08/16/2011 6:57:08 PM PDT by gardencatz (Proud mom US Marine! It can't always be someone else's son.)
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