Posted on 06/29/2011 9:16:23 PM PDT by smoothsailing
Mark Z. Barabak
June 30, 2011
Reporting from Austin, Texas
Rick Perry was in Iowa three years ago, talking up a favored candidate, when the subject turned to George W. Bush, the president and a fellow Republican who preceded Perry as Texas governor.
Bush, or "George," as Perry called him, was no fiscal conservative — "never was" — and his work on tort reform, a subject dear to Republican hearts, paled next to Perry's achievements, the governor said.
"I mean, '95, '97, '99," Perry went on, elaborately ticking the years off on his fingers, "George Bush was spending money!"
Those are fighting words among Republicans — especially Texas Republicans, who pride themselves on their stinginess — and even more so to Bush loyalists who, years later, still simmer over Perry's off-the-cuff remarks.
If Perry runs for president, his critics hope to tie him to Bush and those who delivered the self-assured Texan from Austin to the Oval Office.
"Is America ready for a president who was George W. Bush's lieutenant governor, who was George W. Bush's successor as governor ... and who, like George W. Bush, was also a Karl Rove puppet?" taunts Garry South, a Democratic consultant, referring to Bush's strategist.
But that jibe ignores what has been, at best, a cool relationship between Bush and Perry, and a lingering hostility between their top political advisors.
snip
To a certain upper crust of Republican, "Perry is the low-rent country cousin" who lacks Bush's prep-school polish, said R.G. Ratcliffe, a longtime student of Texas politics who is writing a book about Perry. "They see him as a hick and are embarrassed having someone like that as governor."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Thank God, we don’t have to worry about this infighting with Palin as President. I was worried.
Ah, finally we hear one of Perry’s good points.
Yeah, Perry and Bush are not best friends. But they are cut from the same cloth as far as I can see. They talk alike, they even sorta look alike. And they have both been Governators of my beautiful state. I’ll take a bullet for that sumbish.
I’ll vote for Rick.
That's a big plus.
Isn’t Perry weak on immigration?
Actually, my liking for Perry just went up a couple notches.
Sarah Palin seems to like him. At least she claims to.
Governor Sarah Palin's Endorsement of Governor Rick Perry
"That's why I am supporting Governor Rick Perry for re-election. He does what is right regardless of whether it is popular. He walks the walk of a true conservative. And he sticks to his guns – and you know how I feel about guns!" ...... Sarah Palin, January 17, 2009
He was, but tries not to act like it anymore.
He’s a politician, he’s gonna go where the winds blow. There are things I have not liked about him in the past, but he is better than Obamalamadingdong.
I’m in. Perry-Palin is my dream ticket.
Interesting how much you and west texas chuck have been boosting Perry around here.
If he’s so popular, why not somebody other than you two post a pro-perry piece?
Like Rick or not, Texas is a different place.
Take a bullet, for the State of Texas. You betcha.
All he would have to do to raise a Texas size army is give out a serious call. They might not be controllable, but they would be armed and ready to handle a conflict. What more can you ask for.
Outsiders should be very careful about treading on this snake. The one on the yellow background saying “Don’t Tread on Me”.
—
Texas is not where you were born, but a State of Mind, Heart and Attitude.
“The governor has little use for the philosophy Bush dubbed “compassionate conservatism.” At a recent foray to the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans, he told a cheering crowd that conservatives should “stand up” and “stop apologizing” for their beliefs.”
If Palin is in, it’s not for second banana. But I keep thinking she’s after a major cabinet position in the new admin.
I was not borned here. I became a Texan when I was in the 8th grade and had to learn and recite W.B. Travis’ letter to All Americans in the World. I have been here for over 40 years and I bleed Lone Star if you cut me.
God Bless Texas, and God Bless America.
William Barret Travis was 26 years old when he fell at a little church compound down in Bexar County. Have a look at my home page and you may get an understanding of true valor.
Bush-bashing is a favorite past time at FR.
But even those who love to hate them must admit that the Bushes are people of honor. You don’t have to agree with all points politically to recognize good character.
Or to recognize a lack of it, which is, I am convinced, what the Bushes know about Perry and why they refused to back him in his last re-election bid.
Perry was G W’s lieutenant governor. They know each other well.
Not good for Rick.
It showed especially when Perry was state chair of the Al Gore campaign.
You got somebody you like, post your own thread, nobody's stopping you. You don't like Perry news stories, why torture yourself by showing up here?
Please give it up. She isn’t going to run in 2012. Won’t risk very real possibility that it will guarantee obama another 4 years of destruction.
Guy in New Jersey just ping me and said, did you see this story where bush and Perry were both were trying to turn lead into gold??????? :)
Sarah is the only GOP that can win over Obama. If you have a different idea, please let us know. Thanks man.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.