Posted on 07/02/2015 8:54:04 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Former Gov. Rick Perry, looking to break through in a crowded Republican field for president, is positioning himself as a leading voice against billionaire businessman Donald Trump, whose weeks-old candidacy is already causing headaches for the GOP.
Perry, who has kept a low public profile over the past week or two, delivered a speech Thursday at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., that was remarkable in its own right. He emphatically urged his party to work harder to connect with black voters and suggested the GOP has occasionally focused too much on state rights at the expense of civil rights.
During the end of his appearance, though, Perry gave reporters another headline in response to a question hinting at Trump's comments that "rapists" and "killers" are crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump's remarks, made during his 2016 campaign kickoff last month in New York, have become an uncomfortable topic for Republicans looking to attract more Hispanic voters.
"Let me say," Perry said, "I don't think Donald Trump's remarks reflect the Republican Party."
In a Fox News interview later Thursday afternoon, Perry further sharpened his criticism of Trump.
"I think that was huge error on his part and, number one, it's wrong," Perry said of Trump's characterization of undocumented immigrants. "What I would say is that we want somebody who’s actually dealt with this before, not somebody that’s just going to shoot from the hip. I will suggest to you I know how to secure the border, and the border security is the real issue here."
Perry's campaign, apparently seeing an upside in taking on the divisive tycoon, quickly sent reporters a transcript and video of Perry's appearance, underlining parts of the criticism for emphasis. Perry himself tweeted a link to the materials, repeating that the "real problem is border security" and Trump's "comments are wrong."
Perry's reactions Thursday marked a bit of an escalation against Trump. In an appearance Wednesday on Fox News, Perry simply said Trump's statement on illegal immigration is one "that I certainly wouldn't have made."
Perry nonetheless stood out by Thursday for the overall forcefulness of his comments on Trump. Several other GOP candidates have distanced themselves from Trump when asked about his remarks — long-shot George Pataki has called on his foes to denounce the businessman — but Perry and his campaign appeared to go further than anyone else Friday in driving home the criticism.
Perry has taken a decisively different approach to Trump than has Ted Cruz, the other Texas Republican running for president. Asked Tuesday about Trump's controversial comments, Cruz spoke effusively about the billionaire and criticized NBC's decision to cut ties with him due to his remarks.
"When it comes to Donald Trump, I like Donald Trump," Cruz said on Fox News. "I think he's terrific, he's brash. I think he speaks the truth. And I think NBC's engaging in political correctness that is silly and that is wrong."
Cruz also suggested Trump should not have to "apologize for speaking out against the problem that is illegal immigration." Cruz did disagree with Trump's suggestion that most people crossing the border are rapists or killers, but he credited the billionaire with effectively drawing attention to "an issue that needs to be focused on."
Regardless of their reaction to Trump's remarks, he remains at least a temporary obstacle for Cruz and Perry, both of whom have trailed him in a round of recent polling. In the latest national survey — a CNN/ORC poll released Wednesday — Trump placed second, with Cruz and Perry 8 and 9 percentages points behind him, respectively.
A Trump spokeswoman did not respond for a request for comment Thursday on Perry's criticism.
In two threads, it’s almost unanimous that this is another damaging blunder by Perry. It might depend on how many voters hear about the remarks so early in the campaigns.
I guess he can hope that it’s so early few are paying attention, if and when he realizes his mistake.
Heartless, Guardasill Perry. From a bygone time...
Defending illegals has been his shtick for a long time.
The man actually addresses La Raza events.
You took the words out of my mouth.
It’s too soon for Rick to stand up and stand out with his pants down on this one. Right when everyone is enjoying Trump speaking a little truth to power. Bad timing and looks a little grasping.
I thought Cruz handled it much better. Cruz was cool headed, confident enough not to panic, and astute enough to recognize the show for what it is, appreciate the best parts while it lasts, applaud a little and move on.
Rick has to prove his desperation, wants to jump in and steal some Trump thunder.
- - - - -
"Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump 36m36 minutes ago
As Governor of Texas, Rick Perry could have done far more to secure the border - but that's O.K., I like him anyway! @GovernorPerry"
I’m still on board the Cruz train . Perry lost me forever with his Heartless comment
The only thing I can think to blame are the Marie Harf “Make me look Intelligent” Black Glasses he wears nowadays.
Maybe they are some sort of Liberal Mind Controlling Alien device.
Perry will be done before most even know he got started
Rick Perry I have always considered to be a GOP Establishment hit man sent in to take out threats to Jeb Bush. Being from TX, he’s definitely in to cut up Ted Cruz support in the home state they both share, but he can do other attack dog work as well on Trump.
All we get from GOPe politicians (95 percent of them) are meaningless symbolic acts and phony conservative laws they know will be chopped up by the courts.
What a joke.
One says illegals should be able to come and the other says of they take your job, then let them stay and work.
insane
I am not a Trump man but am disgusted with the corporate elite crackdown on free speech in this country. The way these big companies have gone after him for his comments just points to the fact our Constitutional rights are being destroyed by corporate intimidation of everything from Confederate flag display to religious objections to gay marriages.
I support Ted Cruz and want him to rev up hostility to corporate elites who want us to have either Jeb Bush or Hillary Clinton as our choices for POTUS.
Republicans so often play the role of the fool and eat their own hoping for a leftist MSM pat on the head,
Instead of leading and defining the conversation as someone of true presidential material would be doing right this moment with so much evil about marching unopposed across our constitution,
He and ‘gentleman jeb’ allow the enemy to define the conversation and tell them whats important for them to discuss,
They look weak and rudderless beyond just being political sycophants,
They look like losers
Has Rick Perry given a thought to becoming the leading voice against Hillary and Bernie Sanders? That’s what he should be doing, not tearing down another republican. Stop doing the Dems work for them.
They picked the guy who fought for the country and not another elite school graduate. Of course they may not be happy with the pro amnesty stuff this week.
Pandering Perry
“Deployed the national guard... more than bho has ever done”
Yeah, unarmed! Might as well have sent a bunch of clerk typists. It was a political stunt, nothing more. Perry is not worthy of consideration for anything but retirement.
Let me say,” Perry said, “I don’t think Donald Trump’s remarks reflect the Republican Party.” frightened children who refuse to tell the truth
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