Posted on 09/28/2011 2:36:00 PM PDT by smoothsailing
Guy Benson
September 28, 2011
Last Thursday night, Rick Perry put his foot in his mouth on a question about immigration, education, and illegals.
Less than a week later, Perry is backpedaling and apologizing for his word choice:
“I probably chose a poor word to explain that to people who don’t want their state to be giving tuition to illegal aliens, illegal immigrants in this country,” Rick Perry told Newsmax.TV in an interview in a response to question about his comment during the debate that those who opposed tuition breaks for illegal immigrants lacked a “heart.”
“That’s their call and I respect that,” Perry continued. “And I was probably a bit over-passionate by using that word and it was inappropriate. But here’s what I do believe: It is a state’s sovereign right to decide that for themselves. In Texas in 2001, we had 181 members of the legislature — only four voted against this piece of legislation — because it wasn’t about immigration. It was about education.”
First of all, kudos to Perry for the mea culpa. His "heartless" line really ticked off a lot of conservatives -- even Chris Christie hammered him for it -- so this apology is both the right thing to do, and is good politics. I'd also submit that the final bit of his explanation above might be his strongest defense of Texas' controversial policy. Perry's home state is a pretty conservative place. The legislature in Austin is controlled by Republicans. Yet a nearly-unanimous bipartisan majority of Texas state legislators voted for this policy.
You may disagree with the substance of the policy, but the politics -- apparently -- were a no-brainer in the Lone Star State (a place where the GOP is adapting to survive and thrive in a jurisdiction with a swelling Hispanic population). For that reason, it's a little hard for me to stomach Mitt Romney exploiting this issue to beat up on Perry. Remember, Romney made huge concessions to Democrats on a universal healthcare bill that he championed and signed into law. A beaming Ted Kennedy stood over his shoulder as he put pen to paper. Does anyone believe that Romney would have vetoed an education bill in Texas that had the support of roughly 97 percent of the legislature? I ask that question seriously.
Finally, is support for this sort of policy a deal-breaking example of unforgiveable conservative heresy? If your answer to that question is "yes," it's time to go RINO-huntin' for....Marco Rubio:
In 2001, Perry signed the first state law in the country that allowed the children of illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates. Former Florida state Rep. Juan Zapata said the Texas law was "the model" for legislation that he repeatedly—but unsuccessfully—pushed in his state. Two of his key allies then are now among the GOP's most sought-after stars: Bush, the subject of perpetual draft movements to run for president, and his fellow Floridian, Sen. Marco Rubio, a sure bet for the GOP's vice presidential shortlist in 2012.
About one dozen states offer some form of tuition assistance to the children of illegal immigrants. Rubio, the son of Cuban exiles, was the co-sponsor of such a bill in 2003 and 2004, before he became speaker of the Florida state House. Bush, whose wife was born and raised in Mexico and who speaks fluent Spanish, also championed the legislation.
O-o-o-o-o....that might smart. LOL.
Every time I see that picture of Perry I think someone just asked him to spell “dog” and he’s stumped.
Exactly. If he had regrets, he would have corrected himself right away. From the way it was said, he obviously meant it. This was not accidentally using a wrong word.
I didn’t ping you, you showed up and beat me to it! :)
This is true. :-)
Perry sorry we are heartless?
I showed up on number 25 post. Man, that thread must have been zooming!!! ;o)
Hey, Mitt Romney is your man. FINE...he’ll complete what obama started the destruction of America.
One thing Reagan would NEVER condone is a bunch of National socialist attacks on republican candidates.
You all say you want the ILLEGALS run out of the country.
Well just WHO do you think is going to do THAT.
Are you all going to apply for the job of rounding them up and putting them in boxcars for the border?
I thought Jim hate banned the Neo’s and National Socialist from using FR as a hate filled site. Apparently not.
Those who were offended and demanded an apology will still be offended because he didn’t go to their home and grovel in person. LOL
Oh convienently forget Reagan when you know he would NEVER support this hate filled dogma from the posers.
Great tagline and accurate.
I have switched and am now for Herman Cain with an ability to accept Romney as the fallback.
But I am hoping Cain gets traction.
That's really, really nice. And I commend you.
However, outside Texas, people are more hard-edged and are VERY VERY savvy about the vagaries of human nature.
Those dam Yankees up North size up a candidate and take special notice of the quality of his character.
Now when a candidate slaps down a Yankee and says they are "heartless," you can betcha those dam Yankees are not going to take that lying down.
LOL...First you would have to explain who RR is to them. Honestly, I think they are more than a few plants.
Funny, REAGAN would LOVE Rick Perry.
Only the haters and National Socialist and NEOs don’t.
You all keep it up the more you post your hate the clearer exactly WHO you are becomes.
As usual you all spew your BS and just like the pathetic Dummies you never reach the final conclusion.
I’ll bet if you went there we would see just how dangerous you all really are.
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Are you sure you're a Perry supporter?
Imho, this post is unacceptable.
I have now seen several comments accusing those who disagree with Perry or who just do not like him of being haters.
Funny all I see from the Perry haters are National Socialist.
Imho, it’s not a help to Perry.
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