I know a few Texans that would be delighted if he left the state!

I'm one of them.

Using taxpayer money to build roads only to turn around once they are done and give them to campaign contributors to turn into toll roads is not a good thing in my book.

I'd love to see him leave, too, but better in the Texas Governor's mansion . . . errr, $10,000.00/mth rent al property while the mansion is renovated/fire damage fixed . . . than in the White House. As nisl pointed out, he is one of the hypocrites that denounced the stimulus, but used it to balance the Texas budget, and claiming it was his policies that balanced the budget.

Several of us here on FR (including Exodite Dragon, a moderate conservative), put the lie to the 'balanced budget' myth Perry was selling before the election. Right after the election, it came out that the state would actually face a $22 billion shortfall (I'd only heard $10 billion before the election).

Perry is NOT to be trusted. There is a reason he is no longer a Democrat, he lied too much.

Yo Rick!

Just off the phone with God. About that e-mail He sent? He says one of the biggest mistakes He made was not putting the idea of a sarcasm font in someone's mind.

He was kidding about your running. He said that was another of His mistakes. He forgot that other Texas Governor Bush didn't know he was kidding either.

Come on Rick! WE know He's kidding.

Perry sure does remind me of Elmer Gantry!

Silly libbie poster: "Hey Republicans, where re the jobs."

Rick Perry: "why thank you so much for asking..."

He Haw.

I guess Perry, much like the Blues Brothers, is on a mission from god. Big G, little g, at this point with President "voting present" it's any port in a storm.

And that's be the job storm that's been brewing in Texas.

The choice is:

President Obama...

Or;

A reasonable alternative.

Who's for a "reasonable alternative" to the leadership displayed by President Obama?

Oh my...I wonder what sort of response the nation's pollsters would get to THAT question!

Not a "reasonable alternative" as defined by most of the folks posting at this web site...a site largely devoted to unabashed, unquestioned, fealty to President Obama;

Nope...sorry.

It's going to be a "reasonable alternative" as defined by the average "likely" voter (anyone watching President Obama's numbers with "registered", or "likely" voters?) in the upcoming 2012 elections.

Better hope the GOP presidential nominee isn't one, First Readers.

I saw a poll putting him against all the current crop of the living Romney came closest but the generic republican came the closest.

Gov. Rick Perry poised to surge into second place if he decides to run.

Are you kidding me?

We didn't learn our lesson with the last back woods, bible banging, dumber than a stick buffoon Governor from TX?

You got one nitwit & her fruitcake husband praying away the gay...

And this one praying away the drought (which coincidentally didn't work out to well for him)...

Shame, maybe he should of sought out sista Sarah's witch doctor for some encouragement! lol

Governor Rick Perry

Texas may have good job growth but it still ranks 27th in the unemployment rate.

Texas has the highest percentage of minimum wage jobs of any state.

While there are a few great paying jobs the medium income is 5.9% below the national average.

The idea is to lower tax rates to bring more companies that can pay lower wages. This will drive the country into another two class, third world nation but hey everyone will have a job.

Dennis---I do think they lead the nation in executions, however.

Dennis---I do think they lead the nation in executions, however

A couple of which were INNOCENT men!

Jim Hightower had a funny comment about Governor Rick Perry's praying away the drought. "Rick 'supercuts' Perry, the exquisitely coiffed governor of the Lone Star state, finally took some aciton to deal with the Biblical-level drought that literally has been baking Texas for nearly a year: He issued an official proclamation to stop it......But it wasan't just any old proclamation, it was a gubernatorial call to prayer. Perry formally proclaimed the weekend of April 22-24 as 'Days of Prayer for Rain'. But no go. Three days passed, and not a drop.....Then, lo and behold, Barack Obama arrived. Three weeks after Perry's failed prayerfest, Obama swept into Austin for an overnight stop-over. And guess what? The next morning, we got a sweet, soaking, three-inch rainfall."

When I read Hightower's comment, I remembered James Dobson asking republicans to pray for a deluge to hit Denver the night of Candidate Obama's acceptance speech. It was a gorgeous night; in fact the entire week of the Democratic Convention was perfect. The "deluge" hit in the form of a hurricane the next week causing the Republicans to cancel the first day of their Convention.

I've never felt God takes kindly to prayer requests wishing ill on those you don't like any more than he likes asking for favors in the name of politics.

Under Rick Perry, since 2000, about 300,000 new Texas jobs were in government. Well over half of them, fueled by the surging population, were at public schools. Employment in the state’s public sector has jumped 19% since 2000, compared with a 9% rise in the private sector.

Dennis, how many of those public sector jobs have been cut or will be cut as teachers and school staff lose their jobs due to budget cuts to education, despite having an surplus in the "rainy day fund" this year?

This budget crisis for education was predicted in 2006, when Perry encouraged passage of property tax cuts. In Texas, property taxes are the main source of funding for education, so this shortfall has little to do with the recent recession. It's just bad management on Perry's part.

bethie,

Great point that I hadn’t thought about. While many claim what a great Governor he is facts show that he is, at best, middle of the field compared to the other 49.

Only have one clarification to add. :}

Texas has no public employee unions...

And to think they are drafting my fees out of my pay check. Actually, we do have unions mine TSEU is affiliated with the communication workers of america. We generally lobby and petition the legislature for fair treatment of our state employees and retirees as well as the agencies they work for/citizens they help. Tea party translation - conduct thuggish actions against the republican legislature and citizens of Texas.

Very fearful of a Perry run as he would be the poster boy for the Tea Party. He would have the false narrative of the state job numbers, plenty of big dollar donors and have just enough liberatarian and hard right as well as moderate GOP support to beat Obama.

Actually on the secession note, do not support it at all. However when Texas was annexed into the union there was a provision where it was written that Texas could be divided into 5 different states in the future. Reasoning being that in 1845 and the free vs. slave state issue, they wanted to make sure that Texas could be further divided into other slave states to accomdate any new free states entering the union. Again no at all agreeing on the secession note. In fact, Perry used the quote more for a state rights vs. strong government arguement.

Really?! I stand corrected. I had heard, or read, otherwise.

Good for you. Hang in there.

The secession thing was only a joke. Like Perry.

If Perry says that balancing his budget created jobs, then that's not a "lame" claim -- it's accurate. He balanced the budget using stimulus money.

$6.9 billion to be exact. Look it up, Bob.

$6.9 billion of already borrowed money. OUR borrowed money.

And the best part is that you applaud him for sticking you with the bill.

Next time you derisively call someone a Moonbat, remember that.

Moonbats at least recognize when we're being ... (oh, never mind).

"Obama poodle 'First Read' ignored the latest job reports, which highlight the Texas jobs boom...if you need a job, go to Texas."

======================================================================

Only if you intend on sneaking across the Mexican border bob, the good contractors of texas like the slave labor provided from "below", if you want a job that pays a decent days wage for a good days work best go elsewhere.

Anna Molly worships at the altar of Big Government....all benefits are handed down from on high...not on her radar that the private sector can work miracles if the Nanny State gets the hell out of the way.

Texas is booming economically because taxes are lower, the bureacracy is held in check, andtort reform has lessened the risk of doing business...not because of Obama's failed stimulus..

Oh, so balancing the budget had nothing whatsoever to do with it.

Good to know.

You should tell your side to vote to raise the debt ceiling immediately.

Bob, Texas is hardly "booming economically". That's an exaggeration. We are just surviving the recession better (except for those teachers and school staff I mentioned earlier who are losing their jobs). Construction is definitely down, but oil is cheaper here naturally, and we have lots of reserves of natural gas. Thus, the cost of living is cheaper. (I'm sure there are other factors, too.)

You may love Perry, but MANY of us Texans have never voted for him and wish we weren't stuck with him. For more dismal statistics, look at what's happened to the quality of education under his watch along with poverty levels. Unless, of course, those issues just aren't important to tea-peeps.

Read my post, Mark, and then respond to it.

If by "experience" you mean paying off one credit card with another, then Perry's just the conservative for you.

Forget your 4-Star Restaurants.

If Perry gets his way, you'll soon be eating -- not to mention working -- at McDonald's and "loving it."

I agree Mark, we've all been eating at that fast food joint for too long. Better food (economic recovery) and service (jobs) will come with the 2012 election. Real 'hope' for a 'Change'!

Anna Molly, the credit card analogy you mention applies to the President-in-Training, it's exactly what his plan is...! I will give you a few reasons I believe Perry is far more suited to the job than Obama.

1. Perry has created more jobs than BO. BO was hired by America ot make the economyu better to lower unemployment, to see Americans grow their wealth, and at every level he has failed! Meanwhile over that same time period Gov. Perry has overseen job growth in Texas that sits at 47% of all jobs created in the entire USA!

2. Perry respects the importance of small business. While BO has been loading up the taxburden, fees, fines, and penalties for small businesses with his obamacare plan, the threat of higher taxes, and environmental pipe-dreams like 'cap and trade', Perry has reduced trivial regulation and has made texas a dynamic environment to grow business. Many corporations from NY and California have relocated to Texas for better service and better wages. He's even been invited to the California Assembly to help them!

3. Perry has Core Convictions. We all know the story of how he protected his dog. His commonsense approach to problems and his core convictions resonate with the average American voter. There is such a thing as right and wrong. Not everything or everyone needs a presidential Blue Ribbon Commission to determine what's right and wrong! Something the President has yet to learn.

4. Perry understands the issue of State Sovereignty. He's pretty famous for not exactly playing ball with the folks in D.C. He has tried to use everything from humor to a serious demenaor in his oppportunities for dialog with President Obama and his administration to convince them of the problem that can happen when the federal gov't over steps, overreaches, and over spends.

He did not immediately turn to DC with his hand out. Even with the massive wildfires in Texas his behavior was counter-intuitive for most politicians. When he state's resources had been deplieted he did come and ask for federal help. And he's still waiting to this day to those requests from Obama! Pure and simple politics from Obama!!!

5 lastly, Perry appeals to all 3 categories of conservatives. This would require me to give a long essay on this subject, too long for this blog. But it is true.

Anna Molly, I hope this helps you understand my position. Although I don't agree with a lot of your posts I respect your civility and common sense in making your points. Unlike some of the radical libretards here that can only spout insults and slander rather than debate in a friendly manner.

Oh great. That's what we need, another haft-wit, redneck cowboy running for President. Didn't we try that once before? W.

Meanwhile over that same time period Gov. Perry has overseen job growth in Texas that sits at 47% of all jobs created in the entire USA!

Mark: With all due respect, that 47 percent number is a bogus talking point that was made up from taking the number of jobs created by Texas against the net number created altogether.

What that number ignores, as you can see from the article I posted at First Thoughts this morning, is that a total of 26 states created jobs last month, and 24 did not. The total number of jobs created is thus a lot higher than you may think, but a lot of jobs were also lost, yielding the "net" number, against which Texas is comparing its own number. California, for example, created nearly as many jobs as Texas did. The other leaders in creating jobs were mostly blue states. Taken together, the other top states created many more jobs than Texas.

Meanwhile, the leading job losers were mostly other red states, such as Tennessee and Kansas.

Look the article up, and if you have something to challenge the facts with, let me know. I'd be happy to look at it.

I've heard Perry say that the reason he was able to create jobs in Texas was that he balanced the budget. That's what conservatives everywhere keep telling us. But in reality, Perry balanced it only by using federal stimulus dollars. He simply can't take credit for those jobs, while at the same time blaming President Obama for the stimulus not working, nor can he even take credit for balancing his budget. Anyone could have done the same.

In reality, Perry's budget balancing skills consist only of taking money from the Texas credit card and transferring it to the federal credit card. As far as I am aware, Texas still faces an even larger deficit going forward. Sooner or later, this will catch up to Rick Perry, but then, someone else will no doubt end up paying for it.

You can hardly say that the $6.9 billion that Perry used to balance Texas's short term deficit was not help from the federal government. But I have also heard Perry say that Texas doesn't need help from the federal government, so it is THE height of hypocrisy for him to take the money and then turn around and bit the hand that fed him. You'll recall that he did the same thing with the wildfire money. He more or less even denied that he had actually received anything, which was categorically and demonstrably false. I'm not even sure that you know that. I believe that Texas might even have received more money that Perry requested.

And why not? This is a nation, after all, and not a loose confederacy of sovereign states. Those arguments mostly don't wash with me, but feel free to try.

I have core convictions, too, and a certain sense of morality. All liberals do, although you sound like you might be surprised to hear that. My core convictions just don't happen to match up with Perry's. In fact, there is nothing about Perry's "convictions" that I find in the least appealing. I'm sorry, but that's just the way it is. Again, you're free to try, but you're unlikely to convince me otherwise.

I appreciate your kind words and look forward to other opportunities to exchange ideas. You're very civil, and I appreciate that. But if you really want to debate in a friendly manner, tossing around epithets like "libertards" does not advance your case. So, I hope we can avoid the need for that in the future and just be friends.

Mark, as a Texas resident, I can tell you that you do not know what you are talking about when it comes to Perry.

1) Perry did not create over 2 million jobs. Personally, I know many, many people being laid off just in Houston, alone.

2) Perry initiatives have hurt small businesses while hugely benefiting the large oil and gas companies.

3) Check out what Perry did with the Texas Schoolbook Commission (Curriculum Commission? something like that) when he did not like the way they were headed. There was something about the head of one of the state universities here that I don't remember, and also something about a racist being honored, but you can look up the details yourself. And his 'core values' are evangelical christian. I'm not a Christian and do not appreciate his trying to impose his beliefs on me. He is also a liar (see #4, below), which is not really a core value I appreciate.

4) No, he does not. It has been illegal for any state, including Texas, from seceding from the Union for quite some time. And, yes, he did turn to DC with his hand out while loudly decrying the very money he was secretly asking for and using to balance the state budget. He also lied that his policies had balanced the budget when it was stimulus funds, and days after the election, it was found that there was actually a $22 billion shortfall in the upcoming budget. In other words, he lied (which also goes to #3, above).

5) Exodite Dragon was a moderate conservative on this board who would have a serious problem with your assertion that he appeals to moderate Republicans. He is very much a Republican/TP Inc., extreme right wing Republican.

I notice that your proof for what you assert consists mainly of criticisms of President Obama, not proof of what you claim about Governor Perry. If you are so sure of what you say, offer proof that is more than 'it's true because he is not Obama'. Give us proof of what you say without even mentioning the other side.

"I've heard Perry say that the reason he was able to create jobs in Texas was that he balanced the budget. That's what conservatives everywhere keep telling us. But in reality, Perry balanced it only by using federal stimulus dollars. He simply can't take credit for those jobs, while at the same time blaming President Obama for the stimulus not working, nor can he even take credit for balancing his budget. Anyone could have done the same."

Bullcrap. To claim Texas balanced its budget due to your God Obama and his corrupt 'stimulus' is crap. And to take the next step and claim Texas job success is SOLELY because of the stimulus balancing the budget is more specious reasoning . Texas has limited tax increases and allowed for a business friendly environment, the opposite of Far Left Zealot Obama. California, by contrast, is an example of Obama policies: high tax, Nanny State, overregulation, and it is an economic basket case. Does Obama deserve the blame for California? Or just the credit for Texas?

The truth hurts, doesn't it Bob #s so rather than accept the truth, you throw out a GOP talking point about the stimulus not working. The facts are the facts, not believing them does not make them false.

Matt - "Perry did not create over 2 million jobs. Personally, I know many, many people being laid off just in Houston, alone"

As a commercial real estate broker, I talk to business owners on a daily basis. Our economy is thriving here in Houston. Business owners I know are making more money than they have in years, some more than they ever have. Of course, I understand each industry is different, and some are still trying to recover. But to try and say Houston is not thriving right now is insane.

Anna Molly, despite what you hear and read at this site, Perry has a lot of support in Texas! I don't have a response for your accusations that he has fiddled with the budget... but at this point in my life I have seen plenty of that from BOTH parties! He is above all doing what he thinks is best for Texas given the buracracy of government! All I know is that I have many Texas friends in Dallas, El Paso, and Houston on both sides of the 'fence' and most really like what Perry has done for the state in these difficult times.

I apologise for the derogatory name for liberals but there are many liberals at this site (I won't mention names) who relish in slandering anyone who doesn't follow their political philosophy. For me to respond in kind only lowers myself into that same gutter talk. That's not my style, and I don't want to do anything to help those idiots further their objective of encouraging class warfare that they seem to enjoy. I do however enjoy the freedom of speech we have in this country and am a little worried that freedom and others are being eroded by those that like big government and the dependency big government needs! That I believe is Obama's objective.

Well, Mark, as a liberal living in Houston, while I have no reason to not believe that you truly believe what you have written, I have to say that I suspect your statement that there are a lot of liberals here that like Governor Perry. All of my liberal friends and even some of my more conservative friends don't like Perry. I think I'll trust my personal observations while actually living in Houston to your claim. As I indicated, there was a conservative poster on here that didn't like Perry.

Mark, I keep hearing you guys on the right say that President Obama wants to 'take away our freedoms' yet you never give a specific example of just what freedoms he is taking away. This is a talking point repeated day, after day on Fox, by Rush Limbaugh, by Glenn Beck, by Pat Buchanan . . . in fact, when I listen to any right wing talk show or watch Fox, it is a very common thing they all say. Again, without any specific example to back it up. It was President G.W. Bush who authorized warrantless wire taps on US citizens y executive order, but it was President Obama who stopped them.

Think about this, during President Reagan's tenure, the growth of government went from a growth of about 2%/year to a little over 5%/yr and continued like that through President G.H.W. Bush's administration. The government actually shrunk during President Clinton's administration. When President G.W. Bush took office, the government, under his policies started growing again. So when you talk about growing government, none have been so good at it than the Republicans.

Broker1856, I also do not doubt your observations, but I also agree with your statement that every industry is different. For instance, I am losing my job while the company I work for is making more profits this year than last. I also know teachers who are telling me they are lucky that they teach certain critical subjects or are the head of their department as many are being let go due to Perry's education funding cuts. I also know people who have side businesses who are glad they also have a full time job as their business sucks. I could also show you several that have closed down, due to the economy. What is the industry that you deal with? What is their size?

I don't deal in any specific industry. I do industrial real estate, but that includes just about every type of business you can imagine. Anything from distribution to manufacturing. I would say that 90% or more of the people I talk to are doing very well right now. All of my actual clients except 1 (he is in the luxury home doors industry) are doing very well. More than half of my clients would describe themselves as doing extremely well.

I don't love Perry, but it sure seems he has created a business friendly environment that has allowed companies to grow, and also encouraged others companies to move here.

Isn't it fantastic Pat? Giving college breaks to illegal aliens? That's the kind of crap that makes me consider California to not even be a part of the nation anymore. Forget it. The place is gone.

So Pat. If my cousin in the army is from Ohio but is stationed in California, he can't get in-state tuition because he's actually a resident of Ohio. But someone who is NOT EVEN A CITIZEN of the USA can get in-state tution? Wow. That's just great, isn't it Pat? You need to take your simple ass out to Cali and live there.

Yeah, I have no need for the "dream act", it's a slap in the face to needy American Citizens that just encourages more illegals to sneak into the country that makes a farce out of law and order, I feel for them but we need to take care of our country and it's legal citizens first and obey the laws we have.

That's great, Pat. Thanks for the news. Very well done, indeed.

Spanky must be livid.

Pat in Boston, your poor excuse for a Governor, moonbat Deval Patrick, who is a pathetic joke, also wants to reward illegal aliens for breaking the law, and make hardworking taxpayers pay their tuition.

Governor Perry has criticized George Bush for excess spending. Perry is the real deal, a true fiscal conservative.

Yep, the true fiscal conservative with a $25 billion deficit AFTER he bought it down with $6.9 billion in borrowed federal stimulus money.

Oh, yeah.

Liberals detest Governor Perry precisely because he has put the brakes on excess spending.

The leftist spin about how Perry balanced his budget is just smoke and mirrors. Bottom line, liberals want to tax and spend us into socialism and bankruptcy. Anyone who opposes their failed policy is mercilessly attacked.

Will Perry be attacked as 'gay', like the vicious personal slime directed at Michelle Bachmann and her husband? How low will the moonbats go?

Only in your land is gay being bad. Here is liberal land we know it is not catching and you are born gay if you are gay.

No one cares if her husband is gay. That might be the most human thing about her.

If the election were held in Texas right now, the money changers that Jesus threw out of the temple would spend billions of dollars on attack ads, and Jesus would probably lose.

Jesus was a liberal, he wouldn't want anything to do with today's Republican Party.

Anna Molly..

Hey...Lincoln couldn't get elected today based on his education and background and the fact that he's old school GOP.....what surprises you about Jesus?

Not a thing, Ira. Conservatives would skewer Him without conscience.

As I've said before, Lincoln would still be at home in Springfield, and would probably be a Democrat today.

President Reagan would also be a Democrat.

You libs are extra delusional today...

Which of the following does not belong:

A Moonbat

B Moonpie

C Bob numbers

If you said 'Moonpie', score yourself an RC. Enjoy.

Yes

Yes