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Subscribe to RSSTAMPA, FL -- The morning after a sometimes-rocky appearance in front of a Tea Party debate audience, Gov. Rick Perry said he was "taken aback" by cheers from some crowd members on a hypothetical question of whether a young man who decides not to buy health insurance should be refused care if he develops a life-threatening illness and be left to die.
"I was a bit taken aback by that myself," Perry told NBC News and the Miami Herald after appearing at a breakfast fundraiser in Tampa.
"We're the party of life. We ought to be coming up with ways to save lives."
Perry distinguished from that the issue of "justice," reiterating his strong support and "respect" for the death penalty on a state-by-state basis. "But the Republican party ought to be about life and protecting, particularly, innocent life," he added.
Perry also responded to the crowd's negative reaction to his support for allowing in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, saying his campaign has "the right message" on opportunities for children who were brought to the United States illegally "by no fault of their own."
"This issue is about education, it's not about immigration," he said.
"These kids showed up in our state by no fault of their own, some 2-3 years of age. And they've been in our schools, they've done their work, they've prepared themselves good, they want to be contributing members of society. So it would be I think the wrong message to say somehow or another that you can't go to our colleges, or we've going to punish you because of the sound of your last name."
"When people really think about it, I think they'll understand what we did in Texas was the right thing for Texas," he said.
Last night's debate also featured shots at Perry from both Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum on the issue of Gardasil, a vaccine that Perry mandated to be given to 12-year-old girls to prevent HPV - a disease linked to cervical cancer.
Bachmann said on NBC's TODAY Show this morning that she was approached by a woman after the debate whose daughter had suffered mental retardation as a result of getting the vaccine.
Perry dismissed that idea as similar to debunked theories linking vaccinations to autism.
"You heard the same arguments about giving our children protections from some of the childhood diseases, and they were, autism was part of that. Now we've subsequently found out that was generated and not true."
"I would suggest to you that this issue about Gardasil and making it available was about saving people's lives," he added.
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Did I hear him wrong or did he say the woman, who claimed her daughter is mentally retarded from the vaccine, was "generated". This implies he is calling her a liar and Michele Bachmann a liar, as well. This man lives in a bubble world, where he can say, think, believe, anything he makes up, or agrees with, while dismissing everything else, as opinion.
Jim-A: One small problem. Science backs him up. You know like that global warming deal where you claim no one is listening to science.
Your response is as callous as Mr. Perry. Do you care that this woman's daughter is mentally retarded, or are you so positive, the vaccine didn't cause it, you think she is lying, too!
I wouldn't interpret perry's response as calling them liars, per se, since no doubt that woman believes what she is saying. Perry is saying they are wrong, which is a different issue.
I don't like Rick Perry at all, and I think that the whole Garadasil thing was cronyism in return for compensation. However, I have to agree that there is no direct cause and effect between mental retardation and Gardasil. Actually, mental retardation has onset at birth - brain damage can occur later, but not mental retardation. Michelle Bachmann was totally out of line quoting something like that and spreading mis-information that could lead to people who could benefit from the vaccine not getting it. It was terribly irresponsible on her part, but, hey...what's new.
Geeeze the left in all it's slander. You want to allow immigration and Perry offers a very good idea. Don't punish the children who did not choose. You want life for all. Texas says yes so let's execute those who take it. You want health care for all. So your answer is take it from those who pay insurance and give it to you. Who cares about debt as long as you get yours. So says Feisty and Anna. White wing Americans need to be rounded up and shot. So says the liberal masses. Who cares if Obama lies. So and so did it to. So may you all get together and jump off that bridge as one.
the "liberal masses" say that white wing americans should be shot? really? you surveyed "the masses" and came to an unbiased interpretation? lol. Why am I not convinced? :)
Obama doesn't lie. Quit watching FOX.
the redhead is first again.....
The clapping and cheering made me sad, but that's how they truly feel. Welcome to America 2011.
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Stop all social secuirty checks and medicare payments for (2) months to all tea party members that are currently elgible. They'll be crying in (2) months with their hands out. The tea party doesn't seem to have the intellect to connect the dots. They actually need to be hit in the head with the hammer in order to understand it hurts. With the US ranking 23rd in education, this cancer on our society will only grow.
Good idea, Paul. When all the Tea Party's parents move in with them they will figure it out.
Regardless, the Republican party needs to take a good look at itself, America was in better shape before religion invaded politics, you can never have justice when some people wish to push their religious agenda onto a entire country.
Plus all of these laws and regulations on the middle class and working poor, while they themselves the obscenely rich, work to get as many tax breaks as possible and heaven's forbid their workers ask for more money, you get the same old song people will go out of business.
Duh people have gone out of business, but not for asking to make a living wage, no corporate executive would work for cheap, but the people who slave for them are asked to and then denigrated about their working skills.
America is becoming a third world sweatshop, and people seem to believe whatever appeals to their prejudice, sure the people cheered when they used the example of the young man.
Until they realize that young man could be any of us without the ability to pay for health insurance.
Same song, more restricting laws. Sometimes I think I'll be glad I'll be dead before this country is wrecked by corporate America and their lobbyists.
I think it is about time that each and every one of us looked into our own hearts and souls and asked ourselves just what matters in life. Sadly to some the answer would be money. If you don't have it does that make a person trash? Of course not! Many people who have lost their jobs have also lost their health insurance with that job. Some have lost $$ in their 401 K's. Others either have lost or are in danger of losing their homes. The majority of these people played by the rules - went to work each day - and then through no fault of their own their lives began to crumble. But did they change as people. Are their lives suddenly worth NOTHING. Should they be allowed to die because they don't have insurance now? How can anyone, especially those who mention God - be so heartless and selfish as to be so uncaring. Have we all really sunk that low???????
Kathy: So what you are saying is that everybody in America needs to put everything they have worked for and own in one big bucket and let goverment dole it out. Of course as Obama sees fit.
well, jim, your "interpretation" doesn't match what kathy said, but i'm sure it makes you feel good about your biases.
Every Republican President since Ford, has supported Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Veteran's Benefits, Unemployment Insurance and Food Stamps, while increasing the Federal Budget and increasing the National Debt! We are a capitalistic/socialist country and have been one for decades.
This perry guy is a nut bag. And this is why msnbc is ignoring ron paul, theyant him in office, which tells me msnbc is a bunch of nut bags also.
Ron Paul is too old. He doesn't stand a chance. If he were elected the job would kill him and then where would we be?
Wow, The left is really afraid of this guy!
in the same way, I guess, that "the right" is "really afraid" of obama? If I were so silly as to try and characterize a large group of people ("the left", "the right") by some random comments from anonymous posters that is.
Perry is something to be feared for his destructive attitudes. If he's elected we are doomed.
Just like the left was "REALLY afraid of Sarah Palin, then REALLY afraid of Donald Trump, then REALLY afraid of Newt Gingrich, then REALLY afraid of Cain , then REALLY afraid of Michelle Bachman, then REALLY afraid of Ron Paul now REALLY afraid of Rick Perry. LOL Wonder who you guys will trot out next month for us to be "REALLY afraid of? By the way, how are all those others the left is "REALLY afraid of work out? LMAO
Did I leave anyone off the list the right has miserably failed to scare us with?
51 years old, never been sick, never had insurance.... any idea how much I have saved over the years? If I get sick I die, that's always been okay with me, but the insurance industry will never see a dime of my money!
One major illness and every penny you have saved will be gone and more. I seriously doubt you will be ok with the suffering that goes along with dying from cancer and other severe illnesses without some treatment. You'll be begging for treatment, but won't have insurance and then it will be OUR tax dollars anyway that bail you out. A lot of people are full of bravado until they are the ones suffering and dying.
The red head is always first. She's from Chicago don't you know. I would not even pay a dollar for any thought she has.
I wouldn't pay a penny for any thought you have. Does that make it even? :)
vermont, Here's my thought, In recent polls, a "generic"Republican would beat Obama if the election were held today! Since Perry is in the front of the line for the GOP contenders, the boy from the "thug" state is toast! lol I can see why you being on the "left" are so afraid of Perry! God Bless America, and God Bless The Grand Ole Party!! lol
Wow Dan-1506871, your white sheet is definitely showing. Obama is a 'boy from the "thug" state", huh? God THRESH (not bless)"The Grand Ole Party." You are quite sickening. And to think I ever voted Repugnican! NEVER EVER AGAIN. You all are loons, goons, monkeys, apes and horses asses!
Verite, I thought that racism was dead but I see by your post that it is alive and well! You should get some help!
HATERS :-) GO, PERRY, GO!!!!
The teabags are a bunch of Neanderthals Nazis.
beer, Is that the most intellegent response you can give for a post? Your liberal parents must be so proud!
Dan, "Beer" got 4 more "votes" than you did.
well, what did he expect, talking to a biased bunch of Tea Baggers ???? My gosh, if you surveyed a million flies about eating crap, I'm pretty sure all those flies would show a strong interest in the freshest pile. Just like the recent SC Social Security survey with old people who agreed that Soc Security was a ponzi scheme; taken at, of all places, "Hilton Head" at a Tea Party meeting ... well, my god, everybody living and retired in Hilton Head are drawing benefits from old pension plans, retiree health insurance ... none of that hardly exist anymore. Try surveying the entire state of SC ... I know some poverty holes they could go to and take that same survey and the outcome would be entirely different.
What Perry isn't getting (or maybe he does but is in denial) is that he's preaching to a very specific group of people who share his same interests. Wait until the general debates start ... wait until over half the crowds are liberals or moderates, and then start calling Soc Security a ponzi scheme ... he hasn't seen ANYTHING yet. I seriously doubt, however, that the Republican Party will chance running this cowboy ... I think he'll be Texas Toast before the Spring of 2012.
it shows that he can't keep it all str8 what he's saying...he has changed the story on so many things so many times...he is just out there to get the money and tell you what you want to hear...it's one thing to shovel the crap in one state but to go national it's just going to work...
So how does he square cutting the budget for firefighting in hot, dry and severly drought stricken Texas by 75% with this whole theme of trying to save lives? Why doesn't he get asked that?
It seems to me that would be the last thing in the budget to go, right after you sold the pink granite of the capital building. Wildfire is going to happen there, it's like not planning for snow in Cleveland, OH.
As far as the Tea Potty, In your guts you know they are nuts.
Another Governor from Texas for President? Sure, because the last one worked out so well. ;-)
If you read the liberal comments on Newsvine, it is obvious they are lost, scared and don't know which way to go. They only know how to demean, marginalize and demagogue rather than discuss the real issues our country is facing. This is why Obama will lose big next year, because they are a spitting image of him.
DEMAGOGUE (Obama)
1
: a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power
if you read the comments of any anonymous posting source you can come up with all kinds of interesting conclusions, not one of which would be valid to apply to a large group.
Somebody tell this guy that he is running for President, not Governor of Texas. What's good for Texas, is not necessarily good for America!?
that's the interesting question. A lot of "his" "success" at texas as due to having 1) lots of oil and gas and 2) using federal stimulus money and 3) government employment like the military. How does he plan to apply those principles at the national level?
I can't believe that he had the audacity to say that we should protect innocent life when he said it takes &%$( to kill an innocent man. What a bigot! He is definitely not Presidential material, just Texan enough to stay there in Texas.
Perry and Romney starring in: White and Whiter!
Perry's not the caricature my more liberal friends have portrayed him as. His comments on tuition for the children of illegals surprised me, but I respect the argument he made for his position. As to the liberal position that those convicted of heinous crimes should be saved, while babies in womb should not? I think that's a difficult moral position to hold.
Roe vs. Wade has been the law for over 4 decades, in spite of your moral position?! The Government has no business in any woman's vagina! It is the woman's right to choose, not the Governments, not yours!
its not a hard moral position at all, given how many innocent people have been put to death, and if you don't consider a fetus a person yet, its very sensible in fact.
It is a woman's right to choose, it is the law!
While not particularly a Rick Perry fan, at least he came out and admitted some surprise at the cold-hearted notion that the 30-year old would be left to die. Directly asked the question as to what she would do, Michele Bachmann did her darndest not to answer the question. Despite being asked twice. Is she full-fledged Tea Party? Then she should stand up and say it, and ignore that fact that she will alienate those people that are normal. Either show a set or don't.
markohio - When she doesn't know the answer or doesn't want to answer, she weasel words and dances all around the issue.
Is Michelle Bachmann a real Tea Bagger? If that's what you want to call the Republicans' Welfare Queen who gets 23 welfare checks every month, one for each of her 23 foster kids, foodstamps, Farm Aid and hundreds of thousands of dollars every year in Medicaid Payments.
Michelle Bachmann is the beneficiary of "waste, fraud and abuse" and knows full well how to "scam the system" for big goverment hand outs.
If she doesn't want to answers she tries to change the question to something else. Here she could have said you made your choice and lost the bet..sorry...But whatever could be said,i t makes Romney look better