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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Explaining that he's "not a lawyer," Rick Perry on Wednesday said he was unfamiliar with the anti-sodomy case Lawrence v. Texas litigated in part during his time as governor of Texas.
Perry responded to a question about the case, which struck down laws against sodomy in Texas as unconstitutional, with a soliloquy on the dangers of spending; Perry later admitted to reporters that he was unfamiliar with the case.
"And I wish I could tell you I know every Supreme Court case, I don't," Perry said when a voter in Cedar Rapids asked him about the landmark 2003 case that struck down a law criminalizing homosexual activity. "I'm not a lawyer, but here's what I do know: I know they're spending too much money in DC and $15 trillion worth of debt is on the back of that young man right there. And if we don't go in and cut the size of government, court cases aren't going to make one tinker's heck."
"And we can sit here and play 'I gotcha' questions on what about this Supreme Court case or whatever," he continued. "But let me tell you, you know and I know the problem in this country is spending in Washington DC, it's not some Supreme Court case."
Asked by Ken Herman, a journalist with the Austin-American Statesman, after the event if he knew what the case was about, Perry replied "I don't. I think I explained that to him."
The 6-3 decision attracted major public attention and offered a victory for the LGBT community,
Perry appeared in a crowded coffee shop before a raucous crowd of about 200 Iowans who roared approval for Perry's shots at Washington DC "insiders" and President Barack Obama's administration.
Repeating his earlier critiqueof former Sen. Rick Santorum's record on earmarks, an animated Perry declared "I'm calling you out, senator!"
While Santorum received most of Perry's ire Wednesday, Perry also offered a concise appraisal of apparent frontrunner Mitt Romney, even after defending the former Massachussetts governor's family history as the son of a politician.
When a questioner suggested that a Romney presidency could represent a dangerous "dynasty" -- Romney's father served as Michigan governor and ran for president in 1968 -- Perry defended public service "an honorable thing."
"I'm a politician's son," he joked. "My daddy was a county commissioner." Perry also declined to take the bait on the man's suggestion that Romney was from a different "socioeconomic" background but did take the opportunity to slam Romney as inconsistent on key issues.
"I am a consistent conservative. I've always been pro-life. I have always been pro-traditional marriage. I have always been a fiscal conservative. I have never been for global warming. Yeah, me and Mitt are different."
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You know, gotta give the devil his due. Perry was upfront and admitted he didn't know the answer to the question. Of course, there is a LOT Gov. Perry seems not to know, but gotta give him props for being honest in this particular case.
I sure hope they don't have the nerve to ask him a gotcha question, like, what he reads! lol
Is't that the case where gays are alowed to band each others turd cutters? Wow, so important.
Phine/Feisty: Being a west coaster, I'm still trying to figure out what the heck a tinker's heck is. Maybe Jake is giving us a clue and it has something to do with Jake worshiping Perry's cutter?
Jake Miller, really? Ignorant!
I give him props for admitting he doesn't know the case, but dock him for 1) not being aware of one of the most important Supreme Court cases decided in recent times, and 2) being entirely disconnected from his own state. If you are Governor, maybe you should keep a cursory eye on cases before the Supreme Court in which your state is a party...
Oh, and Jake, so glad you don't give a rats ass about equality and civil rights. How very American of you.
Rick creeps me out with his W. Bush clone statements and giddy-up crazy talk. Welcome to the modern world Rick where everyone gets an education and knows how to speak in coherent sentences. If you loved "W" then you will be on board with the sequel. Perry does America!!! A story of unbridled greed and terror. Coming soon to your local viewing area.
I wonder if Rick Santorum knows anything about this case?
You're costing me a fortune in paper towels these days noid! lmfao!
"But let me tell you, you know and I know the problem in this country is spending in Washington DC, it's not some Supreme Court case."
Unless that case is Citizens United v. FEC, but then again, no Republican would ever admit that the case was a problem.
BTW, would someone inform Perry that the Supreme Court has as much, if not more, indirect influence over policy as any member of Congress, or even the President? Perhaps more, as Supreme Court rulings will have to stand the test of time, and are likely to be upheld for generations to come.
And SCOTUS has the ability to pick presidents. Just ask Dubya.
Perry is unfamiliar with a lot of things. He's probably the biggest moron that's ever run for president. He makes George Bush look smart and that's not easy to do. My 10 year old grandson probably know more about what's going on in the world than Rick.
And he wants to be President.
Perry doesn't have time to worry about those 8 nameless, un-elected judges, he has to spend all spare time improving his debating skills
I agree with Perry
"I have never been for global warming" I think we should make every effort to prevent further climate change. Oh wait Perry wasn't opposing "global warming", he was denying it. Never mind, other than the dream act, I can't think of an issue I agree with Perry on.
The truth be told is that as governor of Texas he didn't have to worry about any of that, or anything else for that matter... He just did and said what ever his money backers said they wanted him to say and do.
The case seems relavant to me. Many of these guys run on too much government, but want to control what people do in their bedroom. The fact that the case made it to the State Supreme Court is just silly.
It's even worse than you thought, this case was heard before the US Supreme Court.
Every article just gets better and better!!!
Straight Dem Ticket 2012. First time ever.
-- Governor, what is the capitol of Texas?
--We're not here for gotcha questions.
--Governor, what is your opinion of Roe v. Wade?
--Depends how deep the water is.
"I am a consistent conservative. I've always been pro-life." What a joker ...Yet Texas has a back log on death row inmates. Yeah pro life to the other world.
I'm a bit surprised that Perry doesn't know this case. It's the case that keeps him from being arrested when he gets done with his little boys...so the stories go....
Lets see Perry gives out state money, State Contracts, to big donors of his campaign and he's down on Rick for his earmarks.
What a hypocrite Perry is just like all Republicans/Tea Party
They hate America, the American Worker and Middle Class OLD Poor
Good thing their are no Middle Class Republicans because with the Republicans/tea Party they are going to take away Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Voter Rights, Women's Rights, Union Rights and tax the Middle Class for all the Rich Tax Cuts we sure wouldn't want the Rich and Big Business to pay Taxes you know the job creators what a joke
Seems to be quite a lot of things these Texas candidates conveniently aren't familiar with.
From Perry's rock,,, to Paul's support of the John Birch Society, white power groups & "kill the gay" preachers
A definite pattern has been established that will stick forever -- Let us never forget!
a) No one expects him to know every Supreme Court case; however a major one affecting the state he governs is a different story. Another "duh" moment from a man with a seemingly endless supply. b) In view of the questions about his sexuality, not that I care if he is straight or gay, you would think he would be familiar with it. Perhaps he intentionally doesn't want to appear to be aware of it. Perhaps the gay rumors are wrong. We're still left with a dufus who is as dumb as a bag of rocks, which is far more germane.
Perry is the poster boy for the Texas education system.
JOBS are priority #1. On that issue, Perry has all the other Govenors beat.
"For one large state (Texas) to grow (jobs) so much faster than the rest of the nation is very unusual," says Moody's economist Ed Friedman."
"Economists point to an array of factors, including high energy prices that set off an oil-drilling frenzy, rising exports and a conservative banking industry that helped the state sidestep the housing crash."
"Yet while energy has been a spark — employment in natural gas, oil and other mining sectors rose by 45,000, or 23%, since the recession ended — growth has been broad-based. During the past two years, professional and business services added 74,000 jobs; education and health care gained 91,000; and leisure and hospitality grew by 29,000, according to BLS."
"State officials cite a pro-business climate that Perry helped foster that's drawing scores of businesses from high-cost states (like Calif.)— a trend that took on urgency for firms that got lean in the economic downturn."
"The 10-year Texas governor is "really focused on creating an environment where people can risk their capital and get a return on investment, and that, in turn, creates jobs for Texans," says Lucy Nashed, spokeswoman for the state's economic development office."
USA TODAY 7/26/2011
Jobs are Priority #1, or Good Jobs are Priority #1?
Yes under Governor Perry Texas has had a growth in employment, the number of public sector workers in Texas has grown by 24% and the number of minimum wage jobs in Texas has increased to the point that Texas now ties Mississippi for the highest percentage of minimum wage workers in the nation. Congrats on that.
Texas also has the highest population percentage of uninsured women and children in the nation. As well as the largest percentage of it's population living in areas of toxic air and water contamination. How is that low regulation, pro-business governance working out for you? Of course with the state cuts to education it is unlikely that the High School graduation rate (already among the lowest in the nation) will improve, so that might not benefit those businesses that need skilled employees.
Of course Perry has been instramental in selling off those wasteful public assets like the Intra-State road system that is currently in the works, so that Texas will have the luxury of low taxes but will have to pay toll road fees every time they go anywhere in the state. Yep it is much better to pay that money to a corporations than to the wasteful government.
Leonna, I think Good Jobs and a high standard of living are Priority #1. And I have to say, having been to Texas and having family there, I just don't think that Governor Perry has been delivering on the American Dream, in fact it is only nirvana for high corporate profits and employment conditions just a few rungs up from human trafficking.
Ifn yall write about it in your book Governor it would behoove you to know a little sumptin bout it.
I truly worried for the Governor. With his forgetting which government agency he hates so much he would abolish it, to his forgetting what he so carefully (/smirk) researched to include in his book, I fear he may have early on set Alzheimer's or some other mentally impairing ailment. I mean other than being a politician.
If it weren't for federal government spending, Texas would go bankrupt. Yes, it has the petrochemical industry, however, it also has one of the highest rates of uninsured, highest crime rates, highest murder rates, highest rape rates, highest violent crime rates and one of the country's worst education system. So much for Perry's Texas.
Mata,
No one is buying that liberal drivel.
You may , instead , want to explain why so many people and businesses are moving to Texas from places like California ( which is the poster child Democrat state going bankrupt ) .
Leona, you may not like to face reality and the truth; however, you may want to do some research. I suggest that you investigate FBI statistics for the last five years (or beyond) and then tell me that what I say is not true.
If you're worried about crime rates........you liberals can blame the fact that Texas has one of the highest numbers of "illegals " and you can blame them for the crime rates. Why not stop the liberal support the "illegals" coming here and getting amnesty?
Leona, here are some facts for you.
And are you certain that I am a "liberal"? Funny how quick you are to judge. You must be all knowing. But then, again, you didn't know about Texas' crime rate.
Of course, Leona, you probably don't know that it was Ronnie Reagan who caused the largest influx of illegal immigration. Look it up.
What does Reagan have to do with the fact that liberals like Obama support "illegal" immigration and amnesty?
Willie Whacko. He and Perry need to venture out of the closet.
Apparently there are more important things out there then the gay agenda.
By the way, Leona, have a wonderful New Year. Best wishes.
thanks, same to you.