E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
MYRTLE BEACH, SC -- In a wide-ranging forum that was a cross between a town hall, a focus group, and an appearance on Oprah, Texas Gov. Rick Perry reflected on how his rocky presidential run has affected his relationship with his God, his country, and his marriage.
With his wife of 29 years seated beside him, Perry's voice was thick with emotion as he told host Frank Luntz of his "best friend": wife Anita. "If I just had to walk away from all this, if she was walking with me, it'd all be OK."
Perry, whose once-swaggering campaign appears to be limping toward an end after the South Carolina primary, also seemed on the verge of choking up as he spoke with pride about America's role in the world.
"When I'm standing on that stage getting ready to debate, I'm standing at attention. And I'm standing with my hand over my heart to reflect my belief what a great and incredible country we live in," he said. "And those symbols of this country should never ever be used in any other way than to hold up America for the great freedoms and the hope for this world that it reflects."
Speaking before an audience of mothers at the event sponsored by website CafeMom, Perry fielded questions on education and immigration policy. But one of his most candid answers came in reply to a question from Luntz about his faith.
"You know God didn't say 'I want you running.' But ... there were certainly things that I tested God on before I made the decision about this," he said of his late entry into the presidential contest.
"He sure didn't tell me I was gonna win," he added to laughter. "But I know I'm doing God's will for my life. And I agree with Anita that my life -- and particularly my spiritual life -- has been substantially strengthened. I've matured as a Christian in the last six months as I've gone through this process."
Anita Perry also discussed the increasing role that faith has played in her life since Perry joined the race. "The longer we are in it the more dependent upon that faith and prayer that I become," she said.
The Perrys lost their closest personal friends in the race this morning, when Jon Huntsman formally bowed out of the race five days before the South Carolina primary. On Monday, Perry called the former Utah governor "a dear friend" with "a beautiful, wonderful, fun family." Perry also said he hoped to get an endorsement from Huntsman's high-profile daughters.
While the mom-focused event focused heavily on the softer side of the Perrys and their personal relationships, Perry did offer a warning early in his remarks that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's failure to publicly release his tax returns could result in an "October surprise" in the general election.
"And every candidate up there, they should put their taxes out, including Mitt," he said. "You know, November, or excuse me, September and October, is not the time for us to be finding out that, whoops, there’s something out there that is a problem. We need to know it now.”
Leave a Comment:
But ... there were certainly things that I tested God on before I made the decision about this," he said of his late entry into the presidential contest.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Hmmm, Perry testing God eh? Tell us Rick, did God pass? Now that's what I call ego.
Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
- Matthew 4:7
I don't know about other faiths, but mine (Catholic) says it is a no no to test God.
Well Noid, I agree with you on that one. God does not test us and we do not test God.
In my world, Life tests us and God and faith are the things that guide us/ get us through those tests.
Kind of hope that is what he meant, but it doesn't sound like it.
"If I just had to walk away from all this, if she was walking with me, it'd all be OK."
=====
Ok. Pretty certain I heard her say let's scram. Bye!!
governor goodhair parry your god can't help you now. But it was a nice try. I going to miss watching you step in it.
The Perrys lost their closest personal friends in the race this morning, when Jon Huntsman formally bowed out of the race five days before the South Carolina primary. On Monday, Perry called the former Utah governor "a dear friend" with "a beautiful, wonderful, fun family."
====
Sweet Father, the man is still living. He just dropped out of a race, where he continually insulted the voters of IA, otherwise tried to fake an accent of a place he really didn't care about and now has endorsed the man who just last week was the poster child for all that is wrong with attitudes towards service to Country...but yes, he has some hotties in the fam.
Allen - Omaha, nicely put.
Did God pass your test Rick?.......What were the questions? Did you make up the questions or did Anita?
Rick....stop talking 'cause you are an idiot!
Perry "I'm cool with allowing soldiers to urinate on corpses. They are just children after all!" Children with machine guns Mr. Perry! How you even made it to governor of Texas is beyond me. I realize it is the armpit of America but there are some intelligent beings living there.
I thought New Jersey was the armpit of America? If so would that make Texas the "Taint"?
Through the eyes of the East Coasters, such as you, yes New Jersey had the honor long before us Westerners gave it to Texas. We dubbed Texas for two reasons. First, it does look like an armpit of America thru google earth and second it is every bit as polluted as New Jersey but, unlike New Jersey, it is backa$%wards with its social programs and education as well. Only gives welfare to the wealthy. Or did Christie screw New Jersey also?
Okay Ricky, I want you to face West and move that way until you smell Texas. It shouldn't be long before you step in it. First Bush and now Perry, what the heck is wrong with Texas anyway? Should they change the name to Stupid or land of stupid or something like that ? Good grief!
It is not scary that Perry loves his religion, and that he is proud of his family. What is very "Scary" about Perry is that he does not understand the US Constitution at all. The Founding Fathers seperated church from state for a very simple reason. When religion mixes with politics in anyway in forming policy. It usually ends in civil unrest, and not all the people are properly represented. "Scary Perry" is a "Radical Rignt Wing Religious" individual that presses his religious views on others. It is scary to hear Perry try to dictate his cultural and social views on others. The Founding Fathers were against individuals who tried to pull this crap on others. Now our Founding Fathers were very aware of the many wars fought, and the millions of lives lost over religion. The Crusades are a perfect example of what the Founding Fathers did not want to see. "Scary Perry" needs to read, think, and properly research information before he spews. Again!
Perry is a career politician, too full of himself and so out-of-touch, it's unbelievable he stays in the race. I wonder how much money he's squirreling away with his retirement and base Governor's pay? He needs to be recalled!
Perry has long ago wanted to drop out...and he will after SC. Even he knows he failed on the national stage big time, in a Texas sort of way.
Perry should have asked Wall Street for permission to run, not God. It says, "In money we trust" on the GOP.