Gov. Rick Perry Flirting With White House Run

by Jay Root
May 27, 2011
37 Comments

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, in his boldest statement yet about a possible run for national office, said Friday he will think about launching a campaign for president in coming days.

"I'm going to think about it," Perry said. He quickly added, "I think about a lot of things."

Perry, the longest-serving governor in the United States, was speaking to reporters after a signing ceremony marking the passage of a bill requiring Texans to show photo ID before voting. A reporter noted that Hispanic Republicans in the Legislature were urging him to run and had already endorsed him. Perry repeated ...

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Comments (37)

May 27, 2011 @ 11:16 a.m.

Jennifer White via Texas Tribune on Facebook

"I think about a lot of things"???? That totally sounds like something W would say.
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May 27, 2011 @ 11:17 a.m.

David Huang via Texas Tribune on Facebook

A lot of things that apparently don't include the well being of his fellow Texans.
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May 27, 2011 @ 11:17 a.m.

Storm Britten Ilouno via Texas Tribune on Facebook

He actually thinks? SCARY!!!!! So what do we have to look forward to? Perry/Palin? Heaven help us!!!!!!!!
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May 27, 2011 @ 11:18 a.m.

Robert Adams via Texas Tribune on Facebook

What a douche nozzle! If you like the way things are now you'd love it under this asshole. As a Texan, I just want to see him go away.
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May 27, 2011 @ 11:19 a.m.

Wilkins Micawber

I hope he wears his really tight jeans, ostrich boots, leather Harley jacket, and King Ranch baseball cap when he announces.

It is about time America nominated her first gay presidential candidate, even if he hasn't come out yet!
May 27, 2011 @ 11:21 a.m.

Luis Vela Guevara via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Surprise, surprise...
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May 27, 2011 @ 11:22 a.m.

Terry Gray Chandler via Texas Tribune on Facebook

I don't want another Texan in the Whitehouse. I am tired of being personally blamed for every problem in the world, for every quirk of nature.
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May 27, 2011 @ 11:23 a.m.

Stephen Lloyd via Texas Tribune on Facebook

I don't think he'd win against Obama, which is a good thing. I have a feeling he may be even a bit too far right to win the Republican primary. I want him to run only if that means he can't be governor anymore.
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May 27, 2011 @ 11:24 a.m.

John Northington via Texas Tribune on Facebook

As opposed to openly flirting with attractive young men? Please!!
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May 27, 2011 @ 11:25 a.m.

Donald Dickson via Texas Tribune on Facebook

I had a belly laugh the other day when he told Greta van Susteren that he was "tempted" but that he was focused on the final week of the legislative session. Focused-my-ass, he was joy-riding in a $1000-per-hour state helicopter 200 miles from the Capitol with an out-of-state reporter. Some "focus."
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May 27, 2011 @ 11:29 a.m.

Steven Phenix via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Opposition researchers are going to have a lot of fun with him.
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May 27, 2011 @ 11:29 a.m.

Karen Burleson via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Someone please tell him that in 2010, there were 3,823,142 teachers in public, charter, private, and Catholic elementary and secondary schools. His new sign will say, School is Out!
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May 27, 2011 @ 11:30 a.m.

Thomas Prentice via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Run, Rick, run! But MSNBC reported two nights ago that ONLY 4% of Texas Republicans want Rick to run for President. Quite an endorsement!
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May 27, 2011 @ 11:32 a.m.

Patrick Scroggin via Texas Tribune on Facebook

This would give Jon Stewart on the Daily Show so much material they might have to rename their show to the Rick Show. Really, isn't he a disgrace?
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May 27, 2011 @ 11:35 a.m.

Judy Burns via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Oh dear, i was so hoping it was all just a bad dream.....
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May 27, 2011 @ 11:37 a.m.

Beverly Ann Lynn via Texas Tribune on Facebook

really? he really thinks?
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May 27, 2011 @ 11:37 a.m.

Storm Britten Ilouno via Texas Tribune on Facebook

He should be deployed to the frontlines.........he has been a horrible guvnah what would he do on a national level. I am so glad I'm not the only one in Texas that thinks he's a dickhead. Just the sight of him makes me want to hurl!
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May 27, 2011 @ 11:38 a.m.

sssdddd

A few days ago this rag labeled all who believed Rick Perry when he said he would not run for President nincompoops. Now they run an article about how he is thinking about running. Clearly this rag is on a not so stealth subversive campaign to goad Perry into running.

I think it would be good for Perry to run. Several good things can come of this.

New Texas Governor
National ridicule of wingnuts
Enrichment of Perry so much that he will retire from politics
National outrage for attack EPA positions

I am ready to see this through. Heck I think all Democrats should register Republican in the primary and vote for Perry.
May 27, 2011 @ 11:39 a.m.

Terry Gray Chandler via Texas Tribune on Facebook

To Donald Dickson: I am no Perry lover, but if we have any national media who will tell the story of the horror that is now Mexico and our border area and moving upward, we need to do everything possible to make it happen. The problems in Mexico will not go away like yesterday's pimple. They are festering and will overtake Texas more and more. I just can't understand why DC ignores the problem.
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May 27, 2011 @ 11:53 a.m.

MaryLou VandeRiet via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Perry executes innocent people in Texas....so if he becomes Pres, he will be executing innocent people nationwide !!!..
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May 27, 2011 @ 11:54 a.m.

sssdddd

Terry,

You bring up a great point.

I do not mean by taking a negative Perry stance to submit that a rational person would take the opposite view of everything that emminates from his mouth or that rolls around in his head. I am mostly appalled is that moderate well thought out positions are rarer than they should be from a leader.

Mayb this rag will see fit to cover the war on our southwest in more depth. I see only occasional articles and a complete lack of depth to these articles.
May 27, 2011 @ 12:41 p.m.

Beverly Nuckols via Texas Tribune on Facebook

MaryLou, the Texas Constitution does not allow the Governor to prevent the execution of anyone. Please do your research.
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May 27, 2011 @ 12:42 p.m.

B L Zebubba

As one who consistently votes Democratic, I can honestly say: Please, Rick, for the love of god, run for President!

And I believe it's illegal in Texas to hold one public office while running for another , no, or does that law just apply when both offices at issue are State or local offices?
May 27, 2011 @ 1:31 p.m.

Austin Graham via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Yes, please do some basic fact checking before trying to have a grown up adult conversations , all your doing is showing your ignorance and that your just here to spew your vomit!
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May 27, 2011 @ 1:33 p.m.

Austin Graham via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Then move!
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May 27, 2011 @ 1:34 p.m.

Austin Graham via Texas Tribune on Facebook

You narcist twit!
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May 27, 2011 @ 1:52 p.m.

Beverly Nuckols

The video doesn't seem very convincing. The Governor was just dismissing the repetitive question.
May 27, 2011 @ 2:03 p.m.

Marc Lippincott via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Other than thinking about his hair, I fail to see any evidence of Rick Perry thinking about "a lot of things".
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May 27, 2011 @ 3:03 p.m.

Karen Cummings via Texas Tribune on Facebook

The Texas Governor cannot impose a moratorium on executions, as this authority is not allowed in the Texas Constitution. To give the Governor this power would require a constitutional amendment approved by voters.

Clemency process: The governor has clemency authority on the advice of the Board of Pardons and Paroles and needs a favorable recommendation from the Board in order to be able to grant clemency. The governor is not obligated to follow the recommendation of the Board, however. The governor also has the power to grant a one-time 30 day reprieve. The governor appoints the members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
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May 27, 2011 @ 3:49 p.m.

Bernard Walter via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Rick Perry adopts and pleads the Scarlett O'Hara defense: " I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow."
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May 27, 2011 @ 4:19 p.m.

Storm Britten Ilouno via Texas Tribune on Facebook

coming from a man named Austin. Says it all does it not? LMeffingAO
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May 27, 2011 @ 5:35 p.m.

Kristen Klement Weinzapfel via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Rolling eyes when seeing him on TV = the new "Rick rolling."
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May 27, 2011 @ 9:33 p.m.

Annette Bryant

The Texas Parole Board members are appointed by Gov. Perry, however; the does not follow their recommendations. Texas is a state of murdering and 40 of the 201 executed; were found innocent through DNA - after they were executed. The 201 who were executed is only the number executed between the terms of Bush and expensive hair. Perry says Texas is "tough of crime", I do not know of any state that is not tough of crime. Nothing good comes of executions! Most are done in a moment of emotion, like Perry's mouth and his other decisions. Other states and moral high industrial countries have already found executions to be barbaric and inhumane. Texas is for behind the times of the rest of the nation. Perry's justice is equal to the taliban's version! Stop the killing of the innocent who are begging for DNA. Stop the killing period. Who gives you the right Gov. Perry and Chairman Rissie Owens? Gawd?
Yes Perry, please run; right out of the US and don't look back. The Illegals Aliens are the ones who are urging him. BTW, a Hispanic Republican-one of his rich cronies that receive kick backs out of the construction sites no doubt!
May 27, 2011 @ 9:43 p.m.

Lorraine Fischer Norton via Texas Tribune on Facebook

God help us.. Perry..Palin.. Hey! They could have the same DNA!
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May 28, 2011 @ 6:42 a.m.

Elmo

Perry , The TTC fiasco king, the toll road king, the Merkel King, The fast tracking of coal plants king, the TXDOT losing a million in a budget king, I am not running King, the 10,000 a month mansion king, the Texas is open King. Lair Lair pants on fire King
May 28, 2011 @ 7 p.m.

A Lerma Stickelbault via Texas Tribune on Facebook

same DNA, they are both low mentality creatures.
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May 29, 2011 @ 4:54 p.m.

Only Me

Heaven help us all!