Hutchison Not Jumping On Board Perry Train

U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who got trounced by Gov. Rick Perry in the 2010 gubernatorial race, isn’t exactly jumping on board her old rival’s presidential wagon.

In an interview with Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC, Hutchison made it clear she wasn’t endorsing Perry’s expected run for president, and she took a swipe at his record on job creation. Hutchison said she wanted a Republican presidential candidate who “can fix this economy” and who has the experience to accomplish that.

“Do you think he has the experience to be the winner?” Mitchell asked.

“Well he certainly has government experience,” Hutchison said. “I’ve always felt like we need people who really have been in the private sector as well and who have actually created jobs.”

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While speaking in polite, diplomatic tones, Hutchison didn’t sound much like she was getting caught up in the excitement of an all-but-certain Perry bid for the White House.

Hutchison got into the 2010 race running way ahead of Perry in the polls, but the governor successfully portrayed the senator as “Washington Kay,” who had voted for an unpopular Wall Street bailout and championed earmarked federal spending projects back home.

During the interview with Mitchell, Hutchison said it was obvious Perry would run for president but made it clear she was undecided.

“I do think he’s running. I think that’s very clear. He’s putting all of the building blocks in place. I don’t know what I’m going to do,’’ Hutchison said. “I’m looking for the candidate who can win.”