On Tape, Perry Quipped Texans "Thinking About" Secession

by Jay Root
August 10, 2011
24 Comments

As Gov. Rick Perry begins criss-crossing the nation in pursuit of the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, one of his most controversial utterances as governor — his flirtation with secession at an April 2009 rally on the steps of Austin's City Hall — is sure to get renewed scrutiny from the national press.

Turns out, it wasn't the first time Perry entertained the idea of Texas leaving the United States of America.

An obscure interview with Perry, posted on the internet more than two years ago, has resurfaced as part of a harsh video put together by a group of Texas ...

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Comments (24)

August 10, 2011 @ 7:52 a.m.

sssdddd

I say to all Texan's a thinking about seccession. 'I pledge allegiance to the United States of america. One nation under god, INDIVISIBLE...

And that is backed up by ...

Tinker Air Force Base
Fort Riley
Fort Carson
Dover Air Force Base
Minot Air Force Base

So you Texan's a thinking, just keep thinking. I can assure you, the Second War of Northern Aggression will not last as long as the first.

Frankly the best thing Perry can do for Texas is to leave Texas...
August 10, 2011 @ 8:33 a.m.

Dion Miller

He might want to visit with the good citizens in Killeen about closing down Fort Hood if he serious about this secession talk. He might also check in with the constituents in El Paso, Wichita Falls, San Antonio, and Abilene where the United States has military installations.
Texas doesn't have the resources to take over Big Bend National Park or Padre Island National Seashore Area. Might also need to relocate some Presidential Museums while he is at his.
August 10, 2011 @ 8:43 a.m.

Bambi Clark via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Do you really believe the rest of the country will be taken by this salesman?
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August 10, 2011 @ 8:43 a.m.

Patty Pinkley via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Ummmm...don't we have him on tape?
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August 10, 2011 @ 8:45 a.m.

Joe Estep via Texas Tribune on Facebook

He made a flippant comment, not a big deal. Actually, I wish Texas could just quietly slip away, then we could come back in a generation or two and buy the other 49 at fire sale prices.
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August 10, 2011 @ 8:50 a.m.

Kim Possible via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Lying so soon in the campaign? I seem to remember him talking about it. Maybe it was someone else, hmmmmm....
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August 10, 2011 @ 8:52 a.m.

Earl Barry

It was a quip. A quip...A witty, clever, funny observation only.
August 10, 2011 @ 9:03 a.m.

Luisa Inez Newton via Texas Tribune on Facebook

I think Sam Houston would probably send a load of spit on Perry
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August 10, 2011 @ 9:05 a.m.

Jabulani Leffall via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Seee ya later then. Last time you did it you lost a long bloody war. The time before that, you were begging the Feds to come kill the Comanches. Go ahead give it a go, send an ambassador to China, see how that goes because they're holding your debt Cowboy!
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August 10, 2011 @ 9:05 a.m.

Chance Nunn via Texas Tribune on Facebook

He also said in his campaign for gov that he had no desire to be in dc.
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August 10, 2011 @ 9:13 a.m.

Debra Haas via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Never mind that Texas gave up the right to leave the Union some time ago - so once again, Perry is both inaccurate, and arrogant about it.
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August 10, 2011 @ 9:14 a.m.

Mary Lynn VanZandt Neill via Texas Tribune on Facebook

His "quips" aren't nearly as "cute" as he must think.Bad hair days?
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August 10, 2011 @ 9:15 a.m.

Wright Carol via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Maybe he'll seceed. He certainly can't succeed!
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August 10, 2011 @ 9:23 a.m.

David Huang via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Either he advocates secession or he panders to a fringe group who does, what's the difference? Crummy governor either way.
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August 10, 2011 @ 9:41 a.m.

Mary Hawkins Mayer-Oakes via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Texas cannot secede from the union....we can, however, break into 5 individual states. And Sam Houston was not for succession at all. I see how Perry made such bad grades. He knows nothing.
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August 10, 2011 @ 9:50 a.m.

Rodney Marsden via Texas Tribune on Facebook

I think Steve the Troll is jealous of Texas and Texans!!!
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August 10, 2011 @ 10:30 a.m.

Chance Nunn via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Lol I took the unusual road for me, I ignored him. Normally I would have told him to take his tough love and stick it. But I am new here.
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August 10, 2011 @ 11:43 a.m.

Bliss Street

Have you seen this one? On youtube, entitled 'Pistol Packin' Perry?' It's adorable. A music video political cartoon. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI3OMbt19Fc
August 10, 2011 @ 12:52 p.m.

Rudy Gonzales

Perry is the worst governor Texas has ever had behind Bush!
August 10, 2011 @ 2:08 p.m.

Karen Hawkins via Texas Tribune on Facebook

I call bullshit.
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August 10, 2011 @ 4:37 p.m.

Lawna Jocqui via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Perry is a joke!
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August 10, 2011 @ 6:14 p.m.

K C

Has he ever read the Texas Constitution? I did and it says Texas would be allowed to break itself into five different states but it DOES NOT say they reserve the right to secede. This is another Texas myth that never seems to go away.
August 10, 2011 @ 6:16 p.m.

Joe Estep via Texas Tribune on Facebook

Folks, if Texas wanted out do you really think we´d ask your permission? We´ll stay, hell somebody has to look after the rest of you. Wouldn´t be right to leave yall in the mess you´ve made for yourselves and not stick around an help clean it up. What kind of neighbors would we be if we acted like that?
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August 29, 2011 @ 11:16 a.m.

Rudy Gonzales

Perry do not have the Cahunas to effect "Seceding" or the backing of Texans in his off-the-cuff remark. This guy is a loose cannon with a 2.22 GPA score from Texas A&M in Animal Science! Perry is just the tip of the TEA party and their "Greater than thou" attitude towards the American public. 17.4 billion federal funds for Texas' budget short fall, and this whimp is crying all the way to the bank as he has become a millionaire at the expense of the Texas taxpayer! Perry's Trans-Texas fiasco and HPV debacle point to his real desire to do for himself and his closest buddies rather than for all Texans! A career politician who should never have been allowed to run, but Texas doesn't have "Term Limits"!