“Oops.” That’s the word Rick Perry uttered after a major stumble in the Republican presidential debate Wednesday. It spoke volumes about how bad his debate performances have been, how far he has sunk as a 2012 presidential contender.
Jay Root
Jay Root is an award-winning journalist who reported for the Tribune from 2011 to 2020. He covered the dramatic collapse of Gov. Rick Perry’s 2012 presidential campaign and went on to write an ebook about it called “Oops! A Diary from the 2012 Campaign Trail.” Root also broke the story that put the Texas attorney general, Ken Paxton, on the path toward criminal indictment, co-wrote an exposé that brought an end to privately funded prosecutions in Travis County, and authored a series of watchdog articles that prompted a wave of firings and resignations at two major state agencies.
In 2017, Root co-directed “Beyond The Wall,” a film exploring border politics in the age of Trump, which won a national Edward R. Murrow award for best news documentary. Root’s latest film, “Border Hustle,” was released in early 2019 and reveals how desperate migrants have become cash cows on both sides of the border.
Previously, for a dozen years, Root was Austin bureau chief of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, where he chronicled the rise of then-Gov. George W. Bush, wrote about cartel violence in Mexico and covered Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. During a three-year stint at the Associated Press, Root was twice named AP Staff Reporter of the Year for his watchdog reporting, including a story that sparked felony charges against a sitting state representative.
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Politics
Liveblog: “Your Money, Your Vote” GOP Debate
Another GOP presidential debate, you say? Tell us about it. We’ll be liveblogging tonight’s “Your Money, Your Vote” debate, hosted by CNBC and the Michigan Republican Party, from the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, Mich.
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Politics
To the Surprise of Many, Perry Finds Himself Neck and Neck — With Gingrich
Gov. Rick Perry is increasingly sharing third place with former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a candidate many — including some of Gingrich’s former strategists — had written off.
Posted inState Government
Updated: State Rep. Joe Driver to Plead Guilty to Felony
State Rep. Joe Driver, who acknowledged pocketing taxpayer reimbursements for travel paid by his campaign, will enter a guilty plea on abuse-of-office charges, a third-degree felony, a top prosecutor said Tuesday night.
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Health care
Perry, Foe of Government, Entitled to Big State Pension, Health Benefits
As a Texas governor and presidential candidate, Rick Perry has repeatedly turned to the marketplace for policy solutions to health care and retirement security. But as a private citizen, Perry has generally relied on the government.
Posted inState Government
Perry, Channeling 2010, Sharpens Anti-Washington Talk
It’s not enough to say Washington has gone too far with job-killing regulations and reckless spending. Rick Perry now wants to destroy the nation’s capital as we know it.
Posted inState Government
Perry Looking for Surge in Iowa as Cain Struggles
Herman Cain’s troubles could be big enough to threaten his top-tier candidacy — and perhaps give a badly needed boost to the governor of Texas.
Posted inState Government
About That Speech: Perry Says He “Felt Great”
Gov. Rick Perry says he “felt great” during his much-mocked appearance in New Hampshire last week and that he was happy with the speech. Perry, speaking to reporters in Des Moines, also addressed criticism of his job creation plan.
Posted inState Government
Perry Seeks Campaign Reset Button in Iowa
Rick Perry, looking for the reset button on his flagging presidential campaign, is back in first-test Iowa for a series of candidate forums, town hall gatherings and meet-and-greet events.
Posted inState Government
Video: Perry’s “Bizarre” Must-Watch New Hampshire Speech
A giddy Gov. Rick Perry was fidgety and full of exuberance in this must-watch speech recorded in New Hampshire Friday night. The revealing video appears to have gone viral.
