Rick Perry came to press the flesh with voters in Portsmouth, N.H., Thursday — but he ran instead into a vociferous protest of his views on Social Security and Medicare outside a local cafe. It wasn’t much better inside.
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.
Posted inState Government
When Perry Attacks the Fed, Many Hear Someone Else’s Voice
Gov. Rick Perry caused a feeding frenzy this week when he went after the U.S. Federal Reserve, but supporters of another Texan running for the White House heard something familiar: the message of Ron Paul.
Posted inState Government
Video: Perry Responds to Obama’s Remarks in New Hampshire
A day after the White House and even fellow Republicans admonished Gov. Rick Perry for warning of potentially “treasonous” acts by the U.S. Federal Reserve, the governor responded — more politely this time.
Posted inState Government
Swagger In Check (a Bit), Perry Responds to Obama
A day after the White House and even fellow Republicans admonished Gov. Rick Perry for warning of potentially “treasonous” acts by the U.S. Federal Reserve, the governor responded — more politely this time.
Posted inState Government
Hot-Headed Talk Shifts Perry Off Jobs Focus
Gov. Rick Perry’s nascent presidential campaign is focused on jobs. But Tuesday, he was answering questions about controversial statements on “treasonous” monetary policy and President Obama’s relationship with the U.S. military.
Posted inState Government
Video: Perry Says to Print More Money “Almost Treasonous”
Gov. Rick Perry made the comment Monday evening at a gathering of Republicans at a house party in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and, afterward, answered reporters’ questions.
Posted inState Government
Video: Perry Challenges Obama on Job Creation
At the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Gov. Rick Perry, knee high in haystacks, challenged President Obama on job creation.
Posted inState Government
Updated: Perry Running So Military “Respects” President
Gov. Rick Perry caused a stir in Waterloo, Iowa, when he suggested that U.S. military troops do not respect President Obama — and that’s one reason he’s running.
Posted inState Government
Video: Perry Politics at the Iowa State Fair
Gov. Rick Perry hit the Iowa State Fair on Monday morning, searching for votes and continuing his introduction to Iowans. Tribune reporter Jay Root was there with his iPhone, tracking Perry’s progress and sending us video updates via Justin.tv.
Posted in
Health care
Under Scrutiny, Perry Walks Back HPV Decision
With his lengthy record as governor under intense new scrutiny, Rick Perry is seeking to defuse the controversy around one of his most controversial decisions: his 2007 executive order requiring all girls to be vaccinated against HPV, the principal cause of cervical cancer.
