Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, Sticks to his Guns (image: sodaheadblog)
Rick Perry, the Governor of Texas, and, at the moment, at or near the top of polls for the 2012 GOP field, has taken a lot of flak from the press for his positions on everything from States Rights to Education. There are those who may try to tie Perry to former President Gorge W. Bush based on geography alone, when there is little basis - other than both men are from Texas and both are designated as Republicans. It is a fact of modern media, which has a vested interest it appears, in promoting candidates of choice, rather than merely reporting unbiased facts, that parsing of a phrase, or the unwillingness or inability to research thoroughly, allows for blatant falsehoods to appear, in print, the airwaves and digital media. It is not Perry alone, as it applies to any conservative that rising in the polls, and who appears able to unseat President Obama.
A recent Gallup poll shows the President with a 38% approval rating, the lowest, to date, of his career. In addition, generic ballots pitting the President against an unnamed Republican gives a 5 point advantage to the Republican. This makes any Republican or Conservative Candidate a target.
From off the wall to Mainstream:
Politicotakes a look at what Rick Perry may or may not have said regarding Social Security as a “Ponzi Scheme”, specifically in his book, “Fed Up”. Perry’s book, the article notes, has been gone over with a fine tooth comb by both opposition research and the media (is that one in the same?) for any hint of inaccuracy. Perry is sticking to his guns, Texas Style, and unlike other GOP candidates of the past, he is giving clear and direct answers, unapologetically standing up for what he believes and what he has said. The Gist, a Perry spokesman gave an interview to the Wall Street Journal, in which is downplayed what the Governor might have said about Social Security, and how he feels about the issue now (as a Ponzi Scheme). Not to be deterred, Perry addressed critics, telling them that he has not changed his mind, and if they want a reference to read the book. (He then goes on to correct them as to what is contained versus what is reported.) Politico closes the article:
“The whole episode underscores how difficult "Fed Up!," which strongly favors states' rights and is getting picked over by reporters and opposition researchers alike, will be for Perry to explain on the trail.
Discussions of major changes to Social Security are alarming to seniors, and while there hasn't yet been public polling data on how the "Ponzi scheme" point plays in Florida, there likely will be.
For Perry, saying a version of "that's not what I said" is unlikely to do the trick.” (Politico 8/28/11 (latest update)
One might not like it when a Politician tells the truth, in pure straight Texas Talk, however, Perry makes his point, and makes it well – he also does not just say “That’s not what I said”, he specifically points to what was written in the book, or smartly, tells those naysayers, to go and buy a copy.”
From the Dallas Blog comes another angle of insanity when it comes to “opposition research”. ”Who's Behind 'Perry a la Clinton' Myth?” by Tom McGregor outlines, in detail, the ridiculous antics of someone who may or may not be playing with all 52 cards, and or, knows exactly what they are doing, vis a vis the “opposition”. a Texas based, member of the GOP, one Brandon Morrow, has been emailing whoever will listen (especially MSNBC), regarding Governor Perry and attendance at Strip Clubs, which, when confronted, with emails sent in the past by this particular person, regarding former President George Bush Sr., involved in a sex ring (seriously), the obvious crank, blocked Dallasblog’s email. However, Dollars to Donuts, MSNBC, and any nutty professor, will be spouting this as truth. After all, the person sending the emails is allegedly a Republican, so it must be true – however, as anyone with any sense understands political parties, like any other organization are made up of an entire body of people, some of which are well, less stable than others, and constantly seeking attention. Watch for this story to gain some legs, but given Perry’s obvious talent for standing up for himself, it will likely be very short-lived and confined to the Campus and MSNBC.
From My Sanantonio.com comes a different take on Perry being like former President Clinton, in a positive spin (no kidding), the article “Perry comparisons: Thompson, Clark or ... Clinton?” by Peggy Fikac reviews the comparison of late to Perry’s quick rise in the polls (see Thomas and Clark and Clinton), of the three, Clinton and Perry are compared by Ms. Fikac, comparing and contrasting campaign style and strategy, specifically when it comes to the all important south, where other GOP candidates cannot have a difficult time of it. Fickac’s article is supported by the 2008 election, and the fact that both Thompson and Huckabee played a part in knocking out one Mitt Romney, who did just fine in the northern tier states, but could not hold the south (and that is still open for debate – in a GOP contest, not a general election). It is that all important South and Midwest that brought Clinton the Presidency and it will be the same for the GOP candidate that can claim an affinity for the south and or its cousin the mid-west. '
Although, this blogger is Massachusetts born and bred, with a penchant for “Commonwealth Pride”, the reality of another “Kennedy-in GOP clothing” (or any nominee Republican coming from this particular state or points north) is limited. This due to the fact that on both fiscal and social issues, those politicians in the northeast, must, in order to gain election in the first place, compromise conservative issues to the point where, they no longer resemble conservatives – giving rise to the moniker: RHINO (Republican in name only). It is hardly fair, specifically when there are qualified candidate, however, it makes Romney’s road to the White House, a bit more difficult.
From Texas to Massachusetts, Education and Rick Perry.
So much has been written and touted about the press regarding Rick Perry as the destroyer of education (apparently shrinking the size of the State Government, cutbacks to teachers, and butting heads with the Teachers Union equals lower grades in Texas than elsewhere). Unfortunately, one can easily find that the facts are further than the “Truth” being spun by the usual oppositions (The Press and Pundits, and the Teachers Unions).
One particular source came from NBC, parent company of MSNBC, all owned by General Electric, which CEO has an “in” at the White House with the current administration (conspiracy theory – or Fact?)
NBC in connection with the national PTA (parent and teachers association), has a website that allows one to find out how their school district is faring on a national average. The project allows parent to see which schools are faring better than others, and gives a wealth of information on the nation’s public schools, as well as a scorecard. When one uses this database to find out how a school district is performing, one notes a huge difference between Massachusetts (which state allegedly has the best nations score card out of eleven states that competed for Federal Funding) and Texas? Texas schools Massachusetts in this particular “competition”.
Going from State Capital to State Capital:
Boston East Boston High School has a graduation rate of 55%, while Austin, Texas , Austin High School, has a graduation rate of 88%, or above average. Going through Massachusetts mid sized cities one finds the following: Springfield Central High School, graduation rate 78%, Holyoke High School, 64%, New Bedford: 58%, and Lowell, at 75%. Texas, on the other hand: Dallas High School is at 56%, Corpus Christie at 78%.
Therefore, one finds the same fluctuations in results from district to district and school to school, between Texas and the 10 States (9 and D.C.) that received extra Federal Funds in Race to the Top Program with similar results. Therefore, throwing money at the “problem” apparently does little to “fix it”. (Given the fact that these results are based on 2010 results, and Massachusetts latest scorecard is, in a word, dismal, in that the average student in 10th grade scores in the 50% percentile in reading: (See Article on Illinois Drops Standard Test Component, compared to Massachusetts 2010 released scores),
Therefore, one can kick that can down the proverbial spin road, as Texas Schools under Perry apparently are as good or better than those states receiving “extra funds” (i.e. stimulus!!) for education. Frankly, that plays in Perry’s favor.
Again, it is too early in the 2012 contest (although some might argue the opposite) and there are other candidates that may still enter the race (September), which would change the front runner, or give them at the very least fits (be it Romney or Perry), however, it is refreshing when candidates stand up for their records, are adult enough to admit when something that they proposed did not work, and stand firm in their beliefs when they are questioned by an obviously hostile and biased press.
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