TPMDC
Rick Perry

Hutchison Switches Course, Won't Resign From Senate While Running In Primary For Texas Governor

Eric Kleefeld | November 13, 2009, 5:43PM

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX)

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) has announced that she will not resign from the Senate while she is running for governor of Texas, which she had previously planned on doing as she challenges incumbent Gov. Rick Perry in the Republican primary.

"A newly appointed senator would be selected in the midst of a political storm," Hutchison said in a statement that cited the battle against the Democrats on health care and energy legislation, "And will need on-the-job training in the midst of a crisis."

This comes after a Rasmussen poll today, which showed her trailing Perry by 46%-35% -- and which also showed that 60% of likely primary voters disagreed with her plans to resign. Perry had frequently been attacking Hutchison for the planned resignation, as well.

Although Hutchison had previously announced her intention to resign at some point, she is now spinning this new decision as herself bravely saying no to what others had told her to do: "Some have told me that for the sake of political expedience I should quit the Senate now to focus on winning the primary. To them I say, perhaps its time we elect a governor who puts a little less priority on what is politically expedient."

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Topics: Kay Bailey Hutchison, Rick Perry, TX-GOV

TX-GOV

Poll: Perry Leads Hutchison In Texas Gubernatorial Primary

Eric Kleefeld | November 13, 2009, 10:24AM

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX)

A new Rasmussen poll of Texas has Gov. Rick Perry ahead in his Republican primary in 2010, in which he is being challenged by U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

The numbers: Perry 46%, Hutchison 35%, with a ±3.5% margin of error. Two months ago, when Hutchison had officially launched her campaign and was touring the state, she had a 40%-38% lead.

One key question should give Hutchison pause: "Should Kay Bailey Hutchison remain in her position as senator while she is running for Governor?" The answer here is Yes 60%, No 26%. Hutchison has indicated that she will resign from the Senate -- a move that could possibly be hurting her.

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Topics: Kay Bailey Hutchison, Rick Perry, TX-GOV

NY-23

Rick Perry Endorses Conservative Party's Hoffman In NY-23

Eric Kleefeld | October 29, 2009, 6:01PM

Texas Governor Rick Perry (R), NY-23 Congressional Candidate Doug Hoffman (Conservative)

Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate in the NY-23 special election, has picked up another endorsement from a prominent Republican, Texas Gov. Rick Perry:

"There is a reason that our party lost power in Washington DC. A lot of folks went to Congress wearing the Republican jersey, but far too many played the game like Democrats. People around Texas -- and frankly, all around the country -- are fed up with the federal government."

Endorsing Hoffman, stead of the moderate Republican Dede Scozzafava, has now become something of a litmus test for true-believing conservatism. It should be noted, of course, that Perry is facing a challenge in the Republican primary in 2010, from U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. And Perry has also been endorsed by Sarah Palin -- who has also endorsed Hoffman.

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Topics: Dede Scozzafava, Doug Hoffman, NY-23, Rick Perry, Twitter

TX-GOV

Perry Reacts To Cheney's Endorsement Of His Opponent: 'I'd Stick With Sarah' Palin

Eric Kleefeld | October 29, 2009, 11:12AM

Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) and Fmr. Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK)

Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) is brushing off former Vice President Dick Cheney's endorsement of Perry's primary challenger, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison -- saying he'd rather have his current support from Sarah Palin.

Perry touted an upcoming endorsement from Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, as evidence of Republican support. Perry was then asked if he would rather have Cheney or Palin, who endorsed him back in February.

Perry's response: "I think I'd stick with Sarah."

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Topics: Dick Cheney, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Rick Perry, Sarah Palin, TX-GOV

Dick Cheney

Dick Cheney To Campaign For Kay Bailey Hutchison In Texas Gubernatorial Primary

Eric Kleefeld | October 28, 2009, 2:08PM

Fmr. VP Dick Cheney and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX)

Former Vice President Dick Cheney may have left office overwhelmingly unpopular with the country at large, but he's headed back on the campaign trail -- to endorse Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) in her campaign for governor, challenging incumbent Gov. Rick Perry in the Republican primary.

Cheney is scheduled to attend a Hutchison fundraiser on November 17, an environment of Texas Republicans where he's probably still more popular than not.

In terms of endorsements, each candidate has a big GOP name in their corner. Cheney is for Hutchison, while Perry has previously been endorsed by Sarah Palin.

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Topics: Dick Cheney, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Rick Perry, TX-GOV

Rick Perry

Perry Campaign Accuses Opponents: Someone Sabotaged Our Web Site!

Eric Kleefeld | September 29, 2009, 6:01PM

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX)

The campaign of Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) is now accusing its political opponents -- and he has many, considering he has to deal with not only Democrats but also a Republican primary challenge from U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison -- of sabotaging his Web site and causing it to break down!

The Austin-American Statesman reports that the Perry campaign was hosting a live video Webcast, which crashed. "This planned and coordinated attack was political sabotage, and we are working to identify those responsible for this illegal activity," said campaign spokesman Mark Miner.

The thing is, it appears quite possible that there might not have been any malicious attack at all. The Statesman's reporter notes: "I logged in about 10 minutes before the Webcast and was able to see it, but another Statesman staffer who attempted to log in after it started got an error message that said: 'Unable to connect to database server ... This could mean your hosting provider's database server is down.'"

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Topics: Kay Bailey Hutchison, Rick Perry

NJ-GOV

Do Republican Pols Still Want Palin Around?

Eric Kleefeld | July 8, 2009, 5:28PM

Looking at the immediate fallout of Sarah Palin's announced resignation as Governor of Alaska, a big question is whether she has a future in the Republican Party. It's also worth asking whether she has a present in the Republican Party -- that is, do Republican politicians want her around to campaign for them?

Taking a look at the headlines, it's starting to look like there's significant variation on this question. Some don't want her around, some are hedging, and some are still quite eager to see her.

For starters, Palin is apparently not wanted by Republicans in New Jersey, which has a hot gubernatorial race this year. "We don't have any plans on having her in," said New Jersey GOP chairman Jay Webber. Then again, New Jersey is a blue state that went 57%-42% for Obama last year, and where Christian Right candidates can't get elected dogcatcher -- so this was probably the situation even before her resignation, too.

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Topics: NJ-GOV, Rick Perry, Sarah Palin, TX-GOV, VA-GOV

Tea Party

GOP Pols Losing Control Of Tea Party Movement?

Eric Kleefeld | July 6, 2009, 12:33PM

Thousands of right-wing activists across this country rang in the Independence Day holiday with yet another round of tea-party protests against President Obama, inadvertently highlighting an interesting divide in the Republican Party. On the one hand are the hard-line activists who attend these things, versus the more mainstream politicians who want to win elections and are looking for their votes -- and are running into all manner of conflicts as a result, or finding themselves taking on some rather interesting policy stances along the way.

Most notably, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), who is chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, was booed at the event in Austin -- on the grounds that he's part of the problem in Washington, having voted for the Wall St. bailout last fall. "I'm not part of Washington," Cornyn said in his own defense. "I happen to work there, but on behalf of Texas, and I can vote 'no' on these reckless spending bills, on the refusal to cut taxes."

Gov. Rick Perry -- who famously seemed to raise the specter of Texas seceding from the union during the April Tax Day protests -- was also booed at the same Austin event as Cornyn. Attendees saw him as yet another tax-hiking tyrant, because he supports toll roads in order to relieve traffic congestion.

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Topics: John Cornyn, Marty Seifert, Rick Perry, Tea Party

Rick Perry

Rick Perry: 'I Have Never Advocated For Secession And Never Will'

Eric Kleefeld | May 18, 2009, 10:10AM

Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) has written an op-ed for the Austin American-Statesman, strongly denying that his stand in favor of states' rights meant he was in any way advocating secession:

I can't say I was surprised that critics recast my defense of federalism and fiscal discipline into advocacy for secession from the Union. I have never advocated for secession and never will.
Like the president, members of Congress and every other state governor, I have sworn oaths to our nation and Constitution. My sincere pledge to uphold and defend the Constitution has fueled my concern and my statements about the recent unprecedented expansion of our federal government.

It's worth looking back on what Perry said during the Tea Party rallies back in April that got people so worked up. "We've got a great union. There's absolutely no reason to dissolve it," Perry said. "But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that."

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Topics: Rick Perry

Rick Perry

Poll: Texas Gov. Rick Perry Has Narrow Lead Over Hutchison In GOP Primary

Eric Kleefeld | May 7, 2009, 4:54PM

A new Rasmussen poll in Texas finds that Gov. Rick Perry -- the man who has suggested his state might secede from the United States -- is in a near-tie in his Republican primary against the popular U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison: Perry 42%, Hutchison 38%, with a ±4% margin of error.

You might think it's bad for the incumbent to be under 50% in his primary, but this could actually be a big improvement for Perry. There isn't another recent Rasmussen poll for direct comparison, but a survey from Public Policy Polling (D) back in February put Hutchison ahead 56%-31%.

Since then, Perry has been hitting the hustings in a big way and putting himself forward as the true conservative. And of course, Daily Kos/Research 2000 polling shows a majority of Texas Republicans approve of his secessionist teasing.

We should probably be rooting for Hutchison in this one. The Union cause is on the line!

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Topics: Rick Perry, TX-GOV

Rick Perry

Poll: One-Third Of Georgia Republicans Approve Of Secession

Eric Kleefeld | May 1, 2009, 10:58AM

A new Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll finds that a third of Georgia Republicans approve of the idea of seceding from the United States.

The pollster asked: "Do you think Georgia would be better off as an independent nation or as part of the United States of America?" The top-line here is United States 68%, independence 27% -- but among Republicans, it's a closer U.S. 52%, independence 43%.

Respondents were then asked: "Would you approve or disapprove of Georgia leaving the United States?" Here the overall answer is approve 18%, disapprove 76% -- but among Republicans, it's approve 32%, disapprove 63%.

Look on the bright side: The Union cause is actually much stronger among Republicans here than it is in Texas, where a previous poll showed Texas GOPers evenly divided on independence, and a majority approving of Gov. Rick Perry's suggestions about seceding.

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Topics: Rick Perry

Rick Perry

Poll: Texas Republicans Approve Of Rick Perry's Secession Remarks

Eric Kleefeld | April 23, 2009, 2:54PM

A new Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll finds that Rick Perry's suggestion at the Tea Party last week, that Texas might have to secede from the Union, actually has significant support from his home state's Republican voters.

One question: "Do you think Texas would be better off as an independent nation or as part of the United States of America?" The top-line number is United States 61%, independent nation 35%. Among Republicans, it's a dead-even tie at 48%-48%.

And then there's this one: "Do you approve or disapprove of Governor Rick Perry's suggestion that Texas may need to leave the United States?" The top-line is only 37% approval to 58% disapproval -- but among Texas Republicans, it's 51% approval to 44% disapproval.

President Chuck Norris (of the Texas Republic), here we come!

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Topics: Rick Perry

Rick Perry

DeLay: Sure! We Can Secede. And The Senate Will Do All The Work

Brian Beutler | April 16, 2009, 6:56PM

Disgraced Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay appeared on Hardball with Chris Matthews earlier today and offered his full support to the idea, first proposed by Texas Governor Rick Perry, that Texas might secede from the United States. Watch:

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Topics: Rick Perry

Rick Perry

Georgia, Oklahoma, and South Dakota: Perry's Got Nothing On Us

Brian Beutler | April 16, 2009, 6:55PM

The jaw dropper of the day has been Texas Governor Rick Perry's announcement--and refusal to disavow--that he may be contemplating secession (or a similar process) for the Lone Star State. But members of the Georgia Senate, the South Dakota House, and both chambers of the Oklahoma legislature must be wondering what all the fuss is about.

On April 1 of this year, the Georgia Senate passed a resolution affirming their belief that the U.S. government is on the verge of nullifying the Constitution--that, for instance if Congress passes any "[f]urther infringements on the right to keep and bear arms," that'll be it, in their eyes, for the olll' U.S. of A:

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Topics: Rick Perry

Rick Perry

Perry: Don't Get The Wrong Impression--No Secession For Now

Brian Beutler | April 16, 2009, 5:28PM

A few minutes ago, I spoke with Catherine Frazier, spokeswoman for Texas Gov. Rick Perry. Noting that Perry hadn't spoken of imminent secession, I asked her what sort of scenario the governor envisioned when he spoke at the Austin Tea Party, and what the legal ramifications of such a move would be. She sought to assure me that Perry does not want Texas to secede, and directed me to this blog post.

This is interesting that this has really kind of bubbled up, to uh... I refer people back to my statement, and I gotta a charge out of it. I was kinda thinking that, maybe the same people who hadn't been reading the constitution right were reading that article and they got the wrong impression about what I said.
Clearly, I stated that we have a great union. And Texas is part of a great union. I see no reason for that to change. I think that may not be the exact quote, but that is, in essence what I said.

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Topics: Rick Perry

Republicans

Revolt: Not Obama's Cup Of Tea

Brian Beutler | April 16, 2009, 3:30PM

Via Matt Yglesias, we find that yesterday didn't bring out the best in Texas Governor Rick Perry alone. Here we see Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) telling tea party attendees to bring armed revolution:

It's about our founding fathers who in 1773 threw a little party called the Boston tea party. And fought against tyranny and oppressive taxes, does that sound familiar? We're continuing that revolution right here in Austin, TX today. Thomas Jefferson once said that the tree of liberty will be fed with the blood of tyrants and patriots. You are the patriots.

And then there's Rep. Roscoe Bartlett in Frederick, MD, wishing (about 4:45 into the video) that President Obama was on hand to "see that you're all out here in revolt," adding that "he needs to see your signs"--signs which, of course, ran the gamut between anti-tax slogans through confederate flags in to outright racism.

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Topics: Republicans, Rick Perry

Republicans

Texas Democrat To Perry: Stand Down

Brian Beutler | April 16, 2009, 3:25PM

Earlier today, I noted that, at the Austin tea party yesterday, Texas Governor Rick Perry suggested that his state might secede from the union under circumstances unclear.

I've put in a call to his office to see if we can't get a better explanation of the scenario he's contemplating. But in the meantime, Texas State Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) is saying, in no uncertain terms, that the governor crossed the line.

"There are some issues that simply should not be legitimated in any way, shape or form, and secession is one of them," said Ellis. "By not rejecting out of hand the possibility of secession, Governor Perry is taking a step down a very dangerous and divisive path encouraged by the fringe of Texas politics."

I'll post the full statement below the fold. We're trying also to get responses from Texas Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn, but, perhaps not coincidentally, the phone lines for both offices are completely tied up.

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Topics: Republicans, Rick Perry

Michele Bachmann

Texas Gov. Rick Perry Contemplates Secession

Brian Beutler | April 16, 2009, 12:25PM

As they struggle to find political footing, rump Republicans, (even the formerly mainstream among them) are beginning to dabble in right wing extremism. That's not hyperbole. Indeed, you need look no further than Texas Gov Rick Perry, who seems to have gotten a bit carried away yesterday at a Tea Party Protest in Austin. "We've got a great union," Perry said, "There's absolutely no reason to dissolve it."

But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that. But Texas is a very unique place, and we're a pretty independent lot to boot."

This comes less than a week after Perry appeared with sponsors and supporters of a Texas House resolution affirming the state's claim of sovereignty under the 10th Amendment. "I believe that our federal government has become oppressive in its size, its intrusion into the lives of our citizens, and its interference with the affairs of our state," Gov. Perry said.

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Topics: Michele Bachmann, Republicans, Rick Perry, Supreme Court

Stimulus

Everyone Has Their Price -- Grandstanding GOP Governors Are Taking The Stimulus Money

Eric Kleefeld | February 19, 2009, 1:05PM

Yet another anti-stimulus GOP governor, who had been hinting previously that his state would be turning down cash, is now accepting the money.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who co-wrote an op-ed piece with South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford about all the things that were wrong with the bill, has now informed the White House that he'll accept the money. (By the way, Sanford is taking some of the money, too.)

Perry is, however, leaving the door open to not taking all of it, as he doesn't want to spend money that would expand existing social programs, and thus trap him into having to continue the increases later on with state money. Perry's spokeswoman said that they are studying the aid package "line by line to determine what is in the best interest of Texas taxpayers."

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Topics: Rick Perry, Stimulus

Stimulus

Ca-Ching! -- Or Not -- Which GOP Governors Could Really Turn Down Stimulus Bucks

Eric Kleefeld | February 18, 2009, 2:04PM

So with the stimulus bill now fully passed and signed into law, are there still any Republican governors who might actually go so far as refuse some or all of the cash, even if it goes against the immediate interests of their states? The answer is Yes.

Most Republican governors are now going ahead and figuring out how to spend the money, even if a bunch of them were opposed to the bill itself. But there are still some holdouts, people who are making noise about turning down a check from Washington.

First up is the most prominent anti-stimulus governor of all, South Carolina's Mark Sanford. In response to critics of his public position to not spend the money, Sanford wrote an op-ed piece for The State: "The bailout approach undermines what has historically been the ultimate source of economic stimulus -- the American worker and entrepreneur."

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Topics: Rick Perry, Stimulus

Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | February 3, 2009, 9:01AM

Obama Announcing Gregg Appointment This Morning
President Obama is holding a series of closed meetings with advisers this morning, and then at 11 a.m. ET he will make an announcement about his appointment for Secretary of Commerce. The president is expected to appoint Republican Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire.

Biden Meeting With Hillary, Swearing In Holder At DOJ
Vice President Biden is having breakfast this morning with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, then at 10 a.m. he will go to the Justice Department to swear in Eric Holder as Attorney General. Then he is headed to the White House to join the president for the announcement about the Commerce Secretary.

Report: GOPer Bonnie Newman Will Be NH Senate Appointee
CNN reports that former Judd Gregg chief of staff Bonnie Newman will be the appointee to Judd Gregg's Senate seat. Gregg made the appointment of a Republican to his seat a condition for accepting the cabinet appointment, rather than having the Democratic governor pick another Dem who would give the party a filibuster-proof margin.

Senate Taking Up Stimulus Amendments
The Senate will begin voting today on amendments to the stimulus bill, as Senators sort through the changes they would like to make to the version that passed in the House. The range of opinions varies from Democrats who would like to shift the spending priorities around, to Republicans who want to cut back the spending itself.

Strib: Minnesota Senate Contest Affecting Stimulus Margins
The Star Tribune reports that the protracted Minnesota Senate dispute, and the resulting absence of a Democratic Senator, appears to be making the passage of a stimulus bill more difficult. "Our burden would be a little lighter," said Chuck Schumer, while Congressman Keith Ellison was even more blunt: "Sometimes being one or two away is like being 100 members away. We need that Franken vote, and it's critical that we get it fast."

Lawmakers' Portfolios Plummet In Recession
The Hill reports that the stock market's problems might be making a very important impact Capitol Hill -- lawmakers are seeing their own portfolios fall precipitously. The members of Congress who did speak to the paper about this, including Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and Paul Ryan (R-WI) all said they've been too busy dealing with the economy to worry about their own stocks, and they are unaware of any recent transactions.

Palin Backs Perry In Texas Gubernatorial Race
Sarah Palin has now gotten herself involved in the politics of another state, endorsing Texas Governor Rick Perry for re-election. Perry is facing a likely primary challenge by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, so the Perry campaign has sent out a letter from Palin that is specifically addressed to Republican women.

Gregg Was For Abolishing Commerce Dept. Before He Was For Running It
CQ points out that Judd Gregg voted in 1995 for a non-binding budget resolution that called for abolishing the Department of Commerce in the wake of the 1994 Republican victories, and that as a committee chairman he was for cutting the Commerce budget. Now Gregg is poised to head up that very department -- so really, a lot of things can change in 14 years.