It’s not much of a secret that Rick Perry is despised by many in Texas. Even before he embarked on his swaggering, Brownian motion presidential campaign, he was acutely aware of the fact that we do in fact hold him responsible for many of the non-miraculous aspects of life in the Lone Star State. Still, he’s not angry or bitter about losing our love.
Asked why Texas wasn't exactly in love with him, Perry said, "I say that a prophet is generally not loved in their hometown. That's both Biblical and practical."
Nice to know he's got that humility thing going for him. Usually when he's the topic of conversation, we spell that word p-r-o-f-i-t.
Now comes word that our Secessionist-in-Chief has lost out on a key endorsement.
WASHINGTON — Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney received the endorsement over Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday of Rep. Lamar Smith, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, which oversees immigration laws.
Smith, R-San Antonio, called Romney “a leader who focuses on the interests of American workers and taxpayers more than on expanding the power of the federal government.”
Well, Lamar, if you wait a few minutes, Mitt will tell you he actually favors "corporations" because, after all, "they're people too". Workers... well they only serve one purpose in Mitt-World: something to toss into the Bain volcano.
Romney received a $5,000 contribution from Smith’s leadership political action committee, or Longhorn PAC, in May before Perry announced.
Smith, R-San Antonio, said his endorsement of Romney “does not lessen my regard for Gov. Perry.”
Really, Lamar? You're willing to align yourself with the most loathsome candidate in the field, Mitt Romney? I sure hope that you attached some sort of anti-flip-flopping provision to your donation check. Otherwise, your Longhorn PAC can kiss those $5000 goodbye. Mitt will spend the money on more folksy-looking plaid shirts. Or reprogramming of his cyborg software.
Smith was one of several GOP lawmakers scheduled to meet with Romney during an afternoon briefing as Romney tried to shore up support on Capitol Hill as the fight for the Republican presidential nomination intensified.
Perry has lined up a few endorsements from the Lone Star state congressional delegation. Five Republican Texas congressmen have said they would support the governor in his bid for the presidency: Michael McCaul, Austin; Pete Sessions, Dallas; John Culberson, Houston; John Carter, Round Rock; and Mike Conaway, Midland.
Well, Rick, those are not exactly the heavy hitters. Knowing your love of deep pocket donors, you might have figured out by now that people who say they'll "support" you without leaving you with a five- or six-figure check are really trying to wrap up an unpleasant conversation and get away from you.
Meanwhile...
Rep. Ron Paul, R-Lake Jackson, is supporting his own presidential bid, but has failed to sway any fellow colleagues from Texas to jump on board his campaign.
It’s a lonely road when the only person by your side is the ghost of Ayn Rand. Must be a Libertarian thing. You keep repeating enough times that it’s all about “self” and before you know it, everyone turns their back on you. People can be so mean sometimes.
Perry, meanwhile, is finding that the only attention he's getting is negative.
Illegal immigration has become a hot topic in the Republican presidential primary race. Smith is the author of a bill that would make mandatory businesses in all states to use E-Verify, to check an employee’s immigration status against government electronic data bases after they are opposed.
Well, Perry does not like that one single bit. I mean, what would his deep-pocket corporate buddies do if they had to check all those sub-minimum-wage workers' immigration status? The secret to their "Texas Miracle" is a nice porous border, and nobody asking any pesky questions. None of those folks are going to drop a dime and complain about unsafe work conditions, for fear of jail or deportation. That's just fine with Perry's corporate donors.
Romney has attacked Perry for his opposition to an earlier E-Verify program in Texas, as well as the Texas governor’s support of a measure that allowed children of undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition for college.
Smith is opposed to Dream Act legislation that would allow children of illegal immigrants to receive educational benefits or permanent legal status after graduation.
Life was so much simpler when it was just about Texas. Now Perry's finding out that he's walking a tightrope between his donors who love his laissez-faire attitude to immigration, and the xenophobic, ankle-biting Tea Baggers, who demand an end to any accommodation of Brown People. Will Perry risk alienating his corporate friends to win over the "base" as the new sheriff in town, feigning a tough stance on illegal immigration? Walking a tightrope in cowboy boots can be a real challenge...