Right Place, Right Time
An exquisite sense of timing—and a good deal of luck—has helped transform Rick Perry from an unknown Democratic state legislator into a swaggering Republican who’s spent more years in the Governor’s Mansion than anyone in Texas history. Is it enough to carry him past Kay Bailey Hutchison and all the way to the White House?
42 comments
Sunday, June 10th, 2012, 6:37 am
lyh0322 says:
What a great article, thanks Mr Burka. Heaven help us all indeed. Anybody who cares for the future of this country must pray that this nightmare scenario never comes to pass! I, personally will be voting and proselytizing for Mayor White.
Friday, August 12th, 2011, 1:05 pm
brazilb69 says:
The rest of the nation is on to the joke known as, Governor Perry. He has done a good job of making himself seem so accomplished. He is a teabagging religious nut. And we do not want his steering wheel up our ass!
Thursday, April 7th, 2011, 5:29 pm
ROSIEFleming35 says:
One remembers that today’s life is not very cheap, however people require cash for different issues and not every person gets enough cash. Therefore to receive good loan or term loan would be a right way out.
Monday, May 17th, 2010, 3:06 pm
carrie says:
Scanned through this story yesterday in the supermarket line - in Louisiana I guess we don’t get the most recent Texas Monthlies.
Anyway, the thing that stood out to me was the photo of the child standing behind Perry at a tea party rally. It has got to be one of my favorite Texas political snapshots of all time. A child, holding a sign that says something along the lines of, "Do I pay your mortgage?" My first thought was, "No, baby, but lots of single, childless Texans sure do pay for your school!" But then I thought a little more. And as I thought, the irony of that particular photo blossomed.
A child, holding a sign, saying, "Do I pay your mortgage" behind the single largest welfare recipient in the state of Texas, who is renting probably the most expensive rental-house in Travis county, which is paid for by Texas taxpayers, which should have already had him ousted from his governorship because it’s not even within the legal boundaries of the Texas Governor’s residency.
How’s that for someone not seeing the clear and honest truth right before his eyes because he’s blinded by his own stupidity and the rules do not apply to him? What a tool.
Monday, February 22nd, 2010, 6:46 pm
Marsha says:
Bill White is the only choice!
In 2005, White was challenged for re-election by minor and perennial candidates and won re-election with 91 percent of the vote — the highest percentage received by a mayoral candidate in Houston in 60 years.[31]
During his second term, White focused his work on improving graduation rates in the city’s high schools, enforcing air pollution standards, reducing the possibility of flooding in newer areas, adopted a more flexible system of working hours, and to create public-private initiatives with private business and community organizations to stimulate growth in the city’s most neglected subdivisions.
In 2005, White formed the Mayor’s Wellness Council and launched the Get Moving Houston fitness campaign. Houston had previously been rated “Fattest City in America" by Men’s Fitness magazine. [32]
In 2006, White proposed a series of eight city propositions aimed at improving infrastructure without a tax increase. All eight city propositions passed in a November 2006 election.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_White_(politician)
KBH and Tricky Ricky need to be booted out of politics.
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010, 11:31 am
tsumbra says:
"Sticky Tricky Ricky or Petty WOe MAN"
http://www.voicesnet.org/displayonepoem.aspx?poemid=167015
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010, 3:51 pm
Sandi says:
Finally rid ourselves of Rick Perry and his bad judgement and stop thinking of Debra Medina. Have you researched her stand? OMG! Vote for Kay Bailey Hutchison and her record. Research that instead of listening to the Perry blast on TV! Look before you leap instead of blindly following the mottos of Obama. Look where that went...
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010, 10:09 am
Jim B says:
If we start voting Independently, just don’t vote for some schmo they stick out there that hasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell of winning. If enough of the nation starts voting independently, neither the jackasses nor the elephants will have a filibuster-proof 60% majority any longer. You vote for the best choice, and to that, I would like to add...that means don’t vote for someone who CLAIMS to be Independent, but is actually a puppet of the 1 party system we have.
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010, 12:24 am
Jim B says:
I missed both the debates, but from what I’ve heard from friends who seen both, and from reading this:Debra Medina is the clear logical choice. Heck, even one lifelong true blood Demo said he’d (she) be voting for her. Medina’s a good choice, but I will back up what one person wrote:The Dems would love to see a Perry/Palin ticket in ’12, it will strengthen their campaign in ’12 for ANOTHER 4 years, just like what happened in ’08. So, here ya go folks, try this one on for size.....Let’s get that freeloading Perry out of Texas, BUT BE DAMNED SURE you don’t put him in the white house.....VOTE INDEPENDENT!!!I can’t stress to the masses how important it is that we stop living off of a 2 party (actually a 1 party in disguise)and start listening to and voting for people of other parties. When the head honchos of the DC area see how we start voting, they just might (fingers crossed here) stand up and start listening to the legitimate concerns of WE THE PEOPLE! FREEDOM FOREVER!
Saturday, February 6th, 2010, 1:05 pm
Curtis Shelton says:
Medina is the real choice for Texas Patriots. I got my bumper sticker, and I have never before put a bumper sticker on my vehicle. Love ya
Friday, February 5th, 2010, 4:10 pm
roger says:
Salvador-- I couldn’t have said it better. How about that $9600. monthly rent we taxpayers are paying for their temp home.
Friday, February 5th, 2010, 10:21 am
Salvador says:
It seemd ironic that Mr. Perry and Ms. Hutchison should be railing against "socialism" when they have been living off the public dime for their adult careers. Our Founding Fathers did not envision that the representatives of the people would be wards of the state. They should both retire in favor of someone who has been in the private sector and had to pay his own way.
Thursday, February 4th, 2010, 11:49 pm
Cory says:
Why wasn’t Debra Medina mentioned?
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010, 6:02 pm
Jason says:
This primary is a no-brainer. Debra Medina is the only candidate with any ideas that will work. Vote for freedom and prosperity, vote for Medina!
Monday, February 1st, 2010, 9:11 pm
Jack says:
I am a lifelong liberal democrat, but this time I will be a crossover voter just to be able to vote for Debra Medina. She is my kind of candidate, someone who will throw a monkey wrench into the Perry machine. He has been in office too long and done too little for the state of Texas. The thought of him as president of the US is very scary, maybe terrifying. This guy is only interested in very personal self improvment, and doesn’t care who he steps on to accomplish his selfish goal.
Sunday, January 31st, 2010, 10:46 pm
Frankie Bay says:
yea, Debbie Medina....I am encouraging all I know and meet to vote for freedom. Vote Medina..nuff said.
Saturday, January 30th, 2010, 1:57 am
Robert Messer Jr says:
It sure seems like Texas Monthly is baised and in big favor of Rick Perry. Funny that they immediatly pulled there article that stated Perry won the debate right after the BELO poll came out showing Medina at 68% to Perry’s 22%. Funny that Texas Monthly reset their own poll several times after the first governor debate when Medina was showing a strong lead. TM has lost all my respect.
Debra Medina Rocks! and you know it.
Friday, January 29th, 2010, 10:25 pm
cb says:
Perry and Palin ticket is just what the Dem’s are hoping for. The only two states that are scared to participate in the National Governors Challenge to improve education. Palin in 2016-2018.5
Saturday, January 23rd, 2010, 9:47 pm
Stephen says:
Should Rick Perry capture the White House then by all means Texas should secede from The Union.
Saturday, January 23rd, 2010, 7:13 pm
Donald says:
Perry for Prez??? OM(F)G is right!!!! Oh NOOooo!! Not hell no but,.... You know the rest.
Friday, January 22nd, 2010, 7:35 pm
Deborah says:
Burka does a spendid job providing history and analysis. He also does an excellent job of spinning a tale that scares the bejesus out of me. Perry for President. OMG! and when I think about potential running mates...suicide sounds painless.
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010, 11:04 am
BJ says:
Debra Medina made a real impression and is still being ignored by the media. Wouldn’t it be interesting if Texas could pull off a "big upset" like the one in Massachusetts? We need to pay attention to what is said—not what party a candidate belongs to. Medina has my vote and my support!
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010, 4:08 pm
Thresa says:
I notice Debra Medina wasn’t mentioned in the article. According to recent polls, Medina’s support has tripled since November from 4% to 12%. She is gaining momentum; as Perry and Hutchinson quabble and attack each other, Medina is hitting home with the voters. She certainly captured my attention—and my vote.
Monday, January 18th, 2010, 5:07 pm
Darrel says:
The total absense of the mention of Debra Medina shows that this author knows very little about what the general voters know.
We can continue to do politics as usual or we can vote Medina and make a real change.
Monday, January 18th, 2010, 11:52 am
Sara Oliver says:
Perry has been "knighted" by the Bilderbergs....the worst possible indication for our state or this nation. Hutchinson is not any better. It’s time for a new face....many new faces....in government. We need those who have not yet sold us to the greed of the richest in the world to betray our country in this "New World Order" that is going to reduce the population from 7 billion to 500 million, and leave most of humanity in the state of serfdom.
Saturday, January 16th, 2010, 5:22 pm
says:
Medina’s my pick! I like her approach to restoring liberty and her fresh idea’s. Perry offers nothing new. How do we get change with that?
Saturday, January 16th, 2010, 12:26 pm
ctjohnson says:
It appears to me that only one candidate answered anything with substance. Perry needs to get rid of that slicked hair that makes him look like a weasel. Kay is eh, but like Perry is not truly a conservative. Medina on the other hand seems to really know her stuff. She had me looking up the constitution and reading Article I Section 8 and reading the tenth amendment. I haven’t done that is so many years I cannot remember. Medina actually seems to know what she is talking about. I guarantee this...if communist healthcare is passed...we’re going to want a governor like Medina who will flip the finger to the Feds, point to Article I Section 8 and the tenth amendment and then do what any sovereign state should...nullify an unconstitutional statute from the feds that is NOT lawful by ignoring a law that is not law(unconstitutional). Bravo Ms. Medina...you have my vote.
Saturday, January 16th, 2010, 9:40 am
squandertime says:
perry looked like a real idiot in the debate- did not do well at all- cited the wrong cents on federal gas tax; cited the wrong yrs proving unemployment went down; passionately said he would repeal an the 10 day medical death act when he ignores letters from family on it every day; spoke to KBH as if she was an idiot who didnt undertand a letter.... neither he or KBH stayed after to give a news conference- only MEDINA and I respect her and give her my vote and time and effort.
Friday, January 15th, 2010, 11:14 am
Dustin says:
The debate last night was definitely entertaining. Hutchison and Perry acted like 2 children arguing while Medina actually had substance in her answers. Hutchinson did say some good things, but coming from big government D.C. I think it’s only rhetoric. I feel Medina is the candidate who wants REAL change. She will cut government spending and taxes and lessen the burden on small businesses in Texas!
Friday, January 15th, 2010, 8:13 am
Texan52 says:
I will vote for Medina in the Primary and take some time to research her plans. If it comes down to Rick or Kay, I’ll vote for Kay based ONLY on the promise of E-Verify for Texas.
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010, 5:33 pm
Clothesline Cleaners says:
Governor Perry awarded Green Texas Businesses.
Please check out ClotheslineSA’s vid
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010, 4:26 am
bob says:
"He was the popular mayor of a city of four million people for three terms.
Actually the city’s population is just over 2 million. Harris County’s population is 4 million.
Monday, January 11th, 2010, 4:23 pm
joe says:
Someone please help a fellow read between the lines.
Is or isn’t Burka’s stance "anything that helps a Dem become Gov. of Texas"?
Monday, January 11th, 2010, 3:55 pm
Rainy says:
YES!I would like to see a Perry & Palin ticket!
Rainy
Monday, January 11th, 2010, 3:31 pm
Seth says:
Perry may be an Aggie (Gig ’Em!) but he is NOT a conservative. He’s as bad as (if not worse than) John "McLiberal" McCain. Need I mention "Trans-Texas Corridor?" Can you imagine a "Trans-USA Corridor?" Perry’s unConservative agenda would hurt us as much as Oblahblah has. No thanks. We need a TRUE Conservative as Governor *AND* as President of the United States, if not President of the Republic of Texas. Period.
Monday, January 11th, 2010, 2:05 pm
Miriam Hyman says:
Correction***
Pray it will NOT happen.
Monday, January 11th, 2010, 2:01 pm
Miriam Hyman says:
Rick Perry for president strikes me with the same fear as does all the planets in alignment in 2012 and destroying the world. You don’t know if it will happen or not; but you certainly pray it won't. Either one would be just as devasting.
Monday, January 11th, 2010, 1:51 pm
Dallasblonde says:
Good gawd, Perry running for the Presidency is almost as bad as, Craig James wanting to take Kay Bailey Hutchison’s senate seat!
Monday, January 11th, 2010, 10:24 am
mary says:
Me too, voting for White!
Sunday, January 10th, 2010, 11:50 pm
Alan says:
Not to nitpick, but Hutchison’s current term expires in 2013, not 2012 (the election is in 2012).
Sunday, January 10th, 2010, 10:24 pm
David Hernandez says:
KBH is a wishy-washy Republican-in-name-only. She voted for bailouts, is the lone GOP Congressional porker of the year finalist, and she has run a terrible campaign filled with lies and distortions. Perry has kept Texas #1 in job creation, economic growth, and state fiscal surplus. Easy choice.
Sunday, January 10th, 2010, 4:14 pm
John Blaskowiscz says:
What a great article, thanks Mr Burka. Heaven help us all indeed. Anybody who cares for the future of this country must pray that this nightmare scenario never comes to pass! I, personally will be voting and proselytizing for Mayor White.
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