Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
The Texas Supermodel
America is chasing the myth of Texas. Fortunately, we aren’t.
Rick Perry
Latest
201-250 of 553 Articles
Feature
January 21, 2013
Ted or Alive
In the late seventies, Ted Nugent (a.k.a. “the Nuge” or “Uncle Ted”) had the country’s biggest hard-rock touring act—a wild-ass blend of in-your-face energy, obscene language, and a well-placed loincloth. Now he’s the country’s biggest gun rights advocate—and all that’s changed is the loincloth.
Bum Steers
January 21, 2013
The 2012 Bum Steer Awards
It was a year of avaricious Astros fans, brainless bank robbers, competence-free comptrollers, discourteous doctors, enraged exes, frisky Frisco-ites, greedy gram-toting grandmothers, hotheaded hand surgeons, ill-informed idiots, jammed-full Jaguars, knife-krazy Kimbroughs, lambasted Lufkinites, mean-spirited magazine articles, nervy narcotics users, obtuse O’Neals, profane pilots, quazy Quaids, romantically rejected receivers, surveilling Scientologists,
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
Commercial Appeal
It's no accident that Rick Perry has a 10-0 election record. Watch the campaign ads that helped convince voters he was the man for the job.
Politics & Policy
January 21, 2013
The Great Campaigner
After eleven contested elections dating back three decades, Rick Perry remains undefeated. Is he brilliant? Lucky? Ruthless? We asked the people who know best—his vanquished opponents.
Food & Drink
January 21, 2013
My Last Meal
We asked a few famous Texans what their last Texas meal would be.
Texas History
January 20, 2013
Ring of Fire
On November 18, 1999, at 2:42 a.m., the most passionately observed collegiate tradition in Texas—if not the world—came crashing down. Nearly sixty people were on top of the Texas A&M Bonfire when the million-pound structure collapsed, killing twelve, wounding dozens more, and eventually leading to the suspension of the ninety-year-old
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
Rick Perry
“We’ve got roads to build and agencies to fix and health care to be dispensed and cancers to cure. And that’s what I’m focusing on.”
The Culture
January 20, 2013
151–175
From the construction of the state’s first public university in College Station to the swearing in of Governor Rick Perry for a third full term in Austin
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
Power Company
As we head into the most critical legislative session in decades—maybe ever—the question is not just, Who are the people with the most clout at the Capitol? It’s also, What do they want?
News & Politics
January 20, 2013
Separated At Death
Ernest Willis spent seventeen years on death row for a crime he didn’t commit. And he has a few things to say about the case of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was executed in 2004 for a strangely similar crime that many experts believe he didn’t commit either.
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
TRANSCRIPT: “Very Few People Get off of Texas Death Row Alive”
Michael Hall’s exclusive interview with Ernest Willis.
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
Let There Be Right
The Republicans whipped the Democrats in November. Now what are they going to do?
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
Right Place, Right Time
A year ago Rick Perry’s political future seemed to be in peril. Now he’s looking past the 2010 elections—and all the way to the White House. Think I’m kidding? How about a cup of tea?
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
It’s Rick Perry’s Party Now
Sophisticated, likable politician? Arrogant, not-ready- for-prime-time player? Rick Perry is both—as well as the presumptive next governor of Texas.
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
Bush v. Perry
Comparing Rick Perry's 2010 campaign to George W. Bush's 1998 reelection campaign.
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
Can Rick Perry Stand On His Own?
And just how long are his coattails? Texas politics is always interesting, but the 2002 election—with two formidable tickets, four big races, and a healthy debate over whether this is still a two-party state—promises to be one for the books.
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
“Friedman’s Just Another Word for Nothing Left to Lose”
The Kinky-for-governor circus pulls into Galveston.
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
The Great White Hope
During his three terms in office, Houston’s Bill White has been one of the most popular big-city mayors in America. Now he’s just the latest in a long line of Texas Democrats trying to win a statewide election. What makes Mayor Bill think he can break a fifteen-year losing streak?
Bum Steers
January 20, 2013
The 2007 Bum Steer Awards
It was a year of aggrieved actors, banned boobs, Cuban commodes, DeLay denial, errant Elmo, frisky floaters, grouchy governors, hung hoopsters, immigration insensitivity, job-seeking judges, klobbered Karl, Longhorn lushes, miffed musicians, nude no-no’s, ousted Osteens, peeved passers, quarreling queens, riled Rangers, subpar sheriffs, tiny “terrorists,” unseemly URLs, vice presidential violence,
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
Boy’s Life
They may disagree on just about everything, but Rick Perry and Bill White have one thing in common: a Texas childhood.
Politics & Policy
January 20, 2013
The Thrilla in Vanilla
The looming clash between Republican gubernatorial candidates Rick Perry and Kay Bailey Hutchison may not be as fearsome as the storied Ali-Frazier bout, but it’s the heavyweight showdown every Texas political junkie has been waiting for.
Feature
January 20, 2013
Dome Away From Home
Inside the Eighth Wonder of the World—the largest shelter ever organized by the American Red Cross—faith, hope, and charity helped the survivors of Hurricane Katrina begin the process of rebuilding their lives.
Politics & Policy
January 11, 2013
WFAA, citing “a source” who has spoken with “GOP donors,” says Abbott will run for governor
WFAA’s Brad Watson posted the story on the Dallas station’s website yesterday evening: There is a strong indication Thursday that state’s top lawyer has set his sights upon the Texas Governor’s Mansion. A source who has spoken with Republican donors says Attorney General Greg Abbott is saying he’ll run for
Politics & Policy
January 10, 2013
Prelude to cronyism?
Rick Perry’s latest comment about CPRIT, the state’s embattled cancer-fighting agency, is disturbing. He says, six years after the agency was created with the mission of curing cancer, that the legislative intent included “creating wealth.” At the same time, Perry dismissed the importance of basic research, saying “Basic research takes
Politics & Policy
January 8, 2013
Day 1: Two speeches
After the members of the House took the oath of office this afternoon, they heard from two of the state’s leaders. One was Joe Straus, who had just won a third term as speaker, this time by acclamation. The other was Rick Perry, who is presumed to be running for
Politics & Policy
October 31, 2012
Forbes: FL & TX governors could cost hospitals billions
The headline of the Forbes story was: RICK PERRY AND RICK SCOTT COULD COST HOSPITALS BILLIONS From Forbes: The nation’s state and local public hospitals may face an increase of more than $50 billion in the costs of uncompensated care by 2019 if states decide against participating in
Politics & Policy
September 21, 2012
The devil’s work
Rick Perry’s recent pronouncement about religion and politics—“Church and state separation is the devil’s work”—is an indication of why he will not get anywhere if he tries to run for president again. He might as well wear a stamp on his forehead labeled “extremist.”No doubt there are people in America
Politics & Policy
August 31, 2012
Greg Abbott’s War
The state attorney general on Obamacare, secession, and challenges to Texas sovereignty.
Style & Design
July 31, 2012
The Governor’s Mansion Renovation Has Some Preservationists Wringing Their Hands
The recent renovation to the state's most historic home left some preservationists worried that the changes to the mansion would be too significant.
Politics & Policy
June 13, 2012
Takeaways From the GOP Convention
In reading the last couple of days of convention coverage, I found two key takeaways that have been overlooked:(1) Rick Perry is still very strong with the base of his party. He still connects with the rank and file when he makes a rousing speech, as he did at the convention
Books
May 31, 2012
It’s Not About the Guv
There’s more to Texas politics than Rick Perry. Gail Collins's new book demonstrates that the Northeastern media establishment doesn't understand that.
Politics & Policy
April 23, 2012
“Why don’t the state’s business leaders stand up to Perry?”
This was the headline of Patricia Kilday Hart’s strong column in the Houston Chronicle last week. It asks a good question. Her focus is on the Greater Houston Partnership. I asked a similar question a couple of years ago–why isn’t the business community more involved in state government?–and
Politics & Policy
April 23, 2012
Former A&M president, distinguished alumnus, assail regents
Writing in The Eagle, the newspaper for Bryan-College Station, president emeritus Ray Bowen and distinguished alumnus John Hagler charge that A&M regents have “failed the university.” The article appeared on April 21, San Jacinto Day, the most important date on the Aggie calendar. This is the day on
Politics & Policy
April 20, 2012
Perry backs Dewhurst for Senate
This ought to end any speculation about whether there is a real contest for Hutchison’s Senate seat. Now there is no race, though there never really had been one from the beginning. Dewhurst was a cinch to win. Too much money, too much name I.D, too insignificant opposition. He was
Politics & Policy
April 16, 2012
Grover Norquist Perry
The Texas Tribune had a story yesterday by Ross Ramsey about Perry’s fight to stay relevant (my characterization, not Ramsey’s). From the Trib: On Monday, he will unveil a financial pledge and challenge candidates in Texas to sign on, agreeing to oppose new taxes and tax increases, to
Politics & Policy
April 8, 2012
The Meeting of the Ricks
Erstwhile presidential candidate Rick Perry met with Rick Santorum in Austin, but the details of their discussion are unknown. Maybe Santorum hopes the state will switch to a winner-takes-all primary.
Bum Steers
March 1, 2012
Roar of the Crowd
Tears on Our SteersYour portrayal of Governor Perry is totally insulting. Whether you agree or disagree with his politics, he is the governor of our great state and, as such, deserves a measure of respect. Jo Snoddy Cleburne Shame on TEXAS MONTHLY for using a caricature drawn by some green-behind-the-ears
Politics & Policy
February 15, 2012
Perry to ABC: “Absolutely” will run for president again
This smacks of a desperate attempt to stay relevant. Perry’s brand is tarnished, even in Texas. In a statewide poll commissioned by the Dallas Morning News at the end of January, his job approval rating was lower than Obama’s. He finished toward the back of the pack in every
February 13, 2012
Perry Blasts Obama in Op-Ed About the Keystone XL Pipeline
The governor took a page from his presidential campaign playbook and slammed the president in the pages of the Wall Street Journal.
Politics & Policy
February 8, 2012
Perry’s plans
Perry has been in the news this week, mainly about discussions of his future plans: Fox News ran a story on Monday, which begins: The governor and his wife, Anita Perry, in their first interview since Perry dropped out of the Republican presidential race, told Fox News that they
Politics & Policy
February 1, 2012
Is There Life After Rick Perry?
When Rick Perry, the longest-serving governor in Texas history loses his first campaign ever, what happens to him? More importantly, what happens to us?
January 31, 2012
Mo’ Problems, Less Money
Rick Perry raised only $2.9 million in the last quarter of 2011, new campaign finance documents reveal.
Politics & Policy
January 26, 2012
The Texas newspapers’ poll
The results are hardly surprising. In a recent post, I raised the question of whether Perry could be reelected. I didn’t think so then, and I don’t think so now. And the talk from Ray Sullivan and the Perry team that he could run for president in 2016
Politics & Policy
January 16, 2012
Does Rick Perry Make a Better Action Figure than Presidential Candidate?
Hero Builder, a toy company based in Connecticut, created two action figures of the governor complete with "Oops" sound bite.
News & Politics
January 1, 2012
Why We Chose Rick Perry as Our 2012 Bum Steer of the Year
We only need 53 seconds to explain.
News & Politics
January 1, 2012
Decision 2012
No one wants to give the governor a Bum Steer. No one wants to poke fun at the elected representative of 25 million Texans. In fact, when Rick Perry launched his presidential campaign four and a half months ago, we felt compelled to defend him (a little) from the slings
Politics & Policy
December 7, 2011
How the media could save Perry
As the ranks of Republican candidates thin with Herman Cain’s decision to suspend his campaign, the remaining serious candidates are reduced to three: Romney, Gingrich, and Perry. No, I haven’t forgotten Ron Paul. I just dismiss him as a contender. He can get his share of the votes, but he
Politics & Policy
December 5, 2011
Perry courts Cain supporters
Politico’s Ben Smith noted yesterday that Rick Perry’s Facebook page appeals to Cain voters to switch their allegiance to Perry in the wake of Cain’s suspension of his presidential campaign. There is a photo of Cain and Perry, with the phrase “Both Washington Outsiders” between them.
Politics & Policy
December 2, 2011
What is Perry’s message?
Perry’s recent comments in New Hampshire about federal bureaucrats–that he would send them to “some really god-awful place” if he failed to implement his policies–may not seem like a big deal, but it does indicate something important: how far he has strayed off-message. Remember, this is a candidate whose