| The national ambitions of Rick Perry continue to escalate in dramatic fashion just as Texans begin to question the governor's lackluster stewardship of the Lone Star State over the last decade.
While Rick Perry saddles Texans with a conservative estimate of $18 billion dollars in debt, higher utility bills, an underperforming public education system, and escalating homeowner insurance rates, Rick continues to flirt with a run for national office.
This week Perry, who continues to dodge Texas editorial boards, reporters, and media given that they ask too many "silly questions," spoke before a gathering of the National Conference of Editorial Writers. Before we talk about the conference, Texas media is not happy that Rick Perry continues to avoid them. Take a look at KSAT in San Antonio's direct ask of Rick, "What is he avoiding?" But with regards to the National Conference of Editorial Writers, and like a growing number of Texans these days, the writers walked away tremendously unimpressed with Rick Perry. A letter from the Chair of the organization encapsulated the comments of national writers and editors in the following way:
Letter to Gov. Rick Perry
September 23, 2010
Dear Gov. Perry:
The National Conference of Editorial Writers was stunned and disappointed today when you spoke at our luncheon and did not take questions.
Had it been due to a tight schedule, we would have understood. But, clearly, you had ample time to work the room by shaking hands both before and after your talk. You also gave an extended interview before TV cameras in the hallway, in full view of NCEW members for whom you indicated you had no more time.
This is an affront to any notion of civil discourse, such as the kind you have called for on other occasions.
We believe you and your staff have been disingenuous in the characterization of your schedule. If you had hoped to make a positive impression on this national press group, I must tell you that you utterly failed.
Sincerely,
Tom Waseleski
NCEW President
This is not the first time that the Burnt Orange Report has pointed out Rick Perry's growing ambitions to move beyond the Texas Governor's race and focus more on a run for national office. Just as Perry's book entitled "Fed Up" is getting ready to hit bookshelves across America, Texans are standing up and repeating the title to Perry's book--only they are directing their ire at the career politician himself.
Texans are "Fed Up" over Rick Perry's desire to bring Texas down and abuse its prestige for self-political gain. Texans are "Fed Up" with a career politician and his staff-lobbyist-staff rotating through Austin. Finally, Texans are just plain "Fed Up" with Rick Perry's debt ridden stewardship of the Lone Star State.
If Rick Perry wants to run for national office then let him do it. Send him packing on an early campaign trip around the United States talking about his problem-causing skills here in Texas and how great those skills would be in Washington. There is no sense in giving someone four more years as governor when they aren't capable of defending the last ten. It's time to end Rick's rein over Austin and restore integrity to state government. |
