What is the base of the Republican Party in a general election? It's around 39% statewide.
That's the total percent of the vote Rick Perry received in 2006 in his re-election. Given 4 options, only 39% would go with Governor Perry.
Clearly Rick Perry is more out of touch than the original numbers indicate.
Rasmussen has released a poll that shows Rick Perry's call to secede from the United States of America are hugely unpopular. Only 18% of those polled would vote to secede if the election to secede were held today.
Thirty-one percent (31%) of Texas voters say that their state has the right to secede from the United States and form an independent country.
However, the latest Rasmussen Reports poll in the state finds that if the matter was put to a vote, it wouldn't even be close. Three-fourths (75%) of Lone Star State voters would opt to remain in the United States. Only 18% would vote to secede, and seven percent (7%) are not sure what they'd choose.
At the most basic levels, the Reasmussen poll indicates all of the teabaggers who hollered and shouted for joy during Perry's repeated call for secession represent an extreme minority of the state at 18%. It further shows just how out of touch the organizers of this Republican press stunt really are.
With 31% of Texans saying Texas has a right to seceded and only 18% actually wanting to secede, Perry has clearly hung his re-election hopes squarely on the far right. Will this anti-American sentiment work? Sadly, it's too early to tell. However, Texans do support our country and I would be interested in seeing some polling numbers to see how people feel about the Federal Recovery and Re-investment Act and how they feel about Barack Obama. It's clear Perry does not have his finger on the pulse of the average Texans, so let's see who does.
The Texas Workforce Commission has more bad news for Texas.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 6.7 percent in March, while the U.S. unemployment rate climbed to 8.5 percent. The Texas unemployment rate is up from 6.5 percent in February and 4.6 percent in March 2008.
Texas' seasonally adjusted nonagricultural employment fell by 47,100 in March, following a loss of 52,400 jobs in February. Texas recorded a net loss of 106,500 jobs in the past 12 months...
Gov. Perry continues to ignore the increasing job numbers. In fact, Perry has decided his office will discuss seceding rather than how to curb job loss or how to use federal money to solidify Texas' standing in the national and global markets.
There is some good news.
Trade, Transportation and Utilities added 5,800 jobs in March, and the Financial Services industry grew by 3,100 jobs. Education and Health Services gained 300 jobs in March for an increase of 59,600 jobs over the year reflecting a strong job growth rate of 4.7 percent. Industry losses hit Construction and Manufacturing the hardest, down 18,800 and 11,900 jobs, respectively.
Problem is the industries most important to our general infrastructure and growth continue to underperform or lose jobs.
There is a solution. Take and apply the federal Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding so Texas can train and help Texans find jobs.
"TWC has allocated millions in federal stimulus dollars to support training and to help Texans find jobs," said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Ronny Congleton. "Workforce centers across the state are ready to help job seekers with work search, skills training and other services."
When we don't ignore the problem, we can find solutions.
Yesterday Gov. Rick Perry continued to show his hypocrisy and lack of leadership. Perry accepted stimulus dollars after launching an aggressive campaign opposing the needed funds.
House Democratic Leader and Chairman of the Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding, Jim Dunnam, wrote a memo to Gov Perry explaining the importance and benefits of the infusion of federal money. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act requires the Governor or the Legislature to formally request investments from the stimulus bill. In addition there is a small window, 45 days, to request the federal stimulus.
As you know, President Barack Obama will today sign into law H.R.1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also known as the federal economic stimulus bill. The stimulus bill contains nearly $790 billion in tax cuts and key federal investments, including billions of dollars for infrastructure funding and incentives for job creation in Texas.
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I respectfully request that you immediately take the appropriate action under the Act to certify both that Texas will request and use the funds provided for by the Act and that the funds will be used to create jobs and promote economic growth. Because of ongoing deadlines, we do not need to delay acceptance, as there is a great deal of work necessary. If you would prefer to have the Legislature make the acceptance of the funds by concurrent resolution, which is also provided for in the Act, I stand ready to assist in that option. And if this is the case, I would request you designate the Legislature's consideration of the Act an emergency item for this legislative session so we can move the resolution more rapidly through the process.
Rep. Dunnam copied Speaker of the Texas House Joe Straus and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst to the letter as well. It is time to act and create and preserve Texas jobs and insulate our economy from further deterioration.
The clock is ticking. We have 45 days to accept or reject the Recovery and Reinvestment funding. The Governor can take a pass and let the legislature do the work or he can end his political posturing and help the tens of thousands of Texans in need.
