GOVERNOR RICK PERRY...

FACTS Table of Contents:

A. Basic INFO ON RICK PERRY B. SOME GENERAL ISSUE POSITIONS C. ENERGY and ENVIROMENT D. BUDGET and TAXES E. BORDER SECURITY and AMNESTY F. TEXAS UNDER PERRY'S LEADERSHIP G. PERRY'S and THE LEGISLATURE H. PERRY DIFFERENT THAN BUSH I. PERRY NOTABLE QUOTES J. CAN PERRY WIN? K. RICK PERRY'S A and M COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS L. LINK TO CHECK PERRY CONTRIBUTORS SINCE 1998

1. Basic Info on Rick Perry

A fifth-generation Texan, Perry was born on March 4, 1950, to Ray and Amelia Perry. The Perrys raised their two children, Ricky and Milla, in a modest frame house with no indoor plumbing in the tiny, unincorporated town of Paint Creek, in the southeastern corner of Haskell County. His father worked their 10,000-acre cotton farm and was a county commissioner for 28 years; his mother was a bookkeeper at a nearby gin. They lived a simple, rural life, milking cows, churning butter, and tending their small garden. Perry attended a one-story brick schoolhouse, he played football, and rounded out his wholesome upbringing by making Eagle Scout. Source: Texas Monthly. When he was sixteen years old, he went on his first date with Anita Thigpen, a city gal from nearby Haskell (population 2,780). They sat together at halftime during a local football game, an innocent beginning to their sixteen-year courtship. They would marry in 1982. Perry enrolled in Texas A & M University and graduated in 1972 with a degree in Animal Science. While there, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets (a military-inspired leadership program), a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and one of A&Ms five Yell Leaders (a popular Texas A&M tradition analogous to male cheerleaders). In 1972, after graduation, he was commissioned in the U. S. Air Force, completed pilot training, and flew C-130 tactical airlift aircraft, cargo planes that were affectionately referred to as trash haulers by Perry and his cohorts. Perry was stationed in Germany and Saudi Arabia and flew in Central and South America, North Africa and all over Europe. He left the Air Force in 1977 with the rank of captain and returned to Texas. Unlike the other leading candidates for the 2012 election (Obama included), Perry is a veteran who gave five years of his life in the service of his country. For the next seven years, Perry farmed cotton and tended the family ranch in rural westTexas with his dad. His wife worked as a nurse in nearby Haskell, her hometown. He decided to go into politics in 1984 and was elected to the Texas House of Representatives (eventually to three terms), then to Agriculture Commissioner (two terms), and finally to Lieutenant Governor. He took over as Governor in December 2000 when George Bush resigned to run for President. Perry was later elected to Governor three times (2002, 2006, and 2010). Perry is a self-avowed Christian who grew up Methodist, and currently attends Lake Hills Church in Austin. He is a social conservative who supports voluntary prayer in public schools. He is married to his childhood sweetheart Anita, who holds a masters degree in nursing and worked as a nurse for 17 years. The couple has two grown children.

2. Some General Issue Positions Perry supports the repeal of ObamaCare. In his State of the State Address in February, 2011, he said, its time to repeal ObamaCare, with its mandates that will cripple our healthcare system, and a price tag that will bust our budget. Our Medicaid population and accompanying financial burden are growing as we speak, and, in 2014, ObamaCare will cause them to explode. This Washington-centric healthcare plan puts many states on a collision course with bankruptcy. Perry supports the 2nd Amendment, is a lifetime member of the NRA, and even has a personal Texas concealed carry license. The NRA gives Perry an A+. Support for the 2nd Amendment is more important than ever as Obama backs a pending United Nations effort that could bring international gun control into the United States and slap Americas gun owners with severe restrictions. Gov. Perry is a steadfast advocate for the rights of the unborn. He has implemented significant reforms to protect life, including parental consent and mandatory sonogram laws. Perry has been an unapologetic supporter of pro-life legislation and has signed into law all pro-life bills passed by the Texas legislature. Gov. Perry also opposes federal funding of abortion and human embryonic stem cell research. He signed bills into law this session (SB 7 and HB 1) that contain provisions that prohibit tax dollars from funding abortions and will defund Planned Parenthood. Gov. Perry continues to be a staunch supporter of Israel. After a trip to the area in 2007, the governor supported Texas divestment from companies that do business with Iran, a main opponent of Israeli freedom. Additionally, the Texas-Israel Chamber of Commerce was created to help launch future commercial interests and solidify the strong business and cultural connections between the two states. In 2009, Gov. Rick Perry received the Defender of Jerusalem Award, given to public figures who have demonstrated support and commitment to the state of Israel and its capitol, Jerusalem. The governor accepted the award while on his trip to Israel, where he also met with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and business and academic leaders. During that trip, Perry gave an interview to the Jerusalem Post in which he affirmed his support for Israel, Im a big believer that this country was given to the people of Israel a long time ago, by God, and thats ordained. In April 2009 and again in 2011, Perry endorsed a resolution supporting state sovereignty, under the argument that the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution reserves such authority. On April 9, 2009, Perry said, I believe that our federal government has become oppressive in its size, its intrusion into the lives of our citizens, and its interference with the affairs of our State. That is why I am here today to express my unwavering support for efforts all across our country to reaffirm the States rights affirmed by the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I believe that returning to the letter and spirit of the U.S. Constitution and its essential 10th Amendment will free our State from undue regulations, and ultimately strengthen our Union. 3. Energy / Environment

Perry opposes regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and has stated that he supports an all of the above energy strategy including oil, coal, nuclear, biofuels, hydroelectric, solar, and wind energy. He also signed the Americans for Prosperity pledge which states that he will oppose any legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue. Under Perry, Texas is moving aggressively to create a diverse portfolio of energy sources, including renewable, natural gas, coal and nuclear power to meet the needs of the growing population in an eco-sensitive manner. Texas continues to lead the nation in oil and gas exploration and production, generating nearly one-third of all domestic natural gas, and containing one-fourth of all U.S. oil reserves and refining capacity. Texas has more oil refineries, chemical plants and coal-fired power plants than any other state. As a result, Texas does produce the most greenhouse gas emissions and industrial pollution in the country, but Texas is also the national leader in reducing emissions and known pollutants and advancing renewable energy sources. Texas has done so while balancing the need for environmental improvements with fostering economic growth, new investment and job creation. Yet the oil-and-gas state has nonetheless emerged as the nations top producer of a commodity prized by environmentalists: wind power. Eager developers are covering its desolate western mesas with giant turbines. The worlds largest wind farm began operations in Texas in October, 2009, and the state now has close to three times as much wind capacity as Iowa, the second-ranked state. Texas has more wind generation capacity than all but five other countries. Texas set a strong renewable energy requirement back in 1999 (when George W. Bush was governor) and quickly exceeded it. By 2008, 5 percent of the states electricity came from wind power by 2010, wind power accounted for 7.8 percent of the total. Source: The Ft. Worth Star Telegram. Want a more in-depth look at Texas energy production? Heres a link to a detailed discussion of the states resources and production capabilities. Source: Consumer Energy Alliance. Texas cares little for environmental niceties. Gov. Perry does care about protecting the environment and cleaning our air, but in a way that balances common sense policies while protecting jobs and job creators a priority that seems of little concern to the EPA. Texas has substantially cleaned its air since 2000 while remaining the nations number one job creator. Rick Perry, bashes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at every opportunity, and recently branded the climate bill that passed the U. S. House a legislative monstrosity. Perry had this to say about the EPA: When we combine lower utility taxes with increased, diversified production, we will preserve our role as the nations energy leader. Unfortunately, our strength in petrochemical production and refining makes us a big target on the radar of an increasingly activist EPA, whose one-size-fits-all approaches could severely harm our energy sector; an agency whose potential to harm our state with punitive actions will only increase in the months and years to come. He has been a major thorn in the side of the EPA. Texas was the lone state that refused to comply with the EPAs plans for issuing new, more stringent greenhouse gas permits. The state had been issuing its own permits, a plan that was struck down by a federal appeals court. Under Texas own plan, the state had already decreased ozone levels by 27 percent from 2000 to

2009, more than any other state in the nation, and improved NOx emissions by nearly 58 percent. 4. Budget and Taxes In the 2010-11 legislative session, faced with a $27 Billion dollar budget deficit (a two-year budget), Perry and the Texas legislature had few options except to raise taxes or cut spending in order to balance the budget (required by the Texas Constitution). Perry and the legislature chose not to raise taxes, instead they cut spending while retaining about $6 billion in the states Rainy Day contingency fund. Perry is the only Texas governor since World War II to cut generalfund spending from the previous biennium. It is reassuring to know that Governor Perry has remained committed to his low tax philosophy during his entire tenure as governor. For example, in 2003, he also worked with lawmakers to balance the budget without raising taxes, when the state faced a similar, challenging budget situation. In 2006, he directed the Texas Workforce Commission to give Texas employers a tax credit because of surplus funds in the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, saving employers over $300 million between 2007 and 2008. And in 2008, he directed that the Unemployment Insurance Replenishment Tax charged to Texas businesses be suspended, saving an estimated 370,000 employers $90 million. In 2009, Gov. Perry cut business taxes for more than 40,000 Texas small businesses by more than tripling the tax exemption from $300,000 to $1 million. In 2011, he fought to extend the exemption until 2014. Also in 2009, Perry signed the Americans for Tax Reform pledge, which states that signatories will oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes. Governor Perry has also signed the Cut, Cap, Balance pledge in 2011, one of only four Governors to do so. During a speech at the 2011 Conservative Political Action Conference in February, Perry said,Were stuck in this frustrating paradox where Washington actually neglects the things theyre clearly supposed to be doing, while interfering in other areas in which they are neither welcome nor authorized. Americans want government that is leaner, more efficient, and less intrusive into their personal lives. They want government that will live within its means. Americans are obviously fed up with the so-called progressive movement that, long ago, set aside the peoples interests in favor of expanding government and raising taxes while doing the bidding of labor unions and activist judges. According to a 2009 Census Bureau report, Texas ranked 49th among the states in per-capita taxes, at a low $1,434 a year. Currently, Texas imposes no tax on personal income or capital gains. Perry remains opposed to a Texas state income tax and recently he vetoed a bill that would have required online merchants to collect sales taxes from Texas customers. A recent state-by-state comparison study by the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) found that Texas had a state tax burden of 7.9%, compared to a U.S. average of 9.8%. And the Texas gross state product grew 94.3% over 10 years, vs. 66.3% for the rest of the country. The link goes to the TPPF website where you can see for yourself how the states compare. In April 2011, The Small Business and Entrepreneurial Council (SBEC) ranked Texas as having the second best tax system in the country for small business and entrepreneurship.

On April 18, 2011, Standard and Poors placed the United States on notice that it was at risk of having its pristine credit rating lowered if politicians in Washington could not agree on a plan to bring down the nations deficits over the long term. At that same point they lowered their outlook for Americas long-term credit rating to negative from stable. When Washington failed to heed their warning they lowered the US rating from AAA to AA+ on August 5, 2011. In contrast the State of Texas is on a opposite path with Standard and Poors. On August 13, 2009 S&P decided to raise the States credit rating from AA to AA+ based on several factors outlined in a Press Release from the Office of the Governor Rick Perry. Now for the first time both the United States and the State of Texas enjoy the same AA+ Credit Rating from Standard and Poors; but based on the recent US downgrade report it appears that the two governments are headed in opposite directions. Perhaps it would be wise for Washington to follow the policies that are working in Texas instead of the present policies that have failed to produce jobs and a sustained economic recovery. Source: News Race Article (also contains the Governors press release). Governor Perry is also on record as supporting a balanced U.S. budget and a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. 5. Border Security and Amnesty Perry has said that federal immigration enforcement has failed and that Texas must protect its own borders. The following statement on border security was made at Perrys State of the State Address in February, 2007. I am proposing a $100 million investment in a more secure border. There is no such thing as homeland security without border security. It is not hyperbole to say terrorists view our international border with Mexico as a prime point of entry that is the conclusion of the U.S. intelligence community. While the vast majority of people who come here illegally are economic migrants simply seeking a better life, the small percentage seeking to cause us harm doesnt dress differently. Nor do they put out press advisories in advance of their arrival. They dont want us to know they are here until they have done mortal damage to our people. I support strategic fencing in urban areas along the border. But I also believe, like border sheriffs, that the best solution involves added manpower, not unmanned walls. From a statement on Governor Perrys website, Securing our southern border is a federal responsibility, but the effects of the federal governments failure to live up to that responsibility are big problems in Texas. As a result, our state has spent more than $230 million over the past several years to protect our communities and fill in the sizable gaps left by insufficient federal efforts. Texas is paying border officers overtime to stretch their training and abilities further. Weve added state-of-the-art aviation assets, including helicopters, and advanced communications and tactical equipment. The state also has established Joint Operation and Intelligence Centers in each Border Patrol Sector and created quick-response units like Trooper Strike Teams and Texas Ranger Recon

Teams that can effectively counter criminal activity in even the most remote areas of the border region. And in another statement the governor said, The Obama administration must dedicate more Border Patrol agents to Texas. In fact, I have asked Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to assign an additional 3,000 agents to the Texas-Mexico border. The current Texas Border Patrol staffing level of 7,700 is entirely inadequate considering that our state shares more than 1,200 miles of border with Mexico roughly 64 percent of the entire American southern boundary. In January 2009, I requested that until those staffing levels are increased, 1,000 Title 32 National Guard troops be deployed along the Texas-Mexico border in direct support of current state border-security operations. After nearly two years, I have yet to receive a substantial response to my requests for help. Instead, under its own plan, the Obama administration sent just 286 National Guardsmen to the Texas border - a scant 20 percent of the 1,200 Guardsmen the White House deployed along the entire border. When the Texas/Mexico border extends for some 1,200 miles (out of a 1,954 mile total U.S. border), Texas had every right to expect a pro-rated share of the 1,200 Guardsmen, or 768 guardsmen. Instead, Texas got 286 a grossly insufficient number. So, Perry wrote yet another letter to the President respectfully requesting an additional 1,000 federal agents to help secure the Texas/Mexico border. Since previous letters to President Obama got no response, Perry attempted to hand deliver this one directly to the President. The two met briefly on the tarmac as the President de-planed in Austin, Texas in August of 2010. With the whole incident caught on video, Obama refused to personally accept the letter and Perry was forced to hand it to presidential adviser Valerie Jarrett. There was already no love lost between Perry and Obama, but to publically rebuff the governor of Texas (or any governor) by refusing to accept a hand delivered letter? What other President would show so little class as to do that? None, except Obama. Update: Rick Perry understands border security. Americas Third Eye on the Border."Hidden Motion Detections Cameras." After six years of fierce partisan battling, Gov. Perry signed SB 14, the 2011 Immigration bill on May 27, 2011. Known as the Voter ID bill, the law requires that voters in Texas will be required to produce a simple photo ID to verify their identity before casting their vote. Additionally, an amendment was added to a finance bill that requires that every person who applies for a Texas drivers license be verified in the federal immigration databases through a program called Secure Communities. The change gives the Texas Department of Public Safety the authority to make sure someone is in the country legally before issuing a Texas drivers license. On the issue of amnesty, Governor Perry addressed a 2008 Governors Conference in Miami and made this statement: I hope that there are 43 Republican Senators, and some thoughtful Democrats who realize that if you want to be an American citizen heres the way you do it you need to get in line just like everyone else. Go get in that immigration line like everyone who came before you. Now do we want to have sensible immigration policies that allow people who want to come into our state and work. Absolutely. Secure that border, have a sensible immigration policy, and if you want to be a citizen of the United States, theres the line. But to go give 13 million people a citizenship because you came here illegally is is Asinine! An estimated 1.6 million illegal immigrants are currently residing in Texas, according to the Pew Hispanic Center in Washington and exert an enormous strain on the states ability to provide

the services that legal residents have a right to expect. To see more of Texas Hispanic (legal and illegal) population, here is a Pew Hispanic Center site with that data. 6. Texas under Perrys leadership Let's us be clear, Rick Perry is not solely responsible for the successes (or failures) of Texas. However without excellent Leadership it won't happen. The states legislature (with Republicans in the majority) and a generally conservative population are partners in the states achievements. But, these successes have come about on his watch and have benefited from his political persuasion. He has led the state for ten years during this growth period in Texas. In the last five years, Texas a right-to-work state - added more net jobs than the other 49 states combined (net jobs is the result of jobs created minus jobs lost). Since the recovery began two years ago, Texas has created 37 percent of Americas net new jobs. And even with a record influx of job seekers from other states, the unemployment rate in the state (8.2%, June, 2011) continues to be below the 9.2% national average. Source: Freedom Politics. Texas has been the hands-down winner in the national jobs-growth contest for quite some time. Since June 2009, when the recession ended, Texas has added 265,300 net jobs, accounting for 45 percent of net U.S. job creation. Over the last ten years, while Perry has been governor, the numbers are even better: Texas created more than 1 million jobs during this period, more than all other states combined; while California, New York, Florida, and Illinois have combined to lose 930,000 jobs. Source : Texas Public Policy Foundation. In 2005, Gov. Perry signed a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Perry supports a U.S constitutional amendment to prevent same-sex marriage. But, until that amendment becomes part of the constitution, he believes that the Tenth Amendment supports individual states determining what is appropriate for their populace. When questioned about gays in the military returning to Texas, Mr. Perry responded that Texans have made a decision about marriage, and if there is some other state that has a more lenient view than Texas, then maybe thats a better place for them to live. As part of the 2011 session, he also signed a school finance reform package that provided a 33 percent school property tax reduction, a $2,000 pay raise for teachers, and record funding for classrooms. Over the past decade, average teacher salaries have increased by 30%. ($38,361 in 2000-01; $49,544 in 2009-10). Perry pushed for better schools through a combination of raising teachers pay; a return to the basics of math, history, and science; and enforcing higher standards and greater accountability. Perry mandated 65% of every tax dollar be spent directly in the classroom and ordered all districts to make their financial records public for all taxpayers to see. Today, Texas has the nations largest teacher performance pay program and is recognized as a leader in preparing students to graduate high school, college- or career-ready. While national rankings still suffer, students scores in Texas continue to rise and a record number graduate and enter college. In 2009, Perry signed legislation that is designed to remake Texas accountability system to ensure that high school graduates are ready for college, military, and the workplace. (The new tests will begin during the 2011-12 school year.). Texas has been a national leader in adopting college- and career-ready curriculum standards, textbooks and assessments that will ensure

Texas students graduate prepared to succeed in college and the workplace. The states national leadership in this area was noted by Education Week magazine. Under the 44 Recommended High School Graduation Plan, students are required to graduate with four courses in the core subjects of math, science, English and social studies. Schools are also required to offer students 12 hours of dual credit in college courses. The governor has signed budgets that cut overall general revenue spending, while increasing the states share of public education spending by 48% between the 2000-01 biennium and the 201213 biennium ($25 billion in 2000-01, expended/budgeted; $37 billion in 2012-13, appropriated). The average Texas expenditure per student increased from $6,769 in 2000-01 to $9,965 in 2008-09, a 44% increase. In 2011, Texas had the largest state-sponsored teacher incentive pay program in the nation. The program is unique in that it gives block grants to districts, granting them local control to fashion their programs to address local needs. As governor, Perry has actively opposed the federalization of the state curriculum, declining to apply for Race to the Top funds, which would have required Texas to turn over its curriculum standards to unelected federal bureaucrats. His position was that the elected officials of the State Board of Education are in the best position to determine our states standards. As of May, 2011, Texas was one of only three states (plus the District) that have rebounded to their pre-recession employment levels, according to statistics provided by the Federal Reserve Board of Dallas. Texas placed five locales on Americas Economically Strongest Metro Areas list in Bloomberg Business Weeks review. See the slideshow here. Six Texas metro areas Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, McAllen, and San Antonio - were among the 20 strongest-performing cities in the country, according to the Brookings InstitutesTracking Economic Recession and Recovery in Americas 100 Largest Metropolitan Areas from December 2010. Newsweek placed the Texaplex (Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston) first in its Top 10 American Cities Best Situated for Recovery poll and which has become the No. 1 destination for job-seeking Americans, thanks to a hearty energy sector and a strong spirit of entrepreneurism. Texas is now home to more Fortune 500 companies than any state in the nation. Why? According to Perry: Texas low taxes, reasonable and predictable regulatory climate, fair legal system, and skilled workforce have made the Lone Star State a beacon for job creation and economic growth. Governor Perry and the law In 2001, Perry enhanced his diversity credentials by appointing an African-American (Wallace Jefferson) to the Texas Supreme Court. Justice Jefferson won reelection in 2002 and in 2004, Governor Perry appointed him to chief justice of Texass Supreme Court. Perry also appointed the states first Latina justice, Eva Guzman, to the court in Oct. 2009. She was elected to another term in 2010. Perry said that these appointments are two of his proudest accomplishments. On May 30, 2011, Gov. Perry signed into law a bill meant to limit frivolous lawsuits. House Bill 274, dubbed the so-called Loser Pays act, was deemed an emergency item by the governor and builds on tort reform passed in 2003, that cuts down on frivolous lawsuits, keeping Texas jobs

creators in the office and out of the courtroom. The 2011 bill will streamline and lower the cost of litigation in Texas courts, allowing parties to resolve disputes more quickly, fairly and less expensively. Source: Texas Civil Justice League, a summary of H.B. 274. Since the 2003 tort reforms, more than 21,000 doctors have begun practice in Texas, improving access to care, including doctors that have brought specialty practices to previously underserved areas. For instance, 52 counties have seen a net gain in obstetricians, including 23 medically underserved counties. Source: Texas Medical Association. Perry fought the trial lawyers on the tort reform issues and won. Even with that, heres what a Texas trial lawyer has to say about Perrys judicial appointments: As a lawyer who practices here daily, my impression is that by and large, most conservative Texans are satisfied with the many, many, many judges that Gov. Perry has had occasion to appoint to vacancies on the Texas civil and criminal courts, both trial and appellate. Texas judges are elected; the governors power only runs to filling vacancies. But essentially all of Perrys appointees whove run for reelection have then been elected in their own right by Texas voters, many of them repeatedly. And indeed, theres sufficient confidence in Perrys appointment priorities and performance that many Texas GOP judges have returned to the de facto near-universal practice dating back decades to when Texas was a one-party Democratic state: They resign to leave office, rather than simply not running for re-election, precisely so that the governor can appoint a well-qualified and fully-vetted judicial conservative to then run for election as an incumbent. Thats implicit, but very high, praise from those in a position to know. Supreme Court Judge Don Willett said that the governor has chosen judges who reflect his judicial philosophy, which Willett described as unabashedly conservative. And he said that Perry understands the importance of judicial appointments. That is something he said Perry would carry into the White House if he were elected president. If youre president, its often your court appointments that seal your legacy with a capital L, he said. Im confident Gov. Perry gets that, consummately. He doesnt do squishy. His judicial picks, from the Supreme Court on down, will not be philosophical ciphers, but impeccably credentialed conservative stalwarts who act judicially by adjudicating, not politically by legislating. Read more on Perrys appointments to the Texas Supreme Court in this Texas Tribune article. And dont overlook this: if Barack Obama remains in office another 4 years there is a very good chance that he will have the opportunity to elect anywhere from 3-4 supreme court justices either through natural death or retirement. It isnt just Perry bragging. Heres what others are saying about Texas: U.S. News (Nov. 2010) describes Texas as the No. 1 destination for job-seeking Americans, thanks to a hearty energy sector and a strong spirit of entrepreneurism. Read the article here. The Wall Street Journal (Nov. 2010) dubbed Texas the Mecca for high tech, venture capital, aeronautics, health care and even industrial manufacturing like the building of cars and trucks. Note that these are not the low paying service jobs that some anti-Perry detractors claim are the only new jobs being created in Texas. This continues a longer term trend, the Journal wrote. Over the last year, as the economy was beginning to grow again, the Lone Star State has led the nation with the addition of

nearly 153,000 jobs, while California surrendered 43,700, New Jersey lost 42,300 and New York dropped 14,600. In May of 2011, Forbes Magazine notes that Texas cities held 4 of the top 5 positions for best big cities for jobs, 3 of the top 5 best medium-sized cities, and 3 of the top 5 best small cities for jobs. An astounding 10 of the best 15 cities to find jobs were in Texas and this is Forbes saying this, not some nameless blogger. Also in May, 2011, CEO Magazine Ranks Texas Best State for Business for Seventh Consecutive Year. Here is the list: Best states for business. And, if youre interested, the details on how the 556 CEOs made their selections: The methodology used in selection. Texas has been ranked the top exporting state in 2010 for the ninth year in a row, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, signaling Texas ongoing role in leading the nation toward economic recovery. Source: Texas Wide Open for Business (data from U.S. DOC). According to the Allied Van Lines 43rd Annual Magnet States Report, for the sixth year in a row Texas eclipsed every other state and took the lead as the No. 1 magnet state in 2010 based on Allieds report, which tracks U.S. migration patterns. Read about it at: Relo Roundtable. On June, 2011, Dallas Federal Reserve President and CEO Richard Fisher said, Since the recovery began, 38 percent of all the jobs created in America have been created in the state of Texasthe most important thing that has happened to us is tort reform. Site Selection Magazine recently awarded Texas the 2010 Governors Cup for the most new and expanded corporate facilities announced over the year. Gov. Perry has worked diligently in recent years to make his state pro-business, which is why Texas ranks as high as it does on matters of interest to site selectors, says Mark Arend, editor in chief of Site Selection. The Governors Cup is a clear example of this and a critical one to the governors, because it objectively measures actual project activity. Read the article here. Additionally, according to a USA Today examination of data released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Texas moved past New York over the past decade to become the nations second-largest economy. Even a bipartisan delegation of lawmakers from California visited Austin early in 2011 to learn how Texas was creating jobs. Apparently they dont really understand why theyre losing jobs to Texas? Perhaps they no habla ingles? 7. Perrys relationship with the legislature Gov. Rick Perry went five-for-six on the emergency issues he declared in the most recent special session. A ban on sanctuary cities, an idea borne of his 2010 reelection campaign, died in the Senate during the regular session and in the House during the special session. Everything else got through the Legislature: Voter ID, pre-abortion sonograms, limits on eminent domain, an appeal to Congress for a balanced federal budget, and making losers pay the costs of the lawsuits they start. Conservatives - even some who arent happy with the sessions outcomes - generally praise the governor. Hes got a knack for keeping the factions in the party happy, or at least subdued in their criticism. Early in the session, the governor sided with budget hawks who wanted to cut spending in the 2012-13 budget by about $28 billion. That number came up significantly as budget writers did their work and the House and Senate negotiated over whether and how much to cut schools, nursing homes, and other specific areas and programs.

Perry stuck with his general orders - balance the budget without new taxes and without spending the Rainy Day Fund - but left the details to legislators. In the end, he did get them to write a budget without increasing taxes. It is also interesting to note that Governor Perry vetoed 273 bills since he began his first term in 2001. One cant surmise anything from that raw number without knowing all of the details of each bill; however, it does show that he is capable of making decisions and is willing to take a stand. In contrast, President Obama has vetoed just two (2) bills since taking office. 8. Perry and George Bush, are they birds of a feather? Theres said to be little love lost between Former President Bush (43) and Perry. Both men honored the tenets of Texas Republicanism: low taxes, small government and limited regulation. But Bush prided himself on his ability to work with Democrats, while Perry took a much more partisan approach. Bush, or George, as Perry called him, was no fiscal conservative never was. I mean, 95, 97, 99, Perry went on, elaborately ticking Bushs Governor years off on his fingers, George Bush was spending money! That statement alone could have cooled the climate between the two men. The two share some characteristics, like so many Texans. They have similar accents and many of the same mannerisms. But the two come from starkly different backgrounds, approach politics in utterly different fashions and even draw their support from different parts of the GOP. A campaign consultant who has worked with both men said, It is the difference between Yale and Texas A&M, between Phillips Academy Andover and Paint Creek High School. When W. began his political career, he had a famous name, access to his fathers huge national fund-raising base, and the backing of the establishment wing of the Republican party. As a late arrival in the Republican ranks, Perry had no fund-raising base and little name identification. He had no choice but to gravitate to the conservative wing of the GOP, where he could prove up his conservative bona fides. There is one other critical difference. Bush lost his first race, for Congress. Perry has won every race hes ever entered. Some who know both men say that the animosity is more between their advisors than between the men themselves especially between Karl Rove and Dave Carney. It is not entirely surprising that many Bushies seem to be encouraging others, more to their liking, to enter the race against Perry. If Perry was just another Bush clone, wouldnt they be supporting him? 9. Some notable Perry statements At a recent foray to the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans, Governor Perry said, Our loudest opponents on the left are never going to like us, so lets quit trying to curry favor with them, Perry said. Lets stand up; lets speak with pride about our morals and our values and redouble our efforts to elect more conservative Republicans. Lets stop this American downward spiral. He told a cheering crowd that conservatives should stand up and stop apologizing for their beliefs. Perry also lobbed a scathing broadside against Barack Obamas administration, which he termed a mix of arrogance and audacity that is an affront to every freedom-loving American. States should be free to make decisions regulating such things as taxes, marijuana and gay marriage, Perry says. If you want to live in a state that has high taxes, high regulations that is favorable to smoking marijuana and gay marriage then move to California, he says. 10. Can he win? Does he have the political chops to handle a national campaign? Let's Pray that he can...

For those considering a candidate to run against President Obama, Perry has a reputation as a deft, animated communicator who can energize a crowd and generate enthusiasm. Rick Perry would also bring out the absolute worst in the Democrats. They would quickly move from denouncing him as a person to everything he stands for and everything he has ever done. They will trash Texas (more than they already do). They will lie that he is a secessionist (he is not) and if the 2010 campaign was any guide, they will lie about him as a person as well. The far lefts hostility will consume them and their party along with them, making them easier to distract and defeat. Note this: Perry has never lost an election. Hes won all nine (9) of the races hes entered and hes been reelected 5 times. Even critics in Texas offer begrudging praise for his political skills. Hes somebody that people like. He works a room with the best of them, said Kirk Watson, head of the Texas Senate Democratic caucus and a former Austin mayor. I would say its masterful, says Michael Williams, a former railroad commissioner whos now running for Congress. I dont think Ive seen a politician as artful as Perry. Stuart Rothenberg on Fox News said that Perry is a great campaigner, and that he is very conservative more conservative than George W. Bush was. He also said Perry will have a strong message based on his success in Texas in creating jobs, and a message that is more antiWashington, and anti-Establishment than Bush. Mimi Swartz (Texas Monthly magazine) says about Perry: (he is a) Formidable campaigner. People on the East Coast underestimate him at their peril. Hes relentless. Perry will fight to the death if he wants this. Pajamas Media says that Perry is arguably the best campaigner Texas has ever produced, and assembles campaign teams around himself that flood the zone, using social media and cutting edge fundraising tools in ways that few GOP campaigns can match. Perrys teams turn their opponents against themselves and skillfully use the media as both messenger and foil. The experience of running and winning statewide in Texas, a state with 254 counties and five major media markets, has prepared him and his team well to take their skills national. Source: Pajamas Media. William McKenzie of the Dallas Morning News says, GOP candidates beware. Rick Perry will be the hardest-nosed campaigner youve faced. The Texas Tribune asked Paul Stekler, an Emmy and Peabody award-winning documentary filmmaker, to help analyze Perrys political ads. Perrys attack ads have been known to take out his opponents sometimes in dramatic fashion. Theyve shown absolutely no hesitation to hit back and also to hit beforehand with tough attack ads, so theyve got a lot of experience, Stekler said. We can debate whether hes actually been a good governor or not. We can debate his policies pro and negative, he said. But nobody debates the fact that Rick Perry is a very, very strong campaigner. Hes gotten much better over the years, especially for somebody whos this comfortable on camera. Who is this good on camera and is comfortable in his own skin. I think [Perrys ads] have been very effective, and the reason I think theyre effective is they convey subtle images that suggest values to a very narrow range of voters. Delivering that kind of a message when youre that charismatic is going to serve him well if he runs for president because hes much more of the person I think Republican primary voters are looking for, Stekler said.

And here is an endorsement like no other: Kinky Friedman talks about Rick Perry. For those of you who arent familiar with Kinky, hes a Texas icon. Heres a brief bio: Kinky Friedman is a country music singer, politician, Texas Monthly columnist, the author of a successful mystery series, and was a candidate for Texas governor in 2006. His most recent book is Kinkys Celebrity Pet Files. Kinky actually ran for governor in 2006 against Rick Perry as an independent and got 12.4% of the vote. Some of his campaign slogans were: How Hard Could It Be?, Why The Hell Not?, My Governor is a Jewish Cowboy and He aint Kinky, hes my Governor.. His expose of his relationship with Perry is humorous and typical Kinky. Its a light hearted, worthwhile read Kinky for Perry. 11. Rick Perrys college transcripts from Texas A & M Here are Perrys college transcripts (he didnt do too well). Perry accumulated 2-As, 20-Bs, 27Cs, 9-Ds, and one F (tally from the Austin Statesman). Ive noticed one curious thing about the way that Perry critics characterize his grades. On more than one occasion, his grades were described as being Cs and Ds. One has to wonder why, when there were more than twice as many Bs than Ds, werent they described as Bs and Cs? Another example of how the objective media reports are slanted to reflect their political bias. Please feel free to compare Perrys grades to President Obamas transcripts to see how they measure up. Images are from the Huffington Post.

And, for those who want to know, here is a link to Follow The Money that will allow you to check out ALL of Perrys contributors going back to 1998. Pesky Truths