Advice for Rick Perry

I know Rick Perry

Yes, I know Rick Perry.   He probably does not know or remember me, but since I have considerable experience in the advice giving business, he’s gonna get some advice from me.  Real Texans are not shy at all about telling either the County Judge, the Governor or the President what is on their minds and I’m no different.

And let’s be clear.  I’m not committed to any candidate at this time.  The only reason to write about Rick Perry is because he is a Real Texan.  He has strong rural, small town Texas roots, and because I’ve met him a few times and he is friends with some of my friends.

I had higher hopes for him but then the the Real Texan in him started popping out all over the place.

Yes, I know there is another Texas resident in the republican race.  I don’t know Representative Ron Paul or any of his friends.  He is not a Real Texan; he is from Pittsburgh and now lives in Texas.  There is much to admire about Dr. Paul (and a lot I shake my head at), he’s just not from here.

Now back to Rick Perry….here’s some advice.  I have plenty more, this is just for starters.

Rick Perry stated in an interview with Fox News reporter Chris Wallace:  “If you want to know how someone will do in the future, look at what they have done in the past.”  In that context, he was talking about job creation in Texas.

However, those of us with longer memories-

• Remember a scheme by Gov. Perry and his cronies to steal land from Real Texans to build an unwanted multi-billion dollar boondoggle called the Trans-Texas Corridor.
• You refused to explain your positions on issues to Texas Newspapers.  I was a Texas newspaper publisher and was mightily pissed about that.  People actually want to know positions of politicians.
• Then he came up with the Gardasil vaccine scheme for sixth grade girls.
• Then he is forcing college students to get another vaccination for meningitis.
• Then he has literally sold positions on various boards to the highest bidder.  Not that there is anything unusual about that in Texas politics.
• Herman Cain actually leads Gov. Perry in Texas.
• And those of us with shorter memories think your recent interview in New Hampshire was reminiscent of  that other Governor/Presidential Gov. Howard Dean shrieking on TV.  You didn’t shriek, but it was bizarre.

Good Grief!  I wish all this were not true, but it is.  On the other hand, I can’t stand Chris Matthews and other idiot TV commentators who continually smear Gov. Perry and any other conservative voice.  Don’t get me started…..

Never pass up a chance to STHU.

So here it is Rick.  If I have to spell it out for you then you probably don’t need to be reading this.  This is plain talk time and plain language time.  Rick, you are a very smart fellow. You would have to be to have accomplished all the things you have accomplished.  No, not everybody agrees with you, but you have served/survived longer than any other Texas Governor who has been elected to the office.   The term I used-STHU should be taken literally.  You have allowed others…..others more articulate than most Real Texans, to define you.  Gov. Romney is a slick talking yankee who can talk faster out of either side of his mouth than you can in a month of Sundays.  Your advisers should be horsewhipped for letting you get into an argument over illegals working for a company that mows his yard.  That was an immediate opening for him to come back on you for your stance on in-state tuition.

Although that is a non-issue from the majority of Real Texans, it is a hot button issue on the national stage.  Most of us out here in Real Texas including you Gov. Perry, know or grew up with kids whose parents brought them to Texas and they grew up with us.  We know them and their parents and their situations and consider them to be residents.  Many of them whom I know have done the right thing and became naturalized citizens many years ago.  Someone from Taxachussetts would not understand that whole scenario.

But the sad fact is…..you are ultimately responsible for that episode.  And arguing like a couple of schoolgirls on national TV is not becoming.  I actually thought you were going to squirt blood from your eyes glaring at Governor Romney.

Focus on being a problem solver

Rick, as long as you focused on job creation (the #1 issue of the American people) you shined like a West Texas sunset.  If you can reposition yourself as a problem solver, you may stand a chance.  You got off to a good start at first, personally visiting and spending time with the crowd while a wild eyed Ms. Bachmann high heeled it out of the gathering and seeming aloof.  That was your high point.  That is what Real Texans are good at…..visiting and listening to the folks.  Being empathetic and sympathetic.   You should know that, and if  you don’t I invite you for a visit back home so you can get a good dose of plain talk and advice.  Quit listening to those idiot advisers who are out of touch with the folks.  I’ve seen you glad-hand and tell a joke or two to the guys.  You know how to do it.  Just focus on being a problem solver and quit focusing on bad mouthing the other candidates.

I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea.  You have a great story, you have a great base, and a record of accomplishment, even if a lot of that accomplishment was bought and paid for.  Run on that. We don’t like the negative stuff or politicians who spew nothing but negatives.  It’s a shame when Newt, with all his personal  baggage,  is the most reasonable sounding potential republican candidate out there.

That is part of my advice to fellow Real Texan Rick Perry.  Yes, a lot of us Texans want someone to btho of Obama as a good Aggie would put it.  But you sir are on the very edge of seriously blowing it. This latest might have been the very. Last. Straw.

I’m David out in Real Texas

Real plain talk.  Damn dissapointed.

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