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September 08, 2005
The Real Rick Perry Is Back
After enduring two regular, and four special legislative sessions of Governor Good Hair, where next to nothing was accomplished, a decidedly unflattering portrait of him and his job performance had been painted in our minds.
So we were pleasantly surprised by his initial response to Hurricane Katrina. Texas welcomed thousands of our neighbors from the central Gulf Coast, and various local communities have compassionately and competently cared for them -- far better treatment than they got at home.
All of Perry's political faults -- petty mean-spiritedness, a tin ear, total lack of ideas and commitment to good public policy, to name just a few -- had temporarily receded to the background. In short, we were willing to give him a bit of credit for stepping up in a difficult situation.
Until we read this. As the good Governor travels the state shaking the trees for Katrina relief funds, it turns out he is promoting his own charitable organization, the OneStar Foundation, which just happens to be run by the former head of the Texas Republican Party.
Just a tad self-serving, perhaps? A bit unseemly, maybe? Yesterday, Houston Mayor Bill White announced he was suspending his campaign operations to focus on this extraordinary situation (and his regular duties), and his election is in 60 days, while the GOP primary is 7 months away.
Quite a study in contrast. It's nice to know the real Rick Perry is back.
Posted by houtopia at September 8, 2005 09:33 AM