Rick Perry is not your average Presidential candidate. Mr. Perry is a swaggering, cowboy boot-wearing, gun-toting beast with the looks of a news anchor and the everyman appeal of John Wayne. I mean, come on, the guy carries his .44 Magnum while jogging with his dog. Did I mention that he shot a f#king coyote? He was jogging with his dog…and shot a coyote…with a revolver.
While I have to admit that’s pretty badass, there are some things about Perry that aren’t so…well, badass. Apparently, coyotes aren’t the only thing Perry has no problem killing. In his 10 years as governor of Texas, he has presided over 235 executions. He even has a nickname, “The Hangman.” And if the high number isn’t bad enough, he has executed both mentally challenged and potentially innocent individuals. Most recently, Perry approved the execution of a Mexican citizen who had not been aware of his right to legal council by the Mexican Consulate during his trial. He has not apologized or shown remorse for these deaths, and most likely will never do so.
Execution record aside, Perry claims that Texas has the economic formula for success, and to many this claim may seem credible due to the blunted effect of the recession. Yet the fact that Texas seems ‘recession proof’ has almost nothing to do with Perry’s policies and almost everything do to with the stable, low cost of land due to abundance and the highly profitable energy industry that has helped Texas weather the storm. Not to mention the massive amounts of money that is left over from the lucrative drug trade that goes through our border. Unemployment may be lower than the national average, but other aspects do not look so good. Twenty-four percent, or nearly 1 in 4 children in Texas were living in poverty in 2009. Furthermore, the estimated graduation rate for Texas public high schools was 61.3 percent, ranking Texas 43rd nationally.
Additionally, the Texas state government is currently experiencing a budget shortfall as high as $27 billion. Cuts will no doubt be made, so it is unlikely that the economic boom will last. The cuts will result in job losses and will put already strapped families in dire straights.
So much for a Texas miracle.
If he’s not so great, then why is this guy getting everyone so excited? First off, he appeals to the crucial constituencies that make up the Republican base. He has strong connections with fundamentalist Christian groups, he appeals to the small government sentiments of the Tea Party and has enough of a Texas drawl to appeal to, for lack of a better word, rednecks. Furthermore, he looks practically sane when compared to Bachmann, and in terms of charisma, makes Mitt Romney look like a clothing store mannequin. Relative to the rest of the pack, he’S a strong candidate without a doubt. Only time will tell if his quintessentially Texan persona will translate nationally.
Unfortunately, I believe it will. Why? George W. Bush. That’s why.
Steven Monacelli is a junior in the School of Communication.
He can be reached at [email protected]
