TYPICAL PERRY: Rick Perry Tells Reporter To Write Cronyism Story He Already Wrote
Austin, TX – In an interview posted today, Rick Perry said he had “every confidence” that the people he has hired and appointed “have performed ethically.” Perry told a reporter, “if not, you would’ve probably written about it.” Well Perry is right about one thing – the reporter and others have written about Perry’s aides and cronies acting unethically, and the numerous instances have filled the headlines of Texas newspapers. Check out Perry’s quote and the headlines below:
PERRY RHETORIC: Rick Perry Says If His Appointees Had Acted Unethically, It Would Have Been Written About:
Rick Perry: “I don’t make any apologies for having some very capable men and women who have come and gone from state government. I have every confidence that they have performed ethically. If not, you would’ve probably written about it.” (R.G. Ratcliffe, “Gov. Rick Perry Issues Interview -- Podcast,” Houston Chronicle’s “Texas Politics” Blog, http://blogs.chron.com, 2/5/10)
PERRY REALITY: Has Rick Perry Neglected To Read The Newspaper As Governor? Questions About The Ethics Of His Hires And Appointments Have Repeatedly Made Headlines:
Houston Chronicle Headline: “Toomey Lobbying For Industry He Once Touted” (R.G. Ratcliffe, “Toomey Lobbying For Industry He Once Touted,” Houston Chronicle, 1/14/05)
Dallas Morning News Headline: “Lobbyists Revolving In, Out Of Perry Staff Positions; Interest Groups Fear Conflicts Of Interest As Aides Switch Roles” (Christy Hoppe, “Lobbyists Revolving In, Out Of Perry Staff Positions; Interest Groups Fear Conflicts Of Interest As Aides Switch Roles,” The Dallas Morning News, 2/17/05)
Austin American-Statesman Headline: “Perry Defends Aide’s Work For Road Firm; Ex-Lobbyist Reportedly Cut Financial Ties With Tollway Contract Winner When He Joined State” (Jason Embry, “Perry Defends Aide's Work For Road Firm,” Austin American-Statesman, 12/30/04)
Austin American-Statesman Headline: “Critics Say Perry Aide’s Ties To Road Contractor Don’t Look Good” (Jason Embry, “Perry Defends Aide's Work For Road Firm,” Austin American-Statesman, 12/30/04)
Dallas Morning News Headline: “TABC Chief, A Perry Appointee, Solicits Donations For Governor” (Wayne Slater, “TABC Chief, A Perry Appointee, Solicits Donations For Governor,” The Dallas Morning News, 10/22/09)
Dallas Morning News Headline: “Perry’s Top Donors Get Business, Appointments” (Wayne Slater, “Perry's Top Donors Get Business, Appointments,” The Dallas Morning News, 8/17/06)
The Associated Press Headline: “Companies That Gave To Perry Got Road Contract” (“Companies That Gave To Perry Got Road Contract,” The Associated Press, 8/31/02)
Houston Chronicle Headline: “Donors Fill Tax Reform Commission; No Educators Or Economists Sit On Perry’s Panel On School Finance” (Clay Robison, “Donors Fill Tax Reform Commission; No Educators Or Economists Sit On Perry’s Panel On School Finance,” The Houston Chronicle, 11/20/05)
Houston Chronicle Headline: “Donors Fill Tax Reform Commission; No Educators Or Economists Sit On Perry’s Panel On School Finance” (Clay Robison, “Donors Fill Tax Reform Commission; No Educators Or Economists Sit On Perry’s Panel On School Finance,” The Houston Chronicle, 11/20/05)
Houston Chronicle Headline: “Ethically Challenged; Lt. Gov. Perry Shakes Down Special Interests, Lobbyists” (Editorial, “Ethically Challenged; Lt. Gov. Perry Shakes Down Special Interests, Lobbyists,” The Houston Chronicle, 7/29/00)