Do you approve of Rick Perry's job as governor? (money, business)

[TT Dave]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

So that would suggest that the sample here at C-D Forums isn't at all representative of sentiment among the majority of Texans. But how is it that this guy has such scratch-proof teflon? I never liked him (nor his predecessor) as governor, but of course I'm a Democrat, so that explains much. However, I would have thought that Kay Bailey Hutchison would have been a better choice if the State insists on electing a Republican to the governorship.

For months prior to the primary election that year, Hutchison was actually ahead in the polls. I voted for her in the primary. Unfortunately, Rick just simply ran a better campaign IMO. His campaign spent a ton of money on TV ads portraying Hutchison as a "Washington insider" who has lost touch with the voters of Texas. The Hutchinson campaign never really seemed to counter those claims effectively. I knew Rick's B.S. ads weren't true but politics is politics. Unfortunately, Rick's campaign strategies were apparently very effective because he won...again.

[TexasReb]

This is a very good -- but also very tough -- question, on many levels. I would give at least "medium-well done" approval to Perry's policies as in the sense of policies. That is, for instance, he stuck to his guns and made tough decisions as to balancing the state budget (which thank god is part of the state consitution).

At the same time though, as time went on, I began to see him more and more as a nakedly ambitious politician -- in the shadow of a Bill Clinton -- who would say or do ANYTHING to get elected. It showed in his very lukewarm and wavering attitudes on illegal immigation, and certainly later on. And he made a pure a$$ out of himself in national debates.

Sorry, but good looks and nice hair (as John Edwards the "Breck Girl" found out) is very superficial, in the long run....

So I voted "neutral". I liked many things about his policies, but found him lacking and wish it had been another delivering the message...

[Arabianhorsebreeder]

I shudder to think of Perry reelected. We had a viable candidate in Debra Medina but Perry's political machine made sure she didn't get too far. In the gubernatorial debate with Hutchinson, Medina outshone the others hand down. She knows her stuff and I'd like to see her give it another run. As someone has already pointed out, we are darn near dead last in education and wages. And then we have someone like Dewhurst saying he wants to take Texas politics to Washington???? Nooooooooooooooo!!!!!!! But, that's another thread.....

[Dopo]

I strongly dissaprove
just read about Rick Perry's long history of "line item vetoes" = Biggest B.S. I've ever seen.
It should be illegal.

[OzzyRules]

Cutting education funds at this point in history is like a cutting back on the Krispy Kreme Donut fund for a fat rich kid.

[doctorjef]

Originally Posted by OzzyRules

Cutting education funds at this point in history is like a cutting back on the Krispy Kreme Donut fund for a fat rich kid.

WTF is that supposed to mean?

[jeremy2788]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

WTF is that supposed to mean?

Yeah, that one kind of blew over my head too?

[Bo]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

WTF is that supposed to mean?

I took it to mean OzzyRules believes education funding in Texas is ridiculously bloated and a few cuts won't solve that problem.

[ReppingDFW]

Originally Posted by Bo

I took it to mean OzzyRules believes education funding in Texas is ridiculously bloated and a few cuts won't solve that problem.

Same here, but that would make it an incorrect analogy. Texas ranks towards the bottom in education spending per pupil. (in the 40s, I believe)

[harleytexas]

I work for a state agency that gets no respect from him and no money to support us except to scrape by. STRONGLY DISAPPROVE!!!!!!