Rick Perry: I Was Just Kiddin’ About That Secession Stuff

When we last heard from Rick Perry, Republican governor of Texas, he was at a “Tea Party” saying this:

“There’s a lot of different scenarios,” Perry said. “We’ve got a great union. There’s absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that. But Texas is a very unique place, and we’re a pretty independent lot to boot.”

Sounds like he was talking about having Texas leave the Union, right? Well, not so much anymore. Rick Perry wrote an op-ed for the Austin-American Statesman saying he was just misunderstood. He really wants to stay in the United States.

At a time when the federal government is passing trillion-dollar bailouts, bullying states to increase taxes and bureaucracies, and even taking control of private companies, Americans are increasingly reconnecting with the concept of limited government in that amendment.

I can’t say I was surprised that critics recast my defense of federalism and fiscal discipline into advocacy for secession from the Union. I have never advocated for secession and never will.

Rick Perry is trying to walk a very fine line. He is in a primary fight with popular politician Kay Bailey Hutchinson for the Texas governor’s race, and he is trying to come at her from the right. However, he knows that he will lose credibility with the rest of the country if he is seen as promoting Texas secession. Good luck walking that line, Rick!