For Perry, being governor has perks

[cali]

Rick Perry waves while arriving at Midland Airpark in Texas on Sept. 1, for a private fundraising event at oilman Clayton Williams' home. |AP Photo
Deep-pocketed supporters help fund Rick Perry's lavish perks and travel. | AP Photo Close
By KENNETH P. VOGEL | 9/12/11 5:09 AM EDT

Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s humble origins and down home straight talk are central to his political identity, but for years Perry has enjoyed lavish perks and travel – mostly funded by a group of deep-pocketed supporters – that are allowed under his state’s lax ethics and campaign rules.

Some of the same Texas donors who have funded Perry’s political rise also have footed the bills for Perry and his family to jet around the world, stay in luxury hotels and resorts, vacation in tony Colorado ski towns, attend all manner of sporting events and concerts, and to maintain, entertain – and even pay the cable bill – at the 4,600-square-foot mansion with a heated pool that taxpayers are renting him at a cost of about $10,000 a month.

And that’s to say nothing of the wide range of sometimes-expensive gifts Perry has accepted over the years, including 22 pairs of cowboy boots, Stetson hats, belt buckles, cuff links and at least nine hunting trips.

Perry’s enjoyment of gifts and luxury travel led the Houston Chronicle to declare in a 2009 headline that he’s “a long way from the cotton farm.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/63221.html#ixzz1XjHpzjKq

[Frank Cannon]

1. Perry is 300 pounds of steaming horseshit in a 200 pound bag.

I didn't think anyone would make George W. Bush look better, but Perry makes him look like a fucking Eagle Scout.

[liberal N proud]

2. Call a hick "down home" and what do you get?

The american people should learn that down home does not translate to Presidential.

I don't want a President who is like my neighbor, I want one who is a leader and above the cut, who can speak intelligently and doesn't need to screw off in front of the camera.

[Javaman]

3. if you want to know everything about cement head perry, all you need is two words...

greedy opportunist.