This is a call to action for all of the NRA members, Texas State Rifle Association members (TSRA) and lovers of the 2nd amendment.  Bill White has not and will not fight to protect our God given 2nd amendment rights, including the right to carry a concealed weapon that the NRA, TSRA, activists and legislative leaders have fought so hard for.

First if you have not joined the NRA and TSRA join them!  Help them get the resources they need to fight gun control laws in Texas and nationwide.  Second, if you are not registered to vote, register!  Get your friends and fellow lovers of the 2nd amendment to register to vote, and on election day make sure they vote!  If you are a gun owner and you are not registered to vote Chuck Norris will come and hunt you down, so just do it.

You can educate your fellow gun enthusiast about Bill White’s anti 2nd amendment stance with the information below and Governor Rick Perry’s pro 2nd amendment stance.  Governor Perry is an avid hunting and shooting enthusiast.  He has been known to bow hunt with the Wild Man himself, Ted Nugent.  The Governor has a CHL and carries a Ruger .380 with laser sites.  The Governor will continue to fight to protect our 2nd amendment rights.

Want to help protect our 2nd amendment rights from the Liberal Trial Lawyer Bill White Who Wants to Take Your Guns?  Texans for Rick Perry is looking for volunteers, Part Time Field Staff and paid interns.  Email JonMcClellan at rickperry dot org your name, county of residence and any relevant political experience to get involved!

Bill White Lying To Media About His Anti-Gun Beliefs

Missing Taxes Day 92: Liberal trial lawyer denying truth about his membership in “anti-gun front group”

Just as he has hidden his income tax returns for 92 days and counting, liberal trial lawyer Bill White is lying to the media and hiding the truth about his membership in Mayors Against Illegal Guns, an organization the National Rifle Association calls an “anti-gun front group.” [1]

“Liberal Bill White is lying to hide his anti-gun beliefs just like he is his hiding his taxes,” said Texans for Rick Perry spokesman Mark Miner. “The only reason Bill White quit an anti-gun front group is because a pro-gun Democrat criticized him. Bill White is trying to run from his anti-gun record, just like he is running from his record of mismanagement as Houston’s mayor.”

In addition to signing letters and being included in national newspaper ads promoting anti-gun policies, White has twice lied to reporters about his departure from the group, which White said he joined in 2006 at the request of anti-gun New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. [2]

On July 28, 2009, one day after rival U.S. Senate candidate John Sharp called on White to quit Mayors Against Illegal Guns, White resigned his membership. This date of departure was confirmed by Mayors Against Illegal Guns spokesman Jason Post on March 4, 2010. [3, 4]

However, last year the White campaign lied to the Austin American-Statesman and said White quit the group on July 21, 2009, the day the group ran a full page ad in USA Today promoting its opposition to legislation from Senator John Thune that would allow those with concealed gun permits to carry them into other states. White’s name appears in the ad, as well as on a letter sent to all members of Congress four days earlier asking them to oppose Thune’s legislation. [5, 6, 7]

White recently repeated this lie to the Associated Press, which on June 5, 2010, reported, “In 2009, facing his first statewide political campaign, White quietly resigned from the group. White says he quit because the group opposed a federal law that would have allowed conceal-carry permit holders to carry their firearms across state lines.” [8]

For years, White also supported efforts by Mayors Against Illegal Guns to oppose privacy rights for gun owners. In 2007, White signed a letter from the group to all members of Congress opposing the Tiahrt Amendment, and his name also appears in a newspaper ad opposing the Tiahrt Amendment. [9, 10]

SOURCES:

[1] “The $500 Million Man?” National Rifle Association Institute For Legislative Action, 3/30/07, http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Federal/Read.aspx?id=2828

[2] “Guns could be a tough topic for Texas candidate,” Associated Press, 6/5/10, http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/7038530.html

[3] “Sharp calls on White to quit national anti-gun group,” Sharp For Senate, 6/27/09, http://southeasttexaspistolero.blogspot.com/2009/07/texas-democratic-candidate-for-senate.html

What do these hats say about these two men?

Photo from this Austin American-Statesman story.

The Austin American-Statesman take….

There is bad news for Texas Democrats. Their gubernatorial candidate, Bill White, trailing GOP Gov. Rick Perry in the polls, has beeen reunited with his beloved Stetson Open Road hat.

Why is this bad news for Democrats? The top photo at the left is why.

I’m no expert, but is this a good look for White? Some folks say it makes him look like (fill in name of country bumpkin). I don’t know, but it is a look that might inspire an undecided voter to decide White looks more goobernatorial than gubernatorial.

And then there is this man and his hat.

Republican? Young?  Professional?  Not very professional but like to socialize with fellow conservatives?  Like the Lake?

If you answered yes to the questions above then come join the Young Professionals for Governor Perry at Abel’s on the Lake on Friday July  9th, 2010 for a reception with Governor Perry.

Doesn’t this look like a great place to spend a Friday night?

The minimum donation is only $ 25, please RSVP here.

Abel’s on the Lake is located at

512.904.0570
3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Suite 201
Austin, TX 78703

Map

On the box it comes in it says “For Sale to Texans Only.”  It says “Coyote Special” on one side of the barrel and “A True Texan” on the other side of the barrel.  The top of the barrel has a Texas star and a Coyote howling to a full moon.

Ruger’s PR team has done a great job getting them some earned media with this!

Hat tip to resistnet.com for providing these details and photos!

The gun retails for about $340 and the laser site that Governor Perry uses goes for an additional $180.  Austinites can pick up their Ruger .380 True Texan Coyote Special at McBrides Guns.  Better hurry up though, only a limited amount were produced!

Robbie Cooper at UrbanGrounds has some good pictures of the Governor in action at Red’s Indoor Range with his Ruger .380.

Does anyone want to lend me $340….

Update:  More pictures from 2CoolFishing message board.

Instead of raising your taxes Governor Rick Perry wants to Keep Texas Moving Forward with his positive prescription for economic recovery:

1. Don’t spend all the money.
2. Give people tax relief.
3. Keep the regulatory climate fair and predictable.
4. Fund an accountable education system to ensure an educated, skilled workforce.

The Governor’s plan has been working, just look at what the independent organizations and magazines have had to say about Texas!

2009 Best Business Climate
(Business Facilities Magazine, July 2009)

5 Texas Cities Among Top 10 U.S. Metros, Overall Economic Performance
(Brookings Institution, June 2009)

#1 state for business and job growth, 4th consecutive year
(CEO survey, Chief Executive Magazine, March 2009)

One of “Five States That Will Lead Us Out of Recession”
(CNBC, June 2009)

Best State for Doing Business
(Directorship Magazine, June 2009)

No. 1 state “Where the Jobs Are Going”
(Time Magazine, May 2009)

Top 2 areas for Corporate Facility Project Attraction [1. Houston, 2. Dallas]
(Site Selection, March 2009)

Top 5 “Healthiest Housing Markets for 2009” [1-Houston, 2-Austin, 3-Fort Worth, 4-San Antonio, 5-Dallas]
(Builder Magazine, February 2009)

#2 on Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list
(with 23 companies, FORTUNE, January 2009)

#1 U.S. Relocation Destination, 4th consecutive year
(Allied Van Lines’ 41st Annual Magnet Report)
(SIRVA, Inc., January 2009)

Foreclosure rate far below the national average
(New York Times, August 2009)

Recently Upgraded Short Term Bond Rating to Highest Level AA+
(San Antonio Business Journal, August 2009)

3 of the top 4 States to Earn a Living [1. Dallas; 2. Houston; 4. Austin]
(Forbes, September 2009)

Every major Texas city among the least stressful cities [Austin, D/FW, San Antonio, Houston]
(Forbes, September 2009)

Second lowest state debt per capita in the nation
(Tax Foundation, Fiscal Year 2007)

Rated among the most free states in the nation
(Mercatus Center, George Mason University, “Freedom in the 50 States”)

 Message from Governor Rick Perry  Come join Governor Perry & First Lady Anita Perry in Houston    with their special guest
Governor Mitt Romney

The new Rasmussen poll released Monday shows  Perry with a  51% to 38% percent advantage over the former Houston Mayor.http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections2/election_2010/election_2010_governor_elections/texas/election_2010_texas_governor

It’s the first time that Perry has polled at 50% or higher, which is good news for an incumbent governor.  It was only one month ago when the same poll had the race at 45%-41%, advantage Perry.

So how did the longest-serving governor of  Texas blow open this strong lead?

For the past several weeks  the Perry campaign has sharply criticized  White for refusing  to release his income tax returns and the ongoing problems with  METRO and the former CEO Frank Wilson.

Mayor Annise Parker’s frank talk about the financial problems facing the city probably haven’t made White look too sharp in the eyes of  voters across the state. 

It’s still early in the race and polls go up and go down, but  if you want to celebrate the latest news with Perry and see former  Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, you’ll need to register in advance for the free event:
Date: Wednesday May 19th
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: J.W. Marriott, Grand Ballroom 5150 Westheimer Houston, TX 77056
This is a private event and RSVP is required to attend.
Please contact our Houston Field Director to RSVP!
Elyse Derian- Houston Field Director 858-722-8653 elysederian@rickperry.org 
 

The 90-minute Houston-to-Branson flight departs at 8 am, while return flights are scheduled at 4 pm Suggested one-way fare is $49 plus taxes and surcharges. …

Poll Shows Change In Texas Governor’s Race

‎Republican Rick Perry is campaigning for his third term as governor. Bill White is his Democrat Party challenger and is a former mayor of Houston.

Spill Fight Shows Progress

HOUSTON—BP PLC had its first breakthrough in the effort to stem … In Houston, the hub of BP’s crisis response, the company’s campaign has …

Nancy Sarnoff: Houston Club Building may face foreclosure

‎The owner of downtown’s Houston Club Building has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in an effort to forestall foreclosure …

Chevron, HighMount to cut 654 workers in Houston

‎Chevron Corp. will lay off 570 workers in the Houston area while HighMount Exploration & Production LLC plans to let go of 84 employees, according to the …

Verde moves HQ to Houston El Paso loses shot at a 4th public company

‎El Paso lost its chance at a fourth public company headquarters when Verde Realty announced it was moving its corporate office to Houston …

The difference is Governor Perry was an early adopter of twitter and is using the twitter platform well.  The Governor shares personal thoughts, stories, pictures and some campaign updates from his twitter account.  You really get to see a behind the scenes look at the Governor through his twitter account since it is actually him tweeting!  At events you will see him take a picture with his blackberry and then send out a tweet about the event containing the picture.

The Rick vs Kay blog also took an in depth look at Governor Perry’s effective use of twitter.

Bill White uses his twitter account as an attack platform.  His most recent tweet is “Perry’s diversion of tax dollars contributed to nearly doubling of employer payroll taxes this year, read more http://bw4tx.com/312.”  Compare this to the Governor’s most recent tweet, “At Moody HS in Corpus at the College Fair. Today lives change! Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T http://yfrog.com/0r41349734j.”

If people want to hear attacks from Bill White’s campaign they can follow the campaign twitter account or a Bill White supporter.  People that are following politicians and other well know people on twitter are doing so to get a glimpse into their private lives, not to see regurgitated campaign talking points.

The Perry campaign along with their campaign twitter accounts (@GovPerry2010, @Interns4Perry) and personal staff twitter accounts including yours truly @JonMcClellan have also launched a Spanish twitter account @GobPerry2010 along with a Spanish campaign website and facebook page.  The Bill White campaign has none of the above.

The Governor’s approach to twitter has gained him thousands of followers and has lead to him being ranked as the 94 most popular Top Conservative on Twitter globally based on followers.  For those of you new to twitter the hash tag #tcot is used to mean “Top Conservatives on Twitter” and is associated with the TCOT website that ranks conservatives on twitter.

You can follow the Right Side of Austin on twitter @RightSideAustin.

Stay tuned for a look at the Top 10 Texas Politicians on Twitter.

1. US Congressman Ron Paul is still number one with 201,534 likes.  This a about a 6,000 increase since April 20th.  How many of these supporters are from Texas?  I would guess about 1/4 of them.
2. Democratic Candidate for Governor of Texas and former Mayor of Houston Bill White has 67,121 likes.  This about an 19,000 increase.  Bill White has been running ads promoting his facebook page, which explains the rapid increase of “likes.”  Is this a good expense of campaign dollars?
3. Texas Governor Rick Perry has 36,528 likes.  An increase of about 1,000.  To my knowledge the Perry campaign has not run any ads promoting the Governor’s facebook page.  All of these “likes” were gotten the old fashion way, through word of mouth, and they are all FREE.
4. Rick Green is still in fourth place with 23,820 likes, although his likes have dropped by about 1oo.  This is due to the fact that he lost in the Republican Primary runoff election for the Texas Supreme Court.  Green’s opponent who won the runoff election is Judge Debra Lehrmann and she has 1,270 likes which I think is the highest of the Texas Supreme Court candidates and Justices who are not up for election this year.
5. Former Republican primary candidate for Governor Debra Medina rounds out 5th place with 23,476 likes.  Less than 1,00o increase.
6. Senior US Senator and former Republican primary candidate for Governor Kay Bailey Hutchison dropped a couple hundred supporters to 14,545. KBH’s facebook page has been inactive, with the last post by her team on April 26th and the wall has been disabled.  Not a good way to gather more followers.
7. Junior US Senator John Cornyn has a modest gain of about 200 to reach 11,320.  Senator Cornyn is not in an election this season and thus has not been pushing his social media platforms as hard as other candidates that are in an election this cycle.
8. Kinky Friedman the former failed Dem/Independent Gubernatorial and Agricultural Commissioner candidate gained about 100 likes and is up to 8,085.
9. Republican Texas State Senator Dan Patrick has almost over taken Kinky with 8,052 likes.  Lets help him beat Kinky!
10. Railroad Commissioner and US Senate candidate Michael Williams (when and if Senator Hutchison resigns) rounds off the top ten list with a modest increase to 5,802 likes.  Michael Williams has more facebook followers than the other announced candidates for KBH’s Senate seat, beating out Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones (4,133) and former Texas Secretary of State and Chairman of the RPT’s Victory 2008 effort Roger Williams (1,936).  Although Roger Williams has the least facebook likes, he is leading in the money race.  Just another piece of data that shows that although social media is hot right now, it is not a golden bullet for campaigns.  It is a very effective tool when used properly with other campaigns tools that can help lead you to victory.

Stay tuned for a look at the Top 10 Texas Politicians on Twitter.

Because it is to good not to post again, here is the infamous “Farouk Is On Fire” music video.

Today Bill White had his moment of greatness, following John Kerry’s lead.

As the Mayor of Houston Bill White supported the Texas Enterprise Fund and wanted the City of Houston to make their own job creation model based off of the Texas Enterprise Fund the State of Texas uses which was created under Governor Perry’s leadership.  The Perry campaign released the information below.

According the Houston Chronicle, “The mayor (Bill White) said he would follow the task force report’s recommendation of developing a multimillion-dollar enterprise fund to help biotechnology firms pay for their research with the aim of creating new jobs. Lee Hogan, chairman of the task force, said Houston receives about $1 billion a year in federal grants for biotechnology research, mostly at the Texas Medical Center. But he said the city has done a poor job of translating this research into spinoff companies and new jobs.  Hogan said the enterprise fund would be modeled after a $250 million state enterprise fund, developed by Gov. Rick Perry, which runs out of money in October 2005.” (SOURCE: “Reliance on tax breaks faulted – Report says city should use other methods to draw business,” Houston Chronicle, 9/30/2004)

The TEF has created over 50,000 jobs for Texans and generated over $14 billion in capital investments.  No wonder Bill White as the Mayor of Houston wanted this type of economic success for Houston.

Why now is he attacking Governor Perry’s successful use of the TEF to recruit jobs and drive development in Texas when as Mayor of Houston he wanted to create a TEF type fund for Houston?

Texans for Rick Perry has released an iPhone App!  I have all ready downloaded it and I suggest you do the same.  Just search for “Rick Perry” in the App Store and it will pop up.

The left used to be able to say that they had an advantage online and with deploying new technologies to the campaign trail, but not any longer!  For a good look at the role technology has played in some recent successful Republican campaigns, including Governor Perry’s check out this Weekly Standard article.

Texans for Rick Perry today launched its new iPhone mobile application. The app offers a powerful new tool supporters can use to keep up to date with Gov. Perry’s efforts to keep Texas strong and successful, and stay informed on ways to get involved with the campaign exclusively from their mobile phones. The mobile app is now available for download in Apple’s iPhone App Store.

“I’m very proud of my campaign’s efforts to break new ground by offering a mobile phone app for those looking to stay informed with my efforts to keep Texas moving forward,” said Gov. Perry. “As technology continues to change and develop, it is increasingly important that we adapt and find the best ways to communicate with Texans across the state. With our application now available over several mobile phone services, Texans have a powerful and convenient tool to stay involved with our campaign efforts and informed of campaign news.”

The official Texans for Rick Perry mobile app delivers unique and exclusive content, including:

• Blog posts from the campaign trail
• Announcements made first via mobile app
• Information about upcoming events with Gov. Perry
• Frequently updated photos and special videos unavailable anywhere else
• Issue updates, action alerts, and important petitions
• Opportunities to win special prizes and merchandise
• Important information on ways to help Gov. Perry win in 2010
• Special interactive get-out-the-vote call lists, early voting information, and other ways to help as we approach Election Day on Nov. 2
• Other content available only to mobile app users

The Texans for Rick Perry mobile application is now available on the iPhone, Palm Pre and Pixi smart phones. Visit http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rick-perry/id367719083?mt=8 to preview.

Term Limits to limit lobbyists.
Term Limits to limit individual power.
Term Limits to create a fairer playing field for every state.
Term Limits because Congress NEVER will.
Term Limits for new ideas.
Term Limits to keep us moving forward.
Term Limits because it is time!

Need more proof Texas is Succeeding under Governor Perry’s leadership?

2009 Best Business Climate
(Business Facilities Magazine, July 2009)

5 Texas Cities Among Top 10 U.S. Metros, Overall Economic Performance
(Brookings Institution, June 2009)

#1 state for business and job growth, 4th consecutive year
(CEO survey, Chief Executive Magazine, March 2009)

One of “Five States That Will Lead Us Out of Recession”
(CNBC, June 2009)

Best State for Doing Business
(Directorship Magazine, June 2009)

No. 1 state “Where the Jobs Are Going”
(Time Magazine, May 2009)

Top 2 areas for Corporate Facility Project Attraction [1. Houston, 2. Dallas]
(Site Selection, March 2009)

Top 5 “Healthiest Housing Markets for 2009” [1-Houston, 2-Austin, 3-Fort Worth, 4-San Antonio, 5-Dallas]
(Builder Magazine, February 2009)

#2 on Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list
(with 23 companies, FORTUNE, January 2009)

#1 U.S. Relocation Destination, 4th consecutive year
(Allied Van Lines’ 41st Annual Magnet Report)
(SIRVA, Inc., January 2009)

Foreclosure rate far below the national average
(New York Times, August 2009)

Recently Upgraded Short Term Bond Rating to Highest Level AA+
(San Antonio Business Journal, August 2009)

3 of the top 4 States to Earn a Living [1. Dallas; 2. Houston; 4. Austin]
(Forbes, September 2009)

Every major Texas city among the least stressful cities [Austin, D/FW, San Antonio, Houston]
(Forbes, September 2009)

Second lowest state debt per capita in the nation
(Tax Foundation, Fiscal Year 2007)

Rated among the most free states in the nation
(Mercatus Center, George Mason University, “Freedom in the 50 States”)

Texas #1 In Government Transparency Online
Sunshine Week, an organization focused on open government and public access to information, designated Texas as having the most transparent state government in the nation; Governor Rick Perry started the ball rolling when he began voluntarily posting the governor’s office’s quarterly expenditures online in the winter of 2006. Over the past few years, Perry has made spending transparency a plank of his budget reform agenda.

In 2008 there were 81,591 abortions in Texas.

Of those that, 8,381 were performed on women who had two previous abortions.

Another 2,890 were performed on women who had had three previous abortions.

Another 992 were performed on women who had four previous abortions.

Another 684 were performed on women who had five or more previous abortions.

All of these stats are from this Austin American Statesman article.

These abortion statistics for Texas just goes to show that we must support Heroic Media’s efforts to educate people about alternatives to abortion and to let them know there is help out there for them.  Here is how Heroic Media describes its goal

Heroic Media is a Majella Cares Outreach. Heroic Media is a faith-based non-profit that reduces abortion by creating a Culture of Life through television, billboard and internet advertising that connects women in crisis with life-affirming resource centers.

Please support Heroic Media today!

Here are pictures from last nights event.

For previous posts about Governor Perry’s love of guns check these out, here and here.

Texas Gov. Shoots, Kills ‘wily’ Coyote During Jog

By JIM VERTUNO

The Associated Press
Tuesday, April 27, 2010; 7:55 PM

AUSTIN, Texas — Pistol-packing Texas Gov. Rick Perry has a message for wily coyotes out there: Don’t mess with my dog.

Perry told The Associated Press on Tuesday he needed just one shot from the laser-sighted pistol he sometimes carries while jogging to take down a coyote that menaced his puppy during a February run near Austin.

Perry said he will carry his .380 Ruger – loaded with hollow-point bullets – when jogging on trails because he is afraid of snakes. He’d also seen coyotes in the undeveloped area.

When one came out of the brush toward his daughter’s Labrador retriever, Perry charged.

“Don’t attack my dog or you might get shot … if you’re a coyote,” he said Tuesday.

Perry, a Republican running for a third full term against Democrat Bill White, is living in a private house in a hilly area southwest of downtown Austin while the Governor’s Mansion is being repaired after a 2008 fire. A concealed handgun permit holder, Perry carries the pistol in a belt.

“I knew there were a lot of predators out there. You’ll hear a pack of coyotes. People are losing small cats and dogs all the time out there in that community,” Perry said.

“They’re very wily creatures.”

On this particular morning, Perry said, he was jogging without his security detail shortly after sunrise.

“I’m enjoying the run when something catches my eye and it’s this coyote. I know he knows I’m there. He never looks at me, he is laser-locked on that dog,” Perry said.

“I holler and the coyote stopped. I holler again. By this time I had taken my weapon out and charged it. It is now staring dead at me. Either me or the dog are in imminent danger. I did the appropriate thing and sent it to where coyotes go,” he said.

Perry said the laser-pointer helped make a quick, clean kill.

“It was not in a lot of pain,” he said. “It pretty much went down at that particular juncture.”

Texas state law allows people to shoot coyotes that are threatening livestock or domestic animals. The dog was unharmed, Perry said.

Perry’s security detail was not required to file a report about the governor discharging a weapon, said Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Tela Mange.

“People shoot coyotes all the time, snakes all the time,” Mange said. “We don’t write reports.”

The governor left the coyote where it fell.

“He became mulch,” Perry said.

As Reeve Hamilton wrote today, Gov. Rick Perry‘s campaign spokesman typically attaches “liberal trial lawyer” to Democratic opponent Bill White, who hasn’t worked at a law firm since 1993.

To visualize this rhetorical strategy, we created “word clouds” from the campaign’s press releases over the last month. The size of the words increase based on the frequency of use, and it’s clear that Bill, White and Liberal are among the most frequently used — as are lawyer and trial.

Contrast the Perry campaign’s style with that of the White campaign, which, BTW, sends far fewer press releases. Perry is there, of course, but White also frequently uses Texas, school and students — which fits his recent focus on education and the state’s dropout rate.

Notes: Word clouds are created with Wordle.net, which doesn’t factor in the most common prepositions. We also tried to eliminate boilerplate language from press releases, such as the e-mail signatures used by the campaigns. In short, this isn’t science, but it does offer a visual sense of how the campaigns are framing the race to reporters.

From Politex, the Fort Worth Star Telegrams political blog.

Gov. Rick Perry will be in Tyler this Saturday to appear on stage with conservative commentator Glenn Beck, Perry’s office confirmed.

Beck is holding a town hall-style event in Tyler’s Oil Palace this Saturday. Ticket prices range from $25 to $85.

The event will be preceded by a “call to action meeting” by the Tyler group, Grassroots America – We The People. Attendees at the meeting will learn how to become citizen plaintiffs against the federal health reform plan, according to the group’s website.

Beck played a special role in this year’s Republican gubernatorial primary. He first criticized Perry for not governing as a conservative.

Then he had candidate Debra Medina on his radio show and asked her if she was a “9/11 truther.” When he didn’t like Medina’s answer, Beck said, “Rick, I think you and I could french kiss right now.” Medina’s campaign never recovered.

This is just the latest in a string of Perry appearances this year alongside high-profile conservatives. In February, he held a campaign rally in Houston with former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Earlier this month, he was a speaker at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference which also featured Palin, activist Andrew Breitbart and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

Read more: http://startelegram.typepad.com/politex/2010/04/rick-perry-and-glenn-beck-live-in-concert.html#ixzz0lrCaseur

Guns, Religion and NASCAR!

I was standing in the center of the Texas Motor Speedway Monday morning, staring up at my … now I guess I could say friend … Governor Rick Perry of Texas as he was giving a brief welcome for the annual Sprint Cup, when he boomed out the words with his fist thrust in the air:

“In Texas, we love our guns, religion and NASCAR!”

The crowd went wild and I knew I wasn’t in the Hollywood Hills anymore, Dorothy. I was in reddest of red state America and this blue state boy — born in NY, father from Massachusetts, educated in New Hampshire and Connecticut, most of his life in LA — was lovin’ it.

Yes, this was my first NASCAR race and, truth to tell, I can’t say how much I would normally enjoy it because this was like going to your first Laker game as the guest of Jack Nicholson.

I had been invited down by Gov. Perry’s people for a weekend of auto racing and barbecue as opposed to my visit to Texas earlier this year when they invited me down for a weekend of shootin’ and barbecue (notice the common denominator).

Of course, there was, in both cases, a more serious side, some politics and new media thrown in, but we’ll get into that later.

About NASCAR. I was able to be inside the garage, the pits with the crew and the hauler (new word for me), a kind of all-purpose trailer (don’t say “trailer,” you dumb city slicker!) where the gear is stowed.

This particular race was something of a marathon since most of us arrived on Saturday evening for brisket at Cooper’s in the Ft. Worth stockyard. There Perry said a few words, which evolved into his pro-Tenth Amendment stump speech, and then introduced Bobby Labonte, who was driving the Rick Perry for Governor sponsored car in the race.

Now Bobby is something of a NASCAR star, though I didn’t know him from Adam, since the only drivers I ever heard of drove Ferraris. (Okay, I’m exaggerating, but not by much). Anyway when we met, he was a perfectly regular guy, which I’m told is the normal case for NASCAR.

More importantly, he was my height! When I go to Laker games, if I’m lucky enough to sit down close, I feel like I’m part of a race of midgets.

This race was supposed to be held on Sunday, but it was raining pretty heavily when we arrived that morning. So we all just huddled around the hauler (I got it right this time), eating more brisket and talking various forms of shop, waiting for the rain to stop. Much of the time, Perry was with us, chatting everybody up and having a good time. I even had a chance to ask the Governor the obligatory question about a White House run and he gave the obligatory answer. (I want to be the Governor of Texas, but would like to see someone in the White House who would give power back to the states.) He has to say this now, so who knows?

But it’s worth noting that he is Texas’ longest-serving governor at this point and Texas governors have, on more than one occasion, moved on to higher office. In any case, the rain didn’t stop and the race was postponed. But everybody came back the next day and had a splendid time, except Bobby didn’t win.

What was interesting about this whole Perry/NASCAR thing was how it was retail politics taken to a new level. Texas is no small state, as everyone knows, but it has a small town flavor compared to New York and California. And Perry is a people person on a level I have not quite seen before in politics. You even worry about him, if he ever does make a White House run.

When Rudy Giuliani was Mayor of New York, he had some of that people person thing, throwing out the ball at Yankee games and taking the role of America’s Mayor after 9/11. But he doesn’t have as much charisma as Perry. I say that speaking as a Hollywood guy, where, as you again know, we traffic in charisma, perhaps too much.

Anyway, I’m at DWF airport typing this, getting ready for the flight back to Lalaland where our own governor’s race is well under way. Some of our candidates might take Tenth Amendment tips from Governor Perry — that is if all Californians haven’t already moved to Texas.

The pictures you’ve been looking at were taken with my new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35. I also shot a ton of video, which will be up on PJTV later in the week. It will be kind of a sequel to my first video from Texas — Shoot First, Blog Later.

But do you think they’ll let me back in California now?

Right now the App is only available on the Palm Pre and Pixi.  Stay tuned for the iPhone and iPad App soon.

Download the App here.

Here is a screen shot from the App.

Stay up to date with Governor Rick Perry from your phone! The official Rick Perry mobile app delivers unique and exclusive content, including: * blog posts from the campaign trail * announcements made first via mobile app * information about upcoming events with the Governor * frequently updated photos and special videos unavailable anywhere else * issue updates, action alerts, and important petitions * opportunities to win special prizes and merchandise * important information on ways to help Rick Perry win in 2010 * special interactive get-out-the-vote call lists, early voting information, and other ways to help as we move closer to November * other content available only to mobile app users Keep up to date with Governor Rick Perry’s efforts to keep Texas strong and successful, and stay informed on ways you can get involved.

Texans for Rick Perry was the first Texas campaign to sponsor a NASCAR and the first to release a mobile phone App (might be the first in the nation??).  What is the next first going to be?

Governor Perry’s 2010 campaign is sponsoring NASCAR Champion Bobby Labonte’s car at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 18, 2010. B

In anticipation of this exciting event, the Rick Perry #71 car will be touring the Great State of Texas this week, and it’s coming to Georges Bar and Restaurant in Waco!

Come on out, bring your family, friends, coworkers and neighbors to get your picture taken with the #71 car and Governor Perry! Everyone is invited.

Date: Wednesday, April 14th

Waco
Time: 2:30 PM
Location: Georges Bar and Restaurant, 1925 Speight Avenue, Waco, TX 76706-3360

Governor Perry will arrive at 2:30 PM to meet and greet and take pictures with the NASCAR.

RSVP to:

Please help the campaign by signing up as a Perry Home Headquarters here, http://hq.rickperry.org/join/h5k6m. As a Perry Home Headquarters you pledge to vote for Governor Perry in November and to recruit 11 other people to vote for him too!

Governor Perry’s 2010 campaign is sponsoring NASCAR Champion Bobby Labonte’s car at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 18, 2010. Bobby Labonte, #71, will be driving the Governor Perry 2010 car at Texas Motor Speedway.

In anticipation of this exciting event, the Rick Perry #71 car will be touring the Great State of Texas this week, and it’s coming to Austin Friday morning!

Come on out, bring your family, friends, coworkers and neighbors to get your picture taken with the #71 car and to meet Governor Rick Perry! Everyone is invited.

Austin

Date: Friday April 9th, 2010

Time: 8:30 AM

Location: El Arroyo, 1616 West 5th Street, Austin, TX 78703

Governor Rick Perry will arrive at 8:30 AM to have breakfast tacos and take pictures with the car!

RSVP to:

Jonathon McClellan
Central Texas Region- Field Director
Work- 512-478-3276
jonmcclellan at rickperry.org

Please help the campaign by signing up as a Perry Home Headquarters here, http://hq.rickperry.org/join/7k3p8.

As a Perry Home Headquarters you pledge to vote for Governor Perry and to recruit 11 other people to vote for him too in November, thats it!

On April 18th, our campaign is sponsoring NASCAR Champion Bobby Labonte’s car at Texas Motor Speedway. We want you to join Gov. Perry at the racetrack with behind-the-scenes access.

Bid in our online auction now at http://RickPerry.org/auction

The winning bid for Two Race Day Hot Passes will get:

* A Tour of Pit area

* Lunch with the #71 Team at the Hauler

* Attendance at the Drivers meeting

* Access to the Track for Driver introductions

* Pictures with Bobby and the Car on Pit Row before the race

* Stand with the Team on Pit Row for opening

* Sit in the #71 Pit during the race

Only the highest bid will win the Hot Passes. Auction ends Thursday, April 8th, at 6PM CST.

Those who bid but do not win will not be obligated in any way. The campaign will notify the winner after the auction concludes Thursday evening, April 8th.

In anticipation of this exciting event, the Rick Perry #71 car will be touring the Great State of Texas this week, and it’s coming to a stop near you!

As the Moving Texas Forward Tour continues around Texas, be sure to check back regularly at http://www.RickPerry.org as the campaign adds additional tour locations leading up to the race at Ft. Worth’s Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 18.

Governor Perry’s opponent, a big city liberal Mayor, drives a Prius.

Here are some fun pictures from the annoucement today with fellow Texan and NASCAR legion Bobby Labonte.

For more photos of the NASCAR check out Governor Perry’s constantly updated Flickr page.