You know your threat is real when the New York Times seeks to undermine you. This fine piece of reporting shows just how seriously the threat from Texas is being considered:
Perry Not Bush's Best Buddy
Is that for real? Would former President Bush really bring the guns to bear in opposition? What to make of the details there?
Well, let's go back to the beginning. How did Perry become governor? He was then-governor Bush's Lieutenant Governor. When Bush won the presidency, Perry was the successor to fill the remainder of the term. It's reasonable to conclude that they worked together pretty well then.
Does Bush have some baggage in terms of his accomplishments in office? All presidents do and Bush is no exception. He got a lot done, but he also veered from the true path in a couple of instances such as his economic policies. No one can be all things conservative while at the same time filling the office of President of the entire nation. The herding of that bunch of cats is a big job and a few felines get loose in the process.
Perry undoubtedly has to put some distance between himself and Bush if he is to garner broad support. That is very clear to Perry, Bush, Rove and others.
Has Bush shown some gap between himself and Perry? Absolutely! The most visible break was during the last re-election campaign where Bush supported challenger, Kaye Bailey Hutchison. She didn't come close in her attempt. The voters didn't believe an 18-year incumbent senator was fine but a 10-year incumbency for a governor was too long. They didn't believe that an Austin resident was out-of-touch but a Beltway denizen was linked up with Texas politics.
So, there is a reason for some space between them. In fact there are a couple of reasons. But both of these guys are big-league players and they know a brush-back isn't always a beanball. It's simply part of the game.
Does the NYT succeed in damaging the threat? I don't think so. I think they actually enhance Perry's position with their report.
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