Reporters don't want to admit they like Perry? Sounds right...

Today’s Houston Chronicle carries an article on Gov. Rick Perry’s policies and his background. I realize we will be reading a lot about Perry and his policy decisions.

The headline says it all -- "Perry Change Not For Better" - http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/falkenberg/7698834.html

But this one begged my response, which I provided in an email to the reporter:


Lisa, I read your article and want to point out that I believe Gov. Perry said that he made a mistake in how he did the HPV vaccine by executive order, not that he wanted girls to have access to the vaccine.

I am a conservative who did not oppose the vaccine, but his putting forth an executive order just before the start of that session, and not having briefed or consulted the health-related legislative committees, and not making it an “opt in” were things he considers could have been done differently.

I am a mother who has had cancer, and my daughter got the HPV vaccine.

I was with Gov. Perry at the budget signing in Amarillo recently and on the plane he talked to me about that decision and said that he realizes he could have done it differently. Then he said one thing that resonates with me – he’s said it other times too - “I hate cancer.” He believes that if there is anything he can do in his position to rid society of cancer, he will. He has a keen interest in medical research and including the use of adult stem cells.

This is not an issue we at AFP have taken a position on as we are fiscal-policy focused, but I admire someone who is willing to step out there, even if they occasionally admitting that they could have done it better. In my book, it beats voting “present”.

Thanks for your article. Frankly, I still see that guy from Paint Creek in the old car. I think what you see is what you get. But then I’m a West Texas gal.

Thanks for what you do, Lisa. – Peggy

What I failed to address was the obvious – starting her article with: "The strangest thing happened the other day. I started to like Rick Perry. This is something I haven't even discussed with my husband, or my very conservative parents.."

Doesn’t that just say it all – that reporters don’t want to like conservative officials. At least she prefaced her diatribe with that. At least readers know where she is coming from. Thanks for the honesty, Lisa Falkenberg!

Gov. Perry has not announced, but the attacks begin

No elected official has been in office for 10 years and voters agree with every decision they make – unless they vote “present” consistently. But Governors don’t have opportunity to take a pass on decision-making.

During a campaign, every vulnerability of every candidate is vetted. And though Gov. Perry isn't a candidate now, his record is under the microscope.

I was interviewed yesterday by KXAN-TV in Austin and the interviewer talked about some issues that are not AFP issues, so I spoke on behalf of myself on those issues. The individual interviewed heads an organization Back to Basics PAC funded by a trial lawyer focused on defeating Gov. Perry.

I have not agreed with every decision the Governor has made, but when he is criticized for his move to provide HPV vaccines for young women, I may not agree with the methods he used (he did not go through the legislative process and it was an “opt out” rather than an “opt in” vaccine). But his motives appear to be to eradicate cancer…a laudable goal, indeed!

As a cancer survivor, I agree with the goal to help citizens avoid getting cancer, we should. It is the humane thing to do, and it is also fiscally responsible.

The interviewer from KXAN-TV, Josh Hinkle, is a good reporter, but didn’t have time to include all that I said so I want – for the record – to include my comments during the interview:

The HPV vaccine is a non-issue.

It appeared Texans didn’t want another state-provided vaccine, and the Governor didn’t move forward on it.

Curing cancer is a laudable goal:
• More than 38,000 Texans will die of cancer this year.
• More than 100,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Texas this year.

The question is: whether or not this is the appropriate role of government.

Though I personally opposed it as did AFP-Texas, Governor Perry, the legislature and many Texans wanted the state to get involved in cancer prevention and research.
• Texas voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment in 2007
• That established the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and
• authorized the state to issue $3 billion in bonds to fund groundbreaking cancer research and prevention programs and services in Texas.

We can differ on whether or not the HPV vaccine plan was good public policy, or the role of government in finding a cure for cancer, but if that is all the anti-Perry crowd have to criticize him for, they’ve got nothing.

The HPV vaccine issue controversy is old news.

Texas is the top state for job creation and business relocation. Around 1,000 people move to Texas every day because Texas is the beacon of fiscal responsibility in the country.

If Gov. Perry decides to run for President, the economy will be the top issue and that is what voters will care most about.

We must keep the focus on the country’s most challenging issues.
Here is the interview as it aired: http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/politics/perrys-past-could-haunt-future-run

Here is an interview talking about Back to Basics PAC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQLWVMSHb5E