Perry and Paul: Texas-Sized Feud?
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Republican presidential candidates Rick Perry, left, and Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, talk during a break at a debate at the Reagan Library Sept. 7, 2011, in Simi Valley, Calif./Mike Nelson/EPA
While political pundits spent the day dissecting the on-camera debate performances of the GOP field Wednesday night, an off-camera moment between Rep. Ron Paul and Gov. Rick Perry has gotten just as much attention.
During one of the debate’s commercial breaks, an Associated Press photographer snapped a photo of a stern-looking Perry grabbing the arm of a startled Paul as he wagged his index finger in Paul’s face.
The photo has been making the rounds, drumming up the narrative that these Lone Star State politicians are in the midst of a Texas-sized feud. It’s still unclear just what the two candidates were discussing, and neither camp is talking. What is clear is that Paul is stepping up his attacks on the front-runner.
During the debate, Paul hammered Perry on everything from his conservative credentials to his record on job creation in the state of Texas. Paul even threw punches over Perry’s support of Hillary Clinton’s failed health care initiative back in 1994, something Perry now says was a mistake.
Perry is, surprisingly, punching back. The governor questioned Paul’s support of Ronald Reagan, accusing the congressman of quitting the Republican party in 1988 over a feud with the former president.
Paul’s response was one of the more awkward exchanges of the evening. Paul was critical of Reagan’s spending and deficits but supported his message.
“His message is a great message,” Paul said.
The two will face each other again at the CNN -Tea Party Express debate Monday in Tampa, Fla.
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Apparently they don’t have feuds (or perhaps books) where Mr. Volack originates or lives because he’d never seen the written word.
Posted by: David Zarmi | September 8, 2011, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm
This is quite an embarrassing article that ABC should take down. Mr. Volack needs reprimanded for not actually doing his research and taking far too much literary license in distorting facts. Rick Perry is not the front runner. All it takes is a cursory overview of every major poll to understand the fact that Ron Paul is the frontrunner. Though, I don’t know why I’m expecting actual journalism from ABC News.
Posted by: Andrew Weit | September 8, 2011, 6:50 pm 6:50 pm
Nothing “awkward” about Ron Paul’s response; he nailed it.
He endorsed Reagan’s message going into office, but once that changed to soaring deficits, he criticized in the letter and STAYED TRUE TO HIS CONVICTIONS by opting out and running libertarian.
Keep cashing that corporate paycheck, Volack. You’re doing a fine job.
Posted by: Reg | September 8, 2011, 8:00 pm 8:00 pm
Awkward? If you can’t wrap your head around such a simple explanation, please just stop writing..
Posted by: DJ | September 8, 2011, 8:24 pm 8:24 pm
Paul wipes them all off the map..
Not one of the others comes even close, they should save huge money, support Ron Paul, and move America Forward.
Posted by: dave beall | September 8, 2011, 8:50 pm 8:50 pm
What slanted journalism by ABC. ABC doesn’t know who the front-runner really is, and they also don’t know how to spell FEUD !!!! Ron Paul is ahead of Perry !
Posted by: Rob Greenaway | September 8, 2011, 9:31 pm 9:31 pm
Ron Paul is the front runner ABC he wins everything. Perry is a psycho and you know it. Romney will flipy flop and both are globalist
Posted by: hellen | September 8, 2011, 9:48 pm 9:48 pm
Ricky Perry the Neocon: Stephen King’s Dead Zone candidate
Posted by: NadePaulKuciGravMcKi | September 8, 2011, 10:06 pm 10:06 pm
ABC news if you want to be a good news provider.. provide unbiased fair news stories on events.. then people might prefer you over CBS or FOX etc. etc. because you would stand out as the only main stream media outlet to actually put some sincere effort into accurate reporting..
Posted by: Tom kruse | September 8, 2011, 10:06 pm 10:06 pm
That’s no fair to read the comments, figur eout how to spell feud, change it in the title, and neer own up to the mis-spelling so those of us who commented on it look dumb…. :)
Posted by: David Zarmi | September 8, 2011, 10:58 pm 10:58 pm
Perry is dispicable. Is he threatening Paul with bodily harm? He shouldn’t be allowed to debate with behavior like this.
Posted by: sector7 | September 8, 2011, 11:11 pm 11:11 pm
Ron Paul is the frontrunner, Rick perry is not. It says I am posting comments too quickly, abc is filtering Positive Ron Paul comments
Posted by: John | September 9, 2011, 4:00 am 4:00 am
LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNITED STATES AND DOWN WITH GLOBALISTS NEW WORLD ORDER GOVERNMENT!
That goes for the Bush’s the Clintons,Obama, Gore, Rick Perry and Romney!
The whole world sees David Rockefeller and the Rothschilds! we are awakening LOL
Save the nation vote Paul 2012
Posted by: RON PAUL 2012 | September 9, 2011, 4:44 am 4:44 am
While the rest of the candidates were arguing about what they would do or arguing why their plans as governors/representatives didn’t work, Huntsman was the only candidate with a history of real success. Health care reform without a mandate, tax reform to lower rates and broaden the base, pro-life agenda, and the #1 state in job creation were all success stories under Huntsman’s leadership. Add the foreign policy experience, which no other candidate on the stage has experience with, and Huntsman should be the clear front-runner.
Huntsman isn’t a RINO as some are trying to claim. He won election with over 70% of the vote and left office with a 80% plus approval rate. All of this in a VERY red state. That doesn’t happen with a liberal agenda.
Posted by: koak | September 9, 2011, 9:55 am 9:55 am
They are both nut jobs and continued support of, or, nominating right wing whack jobs only serves to get Obama re-elected!
Posted by: Tom | September 9, 2011, 9:57 am 9:57 am
Huntsman 2012!
Posted by: Tom | September 9, 2011, 9:58 am 9:58 am
Please do some research Mr. Volcack and ABC and publish how much of Our Taxpayer money President Obama has spent on his campaign trips.
Posted by: Charlie | October 26, 2011, 9:22 pm 9:22 pm