Rick Perry: ‘I Have Changed My Position’
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(Toni Sandys/The Washington Post/Getty Images)
Republican presidential hopeful Rick Perry admitted he changed his position on the support he expressed for a federal loan guarantee for a nuclear energy project in Texas three years ago.
“I have changed my position from the standpoint of having any desire to have the federal government,” the Texas governor said on “Fox News Sunday” in response to a question about the 2008 nuclear energy project. “I’ve learned some things over the years and what I’ve learned is the federal government by and large, you keep them out of these issues particularly on the energy side, and I think that’s the best position for us to take as Americans today.”
In 2008, Perry wrote a letter to then Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman expressing his support for an application by NRG Energy, Inc. to construct two nuclear reactors in south Texas. The federal loan guarantee was granted to another project, and plans for the nuclear energy project were halted.
“We were asking at that particular point in time for the federal government to support the nuclear power industry in the state of Texas or across the country from that standpoint, but from a general standpoint, any type of federal dollars flowing into these industries we think is bad public policy,” Perry said today.
Perry expressed his opposition to the federal government providing subsidies and tax credits to the energy industry and instead pointed to the states to handle such projects.
“I think the federal government needs to be completely out of the subsidation or the tax credit side on the energy,” he said. “States can do it.”
Perry spent most of his first Sunday news show interview since he entered the race nearly 80 days ago defending his recently unveiled economic plan against criticisms that it lowers revenue and provides the greatest tax cuts to the wealthy.
“There’s nothing wrong with lower revenue. I think Americans are ready for Washington, D.C., to quit spending money that they don’t have,” Perry said from Austin, Texas. “I don’t want more revenue in Washington D.C.’s hands. I want more revenue in the private sector job creators hands and in American citizens out there. I guarantee it they’ll make better decisions about how to spend that money than Washington, D.C.”
Perry answered criticisms that his tax plan provides the greatest tax breaks to the wealthy, arguing that those with money will help spur the economy by creating more jobs.
“Everybody gets a tax cut here, and historically those who have money put more into their businesses, they hire more people,” Perry said. “You’ve got the president, you have some people out there who want to talk about class warfare, that the rich are going to have more money or what have you. I’m interested in individuals who are going to be able to invest in this country, have the confidence that an environment has been created … they’ll invest in companies that can create jobs. That’s what this debate ought to stay on, not creating class warfare.”
In the first round of television ads he released in Iowa this week, Perry touted his job creation record in Texas and vowed to create 2.5 million jobs as president, a number FOX News would increase the unemployment rate, a claim Perry called “absolutely false on its face.”
“I think it’s amazing that when people, when we’ve lost two and a half million jobs in this country, and there’s another state that’s juxtaposition to that that created a million jobs and for people to go, ‘Well that’s not enough.’ Well let me tell you, any job at this particular point in time helps,” Perry said. “Americans will get back to work.
“The idea that I’m going to let people talk this plan down just for the sake of just having an intellectual discussion is not correct,” he said.
Perry criticized President Obama’s decision to pull all troops out of Iraq by year’s end and lambasted his handling of the economy, suggesting the president has “turned it into an absolute Frankenstein experience.”
The Texas governor took the opportunity to paint opponent Mitt Romney as inconsistent on a number of issues, ranging from his stance on abortion to gun control.
“I have been a consistent conservative. I have always been in favor of the Second Amendment and protecting Second Amendment. I’ve always been pro-life, I’ve always been a fiscal conservative, and Mitt’s been on both sides of those issues,” Perry said. “He’s been through a ban on guns in Massachusetts, he’s been for pro-abortion, he’s been you know for supporting gay rights and now he’s on the other side of those issues. So from the standpoint of having different positions, we certainly do. We are very, very different from the standpoint of consistency on those issues that I’ve just mentioned.”
Perry, who is polling in fifth place with 7 percent in Iowa according to a Des Moines Register poll released Saturday, said he is not planning “negative” attacks on Romney but said he’s prepared to lay out the truth about the Massachusetts governor.
“I don’t get confused with just telling the truth with someone might say that’s negative,” he said. “If we’re telling the truth about someone, the truth is the truth, whether it hurts your feelings or not.”
Perry shot to the top of the polls when he entered the presidential race, but his numbers tumbled after shaky debate performances. The Texas governor, who has never lost an election, said the race isn’t settled yet and believes he still has the time and funds to compete with the heavy hitters in the Republican field.
“Don’t sprint it, just take a nice easy run at it, continue to stay focused and take your message to the people,” Perry said when asked what he’s learned in the first two months of campaigning. “I’m confident that we’re going to be out there competing and obviously we’ve got a war chest that allows us to get that message out there.”
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HEY! You’re stealing Mitt Romney’s line.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 30, 2011, 1:53 pm 1:53 pm
It was John Kerry’s line before it was Mitt Romney’s.
Posted by: newcountryman | October 30, 2011, 2:00 pm 2:00 pm
So Kerry & Romney have 2 things in common then. They’re both liberal north easterners who will lose.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 30, 2011, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
‘Perry criticized President Obama’s decision to pull all troops out of Iraq by year’s end…” – - – As if President Obama has a rational alternative. The IRAQI government wants our troops out. The IRAQI government refused to renew the Status of Forces Agreement that allows us to have combat troops there (i.e. not the training contingent that will remain) and which also provides those troops with legal protections. Only a president who is an idiot would keep combat troops in a country with which we do not have a Status of Forces Agreement providing them with legal protections. By implying he would do anything different from what President Obama is doing he is proclaiming he is an idiot. By implying President Obama is doing something wrong he is implying the President has a reasonable alternative and that is just false. By misleading people with partial truths – just like he did in the debate – he demonstrates he is either ignorant of the facts, he is to stupid to understand the facts, or he is a liar.
Posted by: B-K KnightRider | October 30, 2011, 2:21 pm 2:21 pm
Politics means I’m not sure of my ideas.
Posted by: owen | October 30, 2011, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm
DROP OUT NOW, Perry. You cannot win because the people already see your phony side. Get out of the real battle between Cain and Romney and hope one of them chooses you for VP because you will never win the nomination and you only get in the way and cost the GOP against the OBAMA.
Posted by: rockychance | October 30, 2011, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
Owen: “Politics means I’m not sure of my ideas.” – - – ROFL. Brilliant.
Posted by: B-K KnightRider | October 30, 2011, 3:05 pm 3:05 pm
flip-flop
Posted by: justonemorething | October 30, 2011, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm
Governor Rick Perry is a decent man who was elected to the governor’s office of the second largest state 3 times. He was an Air Force Officer that served our country with distinction. Rick Perry has been elected and reelected governor of the second largest state by the Latino voters and Ron Paul voters.
It’s time for conservative voters to coalesce around the only truly viable candidate, and that’s Rick Perry. He will get better in these crappy debate formats, and he will ultimately defeat Obama.
Posted by: nancy sabet | October 30, 2011, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm
Perry does what the oil industry wants…. but he says whatever he thinks will get him elected….
Posted by: abby | October 30, 2011, 4:01 pm 4:01 pm
So, Perry can “change positions” but anybody else who does it is a “flip flopper”? Stupid! Overall, however, I think it is stupid to NOT change your position if you have new information. As time goes on, I change my mind about some things. Are we really expecting to find a candidate who has NEVER changed their mind/position on anything??? Idiotic! Perry, will not win the nomination under any circumstances….he is too angry and too dumb. To actually come out and say, “I don’t think we should have debates”…sounds like a liberal whiner who wants to do away with debates because is stinks at them!
Posted by: zandan | October 30, 2011, 5:29 pm 5:29 pm
Rick Perry = Human Garbage
Posted by: riker | October 30, 2011, 5:59 pm 5:59 pm
If a candidate cannot change his mind, promise you, you don’t want him in Washington. People set in their ways are trouble. Honest men and women will listen to more than their own voice.
Posted by: Susan | October 30, 2011, 7:55 pm 7:55 pm
Perry can be summed up very simply: a really dumb guy on the take.
Posted by: usa8888 | October 30, 2011, 8:27 pm 8:27 pm
He is so clueless. LOL
Posted by: Jim Bob jr. | October 30, 2011, 8:57 pm 8:57 pm
Changing one’s mind for cause is not a bad thing and admitting it is a good thing. Now, he needs to change his mind about opposing the pull out from Iraq. For years, the American people, including Republicans, have wanted out of the middle east. Now that the President is taking a huge step in that direction, they oppose leaving Iraq. What a surprise ! It’s absurd for them to oppose this and it’s obvious that they’ve come to a point wherein they don’t even study the merits of their positions. It’s ‘just say no’ to everything Obama proposes. If the American people don’t reject the GOP based on this alone, they deserve whatever misfortune comes along. The GOP is making it clear that the good of the nation or the safety of our troops doesn’t matter. They should be happy for the people who are finally coming home for good. But no,they would have them stay just because Obama says leave. These people have no integrity at all. Plus, I’m beginning to believe that it’s all about racial bigotry against Obama. Nothing else makes sense. They are pandering to the die hard racists who never wanted a black guy in the WH because they know these people exist and that logic doesn’t matter. EXPLOIT THE HATE. That’s the modern GOP unspoken mantra and it’s not really a surprize.
Posted by: cloteasboy | October 30, 2011, 9:30 pm 9:30 pm
I believe in what ever, any idiot wants me to believe in as long as the idiots vote for me. It is much more important to get elected by lying than to be truthful and actually defend my beliefs. It also depends on what corporation gives me money, because their money proves they are right.
Posted by: vissionquest | October 30, 2011, 9:32 pm 9:32 pm
Have you noticed that Rep. Ron Paul’s long-time belief’s are now the current Republican contenders’ talking points. Ron Paul, the only one truly supporting the Constitution over the years, has continually said–and voted–that anything not expressly in the Constitution is left to the states, including energy-related tax breaks and subsidies. Have you really checked out Ron Paul on youtube and ronpaul2012.com, etc.?
And did you know that HE won the National Federation of Republican Assemblies Presidential Straw Poll. (The one reported in the news is the Des Moine newspaper’s straw poll, a phone poll of “likely” Republican voters, it was admitted.) Iowa voters: Paul 82%, Cain 14.7%; Non-Iowans: Paul won 26%, Cain 25%, etc.
Posted by: ListenCitizens | October 30, 2011, 10:14 pm 10:14 pm
This country has endured 12 years of idiocy from Texas. No more! Keep this opportunist out of the White House.
Posted by: Forsnow | October 31, 2011, 12:52 am 12:52 am
So..um Perry is making a lot of noise about Romney’s flip flops..and a stink about an illegal worker for Romney’s lawn service..all the while supporting illegals in tex-ass..and flip flopping his own self…I know it sounds stupid of him..but then I think, he can’t be as stupid as he looks, or he wouldn’t be able to breathe…so I’m guessing he’s relying heavily on evangelical jebus to help him out!
Posted by: dinkus maghee | October 31, 2011, 2:50 am 2:50 am
Thanks for your interest Rick, but no more faux cowboys allowed in the white house
Posted by: Nauseated | October 31, 2011, 9:28 am 9:28 am
. . . Against what “Islamic-Jihad-Countries” would a U.S. President candidate (RICK PERRY) fire a “Nuclear Counterstrike” if United States is attacked with ANONYMOUS exploded Nuclear Landmines of the Russian RA 115 Class on Christmas day, 2011, as described and detailed in U.S. House Hearingf 106-158?
. . . Lets us assume that the countries that qualify as “COUNTERSTRIKE TARGET COUNTRIES” are: (1) Pakistan (with Usama bin Ladin & a Nuclear arsenal)), (2) Iran, (2) Afghanistan, (3) , Jordan , (4)Egypt) , (5) Libya), (6) Morroco) , (7) Algeria), (8) Saudi Arabia) , (9) Iraq, (10) Syria, (11) Tajikistan, or NOT COUNTERSTRIKE while the U.S. is in smoking ruins? One, or ALL these “JIHADIST” countries will become “Nuclear Charcoal ! “
Posted by: Ken MacKenzie | October 31, 2011, 9:55 am 9:55 am
Anything not in Big Oil’s interest is no longer in Perry’s interest since their dollars made him their boy. Same reason Reagan tore down the solar panels from the White House and pointed us in a direction that lowered average auto mpgs for two decades.
Posted by: The_Mick | October 31, 2011, 10:14 am 10:14 am
If you vote for anyone but Ron Paul, you’re just voting for more of the same.
Posted by: BambiB | October 31, 2011, 10:14 am 10:14 am
Ok, so he waves the Second Amendment, hooray. What are his plans for renewable energy and fixing the economy? He got a loan for Texas for a nuclear plant so that says he is not very ‘green’ on the environment, his campaign is radioactive. Instead of dumping billions into nuclear energy, the govt. should be making it easier for homeowners to install wind turbines and solar panels to their homes to help reduce costs of utilities. A vote for conservatism is a vote to return to the last century, or the Dark Ages, take your pick.
Posted by: hereticzero | October 31, 2011, 10:30 am 10:30 am
Rick Perry’s whole run for the Presidency is toast. He’s really NOT ready for the big leagues and ought to go back to Texas and remain their Governor. This man hasn’t a clue and has looked completely inept in all the debates up to now. This nation really doesn’t need another man from Texas that has problems completing a full sentence we’ve already seen what THAT did for the Nation!
Posted by: demNme5 | October 31, 2011, 10:33 am 10:33 am
Is this a flip or a flop?
Posted by: MSYELLAROSE | October 31, 2011, 11:04 am 11:04 am
Do you want your nation to continue to fail? Do you want to go back to George Bush? Or have you finally realized that this nation MUST MOVE FORWARD? If you have you will vote for Ron Paul and give this nation a real chance of moving forward. Or you can continue to listen to these MEDIA PLUGS FOR RICK PERRY who is someone identical to George Bush and who SERVES THE SAME MASTERS AS BUSH AND CHENNEY. Its really up to you. One thing I will tell you, this nation is in extremely serious trouble….Perry is being supported for no other reason than he will maintain the foreign dole outs even while Americans are up the necks in debt. This is the only reason you see his face on ABC every day. All you have to do is look around and you will be able to verify this truth. I think taking a chance on Ron Paul is the only option available here. There is simply no other other option! Period.
Posted by: Mr Poopster Boobster | October 31, 2011, 11:16 am 11:16 am
@nancy sabet
You left out the part about the Trans-Cor. Hwy. which Perry supported. You know the moster highway that would have taken people’s land and broken up communities. He may have been voted governor but 4 million people voted against him. And if good ole conservativism means selling off government to the highest bidder…Rick IS your guy.
Posted by: drake | October 31, 2011, 11:26 am 11:26 am
Perry’s political peregrinations have remained quite chaotic. His debate strategy is another story.
Posted by: Marat | October 31, 2011, 11:35 am 11:35 am
“Now flip, flop and fly,
I don’t care if I [lie]
Now flip, flop and fly,
I don’t care if I [lie]
Don’t ever leave me, don’t ever say goodbye”
Posted by: Bob | October 31, 2011, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm
what do you mean …no more fake cowboys? this man was born and raised farming and riding horses… he is a trus american cowboy and so is his dad. please no false statements about rick perry. he has my vote for the GOP primary and i am an independent. i do not need another good debater but a good president. i think he will be if elected.
Posted by: terenia | November 1, 2011, 12:19 am 12:19 am