Rick Perry Wants New York Jobs - And Debate With Andrew Cuomo
Gov. Rick Perry has made it clear that he's not afraid to mess with states outside of Texas to attract businesses, but now the former presidential candidate and potential 2016 contender is looking to brush up on his debate skills with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
"A debate between the governors of two of the largest states in the country on policy issues such as taxes, government spending, education, regulations and legal reform would be beneficial to our states and our country as a whole," the Texas Republican said in an interview with an Albany news radio station today.
According to a statement from the Americans for Economic Freedom, Perry is in New York City this week until Thursday on the heels of a new 30-second TV ad now airing from the non-profit organization, which supports low state taxes.
In it, Perry tells New York business leaders: "If you're tired of New York, there is an option: Texas."
It's not the first state Perry has traveled to in an attempt to scoop up businesses.
The Republican governor has made a campaign-style push in states like California, Illinois and Missouri by hosting business meetings and appearing on TV and radio shows to promise low taxes and incentives for any businesses with an itch to relocate.
In January, Perry took a jab at Cuomo saying that if the New York governor "were truthful" he would admit that he wants to be a Texan.
Just what this debate might look like isn't clear, but the last time Perry squared off against a fellow governor in a debate was with Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley last September on CNN's Crossfire.
Both Gov. Cuomo and Gov. Perry's offices didn't respond to ABC News' request for comment, but Communications Director for the Democratic Governor's Association Danny Kanner told ABC News in an email: "A little free advice for Rick Perry: the fewer debates with anyone, the better."
Kanner then linked to the famous clip from the Republican Presidential Debate in 2011. Gov. Perry was unable to finish naming three agencies in government he said he would cut upon being elected before saying "Oops."