Rick Perry: "God Bless Rush Limbaugh" (VIDEO)

The conventional wisdom surrounding Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the Supreme Court is that elected Republicans will tread lightly in their critiques, lest they burn their already weak bridges to the Hispanic community.

Along these lines, comments from Rush Limbaugh, Newt Gingrich (who has since recanted his remarks) and others calling Sotomayor a racist were deemed the GOP establishment as counterproductive, especially for GOPers in states with large Hispanic populations.

But maybe not.

This past Friday, at the apex of the conservative movement's anti-Sotomayor rhetoric, Limbaugh was bestowed the title of "honorary Texan" by the state's governor, Rick Perry, during an event in Houston.

"You said something on your radio station that you thought you ought to pack up and move to Texas," said Perry. "Well when you get here brother you're an honorary Texan... God bless Rush Limbaugh!"

Perry, of course, is a dyed-in-the-wool conservative who has built his political career by appealing to his party's most ideological elements. Hence his recent talk of secession. But the governor is also facing an incredibly difficult primary challenge from Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson. The Hispanic population in his state -- one of the largest in the countries -- could play a major role in who gets the nod. And the extent to which Limbaugh can serve as a political prop or foil (even within the Republican Party) could be put to an early test.

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Comments

[TEAQUEEN]

Two of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse..name the other two.Enough said.

[majii]

I just know I didn't just see Limbaugh and Perry use a fistbump! Oh, the horror! Oh, the shame! LMAO, for real.

[bellabeach]

I for one love to see Rick & Rush become pals....2012 we will again take control of the WH! Makes you proud when you know you voted for the right man, at the right time, in the right place...Go Pres O and here's to another four years!!!

[Melinda1953]

Speaking as a Texan, I firmly believe that this jerk is having a nervous
breakdown. Last month he was hanging out with people "Teabagging"
and saying that he wanted to secede from the United States and now THIS?
Rick has either been using poisoned hair jell or he actually inhaled when the
Governor's mansion caught fire. It's time for him to retire. Hopefully he will take Kay Bailey Hutchinson with him. Maybe with the two of them running we'll get another non GOP Governor. I hope.

[IllinoisTexan43]

Just pathetic. The whole lot of them. Pathetic. If you want to see elite entitlement in action, watch the Texas republican good ol' boys mix it up. Even Cornyn and Hutchison are distancing themselves from the bunch, and that's significant.

[EndTheEcho]

So he is looking for a new state to flee to during a hurricane? Not aware that Texas gets hit by them too? Ask the folks in Houston about last summer!

[myworld]

pure fools gold!

[WakeMeUpNow]

This award doesn't mean anything good, after all, George "doorknob" W. Bush is from Texas.

[imfedup]

What a tool. He will lose for sure now.

[isom74]

From the state that brought you George W. Bush!

[just4shiggles]

Maybe after Perry loses the next election he can get a job at fox "news" or perhaps start yet another right wing radio station. He could take turns running the show with Steele.

[MindfulOne]

Thank the white god. Stupid people!

[kcgeezer]

Hey, Perry. Wipe yer chin off.

[jsgaetano]

Indeed! Between Limbaugh's hate speech, Perry's constant treasonous outbursts, and the shrill puling whine of the far right, Texas will be a Blue State very soon.

[Farzan]

Look at the Governor at 52 Second. That wrist dropped too familiarly. Yes. I have gaydar.

[YouDisgustMe]

i'm not one that points fingers when it comes to other people's sexuality, but i have to admit....that stood out to me as well.

[Farzan]

I am willing to bet he is another one of those self haters in the den of wolves.