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.

Get HuffPost Politics On Facebook and Twitter!

Comments

[wlaurencew]

God bless both of them; and thank God I'm an atheist. If eternity is populated with the likes of Perry, Limbaugh, Robertson, etc., I look forward to returning to the dust from which I came. Brother. Amen.

[ObamAtomic]

Secessionist and nodding man,viva la vida!

[Sigger]

I don't know which one's thoughts and ideas and rhetoric makes me want to puke first? On second thought, Rusburgh without a doubt. But Perry is trying.

[DASM]

"God bless Rush Limbaugh!"

God must be cringing.

[totaldisbelief]

give Texas back to Mexico

[MichaelMcKLA]

Nope. Sell it back to Mexico.

[incredulousnyc]

Werd.

[ljande]

How in the world did this ridiculous man get elected to office?

[eleutheros]

DAAHHH - They elected Bush ... Don't mess with Texas? To hell with Texas!

[zeezan]

He had the same qualifications as W -- he was a college cheerleader.

[bbriani3842]

Duh...he inherited the job from W and then the Dems in Texas had no real contenders to run against him in the last two elections. Jim Hightower for gov!

[bdaved]

I don't think Jim Hightower has much chance of getting elected to any office any time soon and that's really too bad. I'd love to be mistaken.

[atexasdem]

It's pretty simple actually. Bush appointed him governor when he went to DC. Remember now Bush got his job because of his daddy and his daddy's friends. We all know about Bush's fine judgement and charector.
Perry is going far right wing in the hope of beating Hutcheson in the Republican primary for governor. I truly hope that Limbaugh campaigns for Perry. Maybe Rush could be his house guest at the resort Perry lives at on the taxpayers dime. Speaking as a Texas democrat I'd love to see that in the paper. The Texas legislature is only two or three members from again having a democratic majority. Keep it up Bob ole boy. Keep it up.
Maybe Sarah Palin will do some campaigning for you too if you ask her.

[Richard Lakin]

I've been to Texas a lot for business. Bad infrastructure, lousy internet connections (I'm in the technology field), crappy schools, too many rednecks, and they crap on the Latinos who do most of the work. Sorry to generalize, but it's never much fun to go there, except maybe for San Antonio and Austin. Now a Governor who says "God bless Rush Dirtball?!!" Maybe succession should be forced on Texas by the rest of the country. We get to keep "Asleep at the Wheel" and Kinky Friedman though.

[zakwouldhave]

Richard Lakin. I agree mostly with your assessment. I live in Austin and its the only place in Texas I'll live (I have some balance having lived outside of DC for 20 years and Minnesota for 10). Around Austin there really isn't much crapping on Latinos actually.
I have to wonder why Kinky Friedman is seen in such a positive light...he is a great guy to have beers with at Asleep at the Wheel but I think he believes in school prayer which to me means no chance of my supporting him. I might have to hold my nose and vote for Kay Bailey to get rid of the cuckoo Rich (the hair) Perrry.
I could see Rush living in Dallas. But Florida just seems like the right fit for him.

[human2008]

They say Don't Mess with Texas - wonder what is there to mess with in Texas ..

[rchwel]

LMAO That looked like a Laurel & Hardy skit !

[SocialistBoy]

Now I know what and S.O.B. is. English language is fun thanks to Mr. Perry!!

[raymurt]

Political suicide is always amusing.

[roninroshi]

Nice "Fist Bump"...

[rudyinbama]

We should sell Texas back to Mexico for a dollar.
No - a peso.

[Diogenis]

Texas and Alaska have much in common. They're starving for attention and going about getting it in the worse ways possible.

[badfluffy]

i miss Anne Richards

[bbriani3842]

Amen!!

[SocialistBoy]

It's odd how the Whites do it, I was born in texas, many moons ago, and it took me years(time and money) to get declared a member of the state and become a citizen on the usa (lower case intended) and this WASTE is now a texan!! ?? I'm not a fan of Perry; and when is his next public outing or engagement- pray tell??

[Obamalicious]

I know people from the NSA that would love to know what you meant by that vague threat...

[Coltrane1234]

Why don't you just stomp on the bill of rights some more, your icon is very fitting.