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

[PresidentRobertBooth]

Conservatives in Texas miss the irony apparently of being so patriotic towards America, while actually considering seceding from it.

[Tomlastliberal]

We have had some real knuckleheads as Governor. Some worse than others, but, Rick Perry has proven himself to be little more tham a political huckster with a severe lack integrity, character or any other trait one would like to see in an elected official. He has sold out the people of Texas to every special interest group willing to slip him money and his chances of re-election are quickly going bye-bye. We Texas Democrats are doing what we can. Sooner or later, reality will take hold and we will overcome these jerks.

[Exexecution]

Sincerely sorry you have to live with that. Texas can't stay red forever.
Meanwhile, New Hampshire is going legal gay marriage.
The tally: red states-10% of the Union
gay marriage states-12% of the Union
Which will be the last to fall?

[totalliberal]

He sounds like the perfect Republican candidate for President. Go Rick. LMAO

[patrickmcdougal]

Texas will be Blue by 2012

[Coltrane1234]

Only if we work hard! I'm down.

[haval2]

Right wing idolatry ... gotta love the hateful good ole boys. Someone email them and tell them we've moved on.

[dimplesmile7]

What a sorry site! Maybe we can get them both to secede from the union. Good riddance!

[Vyvjala]

If this was put to a vote by the citizens of the state of Texas whether limbaugh is elgible to become an honorary Texan or not, he will fail miserably.

[GBO]

What a shame

[patriot76]

the same cowpie gov mansion that brought us the bush hole

[trinity]

If Limbaugh is now a "Texan", can he be deported when Texas decides to succeed from the U.S.?

[ccoop]

Wait...did you just say "succeed?"

For the love of God, click this link:

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secede

[DrJon]

Obviously, no IQ test is required to be governor of Texas.

[TonyFairfax]

Actually an IQ is administered and if one is above a certain level one is disqualified from running for governor of Texas.

[totalliberal]

Or vote there.

[nirek]

Rick and rush deserve each other, let them get married. I do not care.

[Chris Darrouzet]

Saddest thing to see is that this gathering was in part to support Congressman Michael McCaul. (He's in the video to the left of the screen behind Limbaugh.) I grew up in Dallas, where the McCaul family and my family were extremely close. McCaul's father was one of the finest men I have ever known -- a second father to me, really. He was wise, witty, caring, compassionate and in no way given to the kind of politics that his son is surrounding himself with today in Rick Perry and Rush Limbaugh, and getting his start via Tom Delay's gerrymandering. Sadly Mr. McCaul died of cancer over twenty years ago, when Michael was in his mid-twenties. One of the many sad things about loosing Mr. McCaul so early was that he has not been around to coach and mentor his son in his early political career. Mr. McCaul sometimes voted Republican but often Democratic too. But I can hear him now finding the wittiest, sharpest yet still compassionate way of calling out these guys as boorish reactionaries. I'm just sorry to see his youngest son sucked into the awfulness of deranged, Texas and National, right-wing politics.

[JabbalovesEIB]

I love Rick Perry!

[horacepoet]

Did you all year those YEA!!!!!!!! YEAS!!!!!! coming from the crowd? That pretty much tells you all you need to know about this event. Rush has been given an honorary degree among those like-minded texans. Take That!! YEA!!!!!!!!!!!

[oldgeek1]

The 2 words I would have for Rush are not God Bless

[Savanna]

Everyday I am more shamed by this man as the Governor of Texas. He is amazingly
unable to understand the duties of being a Governor. Endorsing Rush Limbaugh is a slap
in the face to every Texan especially the ones with thoughtful and caring minds.