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

[listentome]

Although I no longer live in Texas I am from that state originally. All citizens of Texas, especially the ones of color should be offended by both Rush and Rick. Rick says, "God bless Rush Limbaugh". I say, "may they both be hooked up to the same dialysis machine."

[whiteboyblues]

Why does Rick Perry hate America?

[Petey131]

Must be the "Lord of Darkness" that will surround Limpork with its presence.

[LMPE]

Let Rush move there and then let the state secede. We won't lose anything.

[notconfindtweenhatnboots]

I suppose all those kids who go to "JesusCamp" will now start praying to cardboard cut-outs of R ush now...

[notconfindtweenhatnboots]

I suppose all those kids who go to "Jesus Camp" will now start praying to cardboard cut-outs of Rush now...

[flamom4obama]

Florida's feelings won't be hurt if Rush were to move to Texas.

[EuroRant1]

God just sent me a tweeter message ... it simply said:

Please tell Governor Perry "PASS".

[YouCanKeepYourChange]

If liberals can't stand you, you know you're doing something right.

[Veronica]

By your logic, George W. Bush was a spectacularly successful president.

Same asinine BS I would expect from any other person without the sense to feel contempt for empty, pandering suit Rick Perry.

[bonchesva]

It's attitudes like yours that prevent liberal and conservative politicians in this country from working together for what's best for the country, not just one party or the other.

[johnr49]

If by "right" you mean right of center, you're absolutely correct.

[Lakshmi0000]

Hispanic people, "WAKE UP!"

OBAMA - 2012-2016

[fidiget]

Can we banish both Perry and Limbaugh from Texas? I don't want either of them living here.

[simplelivingmama]

Did I see them do the Obama fist bump thingy? That was painful to watch.

[TEAQUEEN]

Very painful..h­elp me to understand­..you don't like someone_but you try to their fist bump?So painful..m­uch like when Bush and his boys did a rap song..I just don't understand.

[yellowmj6]

It's not the Obama fist bump...acc­ording to FOX Noise, it's the terrorist fist bump, hahahahahaha.

[joycehelene]

I am all for sending Cheney, Rush, Lindsay, Newt, Michael Steel and a few more of the nit-wit republicans to live with Rick Perry in Texas, then it would be a pleasure to have the whole kit and kaboodle succeed from the Union. They can have a lot of fun with George W there, dirt biking, clearing brush and not bothering the good people of the United States.

[4KixAfter6]

He's going to need rush to give him a job after the next election.

[zachizzle]

Now those of us in Texas have so much more to be ashamed of than the Dixie Chicks ever could have imagined.