Rick Perry: Texas Wildfire 'As Mean Looking' As He's Ever Seen

BASTROP, Texas -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry says the wildfire burning in the central part of the state is "as mean looking" as he's ever seen.

Perry left his presidential campaign Monday in South Carolina to return to Texas and deal with the fire, which covers 25,000 acres near Bastrop and has already destroyed nearly 500 homes.

Perry said at a news conference that wildfires have claimed 3.5 million acres in Texas since December.

He said the Federal Emergency Management Agency likely would arrive Wednesday and that Texas would seek federal disaster relief. He also said officials were considering seeking military resources from nearby Fort Hood.

Perry said it's too soon to tell whether he'll miss Wednesday's GOP debate in California. He added that he's "not paying attention to politics right now."

Comments

[grayplace]

01:43 PM on 09/08/2011

Maybe this is Perry's way to secede. Burn it off, like an old wart.

[grayplace]

01:40 PM on 09/08/2011

Perry: "Golly, gee, that's a mean lookin' fire. But I's got more important thin's to be aworried about, like makin' sure the fedral gobermant don't interfere with that there fire."

[BillForObama]

05:59 AM on 09/08/2011

Does anyone want to live in Perry's Texas?

[Joel Greer]

12:55 AM on 09/08/2011

"...If Texans want the aid (from Obama), they should get rid of Perry first..."

Are you older than 12 years of age?
Disaster funds go to THE CITIZENS that are hurt financially due a natural disaster.
Who exactly did you think received disaster funds?
It ever cross your mind that knowledge of a subject you are making critical statements about is something a normal adult would do 1st?
Floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires are non-political entities.
Perry couldn't care less what BO and Coven think of him personally...he's had 2 decades of experience in how ugly politics can be.
His concern is for the harmed people in Texas.
Wildfires are not the slightest bit politically biased in choosing houses to burn based on political party affiliation.
Straight Democratic voters homes were also burned...it wasn't just Republican/Conservatives homes.
Please don't create offspring

[Nance Cedar]

05:17 PM on 09/07/2011

What do you bet Eric Cantor doesn't quibble about disaster relief for Texas.

[Chris Brancewicz]

02:45 PM on 09/07/2011

Since Perry does not like FEMA, and wants to cut federal spending, he should NOT get federal disaster money or aid... [after all, this is federal spending which he clearly does not want]... If Texans want the aid (from Obama), they should get rid of Perry first...

[Jannice Lockley]

03:18 PM on 09/07/2011

I love that... now your suggesting that Perry wants to cut Fema? He wants financial responsibility for actions in Washington.. not spending Hundreds of billions of dollars on fake budget plans and back room "sweetheart" deals to stroke each others egos.. You think all Republicans want to hurt everyone but you couldn't be further from the truth. It's Democrats that want to hold you down and make you dependent on Government.. Republicans want you to have work and EARN your money... do what you want with the money you EARNED and live the American dream!! Less Government means more Freedom! I know that is hard for those that need to follow and not be in the lead!!!

[myjoyy]

06:16 PM on 09/07/2011

That he cut 75% of the volunteer fire fighters funding here is no wonder the state is scrambling to get resources to contain and control these fires. That's literally a prime example of slash and burn. So I guess with Perry saying FEMA's coming in today we just gave up some more of that freedom you're talking about.

As far as the backroom "sweetheart" deals you're referring to, the only difference between Perry and your reference is that he's c0cky enough to make those kind of deals out in the open rather than in the backrooms. Ten years as governor, he got it like that - it's good to be the king!

[myjoyy]

06:27 PM on 09/07/2011

Getting rid of Perry before assisting TX shouldn't be your real concern. Just in case he wins the primary, be ready to make sure he doesn't make it past the TX borders into the WH. Fair warning from these eyes and ears of TX.

[herrahsdad]

08:37 AM on 09/07/2011

The fires are now in a wealthy area and Perry suddenly takes an interest in a problem that has been going on for months that has devastated less wealthy areas.

[myjoyy]

06:39 PM on 09/07/2011

And the opportunities for photo ops don't hurt.

[wayne the pain]

08:32 AM on 09/07/2011

He and Reverend Billy Sol Hargis should just go out to those fires and just pray them away! If he can't do it,maybe it is a SIGN that GOD is not happy with Governor Rick's leadership!

[Rouvey]

08:26 AM on 09/07/2011

The fire's just as "mean spirited" as he is. Somebody trying to tell him something? Hmmmmm...

[herrahsdad]

07:50 AM on 09/07/2011

Perry knew this was very, very probable and went ahead with slashing funding by 75% to volunteer fire departments while his own state government officials begged him not to do so......President Perry?.....I don't think so.

[herrahsdad]

07:35 AM on 09/07/2011

Did you know?

Did you know that rick Perry just cut 75% of funding to volunteer fire departments during the last legislative session that just ended during the worst fire season in Texas History?

Did you know that his own state government warned Perry against doing so telling him that this vey senerio in the area now burning was a probability before he went ahead and slashed funding?

Did you Know that 4 million acers have burned during this fire season that he slashed funding during?

Did you know that there have been 600 homes burned to the ground in the Bastrop fire (cueernt fire), 168 homes in the Possom Kingdom fire, and 116 homes burned in the prevous Cross plains fire for a total of 984 homes so far?

Do you really even want to consider this man for President knowing this is the kind of government that a Perry Administation will bring to all of you if you allow this man the Presendency?

[Jannice Lockley]

03:22 PM on 09/07/2011

Did you know that the Government spends Billions more than it has?? Did you know we are all suffering in this Economy of Obama's neglect? Did you know.. you have it pretty good in Texas.. and if you are looking for something worse... you should move to CA!

[mddunnington]

12:23 AM on 09/08/2011

Did you know that Perry will not be President. And did you know that Perry is screaming for Federal help now. So move out of Texas.

[ceciljoy]

07:13 AM on 09/07/2011

Rush Limbaugh says Rick Perry wanted this to be a really bad fire so Perry could blame his lack of knowledge about anything apart from Tea Party soundbites at the Republican Debate, it was fatigue from grand standing with local fire officials.

[herrahsdad]

08:32 AM on 09/07/2011

I don't think he will show up for the debate. We Texans know that Perry refused to do even 1 debate with Bob White, the democrat in the last election.

But good for Rush if he said that. It's the closest thing to truth he's ever said.

[lbsurfettes]

07:11 AM on 09/07/2011

Since you holier than now republicans/tea partiers think natural disasters have something to do with the moral culture of society, I'm wondering what could have possibly caused this to happen in a bible thumping,conservative state such as yours? It couldn't be that your fearfull leader has put to death innocent people, taken away basic rights for women and children, dismantled unions that protect workers welfare and safety, taken millions of dollars from corporate donors who have outsourced your jobs while making record profits, discriminated against you because of who you love, ignored scientific proof of man made environmental havoc, etc.... All of this while claiming, he is a man of GOD. What bible teaches this? Not mine!!!!

[buggeroffyou666]

05:49 AM on 09/07/2011

Looks like when it came up to praying vs. the REALITY of global climate change, reality won.

[JLeamer]

02:46 AM on 09/07/2011

I sure wish Perry had prayed away these wild fires before these poor folks' homes were destroyed...let's hope his prayers do better for the country and our economy!