Lindsey Graham: Rick Perry Faces 'Intimidation Factor' As 'Southern White Guy'

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) defended Rick Perry against accusations of racism Thursday, following the revelation over the weekend that a Perry family hunting camp in Texas had the word "Niggerhead" painted on a rock at its entrance.

"Rick Perry is not a racist. Rick Perry has produced jobs in a Texas in a very impressive way. He is a good man, and this is not going to work," Graham said on "The Mike Gallagher Show."

Gallagher, a conservative nationally syndicated talk radio show host, said that he saw a "bullying factor" to the criticism. Graham chimed in: "An intimidation factor, you'd better believe it. If you are a southern white guy, this is part of your life."

Perry told The Washington Post that the rock with the name "Niggerhead" was painted over in 1983 or 1984. However, seven sources interviewed by the Post said it was still visible after that. As recently as last summer, the name could still be seen faintly under a coat of paint.

After the story broke, even Perry's political opponents defended the governor against charges of racism. However, Perry has had periodic trouble with the subject of race since he won statewide office as agriculture commissioner in 1990, including remarks about promoting states' rights that some deemed racially insensitive.

 

 

Comments

[DemocraticVoter]

09:18 PM on 10/11/2011

I wonder if Mr. Graham is equating the 'intimidation of Mr. Perry' with the intimidation of Mr. James Byrd Jr. -- also a Texan.

[Roberto Oscuro]

02:28 PM on 10/07/2011

"As a mob boss I feel the FBI is just out to get me."

"As a pedophile and rapist, I feel it unfair that I can't play with my neighbor's children."

"As a convicted murderer I felt it unfair she didn't want to go out with me."

"As a an ex governor, I feel the press is attacking my run for President for abandoning my state in a financial and political crisis to pursue ultimate power."

Feelings, nothing more than feeeelings....

[klile]

01:18 PM on 10/07/2011

Southern White guys as a persecuted minority, what a laugh! Actually, I shouldn't be surprised. The Republicans and the TP have been attempting to re-write history for a while now.....

[steve11407]

11:28 AM on 10/07/2011

Anybody seen a picture of the rock? Bill White, Perry's gubernatorial opponent last election, would have worn this issue or any other racial issue out if there were anything to it. Give it a rest. Oh, and I love the last sentence that states, "including remarks about promoting states' rights that some deemed racially insensitive." Quantify 'some' please. More than one? Less than ??? Perry is no racist.

[WindySailor]

10:26 AM on 10/07/2011

Sen. Graham forgot to mention that "Blazing Saddles" is Gov. Perry's favorite movie.

[dwedge]

10:23 AM on 10/07/2011

Interesting, apparently Graham thinks he has discovered a whole new persecuted minority group. Wonder how many white Southern men would agree with him?

[Krystal Braswell]

02:34 PM on 10/07/2011

None of them agree with him

[Rwin Hopkins]

04:23 PM on 10/07/2011

all of them. where do you think the tea party came from.

[HairFarmer]

08:53 AM on 10/07/2011

No surprise here folks, just another dog whistling southern Pol defending another, still it is quite disgusting, expected but disgusting anyway

[WiltonDiary]

08:46 AM on 10/07/2011

Poor poor Lindsey, can''be who he really is so he defends a person who is what he really is. Now where is the chef in all this?

[Jesse Lee Jaynes Sr]

08:40 AM on 10/07/2011

is a racist???

[SBinF]

08:32 AM on 10/07/2011

"An intimidation factor, you'd better believe it. If you are a southern white guy, this is part of your life."

Southern white guys have had it so tough! Someone get them all a cookie.

[MDean]

08:10 AM on 10/07/2011

What? A social conservative white male from the south is subject to being bullied by any possible ties with the racist and oppressive past of our nation that was and is still more prevalent in the south? Good golly, we fought a civil war and 100 years after that we experienced significant civil unrest - and we've still not achieved a level of social equality. Furthermore Republican policies seek to dismantle programs that are intended to provide equal opportunity for those who continue to suffer from the social inequalities and the continuing economic oppression that results from our past.

Social conservatives wish to bully the nation to accept their beliefs, to enact legislation based on their morals, and to restrict the rights and freedoms of individuals. I have absolutely no sympathy for Mr. Perry or any other white southern social conservative that is unable to shake free of their racist past due to their inactions to address the inequalities that resulted from it.

[okiedemocrat]

08:03 AM on 10/07/2011

Graham comes from one of the most racially backward states. He's no authority.

[Javalation]

07:56 AM on 10/07/2011

The "intimidating the poor white guy" defense is an obvious ruse, crafted by another poor southern white guy. Had Perry demonstrated good judgment, he would have had the stone removed or flipped with a NEW NAME displayed at the entrance to the camp. Has he, or anyone else mentioned a new name? No. Which probably means that when Perry pals refer to the camp, they most likely have continued to use the still viably posted traditional name.

[mcvet]

07:23 AM on 10/07/2011

When you look at the LONG and VERY ugly history of Southern White Leaders and you put that together with the CONTINUING influence of groups that have LONG been hate groups focusing on Racism, what's not to understand Senator? You want people to stop thinking of you and your state like that DO SOMETHING to show them wrong. ACT like you at least UNDERSTAND what Minorities are saying. Show people that you AT LEAST can accept the MASSIVE failure of Voodoo Economics and it's IMPACT on Minorities. In other words IF you don't like how people view you, ACT to change that. Oh! You can start by putting the Traitors Flag in the drawer...

[Rwin Hopkins]

04:24 PM on 10/07/2011

hell yeah f/f!!!

[sanantoniowdw]

07:05 AM on 10/07/2011

Well it finally happened, I never thought that I would miss George Bush!

The Texas Miracle, if it wasn't so sad it would be laughable. The Texas fires were worse due to Perry's cuts. Education in Texas (and Lord knows its needed down here) has been cut to ribbons. Health care is in bad shape as Perry went after the nurses.

Perry brought jobs to Texas is a total farce. Businesses come to Texas due to low wages not Rick Perry!

I would love to see Perry win the nomination if it meant that we would get a new governor. Perry will never be president and trust me, a person who resides in Texas, you would miss G.W. too!