Opposition Researchers Get the Good Word

A Republican campaign veteran tells us that Texas Governor Rick Perry has decided to run for President, though the official word from Team Perry is still a definite maybe, reports WSJ.

More from WSJ:

Our normally reliable Republican source reports that Mr. Perry has surveyed the field and decided to get in the race later this summer, perhaps around the time of the national prayer meeting that Mr. Perry is hosting on August 6 at a Houston football stadium. Our source also reports that Mr. Perry is aiming to compete in the Iowa Straw Poll, even though it occurs just a week later, on August 13.

Fun for Rick Perry Opposition Researchers?

Looks like Rick Perry is seriously considering a presidential run.

The Texas governor is now scheduled to travel to New Hampshire in October. He will be the keynote speaker at a fundraising dinner put on by Cornerstone Action.

For Rick Perry opposition researchers this may mean checking out rumors at venues that don't open until noon. Note to researchers: Bring lots of dollar bills.

You Heard It Here First (Rick Perry Edition)

Not everyone in Austin, Texas is a friend of Rick Perry's. If Perry decides to throw his hat in the ring for the Republican presidential nomination, opposition research boys are going to be very busy checking out rumors floating around Austin.

First Look: Rick Perry

Since establishment candidate Mitt Romney appears to be the Republican Party equivalent of LeBron James (He just can't take over the game when necessary), many establishment types are tossing around former Texas A&M male cheerleader and current Texas governor, Rick Perry, as a presidential candidate.

Here's a quick first look at Perry:

He began his political career as a Democrat in 1984 in the Texas House. Way back in 1988, he supported Al Gore for president. When that didn't work out for him, or Gore, he joined the Republican Party.

Despite the widely held view that Texas is in strong financial shape, the state has severe debt overhang. Since Perry took over as governor in 2000, blame for the current debt situation can be place at his feet.

While not raising the sales tax in Texas (Texas has no income tax). He raised just about every other fee and tax he could think of, including a surcharge on traffic violations. He also borrowed money for road bonds and borrowed from the Federal Unemployment Trust Fund.

In 2003, he launched the Texas Enterprise Fund, he quickly, in 2004, gave $20 million to Countrywide Financial, the mortgage creating machine that was a major player in subprime, no docs mortgages.

Depending how it is calculated, the debt of the state of Texas could be considered as high as $269 billion, which on a per citizen basis is $10,644 and is higher than even the $9,931 per citizen debt in the state of California.

In 2000, when Perry first became governor, total spending by the state of Texas was $49 billion. At the end of 2010, it was $90 billion.

I can just imagine what this guy would do at the federal level with Ben Bernanke around to backup his spending.