COMMENTARY | Someone should remind Texas Gov. Rick Perry that he's out of high school and running for president of the United States. Since announcing his run for the Republican nomination, Perry has worn his Texas bravado on his sleeve. The Associated Press' Paul Weber wrote an article suggesting Perry's mouth may not be endearing to a national audience.
Actually, Perry's quotes are childish and show him to be unworthy of the presidency.
Rick Perry and Ben Bernanke
Perry's first gaffe occurred Monday when he accused Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke of "treason" if the chairman "prints more money between now and the election." Perry added, "If this guy prints more money between now and the election, I don't know what y'all will do to him in Iowa, but we would treat him pretty ugly down in Texas."
The comments drew laughs from the conservative audience Perry was speaking to in Iowa but drew the ire of not only Democrats but prominent Republicans as well. Even Karl Rove, arch nemesis of liberals across the country, criticized Perry for his inflammatory language.
Interestingly, Bernanke was appointed to the Federal Reserve by that other conservative Texan, George W. Bush. So the ridiculousness of the statement factually is apparent. But let's give Perry the benefit of the doubt and believe, as he said, that he is just "passionate" about the issue. Reality check; as president, politically charged issues will need attention every day. Can America afford a president who spouts of at the mouth without pause?
Yes, for a moment it feels good to hear that "we'll kick your butt attitude because we're America" tone. But a president must be above such rhetoric; it's unpresidential and dangerous. We don't need to play scared, but America also does not need another president who will stoke the fires of anti-Americanism with ignorant speech. As president, would Perry make similar statements about world leaders?
Rick Perry Quotes Uninformed
Perry displayed more of his arrogance when he suggested the military would respect him more than President Obama because Perry served in the military. In addition, Perry claimed that he would be a president who was "in love" with America. When asked if he questioned President Obama's love of country, Perry said, "You need to ask him."
Is this the political compromise that Americans are searching for? Such comments are childish and beneath the office of the president. Barack Obama, like him or not, is still the president of the United States and deserves respect. To suggest the military can't respect a person who did not serve is, once again, factually absurd. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson did not serve in the military. Woodrow Wilson led this country through WW I and never spent a day in uniform. As for love of country, that quote doesn't warrant a response.
As private citizens we have the liberty to say what we wish. It is one of the perks of being anonymous. Yet, we must hold our public officials to a higher standard. For too long we have accepted politicians who are less than admirable. Rick Perry may get a few laughs, but comedy is not going to end wars and admonish the debt. The Texas governor sounds as if he's fighting for the most popular cheerleader at a Texas high school, not the presidency. We get it, Perry is a man's man; how about he tries to be a man's president.
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