FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The great Yogi Berra said, "it's like deja vu all over again."
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What we have here apparently is another religious, conservative Republican governor from Texas who wants to be president.
Only this one's last name isn't Bush.
Texas Governor Rick Perry is expected to strongly signal his intention to run for president in a speech in South Carolina on Saturday.
Perry's announcement is timed perfectly to upset the Iowa Straw Poll in Ames which is also on Saturday. Although Perry's name isn't on the ballot in Iowa, supporters are waging a write-in campaign.
After the speech in South Carolina, Perry is off to New Hampshire and then to Iowa to headline a fundraiser Sunday night.
The tea party favorite already has a certain appeal among conservatives who are looking for more options in a pretty sad Republican field. Working in Perry's favor, the Texas economy is doing better than most. Almost 40% of all the new jobs created in the U.S. since the recession started are in Texas. The state also has a balanced budget.
But Haven't we been here and done this? We already lived though eight years of a Christian evangelical governor from Texas in the White House... and we're still in therapy from the trauma of that little experiment gone awry.
This past weekend, Perry addressed believers at an all-day prayer vigil in Houston. Perry asked God to help comfort Americans stung by the troubled economy. He also prayed for President Obama.
He did all this in a stadium that was less than half full. And what about that separation of church and state thingy?
Here’s my question to you: Is another religious, conservative Republican governor from Texas the answer to our prayers?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Chris in Buffalo, New York:
No, Jack. I think another unknown, inexperienced, economically ignorant community organizer from Chicago is the answer to our prayers. I mean, the first one is working out so well, isn't he?
Craig in Vancouver, Washington:
No, but there is a Texas candidate that can at least get the ball rolling in the right direction and his name is Ron Paul. But whomever people vote for there is NO silver bullet and they need to get over it. It took a TEAM effort from all of us to screw this country up, and nothing short of continuing our founders' revolution will get us back to decency.
Eve in Texas:
Did God tell Perry to run for the presidency like the last conservative Texan said? If so, and Perry gets in office, don't expect any difference between the two. I'm hoping God uses her sense of humor to derail the latest rhinestone cowboy's efforts to screw up the presidency like the other one did.
Dave:
Absolutely not! If you want to know why, just look at Middle Eastern Muslim countries where their religion and their government have become one and the same.
Jeff in Bishop, Georgia:
Mr. Cafferty, If my only other choice is a secular, liberal, Democrat empty suit from Illinois/Hawaii/Kenya/Indonesia, then the choice is clear.... Perry 2012!!
Richard:
Absolutely not. I am sick of these phony balonies. These people should have to take a test before they can run for president. Did you see this guy's grade transcript from Texas A and M? A student he was not, a pretty boy phony he is!
Nan in Texas writes on Facebook:
As a Texan, I say NO! Perry prayed for rain and not a drop. He prayed for the economy on Saturday & the DOW dropped 600+ points on Monday. Maybe a higher power is trying to tell us something.