Rick Perry says he can't be bought for 5K. How much will this haunt him?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
If Rick Perry wants to be president - he needs to start thinking more about what he says before he says it.
The Texas governor has already come under lots of criticism for saying Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke's actions are potentially treasonous, and for comparing Social Security to a Ponzi scheme.
At Monday night's debate, he stepped in it again... and this time it may be harder to scrape off the bottom of his shoe.
When Michele Bachmann suggested Perry pushed for the HPV vaccine at the bidding of Pharma giant Merck, Perry reponded, "If you're saying that I can be bought for $5,000, I'm offended."
Here's the problem: Perry didn't finish that sentence... he didn't go on to say that he can't be bought at all. and with voters extremely skeptical of the ties between politicians and big business... this is a comment that could haunt Perry for months to come.
Meanwhile, Perry claimed he received $5,000 from Merck, but that only represented their 2006 contributions. In all, Perry pocketed about $30,000 from Merck, the maker of the HPV vaccine.
Merck has also reportedly given more than 3$380,000 to the Republican governors association, or RGA, since 2006... the year that Perry stepped up his role in that group. One watchdog group estimates the RGA has given Perry's campaigns more than $4 million over the last five years.
A Perry spokesman insists the governor's vaccine decision was based only on women's health concerns, saying "What drove the governor on this issue was protecting life and nothing else."
It's also worth noting that Perry's ties to Merck don't end with a check - his former chief of staff was a lobbyist for Merck before and after he worked for Perry.
Open the window. You can smell this.
Here’s my question to you: Rick Perry says he can't be bought for $5,000. How much will this comment haunt him?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Mark in Oklahoma City:
Jack, Every man (or woman) has their price. At least with Mr. Perry, we now know where to start the bidding.
James in Denver:
It was striking and telling to hear how he put it. In these days, where politicians’ cooperation is so readily purchased by interest groups, in this new land that the Supreme Court has declared to be "of the corporations, by the corporations, and for the corporations," how easily it rolls off the tongue of a slick rascal that he has a price. Mind you, it is a high price!
Rusty:
It definitely serves to show how out-of-touch he is with those of us who are not rich. Not for $5,000, huh? I suppose the going bribery/quid pro quo rate for a sitting GOP governor is quite a bit more.
Loren:
And how long has he beat his wife? Yes, he could have phrased it better, but it's not the first gaffe by a presidential candidate and it won't be the last.
Brenda in Maryland on Facebook:
I'm a Tea Party member and it's not the Tea Party supporting Perry. It's the media putting him in the spotlight. I've seen numerous polls and believe me, he is not the leader. As for his comment, just another dumb comment by another dumb politician.
Peter in Tarrytown, New York:
It should hurt him a lot. Bachmann should have asked if he couldn't be bought for $5,000, how much does it take?
Susan in Denver:
I'll give him $5,001 to drop out of the race.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Jack- Its not how long will the 5k haunt him, its how long will Rick Perry haunts US? I truly believe in the 11th hour (Early 2012) another knight will step in and create a real challenge for Obama. So far, each potential Republican (and Tea Party) candidate haunt me enough to make sure Obama gets re-elected. When I hear an audience boo letting someone die or cheer for execution records we should all feel scared (haunted)
ummmmm He says allot of stuff and this will be added to the list of "Haunt'cha"
David
Jack, I don't think that particular statement will make much difference around here. My daddy always said to vote for the richest candidate because he might not steal as much as the poorer guy.
Not much, anyone who has been paying attention already knew he was for sale to the highest bidder. Anyone who wasn't paying attention probably still doesn't have a clue.
His words will haunt him to the Convention, where he will lose to Mitt Romney.
He just needs to change political parties to democrat/socialism is all! At least now I know why my affluent friends in Texas are so liberal; they have Rick Perry for a leader!
Rick Perry seems to be the male version of Sarah Palin. All hat but no brains to fill it out. I'm guessing this is just the beginning of a long list of dumb things that will come out of his mouth in the months to come.
Well, he seemed to make it clear he's got a price. Maybe the world's oldest profession is actually politics.
That would go a long way toward explaining why Merck actually donated not $5,000.00 but a total of $29,500.00.
His old Chief of Staff Mike Murray has a super-pac pledging to donate 55 million dollars. Murray is now a chief lobbyist of Merck. I wonder how that happened.
Rick Perry says he can't be bought for $5,000, he's right, that's probably just the opening bid.
I would not be surprised if he posted his political positions on E-Bay and auctioned them off to the highest contributor. The winner would get his signature or veto on any related legislation passed by Congress if he is elected President....no questions asked...he's a typical political prostitute....just not cheap...
Maybe not for $5000 but every politician has his price.
Assuming he weighs 200 lbs, that puts the price of Texan bull dung above $1.50 an ounce. Seems expensive for what you get, eh Jack?
Jack when I look at Gov Perry, I see a candidate who is rattling alot of chains that will scare a lot of the independent voters.
Rick Perry can be bought for $5K and is in the back pockets of Corporate America and the wealthy class. This issue with corporate campaign contributions won't haunt him–His remarks on Social Security will haunt him for the rest of his campaign and will ultimately doom his candidacy for POTUS.
Not much at all. I doubt even the most corrupt politician can be fought for a mere 5K. That's kind of like keeping an extra nickle the supermarket cashier gives you back in change for a hundred. In a billion dollar or more political contribution economy it's not worth worrying about.
Wrong question Jack. The question should be: If he can't be bought for $5,000 then how much?
Once people start digging into his past and seeing all his ties to corporations and lobbyists, it'll be apparent that while his price may be higher than $5,000, it's still low enough that a lot of people have found it.
Jack: Merck has actually given him $28,000.00 so far,but is ready to give him $55 billion dollars for his presidential run for office. Dumb words like I can not be bought for $5000.00 will kick his butt down the road during the race for the White House. Candidates by nature or by necessity must seek money to run their campaign, and Gov. Rick Perry is know different than the rest of the candidates running for president. Gov. Perry's holier than thou act is just that an act.
Rick Perry says he can't be bought for $5,000. How much will this comment haunt him?
As if it was only 5K. Perry is a joke and we Democrats sure do love a good laugh! I swear the GOP is the gift that keeps on giving.
Jenna
Roseville CA
Nearly 50,000,000 million below the poverty leve, in the USA!!!! I am sorry but Gov.Rick Perry's comments on social security seem to be incomprehensible.Not one candidate,so far, either Republican or Democrat has stood up and said that this level of people below the poverty level is a US national disgrace and should be front and center on all their platforms. Afghanistan has 31.5 million people, can USA not cut their expenses there to give to their own people some resource to fight poverty, believe me Afghanistan will not miss it or thank you but the people in USA they will and USA will see real positive results out of it .USA should,of all the countries in the world, be "the" Country that should be able to claim no poverty in its population therebye showing the rest of the world what their obligations are to their own people.
That is just all much ado about nothing. I am in TX, and while cronyism goes on, it isn't any more so, than most any other politician. They all do it..........and Obama does a ton of it.
I don't know, was that a confession or an estimate?
If not 5K, the inquiring minds, including the lobbyists want to know, how much is the price that Rick Perry can be bought for?!
Well then Rick, how much will it cost to buy you ?
He's proved he can be bought, we're just negotiating price now.
Perry already has a widely documented history of cronyism in his 10 years as the Gov. of Texas, so the facts are friendly. I anticipate that he opened the door for his GOP rivals when he glibly said that he couldn't be bought for $5k. I can only imagine the lead-in to some competing ads,
" So, Governor Perry says that he can't be bought for only $5K (followed by a list of Perry's contributors/$ and their respective government benefits w/value, i.e, contracts, grants. new custom laws, etc.)
Were I an opponent of Perry's, I would make hay with this one.
The person who could best answer that question, Jack, would have to be the boogeyman himself, Karl Rove.
Both Democrats and Governor Rick Perry's GOP rivals will probably run with this. If they don't, shame on them. The governor in perception (which 99% of reality) let it be known that he may not be bought for $5,000, but he is open to a more generous "campaign contribution". It is the best unkept secret in politics that politicians can be bought, but for a presidential contender to acknowledge this in a national forum is unbelievable. Perhaps the Gov was trying to show he has the chaps to own up to his own hype and gall, legal – not legal – or on the fringe of moral right or wrong. Now if he could only translate that audacity and ability to get money into living wages for the unemployed...now that would be something to crow about. But to let lobbyists know it's open season of garnering Perry's favor is the height of brashness.
It does make Perry look cheap, that he would bend over so far, for so little. The way too tight suits, and floppy wig, don't help either. Doug. Pepperell, MA.
I hope it haunts him a lot. Always remember politicians and prostitutes will do almost anything if the price is right. The last thing this country needs now is another texan who pronounces "our" as "air".
Most of the time you make payments to get what you want.
Paul
Ames,ia
A politician can't be bought for $5,000.00 – the price is much lower. Every politician has they're hands out. If you liked George W Bush you'll love Perry as he's essentially a clone. Anything that keeps Perry out of the White House is admirable.
It says that he has a price as his past behavior has clearly demonstrated.
Yes, it will haunt him because he as much admitted that he can be bought. Now we're just haggling about price.
What politician can be bought for $5000, any self respecting lobbyist knows it cost much more than that! $5000 is not even a down payment.
Jack,it will only hurt him if the liberal media plays it up,not many people are paying attention right now and most voters can tell a misspoken statement from an admission guilt,right now I give him a pass!
His answer implies he can be bought for any sum $5001 or greater, which puts him in the call boy category. He can be bought and paid for, just not like a cheap suitcase. While this may be legal and normative behavior in Texas, it is unacceptable at the national level and is immoral and unethical not to mention disgusting. The Arabs, Chinese, multinational corporations and big business in general must be licking their chops because they have found our country's perfect leader. Call him R.O.I. Rick for return on investment.
It should hurt him a lot. Bachmann had a better rejoinder than the one she said. She should have asked if he couldn't be bought for $5000, how much does it take to turn couldn't into could.
I don't think it will haunt Perry as much as those that vote. He is just saying that he was bought out by more than 5 grand. I think $100 million could buy him out quite easily.
Jack, every man (or woman) has their price. At least with Mr. Perry we now know where to start the bidding.
So Jack
What is his price?
Aren't there many people who think one of the major problems in the United States is that business and corporation money buys legislation?
Then someone should have asked him "then, Rick, what is your price"?
I believe it is a moot point . only the reactionaries will remain loyal to him.I believe this man is a role model for cronyism not seen since the days of Johnson and Nixon.The voting public will catch on soon enough.
It definitely serves to show how out of touch he his with those of us who are not rich. Not for $5k huh. I suppose the going bribery/quid pro quo rate for a sitting GOP governor is quite a bit more.
That is what is wrong with Washington DC these days all politicians have their price they can be bought.
Big pharmaceuticals , big oil companies and big defense contractors have figured that out a long time ago money talks.
Now everyones knows that it will take more than 5K to "buy" him. Well, the cost of everything has gone up.
The words in Texas is sold to the highest bidder. Perry is a true example of corruption at its best and I can only say God help us if he gets elected but he is the Presidents best chance to win re-election.
It could haunt him for years to come and could cause him the GOP nomination for President. The way he made his statement should make anyone feel well just how much can you be bought for.
Like everything else Perry says or has said, his remarks about being "offended" by a $5K bribe will be forgotten by everyone within a week and explained away by his apologists and speech writers as "good ol' boy talk", as it were, in Texas. The teabaggers will believe him and support him, of course, until the next darling comes along or until Bachman again promises $2/gallon gasoline, dismemberment of al gay men, and an executive order banning health care. The asylum doors are open, my friends, the loonies are loose, and the staff is cheerinfg them on. Dang it, Jack, they forgot to unlock my cell.
Have you ever heard the term "figure of speech" ???
Please, keep it real here and stop "reaching".
Is this what we have to look forward to for the next 13 months ??
Please.
It's going to haunt him right out of running for president. Kinda makes you wonder just what his price is, doesn't it?
Well Jack when you consider "Mike Toomey, (a former aide for Governor Perry) is an Austin lobbyist that represented Merck during the vaccine decision, has promised to raise $55 million to back Perry’s presidential bid using an independent so-called SuperPAC" or the fact that a former Merck executive is hosting his next big fund raising event, tell me Rick Perry is not bought and paid for? We live in an era of special interests Jack, unless we can get campaign finance reform and a universal ban of ALL Lobbying the American people will continue to suffer.
Joe, Binghamton, NY
Sounds like Perry thinks he'[s worth more than $5000.
Perry has no set price it's all the perks that go with it and the SUPER PACS.
Jack,
This just tells me that he's just our typical politician, that he can be bought, just not for $5000 dollars. Worthless, just worthless, the whole lot of them!!
It just goes to show that these guys are bought!! Whether it's five grand or fifty grand, he just proved that they are bought by the "rich" special interests. He should've kept his mouth shut.....but, again the American electorate has an attention span of two weeks,....so this will all be forgotten...
Papi chulo, big Daddy from Tejas don't take small bribes, that's an insult! Probably won't hurt or haunt him at all with his subjects.
Carol in Ma
It will haunt him to the extent that the investigative reporters are willing to dig a little deeper. This is Texas where "crony capitalism" rules. His former chief of staff, (head crony) is the one who stood to benefit from access to the Governor. Look for "under the table" payments or favors from him to Perry. That's how it works here in Texas. That's how Texas Governors do business (remember Halliburton's no bid contracts). Perry is Bush on steroids when it comes to cronyism and "pay to play". Look into the Trans-Texas Corridor, Look into the Perry/Gramm "dead peasant" insurance debacle involving the Teacher Retirement System, and you will have just scratched the surface. Look into who gives Perry stuff, trips, football tickets, etc. Look deep. Look hard. You'll find it eventually.
It is already hurting him. Besides wondering what his price is, investigative journalists are looking into all of his campaign contributors. Evidently, $5,000 was only one of a number of contributions by Merck. They are also looking at Merck's contributions to PACs that helped Gov. Perry. The steady stream of revelations will, at the very least, be a distraction to his message.
It should be his downfall, but the arrogance of the republicans always seem to allow their candidates to be as corrupt as they want. There is a clear money trail between him and Merk. Bauchmann needs to expose the corruption and not let up. How is his manager who lobbys for merk raising 55 million for Perry and the media or no one is blasting this. Perrys republicans legislature wouldn't even go that far in mandating hpv, because they knew it was too much corruption behind it. And Merk is just the tip of the ice berg, their are tons of other donors who gave donations and was returned the favor.
This is politics as usual in Texas and Rick Perry has not realized that he did anything wrong.
Mr Perry has opened the door to negotiation to determine what the price is. There is an old joke about a young woman who is asked if she will sleep with a man for twenty million dollars and answers yes. The next question is whether she will sleep with him for fifty cents. Her curt reply is "What type of a woman do you think I am". The man then says, "We've established that, now we are negotiating price." Mr. Perry put himself in the same position.
Unfortunately, not much. The mere fact that he is a career politician proves he can be bought, and for much less than 5k I suspect. Perry is scary, as are Bachman, Rommney and the rest of the elite right. If the American people can't see through these charlatans and political hacks, then we are doomed to failure and will have only ourselves too blame as they rape the nation of everything that used to make it the greatest on earth.
It was a good line, although it certainly does not help him with voters, even Tea Party voters, who believe the system is broken. It is likely he does not see anything wrong with the system – however given the amounts Obama raises, he does not have much room to throw stones either. Unless the press covers a third party that is not for sale as serious contenders, nothing much will come from this.
He probably thought that was just the down payment. After all, since 2001 he's managed to put $83 million dollars in his campaign account. This is according to an article in the New York Times. Yes, I'd say he could be bought for five grand or any amount. This comment and others he's made and will make will come back to haunt him.
Gee Whiz Jack – why are you picking on Rick Perry? He told the truth!! It cost Merck a whole lot more than a measley $5,000 to buy his support. Corporate America shouldn't expect his services to come cheap. Hooray for Citizens United!
Atll career republicans owe their lives to big business and business people. This is why our economy is not growing and big business is sitting on two trillion plus dollars. they want more tax breaks and deregulations so they can make profits at any means. If you look deep in to Perry's state of texas and follow the money trails, you will see big business.
I believe that he can't be bought for 5,000 dollars he held out for much more as investigations will most likely reveal. He hasn't been vetted by the national press as yet the tip of the iceburg is all we know at this time.
This will haunt Perry right up to the time that he loses the chance to be the Republican candidate.
With all the Republicans bought and paid for,
the back-room scheming Democrat pork barrelers might even have a chance.
Are our politicians getting worse or is it just me?
The way this electorate has been acting they will probably look at it as a moment of divinity, proclaiming he was honest and forthcoming, he did something all politicians do but never admit. What a hero.
How pathetic we have become as we continue to justify the lies and turn that into faith.
Rick Perry didn't realize he stepped into a big mess with the Merck contributions because he was wearing cowboy boots - footware specifically designed for walking in that stuff. Had he been wearing a pair of Johnston & Murphy's he would have noticed right away.
Jack,
So now we know Perry is no different than all of the other corrupt politicians. What I would like to know is why the political system isn't overhauled so that big corporations, and people like the Koch brothers, can no longer influence whose name ends up on voter ballots.
It seems to be alright with the Supreme Court, since money is free speech.
Rick Perry being bought for $5K from Merck will have no impact. What will sink Perry is his statements such as “2 headed snake” and comparing Social Security to a Ponzi scheme. Perry also cut numerous firefighting jobs in Texas and now the state has the worst fires in history. His lack of common sense with kill his shot for presidency.
I don't think this will haunt him. It won't resonate with voters... all we care about right now is jobs.
I cannot think of too many other things a politician could infer that would sour my opinion of them more, but if this is an example of how Perry handles debates, this audacious remark might actually be supplanted by the next thing he says. If the American voter wants transparency, well this is it...in spades. If this remark doesn't hurt his poll numbers, then I think we all have reason to be very afraid.
It won't. Bribery is now called "lobbying", graft is now "campaign contributions", robbery is now called "bail out", programs are now known as "entitlements" and so on, and so forth. Politicians and their wealthy bosses are expert at changing the meaning of the English language to help with their causes which is usually themselves. After all, go to a "right to work state" and see if you can find a job.
It should haunt him nightly for his entire political career. I do believe him, however, that he cannot be bought for 5 grand is probably true. I have a hunch that if you tell him how pretty he is, he will do whatever you want. Perry is a shallow self centered peacock with little substance to him politically. Even more disconcerting to me was his statement referring (over and over) to Texas as being better than any other state and especially when he said, "...it was good for Texas and will be good for America." He didn't say, "...for the REST of America." Scary to think he doesn't consider Texas America or the rest of the states as good as Texas. I get from this that he looks down on anyone not from Texas. I've got news for him, Texas is not that great. Guess I am just sick of hearing how big everything is in Texas and phony cowboys running for the presidency.
Thom Richer
Negaunee, MI
This is the type of sound bite that the media and opponents love to run with. This will haunt Perry for the duration of the primary battle and beyond. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, "It is better to remain silent and be thought of as a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
Guess I am the first to mention this. But here it goes: That comment will inevitably bite him in the posterior in upcoming elections. If I was running against this guy, I would use this, along with clarifying those unemployment numbers he likes to brag about, and hit him with his own views as to how to get the economy running, that does NOT involved trickle-down econ theories that have shown to be a MASSIVE. FAIL.
I have been in Texas for over 10 years and a Rebuplican. It is a well known 'fact' that money and cronyism rule in the Loan Star State.
From Port Deposit, Maryland
Jack, What we can take away from Perry's statement is simple. $5,000 is "chump change" to him, it would cost much more to buy him off. Yet another career politician so far removed from the average citizen, who really knows the value of a dollar. We should be the ones offended!
You know the story about the girl at the bar and a man next to her asked her if she would have sex with him for $1000. She thought about it and said yes. He then asked her if she would have sex with him for $20. She was insulted and said "What kind of a girl do you think I am". He said "We've already determined that, now we're negotiating."
Perry said he was offened to suggest he could be bought for $5000. He didn't say he couldn't be bought
If an irresponsible parent declines the vaccine if it's offered and the daughter gets cervical cancer, can insurance companies deny coverage? If so, who pays for treatment or should she just be allowed to die?
Not at all with Tea Partiers, but for normal Americans, sure. Tea Partiers love the idea of executing innocent people, think that people without health care deserve to die, and most of their candidates are bought out by big oil or the Koch bros. Of course, many Tea Partiers would like you to think they're an educated and well off group, and that the few people we see on Youtube who are dumber than bricks are just outliers. Some of them might have degrees, but I question their emotional stability, empathy, and whether or not they were just people who lucked out and have a twisted view of the world that the rest of us don't live in and don't want to live in. Rick Perry could say anything and these people would take it. Sane Americans have seen through the Tea Party rhetoric and want them to leave us alone.
Perry is like any other Republican and Democrat tied to Big Business...they will proclaim that they can't be bought, but when the books are opened and the checkbooks balanced...they tell the same thing....money provided to the candidate under the table. Makes you wonder how much Perry, Bachmann, and even President Obama CAN be bought for? This will haunt Perry for the rest of the campaign period and could enable others like Gingrich, Romney, or God forbid, Sarah Palin, to gain advantage over him.
Jack,
I don't think it will haunt him at all, even if the media plays it back every minute of every hour of every day. Perry is the new darling of the Republican party and especially of the tea party. To them, as a white male good ole boy Texas who is also a minister, he is their Messiah. They will discount his statement, excuse it, blame it on the media, say it was taken out of context, and I'm sure that, because that's how business is done in Texas, they won't think anything is wrong with it.
It won't have any impact at all. The stupider and more extremely nuts the candidate, the better they like him, will defend him, and will turn out to vote for him.
Jack, Ghosts are only capable of haunting people with both a conscience and a soul. In other words...he can't be haunted. Greg M. FL
Perry brings dialog to the platform with Cain and Paul. When people pull the curtain I think they'll vote for Romney
Perry should just put on a pair of good boots and go home and fight the fires Our Texas families say he just raised his price for being bought that night. He could be bought for a lot less before the debate. He's much like Sarah Palin something better comes up and he forgets his job for a better gig.
Jack, this guy has "spurs that jingle, jangle, jingle", all the way to the bank.
This is the poison of our national politics; money. How can you serve the best interests of your constituents when you have sold yourself to special interests? You cannot. They are mutually exclusive. Yet almost all of our federal- level public servants answer to who funds their campaigns. Perry is but one of a multitude of examples. Why would this haunt him though? Democrats will not take him to task over it, and Republicans don't care.
Mr. Cafferty:
I do not surmize that he may ever be haunted because I question that is it possible to haunt a spook ! Would Darth Vader types ever be spooked ? I think not. It is scary however, that a person like this represents "leadership".
Did he mean he could be bought for $10,000 instead?
Dave
Woodstock,CT
Bachmann was right when she said he was bought by the Health Insurance industry. Perry sold out for like 38,000 last year. It is going to hurt Perry big time, Go Bachmann.
Hey Jack, remember the old joke about the guy offering a woman money for sex, she kept asking what do you think I am? When he offered a far higher number, we all know the result. Yes, it will haunt him too.
"I can't be bought for $5,000" ......finish that with "you have to add at least another set of 000s" and you got the truth.
I doubt it will affect him a lot. Most of us consider politicians bought and paid for by the corporations anyway. But what will affect him is the continual supply of stupid remarks. The Republicans seem to be running one lunatic after another with no one in charge of the asylum. They will continue to make the whole party look like a bunch of clowns!
I can't wait for the "Rooster Rick for President" bumper stickers. Cockadoodldoo!! They will be a big seller and raise lots of money for the Presidential Carnival whoops I mean election.
He has established what he is, now we're just negotiating over his price.
Will not haunt him at all, after all Obama blew $500 million plus of our money in his Solyndra nonsense. What is worse, $5k or $500 plus million? How Much did Sollyndra give to the Obama campaign?
Governor Perry may not be bought for five thousand , but he got 25 thousand from Ken Lay of Enron, and Mr. Rick received larg chunks of money from Enron. Perry and Bush, deregulated the state electric market, grandfather air polluters, and pass laws protecting businesses from lawsuits. The question is not how much money it takes to buy Governor Rick Perry but do you have enought money to buy Mr. Rick
What is Perrys price then? He received 30 million he says and thats not because his hair looks good. He gave something back for the money . Campaign donations is like taking a bribe only it sounds legal as a donation.
Terence, NJ
By the millions!!!
In as much as the liberal media chooses to dog him with it.
This comment will haunt him until we find out just how much it cost to buy Gov. Perry. I am of the mind set his going price is in the $200,000.00 range.
Better question – Can you name a politician who can't be bought? Do a little digging, they're all in somebody's pocket. It's our political system that needs to be cleaned up.
Perry's reply that he couldn't be bought for $5,000 begs the punchline from the oft told joke which ends thusly..." Now that we have established what you are, all that remains is to set your price."
Not much. Late night comics will have plenty of fodder for jokes ,political opponents will , rightly, leap on it, voters will be royally miffed, but Perry has just invited all moneymen to begin their bidding – above $5000.00.
Rick Perry is the high school musical version of George Bush. He was bought for the opportunity to play the lead.
Does it mean he can be bought for more!
His price? He's already sold his soul. He is now collecting on his side of the bargain.
We see it time and time again the money for all of these lavish campaigns doesnt just fall from the sky but maybe if Perry can get 30000 thousand people in a prayer group it might just start
Sure, he must. We will lose the country we know and love to selfish right wing politics, isolationism, religious invasion into law, civil society and decision making. Barack Obama is the only candidate for 2012 that brings balance and hope for ALL Americans.
So far, the Tea Party Republicans, and all of the current hopefuls are members or are bidding to this extremely conservative opinion group, are scary. What is the 'united' but that we are all in this together, backing each other and insuring the well being of all the people. I don't trust anyone of those seven hopefuls or the one playing games about her plans to run to ever take care of the needs and interests of the other 75% of us.
No one seems to have noticed that Rick Perry took offense to the insinuation that he could be bought for 5K not that he could be bought at all. Do we really want a president who could foreseeably be bought for let's say 38K?
of course he cant be bought for 5k, his hair cost more than that. beyond that point, people with perrys aspirations don't leave a huge money trail lying around, a few little scraps of information and his whole career is over. i just cant wait for those scraps to start showing up. that will be about the time Sarah Palin will step up to the plate. i dont hold much hope for the republican party to vet her either. Pat D lake of the Ozarks MO.
he's saying that it takes much more than 5K for him to be bought out. Didn't you hear how he sort of stuttered, when he gave Bachman his answer ?
Mr. Cafferty:
If we put this in his perspective, 5 kilobucks is chump change, not even a month's rent in his lavish rental mansion ! Give the guy a break, for his family's sake, for goodness sakes.
Jack, the correct question is: Rick Perry says he can't be bought for $5,000. How much will it take to buy him? The answer to that would lie in a complete audit of his financial statements. As for haunting him, only a couple of his fellow Republican candidates have the attention span to ever bring it up again. The rest have forgotten already along with most Tea Party followers.
Jack,
All our politicians are owned lock,stock,and barrel by special interests .Sounds like Perry thinks he is worth a little more.
He is just another full of hot air Texan.
Politicians are crooks and thieves. Rick Perry received $29,500 from Merck and $5000 so we all know that he is a liar. He sold out to the Tea Party and the Koch brothers years ago. He can continue to stick his foot in his mouth after that social security comment and now this. Do we really need another Texan in the White House? We still have a hangover from the last one. He will never defeat President Obama in the 2012 election thank goodness.
No question about it it's going to cause him lots of pain especially from the media you guys will be all over this for sometime and you should be. He's nothing but a big scumbag full of hot air and lots of lip service. Can you image the dirt the democratic will dig up on this scumbag if he is the rupublician nominee , time will tell.
It won't haunt him just like every other republican money talks bull -- walks. The more money you have the more power you have so the little guy doesn't have a chance anymore. We are all screwed by the GOP and if you think otherwise you are as ignorant as they are. It is to bad the truth does not matter anymore because if it did people would see the GOP as the big fat liars.
Governor Perry wears boots for a reason. Sometimes he needs waders. We have enough lobbyists in Washington without electing someone to the Presidency that brings along his own posse. His remarks came across as an invitation to special interest groups to up the ante from $5000 and he would be willing to talk turkey with them. Sure gives us something to think and talk about.
Given that donors pay his $10,000 a month rent, they pay for his vacations and even his boots and belt buckles, I think the guy has a "For Sale" sign around his neck. Even if this stuff is legal in Texas, you can't convince me that it doesn't make a difference in the legislation he puts forward, who gets jobs and who gets contracts. Follow the money.
I think very little. He's another Teflon-coated pol, like reagan. It will take more than charges of common corruption to bring him down. There might be something out there though, and I hope there is. I'm not keen on living in a christofascist theocracy that would put the Taliban to shame.
I'll give him $5,001 to drop out of the race.
Susan R.
Denver
The question should be Jack......How much CAN he be bought for.
The old saying 'To The Victor Belongs The Spoils' is dead.
The new adage is that corporate America will purchase the victory. And then, and then the spoils get divided according to the amount of the purchase price.
Rick Perry's problems are the new corruption – the buying of the victory to insure the spoils.
It will haunt him only as much as THE MEDIA allows it to haunt him!!!
Let's see. This is going to be on all debates that will follow. Candidate, "sooo, Perry how much can you be bought for?" $10K, $20K, $100K. Can we make you sign a bill for $X
Five grand , Thirty grand, price for perry is much higher I wish someone on the panel would of ask him want his price was? I'm sure a few million would buy perry , cost of inflation has gone up even in politics.
It won't. People already know politicians are corrupt. Frankly, it's refreshing to have one who is honest about his dishonesty.
Add this to the list of things that will cost Perry the nomination....do they make Pepto Bismal for a mouth that can't stop running?
Probably not much, Jack. The people who favor Perry have already made up their minds. Please don't confuse them with facts.
I am not particularly a Perry fan as he is not what I would call a true conservative. Bachmann is a far superior choice amongst this field. As for his comment, it won't haunt him at all because it is such an obvious attempt by the left to find anything at all to criticize. The Dear Leader is on his way out and the liberals are more desperate than ever.
Only if his opponents and the media continue to hammer him with it. Otherwise, it will be lost in the ether that is the short attention span of the average voter.
Matt
Saint Augustine, FL
So what Governor Perry is saying is this: "I don't come cheap."
My esteemed Gov. stated that he can't be bought for only $5,000. Of course not! The price is MUCH higher! Perry is not a cheap man! That's what he was "offended" at!
The comment doesn't concern me. The country does not need another Texas Evangelist in the White House. We saw how disastrous it was recently – we don't need it again.
Rick Perry is a professional politician; five thousand is chump change for his services.
Chris, TX
It won't. Republicans are so dazzled at the thought of another gun toting cowboy as president, they will only hear what they want to here and ignore the rest. The sharks smell blood. Too bad it's their own that will be to blame if this pay-to-play rodeo cowns wins the elction.
I don't think he misspoke during the debate, I think he exposed himself for what he and most republicans really are: robots that are bought by corporations to keep taxes at a ridiculous level and put an end to workers' unions.
Unfortunately this comment will probably not affect Perry at all. His supporters, bless them are oblivious to such nuances.
I feel this country will be irreparably harmed if Perry or Bachman become President.
The Tea Party is appealing to blind Patriotism for its own sake and ignoring the common sense and compromise necessary to actually govern this nation. Barbara Lou Townsend
Palm Harbor, FL
I don't think it will haunt him personally, since he appears to have neither a conscience nor a soul...I sure hope it hits him with the voters, though. To think he basically stood up there and said he's no one-bit lady of the evening...you'll pay two bits for him and his favors. This guy is a caricature of GWB...whoduv thunk that listening to Perry would make one remember dubya's intelligence...???
Long enough to keep him in Texas...at least for the next 50 years,
This is very simple. He implies that he does indeed have a price. The question is who actually bought him, since it apparently wasn't Merck. The GOP is on thin ice.
We can only hope it haunts him right out of the race.
On a different issue–when he implored all his fellow texans to pray for rain, they got all those wild fires instead....
Hmmmmm?
Interesting that Bachmann asked the question...the candidate known for shooting herself with foolish statements. Perry zoomed to popularity because of his tough stance and rugged looks...and then he opened his mouth....or we started paying attention.
Jack, it's clear that there is a level of corruption with Perry's close connection to Merck.He can't be bought for 5K, but...they gave much more than that, didn't they? This comment will/should haunt him, and more than that its likely just the tip of the iceberg...CMG
Americans condemn foreign leaders as corrupt when they take payoffs for political favors while they're in office.
But in America, it's legal to accept payoffs in the form of campaign contributions BEFORE a leader takes office.
Corruption is a dirty, illegal word, so we fixed that by legalizing when a leader can accept the money for the favor.
If the whole truth was known about Rick Perry through all his political career, I would imagine that there would be more than just THIS comment that would come back to haunt him.
Jack, are you getting amnesia? Rick Perry is a Tea Party favorite. It won't hurt him at all. In fact, it will likely help him.
Joe in Delray Beach, Florida
When I heard him say this at the debate , I woindered what the number was , since most political figures do have a price.. This Elemer Gantry look and act alike just stikes me as having one , and from what I have heard about him from Texans , it is a pretty low number.
well jack it's very simple, "if it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck,it must be perry !
To me it sounds like Rick Perry wants a lot more than $5,000.00 to be bought AND he got a lot more than $5,000.00. I think the vaccine is good even though Rick Perry handled the situation the wrong way – it probably should have been " we strongly recommend it to you and it is available."
Jack
I picked up on it right away..you are the only one who has made mention of it.
This guy represents the absolute worst in cronyism, corruption and a complete mobster-like approach to business and government. He makes Nixon look like a angel. His comment will merely signal that for $6000 and higher, he will do anything you tell him to regardless of the morality issues or how man folk die.
Not a Perry fan, but I have to say that how long it haunts him will depend on how long the media decides to make one remark a focus. There are much bigger issues. Check out the spending cuts on education in Texas. There is money in the so called "Rainy Day Fund," but apparently, cutting billions from education doesn't constitute a rainy day. Focus on the things he had time to think about and did anyway- not one remark made in a debate where he was being attacked by a candidate that obviously doesn't know her facts either.
How much will it haunt him. . . Not very much. How much should it haunt him. . . A whole heck of a lot. Anyone with any common sense, and a half a brain, can read between the lines and see this is a confession from Gov. Perry that he can be bought, just not for a low amount. A worthy candidate's response, "I cannot be bought!" A sad time we live in when something like this can be said, and the candidate doesn't immediately lose all credibility! God Bless America
A man without a conscience can't be haunted!
Alot. Most in Texas know he can and has been bought. It's that simple. $5,000 won't do it though.
Jack, thank you for delving into this news story a little deeper. Yes, it will haunt him along with his Texas Enterprise slush fund and the very real possibility of him executing the innocent on death row.
Probably won't haunt him much at all unless more people start to question if he can be bought. Makes you wonder what he was really doing at the Koch brothers' secret seminar of billionaires and millionaires recently.
Jack, it shows that he's even more like President George W. Bush. A seemingly nice guy who is a governor of Texas, who has poor judgement on who he puts on his staff. The people won't risk getting another Rumsfeld or Cheney who can pull the strings of the 'nice guy'.
He should have just cannot be bought.
The comment will not have a major effect because most of the people that support Perry and the GOP don't really listen to what is being said any way, they just want the president to lose. If those constituents did listen other then to Rush Limbaugh they wouldn't vote against their own interest in every election. He should be offended by people saying he can be bought not by the dollar amount which it takes to buy him.
Yes it WILL haunt him. Immediately after his comment my husband and I said "hummm how much does Perry expect in order to be bought" His comment made it sound as if 5 G was too low. BUT... knowing that he CAN be bought means that now we are just haggling over the amount. Sounds like the world's oldest profession.
I hope a long time. The larger question is why doesn't the American electorate make a habit of ensuring all politicians (GOP & Dem) and their comments/records follow them around – forever. Our republic would be much better served if the voters more consistently (or at all) held elected officials and those that wish to be elected accountable for their past comments/records.
As long as Bribery = Lobbying, nothing will happen to him. At the same time, I would love to know what is Perry's Price. Is it 50K or maybe 5M?
Jack,
Perry also said that he collected over $ 30 mil. This is like the lady who readily admitted she would sleep with a fellow for a million dollars. When he asked her if she would do it for $ 10, she said indignantly, "What do you take me for?". To which the fellow replied; "I've already established that. All I'm trying to do is set the price"
It wont matter at all and would already be forgotten about if you had not brought it up. They all do it and its an accepted practice of all politicians to take money from corporations and help out where and when they can. No big deal.Take your head out of the sand Jack.
The governor speaks as though 5,000 dollars is chump change, when the average American does not even have 1000 in savings.Frankly, I find his comment to be pretentious and insulting. He clearly has little concept of the reality hard working Americans face on a daily basis. Sorry governor, not all of us are endorsed by drug companies.
Iwondered how long before thie issue of being bought would come. Perry was right 5k is not enough to get his favor. Any one in TEXAS who pays attention to the politics knows that . He places a high value on croonism. This will be major issue in the campaign. He's a 30million dollar man. Thats where the bidding starts according to him.
Jack, When George Bernard Shaw was speaking with Lady Astor, I think it was, he asked if she'd go to bed with him for $5.00. She replied, "How cheap do you think I am? Of course not. What do you take me for? " He persisted, " We've already established that, madam. We're merely haggling about the price." Do the math, Rick Perry is for sale, don'cha think? I really want a man who has already a prostituted himself to lead our country. Not.
Wow – here's a shovel, keep digging.
Perry has spent more of the Texas money on himself than any other Governor. Rented house, etc. etc. He has been on the dole for years. He wouldn't know the truth if it hit him in the face. But , do any of the Republicans in Texas see this, No. He has lied about his involvement with Merck, but that does does not matter to the "Red" in Texas. He has made huge gains for himself, does any of the poor care that they have been treated worse than any prostitute in any state legal or not. Hopefully the populace of the rest of the nation can see thru this phoney and liar.
Actions speak loudef than words. Perhaps we should plug our ears and open out eyes so we could hear the truth better. We must all hold politicians more accountable. They have gotten used to a public not paying attention.
Ha! $5000 wouldn't haunt a candidate for dog catcher let alone a Republican Presidential candidate. Let's get our heads out of the sand. The reason Rick Perry never mentioned that no price could buy him is because there is a price. It's the same price all the Presidential candidates are holding out for, it's the price of the salary of the President of the United States.
Won't hurt him at all. Most people in this country have our heads into stuff that does not matter we are too busy to pay attention to our government officials. Rick Perry has charisma so he can convince us that all is well(just like Bill Clinton did). Meanwhile, our country goes down the sewer. If people dont get informed about the issues,please DON"T VOTE!!!!!
Perry's comment won't matter to his base and perhaps a little to independents. He should be offended by people saying he can be bought not by the low dollar amount which it takes to buy him.
5,000, $30,000 what difference does it make? Rick Perry is a bought candidate. Call him candidate MERCK.
Jack I certainly hope so. Just when I thought the GOP couldn't surprise me any more they do. I did not think that they could come up with a man that made Busch look smart. But there he is.
I don't know how... But I do know that at the end of the day the final result is prevention of cervical cancer and HPV transmission among teenagers... Should we have imprisoned Dr Jonas Salk for eradicating Polio from the face of earth.. What about having a politician suggesting HPV vaccine is 'a dangerous medication which can cause mental retardation..'.. Excuse me, if I make such a statement as a physician my license would probably be cancelled on the spot (and it should be..!) What exactly makes her immune to liability..? What about recommendations from the Center for Disease Control ..??? is she going to resolve the health care issues in America when she can't even understand what a vaccine is..???? Are politicians not required to have a minimun knowledge of the topic they are talking about..? For the record, I am not endorsing Mr Perry, but would love to see politicians making sense when they make public recommendations... (ok, I guess I am asking the impossible...!) Shame, shame, shame America..Ignorance is still the most deadly disease in America...
Rick Perry is on a corporate funded book tour that will end with him being the President of the United States. He is not even concealing that he is a bought and paid for big buisness puppet. He uses Christianity as deflector but all he really cares about is increasing his own personal wealth.
Take it from this Texan, Slick Rick is a crook straight out. The guy has run Texas into the ground. Just look at all of the bad areas Texas leads the nation in: poor in education, highest percentage of uninsured, very high number of low wage jobs. America BEWARE of Slick Rick
At face value, Governor Perry's comment will not gain traction. If you want to discredit a candidate, you can find lots of things that he or she will say that can be twisted into a "gotcha" with the help of assumptions and interpretations. Jack, you're grasping for straws on this one.
The amount of money is not the issue. The politicians need to realize that our Nation is based on this principle "By the People, Of the People, For the People". Today, the politicians have changed this to "By the Money, Of the Money and For the Money". This is wrong.
I am an Asian American, I am concerned about Governor Perry's attitude in handling issues. I am afraid of being chained behind his truck and getting dragged on the freeway, the Texas way. I am afraid that once he becomes the President, he will issue Executive Orders to force all minorities receive injections and change us nto soemthing he wants us to be.
The 2012 Presidential election would be an easy one for the Republicans to win. But, the Republican party needs to produce a candidate that is somewhat in the middle. We do not need a rough red neck, nor do we eed some to make false promise of less than $2 a gallon of gasoline. American voters are not stupid, nor are they ignorant.
Obama...half billion-Perry...5K. Really?
Jack,
It'll haunt him. He's just another panderer to wealthy special interests and now everyone is realizing it. But Bachmann's ignorant denigrating of the actual vaccine will haunt her even more. The Perry-Merck bed-sharing notwithstanding, according to doctors that HPV vaccine actually does prevent the virus, hence related cervical cancers. It saves lives, but not if Bachmann has her way. Honestly Jack, is this Republican slate the most pathetic collection of political clowns you've ever seen, or what? You were right, in your previous question, to ask if Obama should consider not running, or at least not actively campaigning. He could go on vacation and still beat these Bozos.
Jim
Reno, Nevada
Jack, How can anyone without a conscience be haunted. Need a death warrant signed...No Problem! Want to go against peoples will and give helpless little girls injections..No Problem...Want to accept a bribe, well, How much are we talking?
Here's the second half of his sentence, ...." If you think I can be bought for only $5,000 I'm insulted,"...(Parry's brain says stop talking you idiot!,.. b/c he was about to say): "my price is much higher, I can be bought for $30,000!!!
When are you in the media going to get off of Gov. Perry's back? Everyone lately is taking a shot at the bullseye placesd on his back.
Perry has been on the dole for years. Texas is in a deficit and we pay for a rental house and other amenities because of his required life style. The education cuts and rewriting of history makes me ashamed. The "Red" in Texas doesn't seem to mind being lead by the nose like a mindless animal as long as they stay red and don't have to pay taxes. Hopefully the rest of the country can see through the lies and get rid of this abomination of our society. It's bad bad enough for Texas, what a disgrace for the rest of the nation.
It should haunt him right out of the election as well as his eagerness to go after Social Security. But when you look at some of the voting public whom believe this guy, it won't haunt him, much.
Everyone has their price and I guess we now know Rick Perry's.
Jack, all I know if Perry is the Rep. chioce I will be voting for Obama.
Let me see; the Supreme court recently ruled Corporations are People (corporate money run-amuck), Republicans who took a lot of Governorships in the previous midterm elections have been busy Gerrymandering districts, software for your voting machines is propietary and owned by Republican backed companies, ....hmmm....I think Rick Perry's connections won't hurt him in the least.