Rick Perry Gay Rumors: Governor's Aides Prepared To Tackle Allegations Should They Resurface

[jefferson_dem]

Rick Perry Gay Rumors: Governor's Aides Prepared To Tackle Allegations Should They Resurface: Report



Texas Governor Rick Perry's camp is prepared to tackle unfounded rumors dating back to as early as 2004 about the Lone Star State Republican's personal life should he run for president and the allegations resurface, according to Politico.

Roughly seven years ago, Perry himself addressed the unsubstantiated buzz that he and his wife planned to divorce and that he was gay. He denied the rumors and told the Austin American-Statesman at the time that he was the victim of a "smear campaign" being conducted by his political enemies. The AP reported in March of 2004:

Perry said the rumors "are not correct in any shape, form or fashion. These are irresponsible. They're salacious. They're hurtful to my family."

...

"I don't think a rumor can just get to critical mass by itself," Perry said. "I think you have to have a well thought-out, organized effort to disseminate that kind of information and keep it going day after day after day after day."
According to Politico:

The crusted-over rumors were in the ether among some attendees at a dinner hosted last week by the Manhattan County GOP, where Perry gave the keynote speech.

...

But Team Perry, asked about how it's prepared to handle them when they emerge if he runs, said it remains "false and misleading."

<SNIP>

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/20/rick-perry-gay-rumors-_n_880969.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000008

[av8rdave]

1. IF it turned out there was substance to the story, the fallout from each side will be entertaining

Liberals, of course will focus strictly on the hypocrisy aspect of the story, since most of us really don't give a damn one way or the other what his orientation is (other than how it would affect his policies).

Conservatives, on the other hand, will have to gin up the deny and attack the messenger memes until (if he is actually gay) they can't gloss it over any more. Then, of course, they will have to throw him under the bus and expell him from their ranks.

[Ilsa]

2. I don't think he's gay. I wonder if he's

Bisexual, though. He and Anita have two kids. He married at age 31 or 32.

His fundamentalist religious values are a great concern because they drive his policy.

[justiceischeap]

5. Just because he's married and has kids doesn't exclude him from being gay

There are lots of married gay men out there with kids and fundie religious values. Ted Haggert anyone? It's the fundie religious values that drive them to lead double lives.

[Phx_Dem]

10. Exactly right. Particularly for gay-hating, self-loathers.

That's how they convince (or try to) themselves and others they aren't gay.

Not saying Perry is. I know he's dumber than a box of rocks, but I have no idea if he's gay.

[asphalt.jungle]

9. is early 30's marriage a sign of something?

the obamas married around that same age.

[Ilsa]

12. I would think one would marry a childhood sweetheart sooner than

Early thirties. Maybe it was his Air Force career that was in the way.

[catrose]

15. At the time of the accusations

He said they had dated for 16 years. Most of us would find a way to marry before then.

[warrior1]

3. I remember there was

must more to this story. I believe an aide was involved.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1155195

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1137942

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=180x59159

[susanr516]

14. The person involved was the TX Secretary of State

at the time, Geoff Connor.

[gkhouston]

16. Hey, they only said they were going to deal with the unfounded rumors.

Not the founded ones.

[66 dmhlt]

4. Well, he does wear more cowboy stuff than a six y/o dressed up for Halloween

[LiberalFighter]

6. YMCA???

[backscatter712]

7. I wonder if he Twitters?...

:evilgrin:

[tanyev]

17. No, he Tweeters.

Rick Perry Implores Conservatives To Follow Him On ‘Tweeter’
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/06/rick-perry-implores-conservatives-to-follow-him-on-tweeter-video.php?ref=fpblg

:rofl:

[TwilightGardener]

8. He's seriously just so creepy-looking.

[bleever]

11. Not sure I'd use the word "disseminate" if it were me.

:shrug:

[ImNotTed]

13. I'll settle for seeing his long-form birth certificate

And his hair's.

[bigwillq]

18. Hello

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[rucky]

19. straight guys can have great hair, too, sometimes.