Fiscal Conservatism and the Soul of the GOP
The Texas governor on Arnold, Sarah, ObamaCare and the future of his party.

Six years ago, Mr. Perry's state underwent a critical tort reform that was codified in the state constitution. The payoff is that Texas is now outpacing California economically. According to the Texas Public Policy Foundation, between 1997 and 2006 Texas' economy grew an average of 4.3% while California's grew at a rate of 3.7%. But as of 2002 (to 2007), with tort reform in place, Texas' annual economic growth jumped to 5%, while California's remained essentially the same at 3.6%.

No wonder over half a million people flooded into Texas between 2000 and 2007. Meanwhile, 1.2 million residents left California in the same seven-year period.

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Just this year, major employers such as Toyota, Caterpillar, and Medtronic have all announced they are moving thousands jobs from other states-- and even other countries-- to Texas.

Texas is indeed succeeding.

WHAT ELSE ARE PEOPLE SAYING ABOUT TEXAS:

National Review, calling Governor Perry a "classic conservative hard case," published a must-read article this summer about our Great State:

Governor Perry sums up the Texas model in five words: "Don't spend all the money." Here's what a good long run of small-government, low-tax conservatism has achieved in Texas: Once a largely agricultural state, Texas today is home to 6 of the 25 largest cities in the country, more than any other state. Texas has a trillion-dollar economy that would make it the 15th-largest national economy in the world if it were, as some of its more spirited partisans sometimes idly suggest it should be, an independent country. By one estimate, 70 percent of the new jobs that were created in the United States in 2008 were created in Texas. Texas is home to America's highest-volume port, the largest medical center in the world, and the headquarters of more Fortune 500 companies than any other state, having surpassed New York in 2008. While the Rust Belt mourns the loss of manufacturing jobs, Texans are building Bell helicopters and Lockheed Martin airplanes, Dell computers and TI semiconductors.

You may have also seen The Economist's coverage in July ("Lone Star Rising" & "California v Texas") of the ongoing battle between Texas and California for preeminence in the United States-- Texas has the upper hand in that rivalry.

And let's not forget Forbes, which declared in July, "In Texas, you can get ahead in the recession" and wrote that "it's not surprising that two Lone Star state cities come out on top" of its latest rankings.

The Ft. Worth Star-Telegram reported in May that, "If you had to ride out this downturn, there is no better place than Texas" and noted that a U-Haul rental from Los Angeles to Fort Worth costs $2,141, while a U-Haul rental for the same truck runs $557 from Fort Worth to Los Angeles.

The Houston Chronicle noted that Texas cities make up five of the six best economies in America. Their story is based on a detailed analysis Brookings Institute of the economy in the 100 largest metro areas in the United States. All six in Texas (Houston-Sugarland-Baytown, Austin-Round Rock, San Antonio, Dallas-Ft. Worth-Arlington, McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, and El Paso) are among the strongest 20 metro areas in the nation.

Just this month, Newt Gingrich, writing in the Financial Times, expressed that "Texas leads as California dreams on."

Governor Perry needs your help to keep Texas on the right track. Every online contribution, no matter the size gives the campaign a powerful boost of momentum and helps us reach more Texans with the Governor's positive message.

Help Governor Perry spread the word.

Texas is succeeding.

HELP KEEP TEXAS ON THE RIGHT TRACK!
SUPPORT GOVERNOR RICK PERRY TODAY:

Under the leadership of Governor Rick Perry, Texas has empowered entrepreneurs to achieve the American dream. and Texas needs your help to keep it a unique place where success is rewarded and hardworking people can get ahead. As Governor Perry has often said, Texas ought to be the model for the nation's recovery, not the other way around. Help keep Washington's one-size-fits-all big government model away from Texas.

Your $25 contribution today can help Texans for Rick Perry reach hundreds of new voters with the Governor's positive prescription for economic recovery:

1. Don't spend all the money.
2. Give people tax relief.
3. Keep the regulatory climate fair and predictable.
4. Fund an accountable education system to ensure an educated, skilled workforce.

Texas. Succeeding.