Perry pulls out of DeMint Forum to deal with Texas wildfires

Byron York:

Texas Gov. Rick Perry surprised the organizers of today's Palmetto Freedom Forum by withdrawing from the event just hours before it is scheduled to begin. Put together by Sen. Jim DeMint, who is widely acknowledged as a kingmaker in the Republican race in South Carolina, the event, set for 3 p.m. today, will feature candidates Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann, Ron Paul, Herman Cain, and Newt Gingrich in an unconventional question-and-answer format with DeMint, Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King, and Princeton University professor Robert George.

According to several sources familiar with events, the chairman of Perry's campaign in South Carolina, former Republican party chief Katon Dawson, called organizers this morning to say that Perry needs to return to Texas to deal with quickly-spreading wildfires. Event organizers offered to move the schedule around -- the candidates were scheduled to speak in alphabetical order at the forum, which would have put Perry second-to-last -- and waited for Perry's response. The first definitive reports they heard on Perry's decision came from the media. In the meantime, Perry was participating in a town hall event in Myrtle Beach, S.C. organized by Rep. Tim Scott. Perry was scheduled to speak personally with DeMint at 11:15 a.m., at which time he would officially withdraw from the forum. Perry has a plane waiting in Myrtle Beach to return him to Texas.

...
I am not surprised. The fires have turned into a major event in Central Texas and the feds have been reluctant to declare them a major disaster. It will give Perry a chance to demonstrate leadership and get another dig in on Obama.

Comments

  1. Tina7:19 PM

    What a heartbreak these fires are. I imagine Mr Perry could not stay away when the Hill Country is in flames. Hope your area is safe. I've linked to this post at Trying To Fight It: 62 New Fires, 2 Dead, 500+ Homes Burned Since Yesterday

    ReplyDelete

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