Austin American-Statesman, TX
10-18-07
Perry's support may moderate Giuliani's liberal image
But Texans' support probably won't have dramatic impact on New Yorker's
campaign, experts say.
By Scott Shepard
WASHINGTON BUREAU
WASHINGTON — Texas Gov. Rick Perry's endorsement of Rudy Giuliani for
president Wednesday could help the moderate ex-mayor of New York strengthen
his claim to conservative credentials, though it's not likely to have a dramatic
impact on the Republican campaign outside the Lone Star State, three
authorities speculated.
Giuliani wasted no time in making the most of Perry's backing. After announcing
the endorsement Wednesday morning in Washington, Perry traveled to Iowa for
campaign stops with the candidate, beginning at Drake University in Des Moines.
In Iowa, where the presidential voting begins in January, "in a tight race, it could
be a feather on the scale," Dennis Goldford, a professor at Drake, said of the
endorsement. "It could influence a handful of party activists in the caucuses. But
most caucus-goers are not going to know anything about Perry, and that could
be a good thing, given how low his re-election rate was in Texas." (Perry won reelection last year with 39 percent of the vote against three major challengers.)
Many studies show that "endorsements have little, if any, effect on vote choice,"
said Dianne Bystrom, a political science professor at Iowa State University.
But to the extent that endorsements boost a candidate, a nod from former
Republican Iowa governors like Terry Branstad and Robert Ray would be more
helpful to Giuliani in that state than from someone like Perry, she added. Neither
ex-governor has expressed a preference for the 2008 GOP nomination.
Still, "Giuliani does benefit from the endorsement," said Peverill Squire, a political
analyst at the University of Iowa, "because it is another signal from a prominent
conservative that the former mayor is an acceptable candidate."
"This helps Giuliani shed his moderate image and gives Iowa conservatives
another reason to consider his candidacy," Squire added.
It is also Giuliani's first endorsement from a sitting governor, and the fact that
Perry is from a big Southern state suggests that the New Yorker might have
appeal outside the Northeast.
Perry announced his endorsement of Giuliani during a fall economic conference
sponsored by the anti-tax Club for Growth, whose political action committee
plays an influential role in Republican primaries.
In remarks to conference attendees, Perry touted Giuliani's fiscal conservatism
as mayor of New York.
At the news conference, however, Perry, one of the nation's most conservative
governors, was asked to explain how he could endorse Giuliani, given the exmayor's liberal views on social issues, including gun control, gay rights and,
especially, abortion rights.
"I go to buy a pickup truck, if it's got one option on it I'm either not particularly
fond of or not looking for, it doesn't mean I disregard that pickup truck," Perry
said.
The governor said Giuliani had assured him that as president, he would appoint
judges who view the issue of abortion conservatively.
"The one that I wanted to hear him give me an answer and look me right in the
eyes was that issue of who can I expect, what type of individuals can I expect on
the Supreme Court," Perry said. "He clearly said ... you can look for people like
(Antonin) Scalia and (John) Roberts and (Samuel) Alito. Let me tell you, I can live
with that."
Perry's endorsement came after months of wooing by Giuliani, who has built a
formidable political base in Texas, partly as a result of being a name partner with
the Houston-based law firm of Bracewell & Giuliani.
Giuliani's campaign finance chairman is Roy Bailey, a former finance chairman of
the Texas Republican Party, and Texans have donated $4 million to the New
Yorker, more than any other presidential candidate in either party.
Perry's endorsement rankled a Giuliani rival, Republican Fred Thompson, whose
campaign issued a statement from Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, a
Thompson backer.
"Texans supporting the mayor of New York City? Get a rope," Patterson said.
"Fred is the real deal. He's the only conservative with a chance in 2008, and he's
gonna win Texas."
In announcing his support for Giuliani, Perry emphasized the role the former
mayor played after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, saying, "He's not only seen
firsthand the devastation of a terrorist attack, but he knows what it takes to
respond with resolve, with compassion, with clear leadership."
Some have suggested that Perry may be a possible contender for vice president.
But Giuliani, asked by Texas reporters to appraise Perry as a vice presidential
possibility, was interrupted by Perry before he could answer.
"I won't consider that, let me just tell you," Perry said.
Additional material from staff writer W. Gardner Selby.