Texas GOP Vote

I attended the Rick Perry Rally featuring former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin in Cypress, Texas yesterday at the Berry Center. I got to wear a “Press Pass” for the first time…cool. Texas Senator Dan Patrick was the Master of Ceremonies and introduced the musical entertainment which included a symphonic band and later, Ted Nugent, who wailed out the National Anthem on his electric guitar. Justice Eva Guzman led the assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance. Dan Patrick gave a short and rousing speech that received numerous applause.

Then Governor Perry and former Governor Palin approached the stage from the crowd shaking hands and sharing hugs. Mrs. Palin and her daughter, Piper, were very much a favorite among girls and ladies at the large function.

Governor Perry spoke from the stage, moving about comfortably and not using the lectern (or a teleprompter) to address the enthusiastic crowd. He spoke of the successes Texas has enjoyed regarding economic measures despite the recession the rest of the nation presently faces.

Mrs. Palin was then handed the microphone and she spoke from the lectern using prepared notes but speaking comfortably and casually with the audience who also enthusiastically applauded her comments, her jokes and her other witticisms. Among her comments Mrs. Palin mentioned that Texans and Alaskans have much in common like their great appreciation of the outdoors, hunting and fishing, and their fierce sense of self reliance. Mrs. Palin asserted “…we all are proud we cling to our guns and religion…” paraphrasing and denouncing Barack Obama’s pitiful campaign statement in 2008.

It is no secret that Mrs. Palin is being considered for a Republican Presidential ticket in 2012 and Governor Perry, already the longest serving Governor in Texas history, is ahead in the polls for re-election. But more importantly, perhaps, was that TexasGOPvote.com contributor, Fernando Treviño, was there with several friends from Texas A& M University to meet the featured speakers and with my help, met Chairwoman of the Republican Party of Texas, Cathie Adams. We spoke about the importance of recruiting more and more young people to the Republican Party and the importance of the Latino vote as well. Clearly, this was a look at the next twenty years in only one afternoon.