Gov. Perry Touts Conservative Credentials at Johnson County Barbecue

By Hannah Hess
IowaPolitics.com

Texas Gov. Rick Perry boasted Friday night about his state's secure borders, while avoiding a controversial college tuition program benefiting immigrants that has become fodder for his opponents, and fueled protests here in Iowa.

"I happen to believe that Iowa voters are plenty smart. They look at the record. They don't just listen to rhetoric," Perry told 300 Johnson County Republicans in the cafeteria at Clear Creek Amana High School, before reeling off facts about Texas' 1,254 miles of border, like the $400 million he's deployed to its security over the past six years.

Perry said that while some have "X-Y-Z" plans, he has lived along the border. But he never mentioned his decision in 2001 to sign into law the Texas DREAM Act, a program providing in-state college tuition to the children of undocumented immigrants.

"Immigration is his weakest point," said Linda Westphal, 63, of Coralville, as she waited for the governor's keynote address after finishing her plate of barbeque.

As a tuned-in conservative voter, Westphal said she has watched cable news hosts skewer Perry for saying that those who oppose the program have no "heart." Perry retreated from the comment after he was criticized for it.

During his 15-minute stump speech, Perry challenged President Barack Obama to uphold his constitutional duty to defend the border from drug cartels, and stressed the importance of combining "boots on the ground" with aviation assets.

He fielded five questions from the audience after the speech, but was not challenged on the DREAM Act issue. That challenge may occur Saturday when he visits western Iowa, where the Minuteman Patriots, a national anti-immigration activist group, picketed Perry's last visit.

Members of the Johnson County audience instead gave Perry more opportunities to showcase his executive experience from Texas. He talked about trade issues and railed against the problems of "over-regulation, over-taxation and over-litigation" that he believes are killing the economy.

"Getting this country working again ought to be the No. 1 job of the president day in and day out," Perry said.

Gazing out on the red, white and blue tables scattered with autumn leaves, Perry found a way to make the economy patriotic and principled.

"To get America working again, to give people the dignity to be able to have a job, is not a (Democratic) or Republican issue, it's an American issue," he said.

Taking a stand for jobs drew healthy applause. But Randy Crawford, 59, of Coralville, said he needs Perry to take a stance on moral issues that may be more difficult.

Crawford prefers U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann to Perry because she is "very devoted and principled" on social issues like same-sex marriage and abortion.

Perry "is not as committed as I'd like to see," Crawford said. "Politicians really need to talk about reality, whether it is pleasant or not."

Before landing at the Iowa City airport, Perry picked up a key endorsement from the Rev. Robert Jeffress, of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, during the Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C.

Jeffress commended Perry for his "genuine commitment to biblical values."

Here, Perry squeezed his eyes tightly and bowed his head deeply during the invocation.

But Rich Hoefer, 61, of Coralville, said he would need to hear more about Perry's charitable giving before accepting that the evangelical governor is a "true believer."

Perry supporters tried to pass campaign stickers to each of the 300 people walking through the door, including Hoefer. He looked it over, and slowly stuck it in his pocket, saying, "I'm not sure I'm ready to wear this yet."

The Republican field still seems wide open to Hoefer, with the exception of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. He said Romney's Mormon faith gives him qualms.

Perry will try to win over western Iowa voters Saturday during three meet-and-greets. He visits Sioux City, Orange City and Spencer before leaving the state.

With the Iowa caucuses now expected to be held in early January, Perry has less than three months to overcome questions about his record on immigration and to fight for the vote of social conservatives, who have yet to coalesce around a single candidate.