Denver – Gov. Rick Perry wasted no time in responding to Rick Santorum’s charges on the 10th Amendment, turning a contentious subject into an opportunity to hold forth on government power and waste.
“Over time, the people that government was created to protect become its subjects,” Perry said. The Founding Fathers created a system of government that was “clearly defined,” according to Perry.
“This is best reflected in the 10th Amendment of the United States Constitution,” Perry declared, going on to quote the original text.
“It is simple, elegant, and to the point,” argued Perry.
In that context, Perry returned to the issue of gay marriage. “I said the other day that the 10th Amendment frees New York state to define marriage as they please, but the traditional definition suits Texas, and this governor, just fine,” Perry concluded.
The Texas governor quickly pivoted his focus to liberals and his possible target in 2012. “In 2012 we need to redouble our efforts and send even more liberals into the private sector, including the president, who would be a whole lot better commentator on a Sunday morning talk show than the nation’s chief executive officer,” Perry said.