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July 8, 2014 8:22 am - NewsBehavingBadly.com

President Obama will be arriving in Austin, TX, Wednesday, but Governor Rick Perry won’t be there, even though it is customary for a governor to greet a visiting president.

The Republican governor, who has repeatedly criticized Obama for his handling of the crisis along the U.S.-Mexico border, wrote the president and asked for a more “substantive meeting.”

“I appreciate the offer to greet you at Austin-Bergstrom Airport, but a quick handshake on the tarmac will not allow for a thoughtful discussion regarding the humanitarian and national security crises enveloping the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas,” Perry wrote in a letter on Monday to the president, according to the Austin American-Statesman. “I would instead offer to meet with you at any time during your visit to Texas for a substantive meeting to discuss this critical issue. With the appropriate notice, I am willing to change my schedule to facilitate this request.

 

D.B. Hirsch
D.B. Hirsch is a political activist, news junkie, and retired ad copy writer and spin doctor. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

No responses to Rick Perry Refuses To Greet President At Airport

  1. Carla Akins July 8th, 2014 at 8:35 am

    and being a douche bag doesn’t go far to facilitate a conversation either. He may as well have said “I know you are but what am I”.

  2. craig7120 July 8th, 2014 at 8:39 am

    Whoaa, that was close, for a second I thought our President was gonna give Mr Perry a platform to make the greeting of the sitting president some kind of spectacle. Mr Perry is learning, if you can’t act the part of a governor its best not to show yourself to be an asss.

    Well done, Mr Perry

  3. EnuffBull July 8th, 2014 at 8:40 am

    No respect for our president? No respect for your state nor how you are governing it!!!

    I say let Mexico re-take the Alamo!!

    • R.J. Carter July 8th, 2014 at 9:28 am

      Already in progress.

  4. jasperjava July 8th, 2014 at 8:54 am

    Just another dog whistle for the racist base.

  5. Linda1961 July 8th, 2014 at 8:57 am

    Nice tbat Perry wants a substantive meeting with the president, and greeting him at the airport would be the perfect time to set up that meeting. Too bad Perry gave up a golden opportunity to appear a man of substance.

  6. edmeyer_able July 8th, 2014 at 8:59 am

    Perry should take a lesson from a former Texan on the proper way to greet a visitor.

    • Dwendt44 July 8th, 2014 at 12:37 pm

      Bush even danced with that Arab guy. The chicken dance as I recall.

      • M D Reese July 8th, 2014 at 1:35 pm

        How fitting. No petulance, either!

    • M D Reese July 8th, 2014 at 1:35 pm

      Thanks–my first lung-clearing belly-laugh with knee-slap today. I’m glad I didn’t have a mouth full of tea and cookies.

  7. mea_mark July 8th, 2014 at 9:08 am

    Wendy Davis should show up to greet Obama.

    • Anomaly 100 July 8th, 2014 at 9:35 am

      Oh SNAP! That would be perfect!

    • Judgeforyourself37 July 8th, 2014 at 2:41 pm

      I’d love it if she did just that. Now, there is a woman with class and dignity. Gov. Perry, on the other hand is playing to his racist, and ignorant base. However, the tide is turning Texas purple and maybe even blue.

    • KABoink_after_wingnut_hacker July 8th, 2014 at 5:15 pm

      Love that idea!

  8. Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 9:18 am

    In an act of petulance, Perry refuses to meet with the most petulant POTUS in history. Seems like a wash for 2nd graders. (my apologies to 2nd graders)

    • Anomaly 100 July 8th, 2014 at 9:21 am

      So, while calling out Perry, you demean the President who did *not* snub the Texas Governor.

      @-@

      • R.J. Carter July 8th, 2014 at 9:27 am

        And from the airport, the POTUS is going directly to the border to address the issues there first-hand.

        Oh. Wait.

        • Anomaly 100 July 8th, 2014 at 9:35 am

          Which he has addressed before, so let’s be really monotonous about it:-) Let’s only talk about Perry. I know, here at LL we will *only* write about Rick Perry because his happiness means so much to us.

          #OnlyRickPerry

          • R.J. Carter July 8th, 2014 at 9:50 am

            But it’s traditional when there’s a catastrophe happening to go to the catastrophe rather than address it from DC (or a plane flying over it).

          • Anomaly 100 July 8th, 2014 at 9:57 am

            It’s also tradition to greet the President of the United States at the airport. Ask this lady.

          • R.J. Carter July 8th, 2014 at 12:10 pm

            Who dat, and how did she get away with putting her finger in his face?

          • Anomaly 100 July 8th, 2014 at 12:33 pm

            That’s Governor Jan “I stick my finger in the POTUS’s face’ Brewer.

          • R.J. Carter July 8th, 2014 at 4:17 pm

            Well at least she met him at the airport. 😛

          • M D Reese July 8th, 2014 at 1:33 pm

            You really don’t know? She used it to fundraise on.

          • M D Reese July 8th, 2014 at 1:33 pm

            Talk about “petulant”…

      • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 9:42 am

        POTUS’ petulance is long running and well documented without the Perry issue

        • Saint_Augustine July 8th, 2014 at 10:16 am

          Your stupid presence is boring. Go outside and stay for the sunset.

          • fahvel July 8th, 2014 at 12:40 pm

            sunrise is better, his living dead brain will burn to a cinder.

        • M D Reese July 8th, 2014 at 1:32 pm

          Oh pulleeze…

        • R.J. Carter July 8th, 2014 at 4:19 pm

          Both petulant and pedantic. Don’t those usually go hand in hand where narcissism is involved?

        • Anomaly 100 July 8th, 2014 at 4:21 pm

          This is you Jeff. “It’s well documented but I don’t feel like backing that up with links.”

          • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 4:28 pm

            I’ve already provided two in other posts

          • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 4:30 pm

            People make unchecked, emphatic statements on here constantly and I’m the only one that actually has to provide links?

          • Anomaly 100 July 8th, 2014 at 4:39 pm

            You were called out so yes, you have to back it up. Welcome to the Internetz!

    • Khary A July 8th, 2014 at 9:54 am

      it doesnt matter that the President is “petulant” or not…It’s the President and the station commands respect. This reminds me of the Bruins ex-goalie Tim Thomas and his ridiculousness. With this kind of behaviors precedent the station is diminished, even though you may not like a leaders political path or whatever the issue might be there is still the issue of repect for the office. At this rate I don’t see why we should bother having leaders at all, If there’s no reason to respect the office for whatever personal issue then why should I bother to do that in the forseeable future?

      • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 11:33 am

        Hey, at least you see it too.

        • Khary A July 8th, 2014 at 12:41 pm

          In truth I don’t see it, petulance is not what our President shows. Seeing that the definition of petulance is as follows.

          1. Unreasonably irritable or ill-tempered; peevish.
          2. Contemptuous in speech or behavior.
          Two aspects that the President most definitively does not show. That would be a trait more attuned to someone like James Perry or say Richard Cheney, most well shown in his recent interviews. Once again the misuse of language conveys the wrong ideas leading to greater misunderstandings. When people espouse their dross about how democracy has failed them and etc., I always want to ask exactly what they know of language and if they understand its importance when discussing things of a socio-political nature. The reason that “petulance ” is used against our current President as opposed to others that came before is, yes…that one issue. You say that children are petulant and to a large section of his detractors they see him as a child. The level of disrespect would not have been allowed in previous Presidential incarnations, respect for the man as a man would have been given but when put to this one that respect was never given nor was it even considered.

          • cecilia July 8th, 2014 at 8:30 pm

            racists and sexists are incapable of respect

        • Khary A July 8th, 2014 at 1:03 pm

          Sadly as I am seeing other retorts the notion of civility and use of language goes unheeded. It shames me to see see people who whilst defending the President also do not share his finer qualities of grace and decorum.

      • M D Reese July 8th, 2014 at 1:31 pm

        Just the word “petulant” applied to this President just cracks me up. I think that he has been INCREDIBLY patient and his family unbelievably graceful in light of all the crap that has been thrown at them.

        • Khary A July 8th, 2014 at 1:41 pm

          agreed, the amount of vitriol that the President has received is nothing short of disgraceful.

    • Saint_Augustine July 8th, 2014 at 10:14 am

      Evangelical insults so early in the day?

      • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 11:38 am

        Whatever God did to make you so angry, I hope you find some solace from it at some point. Your responses to my posts have devolved to just two words Evangelical and hate

        • Dwendt44 July 8th, 2014 at 12:34 pm

          Which god?

          • M D Reese July 8th, 2014 at 1:29 pm

            Why, the One True God and Lord of the Universe, Lord God Almighty!

          • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 1:44 pm

            that’s the one!

          • William July 8th, 2014 at 2:22 pm

            Which God we talking about here?

        • fahvel July 8th, 2014 at 12:39 pm

          but those two words are so perfect and precise and are just, oh um, you! That’s it, you.

        • Saint_Augustine July 8th, 2014 at 1:11 pm

          Since god doesn’t exist I have no anger for it.

          • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 1:46 pm

            Well then, whatever some Christian did to make you so angry.

          • Saint_Augustine July 8th, 2014 at 5:04 pm

            Look in the mirror for the anger you see in others. It comes from within yourself. Right wingers are very good at projection, you all have practiced a lot.

          • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 5:35 pm

            read your posts

          • Saint_Augustine July 8th, 2014 at 6:00 pm

            I’m not professing to be an Evangelical Christian like you have written about yourself. Why aren’t you following the Golden Rule instead of coming to a liberal website to make disparaging comments about the President and Democrats? I say its because you’re a hateful, miserable person.

          • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 6:38 pm

            having an opinion and expressing it without profanity, disrespect, or personal jabs does not rise to the level of hatred. Your responses to me however contain all those. I have found I can always count on those who are not Christians to tell those who are how to act.

          • Saint_Augustine July 9th, 2014 at 9:40 am

            What a load of hogwash, Christians have a mission to convert the non-believers. Project much?

          • Jeff Allen July 9th, 2014 at 9:46 am

            “Christians have a mission to convert the non-believers” again, what does that have to do with having an opinion and expressing it without profanity, disrespect, or personal insult?

        • M D Reese July 8th, 2014 at 1:27 pm

          God hasn’t done anything at all because god’s are supernatural beings made up by men to control other humans, especially female humans. The only danger that gods pose is that a lot of humans claim to believe in them and then they beat and kill other people who will not believe in the same gods they do, or they believe in the same god in a different way. It’s really incredibly wasteful. I often wonder how much farther along the human race would be without the baggage of religious fantasies.

        • cecilia July 8th, 2014 at 8:26 pm

          Evangelical = hate

    • Dwendt44 July 8th, 2014 at 12:39 pm

      When was President Obama rude?

      Do you even know what the word ‘petulant’ means?

  9. crc3 July 8th, 2014 at 10:00 am

    None of this should be a surprise to anyone unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 6+ years. Obama is disrespected by Repulsives at every turn and Perry is no exception. TX harbors the worst of the worst…

    • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 10:08 am

      Do a little research and you’ll find a host of Dems who are “mysteriously absent” when Obama visits their state.

      • Saint_Augustine July 8th, 2014 at 10:18 am

        Like your brain when you visit Liberaland, absent any meaningful thoughts!

        • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 11:29 am

          another day in the ledger.

        • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 11:29 am

          another day in the ledger.

      • William July 8th, 2014 at 10:25 am

        Why don’t you do the research, find the link and post it. Reading bumper stickers and regurgitating whatever Limbaugh dropped into your bowl isn’t really meaningful dialog. Besides you might actually learn something.

        • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 11:33 am

          I’ve actually done the research, and on many occasions when Obama visits a state, several Dems in tenuous re-election bids have had “prior commitments”. Now when the President AND defacto leader of your party visits your district, you rearrange “prior commitments”. Who is really disrespecting the office then?

          • William July 8th, 2014 at 11:43 am

            “I’ve actually done the research”… that’s nice, now why don’t you POST your research so we can all share?

          • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 11:49 am

            I’ve played that game before. It happened, it still happens, it’s fact, I don’t need to do your work for you.

          • arc99 July 8th, 2014 at 12:28 pm

            no it does not happen.

            another day, another lie from an Obama-hater, as regular as the sunrise.

          • fahvel July 8th, 2014 at 12:37 pm

            your come backs are more moronic than your first stupid post –

          • Margie Bateman Osgood July 8th, 2014 at 12:41 pm

            William, that’s conservative code for “I am too lazy to do my own research, I don’t care to do my own research and I am right because FOX news says so”

          • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 1:12 pm

            I direct you to arc99 post, it is actually a “strategy”

          • William July 8th, 2014 at 2:14 pm

            “I am too lazy to do my own research,
            or…
            I heard in on Limbaugh, but am too ashamed to admit a drug addicted draft dodging racist does my thinking for me”

          • William July 8th, 2014 at 2:19 pm

            I did my work, I even posted a link. I am eagerly anticipating the fruits of your research. I so want to read about all these Dems in tenuous re-election bids have had “prior commitments”.
            I know you did the research, because otherwise you’d just be a liar, and when you tell a lie it makes baby Jesus cry.

          • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 2:49 pm

            I already directed you to the link arc99 posted “Obama not ‘offended’ if vulnerable Dems stay away”. You see common sense would dictate that if there wasn’t an issue, a “strategy” would not be necessary. Even some folks at the Kool-Aid factory see the Perry/Obama situation clearly, see my above post.

          • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 4:22 pm

            My you are incorrigible, just so that I am not accused of using old news, you know the “Dude, that was like two years ago” kind, here is a link to just the latest:

            http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_26104160/colorados-3-top-democrats-miss-obama-event-at?source=hot-topic-bar

          • William July 8th, 2014 at 4:37 pm

            OK good, at least you tried., and it only took you five hours to find a political opinion newspaper article that mentions three democratic politicians being absent from an Obama event. Keep going I want to read about those…how did you put it? Oh yeah…. a host of Dems who are “mysteriously absent” when Obama visits their state. That logistics and schedule thingy sort of takes the “mystery” out of it.

          • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 5:53 pm

            Oh, I’m sorry, I don’t live on the computer. The five hour span was most definitely not spent doing your legwork, it actually took five minutes and as suspected, I provide a link, you discount it. That’s why it’s a game I don’t play. Liberal logic is circular, actually more pretzel like, you can explain anything away while twisting yourselves into knots.

          • William July 8th, 2014 at 6:03 pm

            I accept your apology.

          • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 1:12 pm

            I direct you to arc99 post, it has the link

          • arc99 July 8th, 2014 at 12:27 pm

            I have done the research too. There is a big difference between a calculated strategy defined in consultation with the President and a sitting governor who makes it clear he has the time and inclination to meet but only on the governor’s terms.

            I have given up expecting any shred of objectivity from Obama-haters. Or facts to back up arguments for that matter.

            It is right wing ideologues disrespecting the office and no one else.

            Democratic strategy for the President not to appear with vulnerable candidates has been discussed as an acceptance of reality.. And unlike you I do not have to make sh*t up out of thin air to support my opinion.

            http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/02/05/what-obama-told-senate-democrats-at-retreat/

            Obama not ‘offended’ if vulnerable Dems stay away

          • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 1:09 pm

            you just contradicted your own point. You linked an article that states exactly what I asserted about vulnerable Dems and then still claim that I make up stuff out of thin air.

          • arc99 July 8th, 2014 at 4:31 pm

            I am in no way contradicting my own point. A mutually agreed upon strategy is not a snub.

            Not providing a reference to back up your own opinion is one thing. But misrepresenting my reference demonstrates the complete lack of merit in your argument.

          • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 5:38 pm

            Common sense, common sense, common sense. If vulnerable Dems distancing themselves from you is not a real issue, then there is no need for a strategy. And if you insist, here is just the latest example:

            http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_26104160/colorados-3-top-democrats-miss-obama-event-at?source=hot-topic-bar

          • fahvel July 8th, 2014 at 12:36 pm

            once more – who, when, why – no rumors just the facts.

          • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 1:11 pm

            I would direct you to arc99 post below. If Dems weren’t doing it, it wouldn’t be a “strategy”

          • TerryW July 11th, 2014 at 10:15 pm

            But we are talking about a crisis situation in a state that wants the federal government to do something, as requested by the governor of that state. And then the governor does a no show for the purpose of displaying national disrespect? I say give Texas back to Mexico and be done with it. Look at the politicians that come out of that state.

      • William July 8th, 2014 at 10:38 am

        host of Dems who are “mysteriously absent”.

        Here I’ll show you how this works. Using a search engine I was able to find that Bush and Cheney were absent from the last GOP presidential convention. Imagine that? No former republican Presidents attended the 2012 GOP convention.

        http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/20/george-bush-republican-convention_n_1690725.html

        • M D Reese July 8th, 2014 at 1:18 pm

          Well, I’m shocked!…

      • fahvel July 8th, 2014 at 12:35 pm

        a list please – dead on accurate too or just climb back into your hole.

      • m2old4bs July 8th, 2014 at 7:33 pm

        Are they sitting Governors of a State within the United States of America? If no, then your post has no value whatsoever to the discussion on Perry’s willful disrespect to the Office of the President of the United States.

    • kidcat24 July 8th, 2014 at 10:59 am

      Speaking of rocks. What was that painted on the rock at the entrance of the Perry hunting ranch?

      • Pilotshark July 8th, 2014 at 11:05 am

        well if we are speaking about that, you have to hope that rock has been painted over or bury deep.

        • kidcat24 July 8th, 2014 at 11:09 am

          I’m sure, once they realized little Ricky was vying to live off government money.

      • M D Reese July 8th, 2014 at 1:17 pm

        Ah good times, good times…
        Seriously, Perry really should at least TRY to look like a statesman.

    • M D Reese July 8th, 2014 at 1:17 pm

      I remember Clinton being threatened with death if he visited our military bases in the South. By a sitting Congressman no less.

  10. Jake July 8th, 2014 at 10:03 am

    Why should anyone be surprised that a Republican would not be seen dead shaking a black man’s hand?

  11. Budda July 8th, 2014 at 10:25 am

    If you want federal help you need to talk to the guy in charge of federal help…really that simple.

    • M D Reese July 8th, 2014 at 1:13 pm

      My first thought exactly. A lot can be discussed in a greeting and ride to the hotel. But we already know that Perry doesn’t really want to talk to Obama in any meaningful way. Next he’ll be claiming that the President snubbed him.

    • TerryW July 11th, 2014 at 10:06 pm

      Perry needs to complain his R friends in Congress who are refusing to fund dealing with Perry’s problem.

  12. Pilotshark July 8th, 2014 at 10:57 am

    Hey Rick did it occurred to you that a quick handshake at the airport can lead to a ride together back to a place you all can talk. now that is if you really wanted to talk and do something other then dance around.

  13. tiredoftea July 8th, 2014 at 12:24 pm

    “a thoughtful discussion” that was the point where the President knew it was a forged letter.

  14. fahvel July 8th, 2014 at 12:33 pm

    are you sure Mr. Obama didn’t tell the secret service to inform the ahole not to be there because his hands and mind and ideas are filth?

  15. RAPTOR555 July 8th, 2014 at 1:29 pm

    That justt shows he has CLASS. Why would he meet with liberal’s messiah when the lawless White House wanted to sue him for fulfilling his oath of office by stopping illegal aliens from entering his state?

    • Judgeforyourself37 July 8th, 2014 at 2:49 pm

      The verbiage in the icon at the left of your comment and your profile say it all. You deny climate change, despise progressives and apparently dislike women. You, also, seem to have a “wee touch” of paranoia, and want to live in the past.

      • Reconmarine7 July 8th, 2014 at 3:37 pm

        I always wondered what type of weirdos followed Alan Colmes. And here you are.

        • RAPTOR555 July 8th, 2014 at 4:23 pm

          Here, here! Army vet

      • RAPTOR555 July 8th, 2014 at 4:28 pm

        I don’t ‘despise’ progressives; I merely disagree with most, not all, of their agendas. As far as my avatar goes, it’s a joke and in NO way degrades women. If anything, it gives them perceived power (they have excellent memories). You read WAY too much into that! Geeeeeez

    • TerryW July 11th, 2014 at 10:05 pm

      I’m wondering why we can’t vote down a comment.

  16. Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 2:15 pm

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sebgbOt0cWc

  17. Ron Jackson July 8th, 2014 at 3:24 pm

    So the racist white nationalist governor of Texas refuses to met with the black president,because he feels that the president is acting uppity for not tap dancing when the right wingers say dance boy,pick that cotton boy.

    • Reconmarine7 July 8th, 2014 at 3:36 pm

      Are you truly this stupid?

    • Jeff Allen July 8th, 2014 at 4:24 pm

      Aaaaannnnnddddd, there it is.

  18. clo711 July 8th, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    That’s an improvement over Jan Brewer…
    Some of these southern republicans are pathetic!

    • m2old4bs July 8th, 2014 at 7:22 pm

      Not some, all

  19. Shades July 8th, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    Obama called his bluff. He offered to arrange his schedule so they could have a substantive meeting. Now Perry is tap dancing big time to avoid making a commitment.

  20. Andy July 9th, 2014 at 7:10 am

    Perry is a flaming asshole.

  21. DdavidD July 9th, 2014 at 9:31 am

    Just more one example in a long list of unprecedented disrespect to the office of the white house. The question is WHY? What is different about this president compared to all other presidents in our nation’s history?

    • TerryW July 11th, 2014 at 10:02 pm

      #1 he’s black, #2 he’s a democrat. Republican respect for anything other their own agendas is non-existent. The Bush admin really brought out the worst of the worst and we’re still having to deal with it unfortunately. There is no honor among them, only selfish me me me’s. Bottom line is they don’t have any respect for our country. They continue to embarrass us in the eyes of the rest of the world by acting like immature 3rd grade school yard bullies.

  22. cvryder2000 July 9th, 2014 at 1:00 pm

    R. Ick Perry, showing his usual grace and class. /s

  23. Jeff Allen July 9th, 2014 at 5:52 pm

    Sheesh, when you can’t count on MSNBC for cover, who can you count on?