Last week I detailed Rick Perry’s extensive history with Grover Norquist and how their ideologies have aligned during his terms as Texas governor. I’d e-mailed Norquist a number of questions, but didn’t hear back until this past weekend and only received a response to a few of my inquiries.
Norquist says he will remain “studiously neutral” during the primary, as every candidate except Jon Huntsman has signed his pledge, requiring fealty to his no new taxes under any circumstances ideology. Still, Norquist doesn’t hold back from heaping praise on Perry. “Smart. Reaganesque. Consistent. Persistent,” he wrote. “Good on second amendment. Has read entire constitution. All ten of the bill of rights.” When it came to specifics, Norquist credited Perry’s governorship on the issues I listed in the piece: his refusal to raise taxes, tort reform, and cuts to the state budget.
While he might not publicly endorse anyone, Norquist does describe the Republican field as limited to just a handful of candidates with an actual shot at the nomination. Perry is “One of three guys who will get the GOP nomination and good chance at the presidency,” Norquist writes. Who are these “three guys”exactly? In a followup e-mail Norquist said it was, “Deliberate obfuscation. Perry. Romney and one other.” That’s not much clearer, but in refusing to name the third, by implication Norquist seems to dismiss Bachmann and the other candidates currently in the race, and might be implying that someone else will join Perry as a late entrant to the campaign. Most of the top name Republicans — Chris Christie, Paul Ryan, Jeb Bush, etc. — have rejected possible runs, but perhaps someone will change their mind. Given Norquist’s prominent position among Republican elites, he’d likely be aware of this mystery persons’ intentions. Then again, Norquist’s veiled phrasing might just be him having some fun at the expense of the liberal media.
