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Rick Perry (born March 4, 1950) is an American politician. The Republican is the Governor of Texas.

The St. Petersburg Times' Politifact researched and rated the truthfulness of this politician's statements. On average, the Truth-O-Meter determined that his statements are "Half True".

Foreign policy and war issues: Views unknown at this time.

Security/liberties: Favors waterboarding of terrorism suspects considering it a method of "enhanced interrogation". Source.
GOP debate: all (including this candidate) but Ron Paul want Patriot Act extended. Views expressed the Heritage Foundation/AEI/CNN debate (Nov. 22, 2011) Source

Social Security: "What I'm saying is that between Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, there's $106 trillion of unfunded liabilities and not one dime saved to pay for them," Perry said on "Fox News Sunday." "My children who are in their 20s know that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme." Source

Stem cell research: He doesn't support embryonic stem cell research. Source

Budget issues: Perry accepted the state's $17 billion share of the federal stimulus package while opposing the concept. "I believe there are better ways to reinvigorate our economy and believe [the stimulus bill] will burden future generations with unprecedented levels of debt," Perry wrote in a letter to President Barack Obama. Source Perry resisted creating a Texas state income tax and increasing sales tax rates, choosing instead to increase user fees and adding surcharges to various traffic offenses. In 2006, Perry signed legislation that delivered a reduction in property taxes.

Abortion issues: Perry is pro-life and opposes government funding for elective abortions.

Same sex issues: He supports defining marriage as between one man and one woman and has expressed opposition to gay marriage. He condemned the United States Supreme Court decision in Lawrence vs. Texas, which struck down sodomy laws which made it a crime for two gay men or women to engage in private, adult consensual sexual activity and he called Texas' last such law "appropriate."

Trade issues:

Business & labor issues:

Capital punishment: Perry supports the death penalty. Texas carried out over 200 executions since Perry assumed the office.

Marijuana:

Gun control: In 2010 National Rifle Association gave Governor Perry a grade of A+, in its scorecard for candidates seeking office in 2010. Source

Minimum Wage:

Health care: Gov. Rick Perry, raising the specter of a showdown with the Obama administration, suggested Thursday that he would consider invoking states’ rights protections under the 10th Amendment to resist the president’s healthcare plan, which he said would be "disastrous" for Texas. Source

Environmental issues: Rick Perry is on the inaugural list of "Dirty Dozen" statewide lawmakers and governors in the country as picked by the League of Conservation Voters.

Climate change: I think there are a substantial number of scientists who have manipulated data so that they will have dollars rolling in to their projects. I think we're seeing it almost weekly or even daily, scientists who are coming forward and questioning the original idea that man-made global warming is what is causing the climate to change. — Campaign stop in New Hampshire, Aug. 17, 2011 Source

Immigration issues: "I fully recognize and support a state's right and obligation to protect its citizens, but I have concerns with portions of the [immigration law SB 1070] passed in Arizona and believe it would not be the right direction for Texas," Perry said in a written statement. "For example, some aspects of the law turn law enforcement officers into immigration officials by requiring them to determine immigration status during any lawful contact with a suspected alien, taking them away from their existing law enforcement duties, which are critical to keeping citizens safe." Source

Education issues: As lieutenant governor, he sponsored a school voucher bill.

Sources