Gov. Rick Perry has at times been inconsistent in applying his states’ rights beliefs, raising questions even among Republicans about whether his stance is as much campaign positioning as a philosophical commitment.
secession
Posted in
State Government
Critics Want Perry as President — of Confederacy
A few protesters gathered in historic Charleston to jokingly welcome Gov. Rick Perry into the race for president — of the Confederacy.
Posted in
State Government
On Tape, Perry Quipped Texans Are “Thinking About” Secession
Rick Perry’s infamous flirtation with secession at an April 2009 rally is sure to get renewed scrutiny in a presidential campaign — but it turns out it wasn’t the first time the governor contemplated Texas leaving the United States of America.
Posted in
Economy
Texas Won’t Secede — But It Won’t Shut Up Either
Texas leaders aren’t talking about secession, after an outbreak of conversation a couple of years ago. But the germ of the idea remains in the anti-federalist talking points that fueled Gov. Rick Perry’s re-election campaign last year and provided the outline for his book, Fed Up!
Posted in
State Government
Sam Houston, Texas Secession — and Robert E. Lee
No secession ball will mark the day. But 150 years ago today, on Feb. 1, 1861, a state convention voted overwhelmingly to secede from the Union, against the fervent wishes of Gov. Sam Houston. Caught in the mess was one Robert E. Lee, a federal officer in what had become a rebel state.
Posted in
Guides
Texplainer: When Did Texas Actually Secede?
Most media organizations put the date of Texas secession as Feb. 1, 1861 — 150 years ago today. But the reality was a little more complicated.
Posted in
State Government
Guest Column: Over Before It Started
On April 15, 2009, Rick Perry positioned himself for the first time as the defender of Texas against Washington oppression — and the 2010 race for governor was decided.
Posted in
Politics
The New Tenthers
Conservatives in Texas are invoking the 10th Amendment at every whistle-stop. But what rights does it actually protect?
Posted inState Government
Signs of Discontent
Texans gathered for a “nullification” rally at the Texas Capitol on Saturday, January 16, in protest of federal healthcare plans in particular and federal spending and laws in general. They called on the state government to “nullify” what they contend are unconstitutional actions by the federal government — that is, to opt out of pending healthcare legislation and other federal programs and laws they feel go beyond the bounds of the U.S. Constitution. Most of the photographs that follow were taken by Bob Daemmrich; a few were shot by Ross Ramsey.
Posted in
Politics
TribBlog: Nullification Now
For the disgruntled ultraconservative, nullification may be the new secession. But as one prominent legal scholar puts it, “If you believe in nullification, you don’t believe in the constitution.”