Rick Perry
America needs jobs, smaller government, less spending and a president with the courage to offer more than yet another speech.Collection: Courage
Crucial to understanding federalism in modern day America is the concept of mobility, or 'the ability to vote with your feet.' If you don't support the death penalty and citizens packing a pistol - don't come to Texas. If you don't like medicinal marijuana and gay marriage, don't move to California.Collection: Marriage
We believe in government involvement that leads to independence: good schools, quality roads and the best health care.Collection: Health
The fact is there is forgiveness for those who seek God. And I believe in the power of redemption.Collection: Forgiveness
And I think most people in this country want to see a president that's got the courage to say we're going to cut the tax burden, and reduce the regulatory climate, and we're going to get Americans working.Collection: Courage
We know there is no such thing as freedom without the risk of failure.Collection: Failure
The God we serve does not seek out the perfect, but instead uses our imperfections and our shortcomings for his greater good. I am humbled by my own limitations. But where I am weak, He is strong.Collection: Strength
But it wasn't until I graduated from Texas A & M University and joined the United States Air Force, flying C-130's all around the globe, that I truly appreciated the blessings of freedom.Collection: Freedom
The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land we inhabit are not only critical elements in the quality of life we enjoy - they are a reflection of the majesty of our Creator.
When the good lord calls you home, the government ought not come get your home.
Dark economic clouds are dissipating into an emerging blue sky of opportunity.
Reforming public education, cutting property taxes, fixing adult and child protective services and funding our budget can all occur when Democrats and Republicans engage in consensus and cooperation - not cynicism and combat.
Guns require a finger to pull the trigger.
Every life is precious.
I happily cling to my guns and my God, even if President Obama thinks that that is a simpleminded thing in his elitist heart.
I want you to answer this question: Why should you settle for anything less than an authentic conservative who will fight for your views and values without an apology? Think about that.
Obamacare has got everyone on edge. I mean, small business - men and women or big business are sitting out there saying we have no idea what this is going to cost, but we know it's going to cost us and cost us a lot.
As Americans, we realize that there is no taxpayer money that wasn't first earned through the sweat and toil of one of our citizens.
The foundation for future prosperity is built on the bedrock of good jobs and great schools. We are building a strong foundation one job at a time and one educated Texan at a time.
Washington's insatiable desire to spend our children's inheritance on failed stimulus plans and other misguided economic theories have given record debt and left us with far too many unemployed.
And I have a message for the liberals and the defenders of the status quo: we're just getting started.
In the rush to become all things to all people, the federal government has lost sight of its core responsibilities. As a result we're stuck in this frustrating paradox where Washington actually neglects things it's clearly supposed to be doing, while interfering in other areas where they are neither welcome nor authorized.
Democracy functions best when we have an active citizenry.
According to a study by Achieve Incorporated, Texas is the first state to make a college-prep curriculum the standard coursework in high school, starting with this year's ninth grade class.
Our work is before us. It cannot be passed to future legislatures and must not be passed to future generations. May we boldly seize the moment with singular unity. And may we build a Texas of unlimited possibility.
Texas has long been known as the nation's largest energy producer, but we are equally proud of our distinction as the nation's leading energy innovator.
Under Obama, our federal tax dollars can now be used to fund abortion all over the world. With the stroke of a pen, abortion essentially became a U.S. foreign export.
I didn't say I was running, did I?
Texas created more jobs in 2008 than the rest of the states - combined.
We had a $10 billion budget deficit when we got here in January of 2003. We cut that budget deficit; we did not raise taxes; we came back in '05, and we had an $8 billion surplus. That's how fast it can happen.
In Michigan, a liberal democrat raised taxes and kept their government programs at the same level. And guess what? Their economy continued into the toilet, it continued down.
I grew up in a house with no running water, 16 miles from the closest place that had a post office. I had a very parochial view of the world.
I don't want to look like Connecticut, no offense, I don't want to look like Oklahoma, I don't want to look like California. I want to be uniquely Texas. And that's not to diss anybody else.
We can't have deficit spending in Texas. You have to balance your budget every two years.
Scouting ought to be about building character, not about sex. Period. Precious few parents enroll their boys in the Scouts to get a crash course in sexual orientation.
The people who illegally cross into the country are from countries that have very close ties to al Qaeda, whether it's Yemen or Afghanistan, Pakistan, China. It is an absolute national disgrace.
My hope is that that person will come forward that can win the presidency that we can all get behind.
Obama is a president, who I think is anti-jobs.
We need to stop apologizing for celebrating life. We need to stop apologizing for wanting to protect an individual's right to build a business.
Let's stand up. Let's speak with pride about our morals and our values and redouble our effort to elect more conservative Republicans.
Those jobs flee other states because of factors like excessive taxation, punitive regulation and frivolous lawsuits.
You know, to preserve our job-friendly climate the Texas legislature didn't raise taxes this last legislative session while balancing their budget and maintaining their reserves - and might I add that our budget leaves $6 billion dollars in a rainy day fund?
To make sure that votes are never canceled out by illegal votes, we instituted a photo ID requirement. And don't you think it's fair to apply at least the same standard required to get a library card or to board an airpane?
I stand before you today as a disciplined conservative Texan, a committed Republican and a proud American, united with you to restoring our nation and revive the American dream.
This administration in Washington that's in power now clearly believes that government is not only the answer to every need, but it's the most qualified to make the most central decisions for every American in every area.
Our goal is to displace the entrenched powers in Washington, restore the rightful balance between the state and federal government.
We've got the wind at our back right now. Americans are waking up to the realities of their previous choices. We must keep America moving back to preeminence because our values and conservative ideas are the world's greatest hope.
The Obama administration is an affront to every freedom-loving American, and a threat to every private sector job in this country.
Our shared conservative values, our belief in the individual is the great hope of our nation.
Our party cannot be all things to all people. It can't be. Our loudest opponents on the left are never going to like us so let's stop trying to curry favor with them.