2010: Waco Paper Endorses Perry

The Waco Tribune-Herald endorsed Gov. Rick Perry in his bid for reelection today — the only paper in Texas thus far to do so. The San Antonio Express-News, the Dallas Morning News and a number of other papers, big and small, endorsed Democrat Bill White today.

The Waco paper's opinion page, like all of its content, is available online only to subscribers. But the editorial begins like this:

In recent times, Gov. Rick Perry has done and said things that haven’t always suggested wisdom or prudence, ranging from rash talk in 2009 suggesting secession as an option for Texans, to his regrettable decision this year to skip a debate with Democratic challenger Bill White. Yet, even as some Texans wonder if Perry has been too long in the governor’s job — 10 years — we find much in his philosophy to recommend to voters, including vows to restrain state spending and cut government, plus his vigorous efforts on behalf of business.

It goes on to ask that Perry do two things if he wins a third full term: appoint a "blue-ribbon commission to study the size of state government and recommend agencies that rate significant cuts or even abolishing," and "to choose his appointments to commissions and political posts more in terms of quality, competency and experience rather than partisanship."

Perry won the endorsement without seeking it; he has declined to meet with editorial boards during either the primary or general election campaigns.