(CNN) - Texas Gov. Rick Perry isn't ruling out the possibility his state may one day secede from the nation.
Speaking to an energetic and angry tea party crowd in Austin Wednesday evening, the Lone Star State governor suggested secession may happen in the future should the federal government not change its fiscal polices.
"There's a lot of different scenarios," Perry said. "We've got a great union. There's absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that. But Texas is a very unique place, and we're a pretty independent lot to boot." (Video below: Tea party fires up debate)
Perry, who is beginning to gear up for what could be a challenging re-election race, rejected more than $500 million in federal stimulus funds earlier this year and has been highly critical of President Obama's stimulus package. (Related: Joe "The Plumber" speaks at Michigan tea party)
His comments come a week after endorsing a resolution in the Texas state House reasserting state sovereignty over federal mandates.
Specifically it states that "all compulsory federal legislation that directs states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties or sanctions or that requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding be prohibited or repealed."
Texas, America's second biggest state in area and population, was its own nation for 10 years before joining the United States in 1845.
Should Texas one day secede, one man may already be vying to be its president. Actor Chuck Norris said last month he may be interested in the post.
“I may run for president of Texas,” Norris wrote in a column posted at WorldNetDaily. “That need may be a reality sooner than we think. If not me, someone someday may again be running for president of the Lone Star state, if the state of the union continues to turn into the enemy of the state.”
From CNN Politics
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I am convinced that some in the Republican party are just palin crazy
Good Riddance
So he would secede over problems that a president from Texas created? Hmmm that is real smart!
I'm glad to see the Republicans show their TRUE colors. And they aren't Red, White, or Blue! Yea, seceding the nation would really help... This is the reason why a Republican is not in charge of this country. Why would we digress and split up the UNITED States of America? It is this type of thinking that has and will always do more damage to this country than ANY terrorist. And if Texas thinks this is a good idea, they should get NO TAX MONEY from this country thery want to abandon and furthermore, they should not be able to use our resources. However, my heart goes out to the Democrats that live in that Bushland they call Texas.
What about the 45% of Texans who aren't complete nut-jobs? Will they be deported or something?
Can we invade yet? Talk about a nest of traitors...
This man is pathetic! Maybe Texas should give back the $ 17 billion that they received from the federal government since they elected this person who evidently wants to refight the civil war. They can also give back the money that we loyal Americans gave them for hurricane relief, welfare, unemployment benefits, social security, medicare, etc.
uh, that's a dangerous game of chicken this idiot is playing. Wouldn't mind the buffer with Mexico, but I'm pretty sure I would love fighting in that civil war. It's only so often you get to do intellectual clensing of the earth.
Secession talk was viewed as treason in Andrew Jackon's time and should be viewed as treason now.
Where was all his sceaming when his Texas bud "W" was spending like a wildman? Where was his moral barameter when the Bill of Rights were suspended because "W" said so? Now, if a republican Govenor doesn't like what is going on, we go straight to secession? First Alaska, now Texas. To threaten seceession, isn't that, by defiinition, a form of treason? So, if i ma understanding correctly, this is a high-stakes game of "if I don't get what I want, I'll take my ball and go home"? I strongly believe that if Palin or Mooney were Democrats, a Republican lynch mob would be chasing them through the woods. Will someone please tell me what Palin and Mooney are doing to actually HELP the country they allegedly pledged allegience to?
no one ois going to seceed from the union. rick perry wsa just trying to show what a strong state we are. quit putting words in other people's mouths. this is so stupid! people are just trying to let their vices be heard. nobody is going to seceed!!! so sorry our state hasn't been overspending and we can stand on our own two feet!
This just shows how far over the edge the Republicons have wandered. There's no hope for them! Chuck Norris needs to keep selling exercise equipment.
If Texas wants to go, let them go. The rest of the country will find itself much improved not having the third world "Lone Star" milestone around our neck.
They are tuly shameful. Just because they lost in the last election and aren't the "ruling class" anymore, they are threatening to seceede? What poor American's they are. When democrats lost and had to put up with Republican rule, which we disagreed with just as much as they do now, you didn't see New York threatening to seceede from the Nation. What a bunch of prejudiced, redneck, unAmerican cry babies. They will not be happy until they create even more violence and hatred between Americans. YOU LOST get over it. A democracy can not survive if the loosing side can not accept the fact that the majority does not agree with them.
Though Texas has been very good to my family, I am an American first and a Texan second. Perry has lost an incredible amount of support in the Lone Star State and, if he doesn't change his tune, Kay Bailey Hutchinson will whip his backside.
Boy every day these Republicans surprise me......
Do we really need the state that gave us George W. Bush?
All of this because a democrate (Black) President was elected this fall. Americans voted who thought was the best choice and some people just can't stomach that. To want to suceed from the union is pretty drastic to me. And I hope we never have another President from the Lone Star State. Go ahead and see just how far you will get. Good riddance. Talk about a bunch of sore losers. The bible says the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Well, it is coming to past.
Wow, he really is trying to lose the next election. Please just don't give us Kay. Does the moron not realize that those comments will air on every ad for the Governor race?
Yeah, good luck to them.
1) Texas would never secede from the Union.
2) If they did, the rest of the country would CRUSH them. We've already fought a Civil War against far stronger States than just Texas.
Idiots...
Well then in a war with Texas I put my money on the army of the other 49 states.
Perhaps R.Perry already thinks he is president of Texas? He tends to act as if he is.
I am sorry – is this the same Govenor who expected tons of federal cash after the Galveston hurricane last year. All of this garbage is to try to position them selves for re-election.
Disgraceful!!
Dear Rick Perry,
You guys tried that once you know. How'd that work out?
Plus, I will refer you to Texas V. White, 1871, under which secession was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Have a nice day,
Barry
Is this the way that some people react when their side loses an election? They threaten to take their toys and run away? How totaly ridiculous and embarassing.