Perry: I wasn't drunk or on drugs
(CNN) – Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry said he was neither on drugs nor drunk during a speech in New Hampshire Friday, as some observers and critics have suggested.
An edited clip of the speech, in which an enthusiastic Perry laughs and jokes with the audience, went viral on YouTube, prompting some to suggest he was on pain medication for a past back surgery or under the influence of alcohol.
But in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle published Thursday, the longtime Texas governor said he did not take pain medication or consume any other substance before Friday's Cornerstone Action annual dinner.
"I've probably given 1,000 speeches," Perry told the newspaper Wednesday. "There are some that have been probably boring, some that have been animated, some that have been in between."
When asked about comedian Jon Stewart's suggestion that Perry drank alcohol before the event, the Texas governor said, "It wasn't that either."
"It's not that I wouldn't love to sit down with Jon and have a glass of wine," Perry said. "If he'll buy."
With talk of the speech not dying down, a group of unaligned New Hampshire Republican officials, who attended the event, will hold a press conference Thursday to defend the governor.
Thursday's speakers have not endorsed Perry, but said coverage of the remarks has become a distraction from serious issues on the trail in the first-in-the-nation primary state.
- CNN Political Producer Rachel Streitfeld contributed to this report.
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@Larry L
"Really? A stupid, poorly considered statement is better than a thoughtful comment? You honestly prefer a leader who doesn't take time to think before he speaks? Crude is better than eloquent? Hate is a powerful motivator."
This baffles me too. No wonder we in the U.S. are plagued with the "stupid, rude loudmouth" stereotype.
Ha, what is this guy rambling on about? Reminds me of a drunken uncle at a family reunion.
Some day there will be a cure for stupidity, until then he should keep his mouth shut
@ AlaksaPalin.....
the clip was "doctored" come on you know only FoxNews edits and doctors clips. Funny when the right does this kind of stuff it's always the LEFT'S fault, Stand up and take it and stop passing the buck. Typical of a Palin supporter always the victim.
Not drunk not on drugs, hmm, let's see what's left?
"Inrealityhere
Who cares? Where's the story on ACCORN and their shenanigans trying to conceal their involvement at OWS?
( yes, it IS ACCORN under a new name)"
Now that's just plain stupid. Rush is a drug addict
@ FieldFirstSGT, well if you can't stand it, pull up a chair and take a load off, son - it's just a natural side effect of running a bunch of clowns for POTUS. Your field consists of a drunk Bush clone, a cross between Clarence (Uncle)Thomas and Newt Gingrich, the actual Newt Gingrich just for laughs, a flip flop corporate raider, an American taliban from PA, a looney tunes one trick pony from MN, a too moderate for the fringe, and an over the hill idealist in a big suit that would get trampled by reality (libertarians should stay off all public roadways in order to remain true to the cause). By the way, we just use facts, not insults, if you think they're insults, well then as they say "if the shoe fits....."
Perry & Palin in 2012
He was not drunk, or on drugs, he was all excited because he knew the Cain story was going to be out in the open soon. He had it figgured it was going to help him in the polls.
AlaskaPalin: The clip was doctored. This is a liberal conspiracy- cain monday, perry wednesday.
The Cain story is fact; the settlement by the National Restaurant Association is public record. It getting to the media was a matter of time, and was probably put out there by the Romney campaign (brought up by Politico, not exactly a liberal media group).
Google the Parry speech and see for yourself. The clip wasn't "doctored," but apparently Parry was. 🙂
@ Democrat Party – leftist "progressive" socialist communist losers hellbent on destroying the USA" – Anyone who uses something like this as a screen name is either drunk or on drugs – or just a pathetic, bitter individual in general..... and also couldn't define accurately half the contradictory words in that mess... LOL
People....how do think all politicians act when they are not in front of a camera? Do you think they all are as boring and without passion as they usually appear? Do you think they don't joke around and act silly and animated? Do you think they stop being human and sit around with a pole up their butts all the time? At least this guy has the honesty to be himself in front of the world. So did Howard Dean. See where honesty gets you? Cruxified.
If Parry wasn't hammered when he made this speech, it might just be a case of what Hilary Clinton did during the 2008 campaign when her aids told her to laugh more, to make her warmer and more accessible. Remember all the clips of her giggling nonsensically, forcing herself to be "merry"?
The difference here, though, is that Parry's idea of being "looser" is to be sophomoric and dumb – and totally disconnected from the effect his actions and words would have. His judgment is lousy on so many things, it's appalling.
PghWinner...light-hearted and relaxed? He's DRUNK.
Well if he wasnt drunk or on drugs that just means he's an idiot. This isnt the first thing he's done that questions his sanity. Just a short time ago he said he has a "love affair" with his gun. Im not sure if Perry is the one people should be scared of or it's his nutty supporters who are ok with this type of behavior. When they say anyone would be better then Obama, they are talking about people like Perry. What a looser degenerate.
Perry vs Romney vs Cain equals, Dope, Nope and Grope.
I was gonna go to a debate but then I got high..(ooooh ooooh)
Gonna be the next best candidate but then I got high (laa laa laa)
@ FIELD1stSGT
Please Dear Lord:
Help this hateful racist to OVERCOME.
Amen.
Woah! He was definitely loose... look at his other speeches... no where near as loose as he is here... hilarious!
The point he wasn't drunk or on drugs makes him look even worse!
Come off it, Perry! If you want to be President, you need to accept responsibility for your behavior!
You may not have been drunk, but you were either under the influence of a very strong substance, or you were acting totally irresponsibly. My bet's on alcohol or medication. I watched the tape, and most under-the-influence people act in such a manner. Maybe a little tipsy, but not yet drunk???
Life is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you are going to get.
If clinton had inhaled he might have behaved like perry. He touched (cain anyone?). For you liberals, who made star the villain, he is your success as president. One of these gop candidates (Myth Romney excluded) with these few hiccups will be successful as president.
i think the drinks brought him out of the closet. i have seen drag queen acting more manly than this.
All we get from CNN is anti Cain and Perry stories, and pro Romney and his cult religion stories. CNN obviously has an agenda...