Texas governor: I stepped in it
(CNN) - Gov. Rick Perry admitted he fumbled the ball when he recently compared homosexuality to alcoholism.
"I stepped right in it," the Texas Republican said Thursday at an event sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor, which also aired on C-SPAN.
The potential presidential candidate, who was unsuccessful in his 2012 White House bid, didn't necessarily distance himself from the comments or apologize, but said he'd rather be talking about other issues.
"We need to be a really respectful and tolerant country to everybody...Whether you're gay or straight, you need to be having a job, and those are the focuses that I want to be involved with," he said.
"We're an incredibly diverse mosaic of a country," Perry continued. "A lot of these issues need to be decided at the state level."
Christie: Perry is 'wrong' on homosexuality-alcoholism comparison
The day before, on Wednesday, Perry stood by the comments on CNN's "Crossfire" when he was asked by co-host Stephanie Cutter whether he believes homosexuality is a disease.
"I think my position has been fairly clear on that for a substantial period of time," Perry said, pivoting quickly to the economy.
The focus should be on American jobs, Perry said, "and that is not on these social issues."
"I think the social issues should be decided state-by-state rather than being something in Washington, D.C. to try to make one-size-fits-all."
At a speech last week in San Francisco, the longtime Republican governor – who ran for the White House in 2012 and is considering another bid in 2016 – was asked whether he thought homosexuality was a disorder.
"I may have the genetic coding that I'm inclined to be an alcoholic, but I have the desire not to do that – and I look at the homosexual issue the same way," Perry said during that event, immediately sparking backlash from Democrats and gay rights organizations.
CNN's Ashley Killough and Dana Davidsen contributed to this report.
Amazing! Only Ricky Bobby Perry...
has the ability to "put his foot in his mouth" AND "step in it" AT THE SAME TIME.
this is the first time Perry stepped in it
he generally wallows in it
Ah, yes, the well-worn states rights dodge. The one that kept slavery alive, and brought us the Civil War. Still alive and kicking, to disenfranchise voters who aren't "yours".
Rick didn't step in poo. He IS poo. He'll never catch on.
Yeah, Ricky, you stepped on it. But then, you're always stepping on—or in—it, aren't you.
Just for the Daily Show clips alone: RUN, RICK, RUN!
He already proved how dumb, racist, and intolerant he is, so why does he keep opening his mouth? Anyone who ever voted for him has to be extremely embarrassed by now.
These Tea Party types say what they really believe and then backtrack when they see that the majority of people think otherwise. Nothing sincere about their beliefs, just political correctness.
So is that three things orrrrrr? Well I have three things. You said it, then you doubled down, THEN you say oops it was a mistake and apologize. So tell me Perry. Which one of your sponsors said redact or lose funding?
For all saying "what does that make the Texans who voted for him?" – It's almost as pathetic as those who voted for Obama. Just imagine- Perry was the least of the evils. I wish I could understand the ignorance of those in love with the chosen one. Texas is enjoying growth, low unemployment, no state income taxes, etc. What has OWE-bama done for us?
What was the name of his 'ranch' in Texas?
This idiot 'stepped in it' decades ago and hasn't found his way out of it.
Maybe Gov.Perry is VP Bidens Brother????????
Be proud Texas, thats youre representation. Texas should remove itself from the union like he said they would.
Clint H
Most people don't know but Texas is actually 3rd on the most indebted state. At a debt of $485B and growing, I've got to say someone later on down the road will have to pay it down.
-–keep dreaming,
It is refreshing that a politician admitted he made a mistake, but it belies his true feelings. Honest mistake or Freudian slip? I am thinking Freudian slip.
He did not apologize, nor did we (Texans) expect him to. He is such a hypocrite! He says we should be focus on jobs and not social issues, Really? Ask any women in Texas whose reproductive/health care has been totally taken away from them. Perry hates gays, women, Latino's and every other minority. Again, he did not apologize.
Stop bashing an entire state because of some Republican fools. Ann Richards, Barbara Jordon, Willie Nelson, Henry Cisneros, Janis Joplin, Wendy Davis, Molly Ivins,Dan Rather, Gene Rodenberry, Scott Joplin, Tommy Tune.
Also Texans. And that's far from an exhaustive list.
I'm just hoping that Perry runs for President again. He is a perfect GOP candidate.
Sorry, but glasses don't make this red-neck twit look more intelligent. And he'll never be President - after two Wars for Nothing the rest of the country is sick and tired of Texas, and "The South" in general.
Fellow Texan.......Mr. Perry is like any other politician. They lick their finger stick it into the wind and say what they think will fly. We are captive to this behavior. As Texans and Americans we need to find leaders who have a plan that is viable and sticks to it.
He didn't step in it, he is it.
stepped in it? ... he's been swimming in it for a long while now
No Rick, you slipped up by giving us another insight into your nasty petty little mind.
Governor Perry, with all due respect sir, you knew you were stepping in it when you stepped in it. You knew what you were saying was wrong then, but you said it anyway Why ? Because it's what you really believe, and no amount of recall after the fact can change that. You beliefs are shaped by a religiously inspired old-world view that is ultra conservative in nature and tea party inspired as a means of advancing your cause. You have no hope of ever being POTUS and ought to remain in Texas far away from the rest of the country.
Texans aren't stupid or backward. Perry is a moron for his closeminded, bible beating statements – his opinion is not what the majority of the State believe. Before you shoot off your mouth, why don't you visit Texas and figure out that we're not like him.