Rick Perry Quotes & Sayings

You got to have a courageous president to stand up and says, listen, if - if you send a bill to me that spends more money than what we've coming in, I'll veto it. I mean, I'm going to try to work with you the best I can, but I'm going to veto it. — Rick Perry

Admit it America - 2008 was our national 'oops' moment! — Rick Perry

Page one of any economic plan to get America working is to give a pink slip to the current resident in the White House. — Rick Perry

We must do right and risk the consequences. — Rick Perry

Audie Murphy remains a shining example for anyone who believes in the importance of service, for generations now and into the future. — Rick Perry

You don't want to ruin a kid's life for having a joint, — Rick Perry

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. — Rick Perry

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. — Rick Perry

But of course, now we're told we're in recovery but this sure doesn't feel like a recovery to more than 9 percent of the Americans out there who are unemployed, or the 16 percent of the African-Americans, 11 percent of Hispanics in the same position, or the millions who can only find part-time work or those who have even stopped looking for a job. — Rick Perry

I have no question that Newt Gingrich has the heart of a conservative reformer, the ability to rally and captivate the conservative movement. — Rick Perry

Let's stop this American downward spiral. — Rick Perry

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. — Rick Perry

Our goal is to displace the entrenched powers in Washington, restore the rightful balance between the state and federal government. — Rick Perry

My hope is that that person will come forward that can win the presidency that we can all get behind. — Rick Perry

It takes balls to execute an innocent man. — Rick Perry

Aggies have a really interesting way of admitting defeat. We've never been outscored. We just ran out of time. — Rick Perry

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. — Rick Perry

The fact is there is forgiveness for those who seek God. And I believe in the power of redemption. — Rick Perry

It's ... time to introduce scholarship programs that give students a choice, especially those who are locked into low-performing schools. — Rick Perry

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. — Rick Perry

I see a nation filled with good, hardworking people who are wondering what happened to the country they knew. It wasn't long ago that we were expected to pay our bills, we were able to pray at the town meeting, and we believed it was important to rely on ourselves or our families rather than government. — Rick Perry

It's a Tenth Amendment issue. If you want Washington, if you want to implement their standards, that's your call ... We certainly had higher standards than Common Core, so it was a very easy decision for Texans, myself and the legislature included, to basically say we still believe that Texans know how to best run Texas. — Rick Perry

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. — Rick Perry

When a criminal breaks into your home I'll let the liberals call the lawyer. I'm going to call Smith & Wesson. — Rick Perry

Our view is that individuals and families can govern their lives better than bureaucrats. — Rick Perry

I'm more Jewish than you think I am ... I read the part of the Bible that said the Jews are God's chosen people. — Rick Perry

Being the Republican front-runner was three of the most exciting hours of my entire life. I've come to grips with it, and the only lasting effect is that I refuse to go on a stage that has more than one podium on it. — Rick Perry

As Americans, we don't see the role of government as guaranteeing outcomes, but allowing free men and women to flourish based on their own vision, their hard work and their personal responsibility. — Rick Perry

We are a resilient country. We've been through a Civil War; we've been through two World Wars. We've been through a Great Depression; we even made it through Jimmy Carter! We will make it through the Obama years! — Rick Perry

Democracy functions best when we have an active citizenry. — Rick Perry

I think you need to have a tax system that basically is flat, fair and simple. And - that you can put on a post card. I mean, even Timothy Geithner could do this one and get it on time. — Rick Perry

And I have a message for the liberals and the defenders of the status quo: we're just getting started. — Rick Perry

We should also give students more flexibility in the courses they take in high school to prepare them for whatever their goals may be, without sacrificing our rigorous academic standards. — Rick Perry

You can always follow me on Tweeter. — Rick Perry

Dark economic clouds are dissipating into an emerging blue sky of opportunity. — Rick Perry

I got a feeling that after six years of disappointment, of mediocrity and decline, a slow course correction is not what voters are going to be looking for in 2016. — Rick Perry

Guns require a finger to pull the trigger. — Rick Perry

Our Founding Fathers never meant for Washington, D.C. to be the fount of all wisdom. As a matter of fact they were very much afraid if that because they'd just had this experience with this far-away government that had centralized thought process and planning and what have you, and then it was actually the reason that we fought the revolution in the 16th century was to get away from that kind of onerous crown if you will. — Rick Perry

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. — Rick Perry

I know the difference between venture capital[ism] and vulture capitalism. Venture capitalism is a good thing, comes in, gives that gap funding to help these companies get off and get started creating jobs, and work. But Mitt Romney and Bain Capital were involved with what I call vulture capitalism. And they walked into Gaffney and took over that photo album company for no other reason than to basically pick the bones clean. And those people lost their jobs. — Rick Perry

That the Texas Legislature, that the Texas school boards, the Texas teachers, we collectively know best how to educate our children, rather than some bureaucrat in Washington. — Rick Perry

The idea that you're going have zero people crossing the border is unrealistic. But today we know that's not the case. Today we know we've got a porous border and people are coming in, and we don't know who they are. So secure the border then we can have a conversation about it. — Rick Perry

I don't think Obama understands basic economics. Not economics that work. He may understand some theory that someone in Princeton sat and dreamed up, but it's not working. — Rick Perry

Juarez is reported to be the most dangerous city in America. — Rick Perry

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. — Rick Perry

We stand up and proudly proclaim that Washington is not our caretaker and we reject a state, in Margaret Thatcher's words, a state that takes too much from us to do too much for us. — Rick Perry

Those jobs flee other states because of factors like excessive taxation, punitive regulation and frivolous lawsuits. — Rick Perry

I'm all about job creation. That's what I've done for ten years as the governor of Texas, and that's what I'm focused on. — Rick Perry

Either faith in Christ can cleanse all people of their sin, or none, but not some ... The truth of Christ's death, resurrection and power over sin is absolute. — Rick Perry

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. — Rick Perry

The citizens of America and the citizens of Texas expect to be able to live in safety in their communities. That's what the rule of law is truly all about. — Rick Perry

I've never struggled with that at all. In the state of Texas, if you come into our state and you kill one of our children, you kill a police officer, you're involved with another crime and you kill one of our citizens, you will face the ultimate justice in the state of Texas, and that is you will be executed. — Rick Perry

I'm worried about that man or woman sitting around - the coffee table tonight or in their kitchen talking about how are we going to get to work. How are we going to have the dignity to take care of our family. — Rick Perry

Not every child learns for the same purpose, not every child thrives in the same settings and schools. Limiting a child to just one opportunity does nothing more than limit that child's future. The way forward must involve more public charter schools, which offer parents a tuition-free alternative to their neighborhood school. — Rick Perry

You see, as Americans we're not defined by class, and we will never be told our place. What makes our nation exceptional is that anyone, from any background, can climb the highest of heights. — Rick Perry

If you rent a U-Haul to move your company, it costs twice as much to go from San Francisco to Austin than the other way around, because you can't find enough trucks to leave the Golden State. — Rick Perry

There's places where a secure fence will work, and that strategic type fencing will work. But the idea that people can easily just stand up and say 'let's just build a fence' and be done with it and wipe our hands, and it's going to secure the border, that's not reality. — Rick Perry

Texas created more jobs in 2008 than the rest of the states - combined. — Rick Perry

Let's make what Americans buy. Buy what Americans make. And sell it to the world. — Rick Perry

Canada, the United States and Mexico, we developed these energy reserves that we have in this North American region. And you can see a not only driving down the cost of electricity but a major manufacturing boom in this country. Couple that with tax policy, reduction, reducing the corporate tax rate, and that I think a renaissance in manufacturing like we've never seen in this country and really drive the economy. — Rick Perry

Vladimir Putin uses energy to hold our allies hostage. If energy is going to be used as a weapon, I say America must have the largest arsenal. — Rick Perry

It is time to let America be America again. To return freedom to the people. To stand on our founding principles and reject the cynical politics of the Nanny State. — Rick Perry

The great lesson of history for us is that strength and resolve bring peace and order, and weakness and vacillation invite chaos and conflict. — Rick Perry

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. — Rick Perry

I am going to give the American people a huge helping of unbridled truth: that we can't continue to spend what we are spending, that we can't avoid entitlement reform because we are afraid of third rail politics. — Rick Perry

ISIS represents the worst threat to freedom since Communism! — Rick Perry

Texas is a national leader in education reform and student achievement. Through our college- and career-ready standards and assessments, strong school accountability, and a focus on educator development, we have created an education system that prepares our students for success after graduation. — Rick Perry

Running for the presidency's not an IQ test, — Rick Perry

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. — Rick Perry

We want taxpayers, not tax wasters. — Rick Perry

When I make a vow to God, then I would suggest to you that's even stronger than a handshake in Texas. — Rick Perry

Government that is open and honest will always be able to withstand the light of day. — Rick Perry

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. — Rick Perry

When the good lord calls you home, the government ought not come get your home. — Rick Perry

Being the governor of a state is a more pivotal job in the future. I do indeed hope there's someone that says, "I'm going to go to Washington, try to get back to our constitutional roots, devolve the centralization of government back to the states." So why would you want to be up there if the action is down here in the states? — Rick Perry

I would've a whole lot rather had Carly Fiorina over there doing our negotiation than John Kerry. Maybe we would've gotten a deal where we didn't give everything away.But the issue for us is to have a Congress that stands up and says not only no, but hell no, to this money going to a [Iran] regime that is going to use it for terror ... — Rick Perry

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. — Rick Perry

George W. Bush did an incredible job in the presidency, defending us from freedom. — Rick Perry

I don't believe man-made global warming is settled in science enough. — Rick Perry

I would do away with Education, Commerce, and let's see - the third one I can't. I can't. Oops. — Rick Perry

I didn't say I was running, did I? — Rick Perry

My policy will be to detain and deport every illegal alien who is apprehended in this country. And we'll do it with an expedited hearing process so that millions of illegal aliens are not released into the general population with some hearing date down the road. — Rick Perry

The Obama administration is an affront to every freedom-loving American, and a threat to every private sector job in this country. — Rick Perry

I am also the product of a place called Paint Creek. Doesn't have a zip code. It's too small to be called a town along the rolling plains of Texas. We grew dryland cotton and wheat, and when I wasn't farming or attending Paint Creek Rural School, I was generally over at Troop 48 working on my Eagle Scout award. — Rick Perry

As long as it's not me, I'll be cool. — Rick Perry

I'm not ashamed to be a Christian. But you don't have to be in the pew every Sunday to know that there's something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can't openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school. — Rick Perry

Frankly, getting Mexico economically headed in the right direction with good energy policy - Canada, the United States, and Mexico have more known energy reserves than Saudi Arabia and Russia. So developing those and I think you'll see a major movement of people back into Mexico when that occurs when these prices get back. You're going to see a substantial development of the energy business in Mexico and Canada, domestic as well. — Rick Perry

We do not have to accept our current circumstances. We will change them. We are Americans. That's what we do. — Rick Perry

I do agree that the science is not settled on this. The idea that we would put American's economy at jeopardy based on scientific theory that's not settled yet, to me is just nonsense. Just because you have a group of scientists that stood up and said, this is the fact. Galileo got outvoted for a spell. But the fact is, to put America's economic future in jeopardy, asking us to cut back in areas that would have monstrous economic impact on this country, is not good economics, and I will suggest to you is not necessarily good science. — Rick Perry

I think Barack Obama is a socialist. I think he cares for his country - don't get me wrong about that - but I think he truly misunderstands what this country was based upon, the values that America was based upon, which was free enterprise and having the ability to risk your capital and having a chance to have a return on your investment. — Rick Perry

Religious freedom does not mean freedom from religion. — Rick Perry

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. — Rick Perry

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. — Rick Perry

We don't have to apologize for American exceptionalism or western values. — Rick Perry

Armed and law-abiding citizens are a greater deterrent to violent crime than 1,000 laws passed by Congress. — Rick Perry

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. — Rick Perry

I've always believed the mission is greater than the man. — Rick Perry

We're at the end of an era of failed leadership. We have been led by a divider [ Barack Obama] who has sliced and diced the electorate, pitting American against American for political purposes. — Rick Perry

America's greatness is not found in the size of its government. America's greatness resides in the hearts and the minds of the people. — Rick Perry

We believe in government involvement that leads to independence: good schools, quality roads and the best health care. — Rick Perry