Perry: Voters want ‘radical shift’ from Obama in 2016

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) said Thursday that his executive experience sets him apart from the other Republicans considering 2016 presidential runs, including fellow Texan Sen. Ted Cruz (R).

Asked what differentiates him from Cruz, a freshman senator with a conservative following, Perry homed in on his experience.

“It’s one of the selling points, if you will, to the American people as they decide who’s going to follow Barack Obama,” he said in an interview with The Washington Post and the Texas Tribune. “I think they’re going to make a rather radical shift, away from a young, untested United States senator whose policies have really failed.”

{mosads}“They’re going to look for somebody that’s got the executive experience,” he said. “And my feel, my advice, and my instinct is that they’re going to look for someone who has a substantial track record, someone who’s been tested and someone who has the results of what they put into place.”

Both Cruz and Perry are said to be considering runs for the White House in 2016. The two men share similar conservative views, but have a history of disagreement.

When Cruz was facing Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in a 2012 primary for the Senate nomination, Perry backed Dewhurst, which hurt him among conservative activists.

Perry is also facing an indictment on abuse-of-power charges, and the legal wrangling around the case will almost certainly persist if he launches a run for the White House. Perry has said that his legal issues will not factor into his decision, which he intends to make by May or June.

Cruz is also still exploring a run, and is scheduled to speak at a Republican event in New Hampshire in March.