Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) caused quite a stir Wednesday when he appeared to hint at endorsing the Lone Star State seceding from the Union.
First, let’s take a look at what he said at a Tea Party, from the Associated Press.
“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.”
As the AP wisely and accurately points out, Texas does not have the right to secede, contrary to many popular accounts.
He said when Texas entered the union in 1845 it was with the understanding it could pull out. However, according to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Texas negotiated the power to divide into four additional states at some point if it wanted to but not the right to secede.
The Houston Chronicle has audio here:
Perry, of course, is facing a very difficult reelection campaign. He is likely to be challenged in the GOP primary by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Hutchison appears to be leading in early polls.