Bush, Perry rift roots in nixed in-law appointment

[rpannier]

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Here's the still-beating heart of the rift between Texas Gov. Rick Perry and his predecessor, George W. Bush: When Bush was governor he refused to appoint Perry's brother-in-law to the Texas appeals court bench.

snip

These were just the latest tiffs in a spat that goes back to 1995. Perry was the state's agricultural commissioner and Bush was the newly sworn-in governor. Perry lobbied for the appointment of his wife's brother, Joseph E. Thigpen, to a vacancy on the 11th Court of Appeals in Eastland. Bush turned him down.

Bill Ratliff, who was Perry's first lieutenant governor, said Perry blames Rove for denying the request. 'It created some friction between the two and Karl got blamed.'

snip

In a letter on commission stationary and dated Dec. 17, 1994, Perry wrote a recommendation to Clay Johnson, Gov.-elect Bush's director of appointments.

'Let me, for the sake of 'truth in advertising,' share that Joseph is my brother-in-law,' Perry said. 'He is an outstanding talent who has the ability to be a distinguished jurist.'

link:
http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=561657

[BeyondGeography]

1. Personal bullshit

Which is all they care about.