Top 140 Rick Perry Quotes (2024 Update)
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101. “We had a $10 billion budget deficit when we got here in January of 2003. We cut that budget deficit; we did not raise taxes; we came back in ’05, and we had an $8 billion surplus. That’s how fast it can happen.”

— Rick Perry

102. “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

103. “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

104. “In America, the people are not subjects of government, the government is subject to the people.”

— Rick Perry

105. “You know, to preserve our job-friendly climate the Texas legislature didn’t raise taxes this last legislative session while balancing their budget and maintaining their reserves – and might I add that our budget leaves $6 billion dollars in a rainy day fund?”

— Rick Perry

106. “How does the richest country in the history of the world fail to pay its bills?”

— Rick Perry

107. “To make sure that votes are never canceled out by illegal votes, we instituted a photo ID requirement. And don’t you think it’s fair to apply at least the same standard required to get a library card or to board an airpane?”

— Rick Perry

108. “We can’t have deficit spending in Texas. You have to balance your budget every two years.”

— Rick Perry

109. “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

110. “I hope I am the Tim Tebow of the Iowa caucuses.”

— Rick Perry

111. “From time to time there are going to be things that occur that are acts of God that cannot be prevented.”

— Rick Perry

112. “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

113. “I am a firm believer in intelligent design as a matter of faith and intellect, and I believe it should be presented in schools alongside the theories of evolution.”

— Rick Perry

114. “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

115. “And I think most people in this country want to see a president that’s got the courage to say we’re going to cut the tax burden, and reduce the regulatory climate, and we’re going to get Americans working.”

— Rick Perry

116. “Admit it America – 2008 was our national ‘oops’ moment!”

— Rick Perry

117. “Reforming public education, cutting property taxes, fixing adult and child protective services and funding our budget can all occur when Democrats and Republicans engage in consensus and cooperation – not cynicism and combat.”

— Rick Perry

118. “I’m looking at a tax process that will allow people to keep more of their money because we know what happens when job creators get to keep more of their money than they’re – they have the confidence to go out and spend that money to create jobs that in turn create wealth.”

— Rick Perry

119. “I would do away with Education, Commerce, and let’s see – the third one I can’t. I can’t. Oops.”

— Rick Perry

120. “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

121. “Beautiful, luscious and flowing. Atop the governor’s head.”

— Rick Perry

122. “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

123. “We do not have to accept our current circumstances. We will change them. We are Americans. That’s what we do.”

— Rick Perry

124. “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

125. “George W. Bush did an incredible job in the presidency, defending us from freedom.”

— Rick Perry

126. “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

127. “I may have the genetic coding that Im inclined to be an alcoholic, but I have the desire not to do that, and I look at the homosexual issue the same way.”

— Rick Perry

128. “I mean I hate to be conspiratorial, but I mean how do you move that many people from Central America across Mexico and then into the United States without there being a fairly coordinated effort?”

— Rick Perry

129. “I mean, Dodd-Frank is strangling small community banks. It doesn’t make any difference what the interest rate is. They’re not – they’re not going to loan the money because they can’t make any money for one thing plus the cost of compliance.”

— Rick Perry

130. “Every barrel of oil that comes out of those sands in Canada is a barrel of oil that we don’t have to buy from a foreign source.”

— Rick Perry

131. “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

132. “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

133. “When it comes to conservative social issues, it saddens me when sometimes my fellow Republicans duck and cover in the face of pressure from the left. Our loudest opponents on the left are never going to like us so let’s quit trying to curry favor with them.”

— Rick Perry

134. “My deal is have a flat, simple tax. And – Americans want – Americans I hope – aspire to be – be wealthy. I hope they aspire to have a better quality of life. And we have this class warfare that’s going on now. And I don’t agree with that. I’m interested in people getting to work.”

— Rick Perry

135. “I disagree with the concept that somehow or another we’re going to pack up 10, to 12, to 15 million people and ship them back to the country of origin. That’s not going to happen.”

— Rick Perry

136. “I supported Arizona’s immigration law by joining in that lawsuit to defend it. Every day I have Texans on that border that are doing their job.”

— Rick Perry

137. “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

138. “Conservatives are winning offices, and champions of big government are cleaning out their desks right now.”

— Rick Perry

139. “Those of you that will be 21 by November the 12th, I ask for your support and your vote.”

— Rick Perry

140. “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

141. “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

142. “It’s time to bring tough medicine to Washington. No longer will policy be set by K Street, it will be dictated by Main Street.”

— Rick Perry

143. “Armed and law-abiding citizens are a greater deterrent to violent crime than 1,000 laws passed by Congress.”

— Rick Perry

144. “I want you to answer this question: Why should you settle for anything less than an authentic conservative who will fight for your views and values without an apology? Think about that.”

— Rick Perry

145. “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