Politico Reveals Rick Perry's Fancy Lifestyle

Rick Perry, a leading candidate for the Republican nomination for president, is described in a new Politico article as having "enjoyed lavish perks and travel — mostly funded by a group of deep-pocketed supporters — that are allowed under his state’s lax ethics and campaign rules." His $150,000 annual salary as governor of Texas has been supplemented by a large housing allowance for a mansion in which he and his family live while the governor's mansion is being reconstructed. But he has also enjoyed trips to many foreign countries, to other states in the United States, and many tickets to expensive sporting events paid for by others during recent years.

And that’s to say nothing of the wide range of sometimes-expensive gifts Perry has accepted over the years, including 22 pairs of cowboy boots, Stetson hats, belt buckles, cuff links and at least nine hunting trips. 

Famed Houston bootmaker Rocky Carroll, who has given Perry at least 10 pairs of custom boots since 1991, according to Perry’s personal financial disclosure statements filed with the state, (and who told POLITICO he is now working on a pair with the presidential seal for Perry), said he expects nothing in return. He treats Perry to boots which start at $500 a pair for paying customers because “he’s a friend of mine.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0911/63221.html#ixzz1XnNFABsV

I would hope that this would militate against his selection as the Republican candidate for president and if the candidate against his election as president. We don't need a man beholding to moneyed interests who give fancy gifts to politicians.

A pair of Rick Perry's boots