Texas Gov. Rick Perry Goes to San Francisco, Compares Gay People to Alcoholics

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, speaking in San Francisco on Wednesday night, said the U.S. would better serve its diverse population by letting the states handle many economic and social policies, a point he perhaps inadvertently drove home when he compared homosexuality to alcoholism.

Addressing the Commonwealth Club of California, Perry argued the federal government should give up much of its policy-making power, letting states chart their own courses on issues ranging from business subsidies to abortion. He joked about his frequent habit of luring California companies to Texas and called the competition between the two states healthy for both, as well as the nation.

But as Perry eyes another possible presidential run, some of his comments illustrated the wide gulf that exists between blue California and red Texas - and within the nation as a whole.

'Reparative therapy'
The Texas Republican Party this month adopted a platform supporting access to "reparative therapy" for gays and lesbians, a widely discredited process intended to change sexual orientation. In response to an audience question about it Wednesday night, Perry said he did not know whether the therapy worked.

Commonwealth Club interviewer Greg Dalton then asked him whether he believes homosexuality is a disorder.

"Whether or not you feel compelled to follow a particular lifestyle or not, you have the ability to decide not to do that," Perry said. "I may have the genetic coding that I'm inclined to be an alcoholic, but I have the desire not to do that, and I look at the homosexual issue the same way."

The large crowd gathered at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins hotel on Nob Hill included many Perry supporters. But the comment still drew a murmur of disbelief.

Perry also said he would not support efforts to fight climate change that would "strangle" the economy, including putting a price on carbon dioxide emissions as California has done with its "cap and trade" system. He complained that people concerned about global warming had adopted an attitude of "You either believe this all the way, or you're a Neanderthal."

Original Quill wrote:Repairative therapy is growing among those who favour a cure for the Republican Party.

Cass wrote:cant you guys keep him busy in state? or maybe quarantine him?

Original Quill wrote:No, he's done in as a potential candidate for president.

But Wendy Davis...I like her a lot.  Hope she gets a boost in her career this next election.  She's up for governor, is she not?

Original Quill wrote:Usually when the RW starts in with their jingos, it's a good sign.  Their brand is usually the antithesis of what the general public wants.  Might be a pro-abortion movement afoot.

Winning isn't everything.  What I mean by "boost" is, even if she loses, she gets recognized for higher office.  She'd make a mighty fine vice-presidential candidate for Hillary.  So would San Antonio Mayor, Julián Castro.  Y'all have some good up-and-coming pols in Texas.