Apparently, there are a few political powerhouses in Texas who don’t see things quite the same way as my “esteemed” Governor:

“The quiet coalition of conservative, blue-collar democrats and middle-America voters who supported Ronald Reagan are waiting for the chance to return to the ‘days of yesteryear’. Fred will win this coalition and he will win Texas, with or without the support of an unpopular governor.”

“With all due respect, Governor Perry’s endorsement is all hat and no cattle,” said Patterson. “He has no base to offer a national campaign. He only got 39% in his last election.”

“Heck, even I got 600,000 more votes than he did in 2006,” Patterson added.

“I’m confused,” said Patterson. “Why would the most conservative governor in Texas history endorse a pro choice, rabidly anti Second Amendment, former New York City mayor who supported Democrat Mario Cuomo over Republican George Pataki for governor of New York?”

“Perry is the same governor who upstaged Arnold in California with a message that Republicans need to return to their conservative roots if they expect to win elections.” Patterson said, “I guess the red meat he was serving in California was “rare” as opposed to “well done”.

“What happened to Republicans using conservative principles as the first measure of who to support for elected office?” Patterson asked.

As we like to say down here in hickville…them’s fightin’ words.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson are in the Thompson camp, serving as co-chairs of the Fred Thompson campaign in Texas and “Texas Railroad Commissioner Victor Carrillo, another popular statewide official, will also play a prominent leadership role in the Thompson campaign’s national organization.”

Looks like Texas will be no cakewalk for EITHER Rudy or Fred…but there’s gonna plenty of boot-scootin’ scuffles in Austin to make it fun to watch.