Texas Republican Convention 2010

Texas Republican Convention 2010

DALLAS (AP) Texas Gov. Rick Perry took his Washington bashing rhetoric tothe Republican state convention, portraying his fight against anoverreaching federal government as a divine quest in a speech to agathering of staunch conservatives.

"We are in a struggle for the heart and soul of our nation,"Perry said Thursday night, the eve of the GOP convention, inremarks at an event in Dallas hosted by the conservative EagleForum.

"Do we believe in the primacy of an unrestrained federalgovernment? Or do we worship the God of the universe, placing ourtrust in his eternal, natural laws, and defending hischildren?"

Perry said. One man shouted "Amen!"

Perry will also deliver the keynote address at the Republicanstate convention on Friday. Gov. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, who has been mentionedas a possible 2012 GOP presidential contender, will address thegathering Saturday.

The two day convention, held every even numbered year, willbring in about 12,000 delegates who will adopt a platform, selectparty leaders and hold training sessions for volunteers. It'smainly a www.cerclevip.fr pep rally designed to www.rocroy-svp.fr fire up the party faithful ahead ofthe November elections.

"I'm fired up," Perry said.

Potential flashpoints include the selection of the partychairman and the debate over what the party platform ultimatelywill say about immigration policies. Some are pushing to addlanguage in the platform calling for an Arizona type immigrationlaw, directing police to question the legal status of people whoget arrested. Perry has already criticized the law.

Delegates could also advocate abolishing a Texas law, whichPerry supports, allowing certain illegal immigrants to pay in statecollege tuition www.vehicule-occasion-toulouse.fr rates.

In the race for party leader, current Republican Party ChairmanCathie Adams faces two challengers, retired Houston lawyer SteveMunisteri and Amarillo businessman Tom Mechler. Both challengersare making an issue of the party's finances, namely its $500,000debt. Critics say the dominant GOP shouldn't be in such badshape.

Texas Republicans currently hold all statewide offices and havemajorities in both houses of the Texas Legislature.