This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, July 18, 2011 - Former state Rep. Allen Icet, R-Wildwood, is heading up an internet effort aimed at persuading Texas Gov. Rick Perry to run for president. Icet has announced the creation of DraftRickPerry2012.com, a website that declares "Missouri Needs Rick Perry."
Perry has yet to announce his candidacy, but he told an Iowa newspaper over the weekend that he felt he was being called to run. Perry was last in Missouri about a month ago to headline a fundraising event for Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, a Republican expected to challenge Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat.
Icet said he "is hopeful that DraftRickPerry2012.comwill be instrumental in moving Perry from the 'prospective candidate' column to the 'declared candidate' column."
"As a former five-year House budget chairman, I know how important it is for leaders in government to enact strong and sound fiscal policies," Icet said. "The economy is the top priority for voters today, and of all the announced and potential Republican candidates for president of the United States, Gov. Perry has the best economic record bar none."
Icet said that Texas, the nation's second-largest state, "has accounted for roughly 29 percent of all jobs created in the United States" over the past two years.
"In over a decade as governor of the state of Texas, Rick Perry has shown that it is possible to create jobs without a corresponding increase in government regulation or taxes," said Icet. "Gov. Perry's record of substantial job growth in a down economy is head and shoulders above President (Barack) Obama's record of rising national unemployment during the same period."
Perry has credited, among other things, the fact that Texas has no state income tax. But Texas, like the federal government, is grappling with budget-deficit issues.
Icet said he also is backing Perry because of his opposition to the federal health-insurance law that began going into effect this year and is slated by 2014 to require most Americans to purchase health insurance.
"Gov. Perry also defends the belief that hard-working men and women should be free to choose their insurance and doctors and decide how their money is spent," Icet said. "Importantly, Gov. Perry also stands up for the same traditional values that have made Missouri a great place to live and raise a family."
Icet, meanwhile, has other tasks on his mind. Icet, who lost a bid last year for state auditor, now is co-chair of the St. Louis County commission charged with drawing up new boundaries for the County Council's seven districts.
