Gov. Rick Perry’s (R-TX) attempt to reach out to Hispanic voters for his possible presidential candidacy might not be off to the best start.
Perry spoke Thursday at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials annual conference in San Antonio. As McClatchy reports, Perry tried to steer clear of his strong opposition to illegal immigration, by speaking instead of his state’s diversity, and how he has created opportunities for Latino-owned businesses, and appointed Latinos to judgeships and important positions in state government:
Perry said he has made historic strides in naming Hispanics to state boards and commissions, including appointments of the first Latinas to the state’s top two courts — the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals — as well as the secretary of state. He also noted that he named Jose Cuevas as chairman of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, an appointee whose name bears striking similarities to the popular tequila, Jose Cuervo.
“That is the right job for that man,” Perry said.
The Associated Press reports that the joke fell flat.
