Did Kay's Web Site Say Rick's Gay ?

Oh my, is next year's governor's race already heading for the gutter -- at least for the Republicans? That's what some Perry supporters think. They believe Hutchison's supporters are accusing the governor of being gay!

Thhe charge springs from a column by Garner Selby in the Austin American-Statesman. Selby took a close look at one of Kay Bailey Hutchison's campaign web sites (standbykay.com, and no I'm not linking to a Republican site -- find it on your own if you must). Selby says the site contains about 2,200 phrases that help direct readers to the site when used in a search engine. A couple of the phrases include the words "rick perry gay".

Hutchison’s campaign spokesman, Jeff Sadosky, said he didn't know how the phrases got on the site, but they would be removed. He said, “We did not know these offensive word associations were being searched for by hundreds of thousands of Texans everyday nor do we condone the computer-generated existence on our Web site. They will be removed promptly.”

But Perry's campaign manager, Mark Miner, is having none of it. He said, "This deliberately offensive act is not the result of staff error; it is the result of a negative and divisive tone set by the candidate herself. Sen. Hutchison has undertaken a dirty, slash-and-burn campaign since January by putting out at least six attack mail pieces against Gov. Perry, countless negative press releases and now this outrageous, slanderous tactic on her website. A campaign’s behavior is a reflection of the candidate and Sen. Hutchison should take personal responsibility for these actions. This type of nasty attack may work in Washington DC, but it has no place in Texas. Sen. Hutchison should be ashamed and embarrassed.”

There do seem to be some aspects of Perry's personality that are open to question. He was a "yell leader" while at Texas A and M University (that's a "cheerleader" anywhere else). He also is inordinately proud of his hair and how it looks (hence the nickname "Gov. Goodhair), and frankly, seems to be a bit of a wuss. None of those things actually proves he is gay (but if he is, I'm betting he's a "bottom").

There is one group that I believe is owed a big apology -- Texas gays. This is quite an insult to them to infer Rick Perry might be one of them!