Perry: Obama had "privileged" upbringing

By: Rebecca Kaplan
Topics: Campaign 2012

Rick Perry

(Credit: Getty Images)

Rick Perry said Wednesday that President Obama doesn't understand the plight of Americans because he grew up "privileged" and "never had to work for anything."

The Texas governor, one of many Republicans who has accused the president of calling his fellow citizens "lazy" after the president told CEOs over the weekend that Americans have "been a little bit lazy" about selling the country as a place for foreign investment, elaborated on his view in an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News.

"He grew up in a privileged way," Perry said. "He never had to really work for anything, he never had to go through what Americans are going through," Perry said, theorizing that Obama's upbringing is what distances him Americans.

"This president has never felt that angst that they felt in their heart."

Special Section: Campaign 2012

Obama, whose family was abandoned by his father when he was young, was brought up by his mother and grandparents, none of whom were wealthy. He attended the exclusive Punahou High School in Honolulu, Hawaii as a scholarship student. In his autobiography, Dreams of My Father, he wrote of his struggle to fit into a school where he was one of the few black students.

On Fox, Perry said Obama's upbringing has resulted in bad policy.

"I think that mentality of I'm the smartest guy in the room and therefore it couldn't be my fault is really hurting America," he said.

Rebecca Kaplan
Rebecca Kaplan covers the 2012 presidential campaign for CBS News and National Journal.
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by Ms Clarity November 19, 2011 11:20 PM EST: The only time Perry can finish a sentence is when he's lying or just well informed. Scarey.

Perry DodoBird doesn't know what it is to accomplish what President Obama accomplished. Perry is not informed again. He embarrasses himself and he doesn't even know it. Now ain't that sumthin you-all.; Reply to this comment


by netjunkie1 November 19, 2011 11:06 PM EST: Perry went to college?; Reply to this comment


by Facts_Matter November 19, 2011 2:17 PM EST: So his point is that Obama is too smart?

Obama worked his but off to get scholarships, achieve his graduate degrees, and lead the Harvard Law Review, while Perry was slouching around doing the least he could do and then taking advantage of his priviledged old-money ranching family ties to get into fraternities and take a cush job in the air force. He is like Bush, but from Texas instead of New England.; Reply to this comment


by peajayach November 18, 2011 2:44 PM EST: How many times can Mr. Perry open his mouth to change feet?; Reply to this comment


by intonews November 18, 2011 8:52 AM EST: After watching Perry at the debates and Letterman I keep thinking I'm watching an episode of Mission Impossible and he will rip off his mask and show it's really GW.Ugh....Thank goodness he's showing us this now!!!!; Reply to this comment


by I-C-Warming November 18, 2011 12:54 AM EST: I was feeling sorry for him. Now I feel like playing the Oops video again.; Reply to this comment


by moretruthnow November 17, 2011 6:43 PM EST: Perry is a nitwit who obviously will spout anything that comes into his head kind of like Cain. President Obama earned his dues and he has worked hard from day one to help for this country. We want honesty in our government and that is not what we get from the right wing. Democrats are for the 99% of people who want manufacturing back in America. We want compassion and decency from leaders who will do what is right for the elderly, the sick and the disadvantaged. Republicans talking trash against departments of our government shows how anti-American they have become.; Reply to this comment


by VictorAshesLoveChild November 17, 2011 1:46 PM EST: Ghod it's a great time to be a liberal.; Reply to this comment


by Ericwvb November 17, 2011 1:41 PM EST: The last time we had a ******* from Texas running the country things ended up very, very badly. I think I prefer having the "smartest guy in the room" running things.; Reply to this comment

by missyfive November 17, 2011 11:03 AM EST

Mr. Perry, give it a rest. Growing up in a single mother household does not make one privileged. And stop with the sounds bites as in your ad. Too bad "truth in advertising" is not what you or your campaign are into. Clearly you're appealing to those who won't challenge your ads or will believe the nonsense you're putting on the airwaves.

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by Whatevah666 November 17, 2011 11:21 AM EST: He didn't grow up in a single mother household. His mother was married and his grandmother was wealthy and influential in Hawaii. Get your facts straight.


by moretruthnow November 17, 2011 6:33 PM EST: Wrong whatevah. He grew up with a single mom. His mom's parents were certainly not wealthy. President Obama grew up without the silver spoon in his mouth that Perry, Romney and the other stooges running for the republican nomination had. President Obama was an excellent student and he earned his way with hard work and study.