Perry: I'm the true conservative in the race

Rick Perry shakes hands during a campaign stop at the Main Street Cafe in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Dec. 27, 2011.

/ AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - Texas Gov. Rick Perry kicked off the second leg of his Iowa bus tour on Tuesday seeking to convince audiences they didn't have to settle for anyone but a true conservative - and that true conservative is him.

"I want you to answer this question: Why should you settle for anything less than an authentic conservative who will fight for your views and values without an apology? Think about that," Perry asked the packed crowd of over 100 in the Main Street Cafe here. "Why should you have to settle for anything less than the real deal to go to Washington D.C. and to represent you, work for you in Washington?"

He alluded to his competitors in the race, suggesting that they were Washington insiders who supported the financial rescue and health care law that many Republican voters despise.

"I got all the respect in the world for the front-runners in this race, but ask yourself: if we replace a Democratic insider with a Republican insider, you think we're really going to change Washington D.C.? You don't have to settle for Washington and Wall Street insiders who supported the Wall Street bailout and the Obamacare individual mandate," he said.

In a swipe at fellow Texan Ron Paul, who is increasingly looking like the candidate most likely to win the Iowa caucuses next Tuesday, Perry told the crowd they didn't have to settle for someone who would "allow Iran to wipe Israel off the face of the earth and then ultimately America. You don't have to stand for that."

Perry appeared alongside Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the controversial Arizona lawman who found himself the subject of charges by the Justice Department earlier this month that he violated civil liberties. Arpaio, who briefly introduced Perry at the start of the event, called it a "sneak attack" by the Obama administration but suggested a president like Perry would allow him to continue his work unfettered.

In a Fox News interview after the charges were revealed last month, Perry defended his supporter, saying people that people were "out after Sheriff Joe."

Arpaio campaigned with Perry in New Hampshire just after Thanksgiving. But his presence seemed much more effective in Iowa, as did Perry's pledges to shut down the border within a year of taking office. That promise received applause and cheers from the enthusiastic audience.

Full CBS News coverage: Rick Perry

20 Photos

Rick Perry on the campaign trail

[peace6348]

R O F L M F A O !!

Perry has/is making himself Rich at the Texas Taxper's expense while he cuts the income for Middle and Low-Income earners.

[oftenplayful]

Dum Dum Perry is going frantically from one hair brained emotional issue to another, trying to resonate with voters who well know he is not presidential material--or who should know. Texas has been the very worst state in the nation on immigration--and he has been gov for 10 years; he pays for their college tuition instead! But makes outrageous boasts how he would stop it from Washington. Texas' debt has risen 281% since he took office, almost tripled; does he tell Iowans that? He is double dipping Texas taxpayers for salary and retirement both, and also blling them for 400 grand a month for his "security". And he brags that he would as prez just ride in and tell congress to become part timers at 1/2 pay!? This is just the tip of Perry's absurdities. Santorum is much, much smarter, far more level headed, and better informed than Dum Dum. Even Michelle Bachmann, who comes across as something of a dingbat at times, is at least ethical and tries to be truthful. Perry is neither, absolutely the lowest morals of any GOP candidate.

[ge556]

A 100% increase is doubling. A 200% increase is tripling.

[commonworkingman]

What ever happened to the days when you voted for who you thought would do the best job? Most people I know are middle of the road, conservative on some things and liberal on others. Now it seems its party first with the candidates jumping up and down, screaming look, look, look at me, I'm the most extreme.

[David_Chowes]

PERRY SHOULD HAVE SAID:

"I'M THE STUPIDEST PERSON IN THE GOP RACE".

How stupid?

"I MAKE PALIN AND BACHMANN APPEAR TO BE REALLY INTELLIGENT!"

[greenlantern1]

Was King Solomon, and his many wives, a "Christian" role model?
Is Warren Jeffs?
Is an anchor baby a US citizen?
A fetus?
Clifford Spencer