Rick Perry On Cribs: And This Is Where The Magic Is Made

Go to the 35-second mark to hear what Nick Saban thinks of Rick Perry's decorating ideas.

Finally, the Texas Democratic Party has weighed in on the single biggest issue of the day: Rick Perry's decorating and entertaining lifestyle. The Associated Press reported that Perry has spent more than $600,000 in state money over the past two years on a temporary mansion in an exclusive Austin neighborhood. And no, that does not include hair-care products.

Here's what the TDP had to say:
 

When times are tough, most Texas families cancel their HBO and eat more meals at home - but Rick Perry continues to bill Texas taxpayers over $10,000 a month for his rental mansion. While Texas is facing a budget shortfall of anywhere from $15 to $18 billion, it is irresponsible for Rick Perry to force Texans to pay for his extravagant lifestyle. No Governor who spends $1,000 in taxpayer money for Neiman Marcus window coverings can call himself a conservative.

You know what? We're betting that most of the people who spend $1,000 at Neiman Marcus on window coverings are Republicans. Just guessing here.

Yo, Rick Perry has a Porsche just to drive to his Bugatti

​Notes the AP:

His 6,386-square-foot rental sits on more than three acres and was advertised in 2007 for sale at $1.85 million. Perry's state-paid expenses at the home include $18,000 for "consumables" such as household supplies and cleaning products, $1,001.46 in window coverings from upscale retailer Neiman Marcus, a $1,000 "emergency repair" of the governor's filtered ice machine, a $700 clothes rack, and a little over $70 for a two year subscription to Food & Wine Magazine.

Maintenance on the heated pool has cost taxpayers at least $8,400, and the tab for grounds and lawn maintenance has topped $44,000, the records show. All told, taxpayers have spent at least $592,000 for rent, utilities, repairs, furnishings and supplies since Perry moved in.

Our problems: Dude, you got ripped off big-time on your ice-machine repair. You can pick up some bags at 7-11 for a while and not get stuck with the "emergency" rate, which we're guessing involved a refrigerator repairman sliding down a pole, jumping into a turbocharged car, and then getting a 100 mph escort to La Casa Perry.

Also, seventy bucks for Food & Wine magazine? You couldn't get a better rate than that? On the other hand, you'll probably keep getting it for 10 years even after you don't renew, so if you amortize those costs it's a bargain. Especially since you'll still be governor 10 years from now, probably.

Bill White, by the way, has said he would rent his own home in Austin if elected. With the key words in that sentence being the last two.

Update: Food & Wine magazine weighs in, criticizing Perry and probably therefore losing a subscriber.