Rick Perry Says He Has Best Record on Jobs

Republican presidential hopeful Rick Perry made his first stop in California on Thursday morning, holding a GOP rally at Roger’s Gardens in Corona del Mar.

Texas Gov. Perry, fresh off of Wednesday night’s Republican debate, spoke to the crowd for close to 10 minutes, most of which was spent addressing the economy and jobs.

“With all due respect to my opponents, no one has a record like me when it comes to the economy and creating jobs in America,” Perry said, maintaining his position that Texas is one of the strongest states economically in the U.S.

Shouts of “I want my country back!” and “Obama must go!” rang out throughout Perry’s speech, but the rally was not without Perry detractors.

Shortly into his speech, a group of adults began to shout at Perry from the crowd, questioning his record on health care.

During Wednesday’s debate, several Republican hopefuls questioned his handling of health care, as Texas ranks close to the bottom in nearly every health ranking, according to americashealthrankings.org.

A small group from MoveOn.org, a national political action group, protested outside of the Perry event.

However, inside the rally, Perry supporters were exuberant.

“I just like his resolve,” said Todd Spitzer, former state Assemblyman and Orange County assistant district attorney. “He has an opinion, but it doesn’t appear like he’s not open-minded. You want presidents that make decisions and then have the confidence in the public to carry out the decisions.”

Larry Andre, 56, came from Lakewood to the rally. “I’m excited about Mr. Perry,” Andre said. “I’m excited that he wants to bring us back to the basics of our nation. I loved the speech. He’s a great man, and I think he’ll make a great president.”

Patricia Evans, who was also at the rally, said she has experienced the direct effects of the economy during her own job hunt.

“I’m a single mom, and I’m still out of a job,” Evans said. “I have a master’s degree, and I can’t seem to get a job.”

Perry acknowledged the fact that President Obama was left with a difficult situation after George Bush left office but maintained that three years should have been enough time to have an effect on the poor economy, an idea that Evans seconded.

“I’m not a hater of [Barack Obama] at all,” Evans said. “It’s not about the color of someone’s skin; it’s about his policies. I vote more for substance than I do skin color, being a minority myself.”