Rick Perry in Extensive Interview with Laura Ingraham: “I Think Mitt (Romney) is Finally Recognizing that” RomneyCare “is a Huge Problem for Him” – Complete Audio 8/25/11

Here is audio of Gov. Rick Perry talking to Laura Ingraham on her radio show today.

Ingraham asked Perry if there is an “anti-Perry push” opposing him on the part of former George W. Bush people. Perry praised Bush 41 – President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush – as people he has the highest respect for. He also said he considers former President George W. Bush “a friend,” and that he has “respect” for him – but that he is not George W. Bush. Perry said he is focused on the jeopardy the U.S. is in as a result of Barack Obama’s “experiment” on the U.S. Economy.

Perry said, “I’m not an establishment figure – never have been, and frankly don’t want to be.” That is why he believes some GOP establishment figures are trying to talk him down.

Perry made clear that getting the U.S. Economy turned around, and Americans back to work, is the most important priority facing the nation. He said dealing with China effectively and other Foreign Policy matters is linked to the U.S. rebuilding its economy.

On dealing with a rising China, he pointed out that President Obama scrapped development of a new generation fighter jet because he said China could not develop a new fighter until at least 2025. Perry said China is going to deploy that fighter in 2017. He said he would seek to rebuild the U.S. Military as a counterweight to China.

Ingraham told Perry that Mitt Romney recently said he had not been “perfect” when it came to Health Care. Perry chuckled, and said “I think Mitt is finally recognizing that the Massachusetts Health Care Plan is a huge problem for him. It was not almost perfect.” Perry pointed out RomneyCare was the model for ObamaCare.

Ingraham asked Perry to promise he would not vacation on Martha’s Vineyard if he is elected President. Perry responded, “I’m not even sure I know where it is.”