Texas Gov. Rick Perry's stupidest quotes

Texas governor Rick Perry burst into the U.S. Presidential race last week with a odd statements and a fever of speculation that America may be stuck with yet another slightly whacky, questionably intelligent, ultra religious former Texas administrator.

He called evolution "a theory that is out there." Source: Huffington Post.

"Global warming is essentially a hoax," he has also said. Source: Politico  "To spend billions of dollars" addressing an issue like that "is against America's best interests," he said.

He went on to say:

"I think there are a substantial number of scientists who have manipulated data so that they will have dollars rolling into their projects. And I think we are seeing almost weekly, or even daily, scientists are coming forward and questioning the original idea that man-made global warming is what is causing the climate to change. I don’t think, from my perspective, that I want America to be engaged in spending that much money on still a scientific theory that has not been proven, and from my perspective, is more and more being put into question."

Then, there's Perry's Old West-style preaching.  Earlier this month, Perry had a prayer meeting in Texas that drew 30,000 for "a nation in crisis." 

"Father, our heart breaks for America. We see discord at home. We see fear in the marketplace. We see anger in the halls of government, and as a nation we have forgotten who made us, who protects us, who blesses us, and for that we cry out for your forgiveness."

The keystone pipeline, under fire by envrionmentalists to transport oil from Alberta into the U.S. would go right into Perry's home state.

Perry also wants to use predator drones to patrol the Mexican borders for border security, illegal drugs from Mexico and illegal immigrants.

Between Perry, Michelle Bachman, and Sarah Palin, the Tea Party is assembling a crew of looney toons to take the White House from a weakened Obama. Driven by religion and buoyed by the rhetoric that goes around it from the environment, evolution, God, family and flag, guns, this crew seem to be cloned from some master figure, leaving the Republican party's far right to choose between which whacky character they like the best.  

Should Canadians be concerned about what's happening down South?

Absolutely. Anything can happen, especially with the economy.  If the economy gets worse and people are really desperate,  one of these unusual politicians could actually be elected next year.  

Maybe sanity will prevail and Mitt Romney will find his way to the top of the party ticket instead.

But maybe not.