Rick Perry to Kay Bailey Hutchison: Bring it on!

Things always get interesting when there are intra-party battles. Think the New York Yankees versus the Boston Red Sox. Or Ohio State - Michigan.

Now think Texas Governor Rick Perry and Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.

It’s a high-noon showdown - Texas style.

Just like George W.

You see, Senator Hutchison might be tired of being in the U.S. Senate. The highest office in the Lone Star State could be more appealing. Problem is, a fellow Republican - namely Rick Perry - occupies the position, and he isn’t interested in giving it up.

So when Hutchison announced today that she’s interested in the job, Perry didn’t back down. In fact, he used some of the bravado that fellow Texan - President George W. Bush - once used.

Exploratory committee

First, what Hutchison did.

She filed paperwork creating an exploratory committee allowing her to raise money to run for governor. Here’s the official document. While doing so, she put out a statement with a little kick to it.

“Texans deserve a Governor who, in the context of sound budgetary policies and low taxes, works for quality schools and universities, access to health care for our families, communities safe from crime and drugs, protection of private property rights, safe transportation and a government that listens and responds to them,” she said.

“There’s too much bitterness, too much anger, too little trust, too little consensus and too much infighting. And the tone comes from the top. Texans are looking for leadership and results.”

Oh yeah?

How’d the current Governor take that?

A simple statement. To the point. With a Patrick Swayze “Roadhouse” attitude.

“Bring it on,” Perry told the Dallas Morning News. (You remember the terrible movie called “Bring it on” from nine years ago? We included the trailer from it below.)

More Roadhouse

Anyway, a bit later, Perry’s staff had some fun at the Senator’s expense by tweaking her name in honor of her support of the $700 billion package aimed at rescuing the U.S. financial sector.

“Kay Bailout has been talking about running for governor and passing legislation for years and neither has ever happened,” a spokesman for Perry told USA Today. “Today she continues her streak of indecision.”

It’s only December 2008 and election fun is just beginning. Yee-haw…