Rick Perry says he has changed his mind about the energy department and now regrets suggesting he would eliminate it:
Perry: "My past statements made over five years ago about abolishing the Department of Energy do not reflect my current thinking." pic.twitter.com/dKMwIuuwr4
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 19, 2017
WASHINGTON TIMES – During his 2012 presidential campaign, Mr. Perry, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for energy secretary, advocated getting rid of the Energy Department, along with several other federal agencies. At one GOP primary debate, he was unable to remember all of the departments he sought to scrap, leading to his infamous “Oops” moment.
More than four years later, Mr. Perry now is a full-throated supporter of the Energy Department and said he’s learned a great deal about the agency’s role through conversations with current Secretary Ernest Moniz and others.
“I have learned a great deal about the important work being done every day by the outstanding men and women of the DOE. I have spoken several times to Secretary Moniz and his predecessors. If confirmed, my desire is to lead this agency in a thoughtful manner, surrounding myself with expertise on the core functions of the department,” Mr. Perry will tell the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Thursday morning, according to excerpts released by the Trump transition team.
“My past statements made over five years ago about abolishing the Department of Energy do not reflect my current thinking,” the former governor will say. “In fact, after being briefed on so many of the vital functions of the Department of Energy, I regret recommending its elimination. If confirmed, I will enter this role excited and passionate about advancing the core missions of the DOE, and drawing greater attention to the vital role played by the agency and the hard working men and women who dedicate themselves in pursuit of these missions.”
I like Rick Perry a lot, but it quite disappointing now to find out that he was just blowing hot air about abolishing the energy department in order to help him get elected.
I understand he’s not president so it’s not his decision to get rid of it. But it sounds like even if he’d won the presidency, he would have flip flopped on that promise.