New Yorker: Could Bachmann’s ‘Conspiratorial’ HPV Attacks Ultimately Threaten Perry’s Candidacy?

by Alex Alvarez | 6:08 pm, September 13th, 2011

» 28 comments

One takeaway from this week’s GOP debate, co-sponsored by CNN and Tea Party Express, is that Texas Governor Rick Perry — who had, it seemed, been lumped together with Michele Bachmann in terms of catering particularly to the sort of religious, very socially conservative segment of the party’s primary voters — differs greatly from Bachmann, if not the other candidates in general, when it comes to a few rather contentious issues. Earlier today, we took a look at how Perry’s attitude towards and legislation concerning the children of illegal immigrants sets him apart from many his colleagues. Perry always raised eyebrows for his stance on the HPV vaccine.

In 2007, Perry signed an executive order requiring girls in Texas to receive an HPV vaccine before entering the sixth grade. Presumably, the measure would prevent transmission of the human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted infection which, in some, can cause cervical cancer. Perry — in a move that may come as a surprise to some given his recent comments questioning the science behind global warming and evolution — made sure to reference the scientific research into the infection and the vaccine when crafting the preamble to his order. The order also gives parents who do not wish for their children vaccinated the option of downloading and signing paperwork voicing their “conscientious objection” to the vaccine. Nonetheless, the order was met with disapproval from members of the religious right who were made uneasy or angry by the idea that pre-teens were being vaccinated against a sexually transmitted virus.

Through it all, Perry had steadfastly defended his decision, asking his critics to think of their “daughters and granddaughters” and how they would benefit from what the world of medicine has to offer. All the same, the order was eventually nullified.

The New Yorker has published a worthwhile read on what defending that order has meant for Perry, and what it still means for him today as he looks towards the White House. The article makes special note of Bachmann’s reaction during the debate, where she reminded viewers that she is the mother of three girls (And, thus, has greater insight into the medical research concerning the health of young females?) and dealt Perry a heavy blow by essentially accusing him of being in the pocket of pharmaceutical companies:

What I’m saying is that it’s wrong for a drug company, because the governor’s former chief of staff was the chief lobbyist for this drug company. The drug company gave thousands of dollars in political donations to the governor, and this is just flat-out wrong. The question is, is it about life, or was it about millions of dollars and potentially billions for a drug company?

The article ends with some sage advice for Perry (and, indeed, for any candidate who aims to look like a strong leader, and a person of firm convictions):

Considering the problems we face, Perry’s handling of the HPV vaccine as governor seems like a trivial issue, but it is custom made for the kind of misinformed, conspiratorial, and damaging attacks that someone like Bachmann has made a career out of demagoguing. Perry’s response last night was weak and contradictory. He said his executive order was a “mistake” but also tried to defend it, noting “cervical cancer is a horrible way to die.” If Perry does not take control of the issue, it could threaten his candidacy.

Perhaps Perry truly believes it was a mistake. But if he’s trying to “win back” the religious right from Bachmann, he may do well to focus his sights instead on the party as a whole, as well as on Independent voters and disgruntled moderates (of which there are multitudes) looking for a leader with strong backbone — voters who will most likely find themselves alienated by a candidate that focuses solely on the Republican base, or who are left cold by a candidate who consistently turns to religion when forming legislation.

Ultimately, of course, Gardasil isn’t going to be a make-or-break issue for any candidate. But it’s guaranteed voters will remember which candidates seem to fold or retreat under pressure, regardless of the issue at hand.

h/t New Yorker

Gardasil, GOP 2012, GOP debate, HPV, Michele Bachmann, New Yorker, Rick Perry, Vaccine

Anonymous

I think that despite Perry’s stance on this, he’s pretty safe as the top bet for the GOP. Really, who else is there? Not a Perry fan, but none of the other’s could even carry his jock. Michelle Bachmann is completely nuts, and has no chance at all. I really don’t think any of the other candidates are a factor at all, this whole thing is just a done deal. Could Perry beat Obama though? Yeah, Obama’s had a bad year, and there’s a lot of problems that he’s not doing anything about. I know Bush left him with a huge mess, but he’s just digging the hole deeper day by day. Still think he’d pull out a win against Perry, though.
Anonymous

WTF?
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WH3ZLMM7CUKUHUIMK4TKXW6SQE John

Compassionate conservative. Are the only sane Republicans from Texas?!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WH3ZLMM7CUKUHUIMK4TKXW6SQE John

Compassionate conservative. Are the only sane Republicans from Texas?!
Anonymous

Perry is a joke in my opinion. If he gets the nomination, Obama wins easily, even with 10% unemployment. Why he’s considered the front runner completely baffles me. He supported Al Gore at one point, nothing more needs to be said.
Nature Freak

Rick Perry has become more socially conservative the past few years, either by conviction or for political gain. Probably both.

My only issue is the vaccine should not be mandatory and it should be either free or at a much reduced price. Men should be given the vaccine as well. It is sexist and homophobic not to.
Nature Freak

Rick Perry has become more socially conservative the past few years, either by conviction or for political gain. Probably both.

My only issue is the vaccine should not be mandatory and it should be either free or at a much reduced price. Men should be given the vaccine as well. It is sexist and homophobic not to.
azgrandma

I think about the only thing that will change is that more people will realize that bachmann makes about as much sense as palin.
azgrandma

I think about the only thing that will change is that more people will realize that bachmann makes about as much sense as palin.
Glutton

Logically speaking, this shouldn’t hurt Perry one bit. There is no research to back up Bachmann’s claim and there is overwhelming evidence to suggest that this is an effective way to prevent cancer. Then again, this is the Tea Party and they seem to respond better to crazy talk than they do to logic.
Anonymous

Perry’s admission that he made a mistake in the manner in which he handled the Gardasil matter- by executive order- is refreshing. The public is tired of politicians who are so arrogant that they pretend they have all the answers. If some voters object to the matter of Gardasil on moral grounds, so be it. I imagine that number is relatively small. The degree of intelligence can be measured by the rapidity with which one adapts to changing information.

Perry’s greater problem will be over his position on illegal immigration, and I think he has to be clear that he is pragmatic about his approach, yet principled about border security, U.S. sovereignty and the rights of citizenship, without getting so far into the weeds over what is a complex problem. Many Americans rightly resent the entitlements, that we are forced to pay for, going to support people who are NOT citizens of our country.

If the GOP candidates continue to allow the media and their own narrow self-interest to drive the debate, rather than showing how detrimental to the health of the nation the Obama presidency has been and will continue to be, they are shooting themselves and the party in the foot. They need to “first, do no harm.”

Show me why YOU, Mrs. Bachmann, or YOU, Governor Romney or YOU, Governor Perry would be the best candidate to defeat Barack Obama. The internecine warfare is not advantageous to anyone.
Valkyrie101

Yea they frequently write off Bachmann as a dummie, but she knew exactly what she was doing with Perry and his Merck connection.
Valkyrie101

Bachmann was wrong about the danger of the drug, but her real point was the fact that Perry issued an executive order to force school children to be innoculated by the State, which she considers to be anti-liberty. Well, she was wrong on that too, since parents could have opted their children out of the treatment. But the bigger issue is whether Merck’s funding of Perry and his political campaign with (including superpac money) hundreds of thousands of dollars, is appropriate. And yes, that seems kind of strange and inappropriate.
Nancillarypeloslinton

Barack Obama was and is a do-nothin’, know-nothin’, economics-challenged, stick-his-head in the sand while poverty hits a 50-year high, former and possible present coke-snortin’, pot-smokin’, terrorist-pal associate, Jeremiah Wright sychopant, etc., etc. Nah! Perry by a landslide!
Nancillarypeloslinton

Barack Obama was and is a do-nothin’, know-nothin’, economics-challenged, stick-his-head in the sand while poverty hits a 50-year high, former and possible present coke-snortin’, pot-smokin’, terrorist-pal associate, Jeremiah Wright sychopant, etc., etc. Nah! Perry by a landslide!
Broadhorizons

Cuz someone told her what to do!
Valkyrie101

Perhaps, but given the poll numbers with Perry taking tea party thunder, she must go on the attack.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1431811538 Josh Kim

It’s irresponsible not to vaccinate a child because of religious qualms. I am not a Perry fan but I think he did the responsible thing.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JUT2TATEV3OHGQ7HZRYN472XVM Felix

“Could Bachmann’s ‘Conspiratorial’ HPV Attacks Ultimately Threaten Perry’s Candidacy?”

er, No.
Anonymous

Josh, I disagree that “It’s irresponsible not to vaccinate a child because of religious qualms.” I assume that Christian Scientists (and some other religious groups) may opt out of vaccines (though I don’t know the state laws on this). AND I think that Perry was trying to do the right thing (especially since there was an opt-out provision), he just did it in the wrong manner, with an executive order, which he has admitted was a mistake.
Anonymous

Josh, I disagree that “It’s irresponsible not to vaccinate a child because of religious qualms.” I assume that Christian Scientists (and some other religious groups) may opt out of vaccines (though I don’t know the state laws on this). AND I think that Perry was trying to do the right thing (especially since there was an opt-out provision), he just did it in the wrong manner, with an executive order, which he has admitted was a mistake.
Anonymous

It has, however, threatened Bachmann’s.
http://twitter.com/JennyHatch JennyHatch.com

Steve Burd, whose Coalition to Advance Healthcare Reform (CAHR), was the author of Obamacare and has written it into the rules and regs of the law that if a person is not fully vaccinated upon arrival at an ER, he or she must be brought up to date on said vaccines before being treated.

It is also implied in the bill that Peek a Boo squads can show up at your door and vaccinate you and your children if they are also not up to date on Vaccines. Medical Fascism is just around the corner…

Now, perhaps some believe these types of measures are necessary to ensure we all stay healthy. I choose to believe that darker agendas are behind these laws being put into place.

Michele Bachmann should be awarded for having the courage to spank Rick Perry and bring this issue into the light of day.

Many Girls have died after getting the shot – I created a blog entry yesterday that includes seven informational VIDEOS about those deaths

http://jennyhatch.com/2011/09/13/gardasil-if-a-picture-is-worth-a-thousand-words-then-a-video-report/

And a featured article at Blogging Mothers Magazine this month outlines my own horror story of attempting to warn innocents and stand up to those who created the HPV Vaccine:

http://bloggingmothersmagazine.com/2011/08/31/american-style-terrorism/

Many, Many people have been murdered around the campaign to vaccinate American Teens. It is time for that story to be told.

Jenny Hatch
http://WWW.JennyHatch.com
Anonymous

Paranoia strikes again.
Anonymous

You missed the whole idea. Could this prevent Perry from being nominated was the point. Of the Republican candidates, all but Romney and Huntsman are economics challenged.

Speaking of that, the idea of the vaccination is very sound economics. An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure when it comes to cancer.
Anonymous

I’m with you on that, except for the fact that the drug specifically guards against cervical cancer, which men don’t get. If this were to somehow prevent the spread of the virus from a man to an unprotected women, then you would still have a point, but I don’t think it works that way.
Anonymous

http://blogs.trb.com/news/opinion/chanlowe/blog/2011/09/chan_lowe_rick_perrys_hpv_prob.html Go figure.
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