The Death Penalty Governor?

Let's kill more people!

That's what the audience seemed to say at one of the earlier presidential debates of 2011. I, for one, was startled by the the widespread applause for Rick Perry's execution record.

Our governor has now gotten a national reputation for being "tough on crime." Consequently, I was intrigued by an article entitled "Should reformers praise or chastise Rick Perry's criminal justice record?" posted Oct. 2, on the Texas political blog Grits for Breakfast. As a consultant for the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition and the Innocence Project, the author does have a bias in this issue, but also more background knowledge than most people.

What I find particularly appealing about this post is how the author goes into many unexplored aspects of governor Perry's criminal justice record. The article is a response to a story in Yahoo News in which the Brother of an exonerated prisoner praised the governor's law enforcement accomplishments. Grits brings up many good points. Firstly, the author looks to Perry's 2005 life-without-parole law that appears to have directly decreased the number of defendants sent to death row. Second, the article notes that Perry's longevity in office contributed to the high number of executions done under his administration. In addition, Grits brings up how little the Texas governor is involved in these cases (indeed, many of these death sentences are from years before the current governor was elected), and strengthens the point with a quote from the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition Chief. The main question seems to be: is he really so tough on crime? The author ends by stating his opinion: Perry is not execution-crazed as some view him, but does not deserve the praise that some (specifically the man in the Yahoo article) give him.

In addition to the ideas, the writing is solid. It started out directly quoting a viewpoint that would be referenced throughout--making sure we are all on the same page. The language and ideas are concrete and easy to follow.
On the other hand, Grits made the sweeping assertion toward the end that Perry had kept tens of thousands out of jail--this had no specific backing.

To sum it up, Grits makes the well supported argument that Perry is not "the death penalty governor" as some might see him, but simply a politician who welcomes extra publicity from an issue that he may or may not have wanted to bring out. However, it has certainly gotten people talking.