Reason Writers Around Town: Shikha Dalmia on Rick Perry's Mixed Economic Record

Conservatives and liberals are both going to be disappointed with Gov. Rick Perry's economic record in Texas, notes Reason Foundation Senior Analyst Shikha Dalmia in her latest column at The Daily. Conservatives, because it's not all Perry is making it out to be. Liberals, because it's better than they are prepared to acknowledge it is.

"With President Obama out of ideas for an out-of-work nation, Perry's strong jobs record will appeal to voters," she notes. However, government spending on his watch has actually gone up in Texas; he has condemned Obama's economic stimulus even while using stimulus funds to plug his budget deficit; and he has a crony capitalism problem.

In short, Perry's record is genuinely, decidedly, honestly mixed.

Read the whole thing here.