HOUSTON -- Former Vice President Dick Cheney, picking sides in the volatile campaign for Texas governor, belittled Gov. Rick Perry as a "real talker" Tuesday and said U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey
Hutchison was the true conservative in the race.
"We westerners know the difference between a real talker and the real deal," Cheney told cheering supporters at a historic terminal building at Hobby Airport in Houston. "When it comes to being conservative, Kay Bailey Hutchison is the real deal."
The endorsement announcement was delayed by about two hours so Hutchison could make it back to Texas from Washington, where she has served in the Senate since 1993.
Still, before the Houston event began, the Perry campaign criticized Hutchison for missing a vote in Washington – dealing with the nomination of a federal judge -- to attend the event and said she "cannot be counted upon to be a full-time senator for Texas."
During remarks that lasted about five minutes, Cheney noted that Perry, before he drew Hutchison as a Republican primary opponent, once called her a "true champion for Texas."
"I couldn't agree more," Cheney said, parroting back Perry's words. "Texas needs a true conservative champion in the governor's office."
Hutchison took the microphone after the former vice president and quickly mentioned the possibility of a "Cheney 2012" presidential campaign. That elicited one supporter in the crowd to yell, "We need you, Dick."
Cheney responded, "No chance.”
After the rally, Cheney and Hutchison were off to a fundraiser at the home of Houston businessman Dan Tutcher, former president of Enbridge Energy Co.
The March 2010 GOP primary pits the longest-serving governor against the state's senior U.S. senator, and both are fighting for every big name supporter they can get.
Cheney's blessing represents the highest profile endorsement Hutchison has gotten so far. Support from the former vice president, who remains popular with many conservative activists, could help Hutchison shore up her right flank.
Cal Jillson, a political scientist at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, said Cheney may feel more comfortable about Hutchison's knowledge of national security issues -- an area that continues to provoke passionate speeches from the former vice president.
Jillson said the nod could help Hutchison with some social conservatives who view her with suspicion, but only a little.
"You'd rather have it than not, but it's not a game-changer," Jillson said.
Perry, who is stoking populist fires with antiestablishment rhetoric, has dismissed the Cheney endorsement as the usual dealings of Washington insiders.
"The Washington establishment usually sticks together," said Perry spokesman Mark Miner.
The Perry campaign is also reminding supporters that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has cast her lot with him.
Last year's Republican vice presidential nominee endorsed Perry months ago, saying he "does what is right regardless of whether it's popular."
"He sticks to his guns," she wrote in a January endorsement letter, "and you know now how I feel about guns!"
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