In a presidential campaign stop in Iowa yesterday, Texas Gov. Rick Perry told a crowd that the Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke’s emergency economic plan to print more money was “almost treasonous.” “I don’t know what you all would do to him in Iowa but we would treat him pretty ugly down in Texas,” the governor said. The video was captured by Think Progress.

Marge Baker, Executive Vice President at People For the American Way, said:

“Disagreement in politics is well and good, but to accuse a government official of treason for pursuing a monetary policy you don’t like is unacceptable.  The attack is all the more galling considering that it was Gov. Perry himself who floated the idea of Texas seceding from the union over the President’s health care reform legislation.

“Less than a week into his campaign, Rick Perry has placed himself in the company of the far-right politicians who criticize not only their opponents’ policies but also their patriotism.  While these strategies may score a few short-term political points, they are ultimately destructive to a healthy political discourse.”

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