WASHINGTON - Libertarian Party (LP) Executive Director Wes Benedict spoke today about the presidential aspirations of Texas Governor Rick Perry.

Benedict's speech may be viewed online here.

A transcript of the speech follows:

I have a message for Rick Perry and the American people.

My name is Wes Benedict and I have the honor of serving as Executive Director of the Libertarian National Committee here in Washington, DC. I lived in Texas for fifteen years and voted against Rick Perry for governor both times I had a chance.

Now Rick Perry wants to run for president. I have a message for you, Rick Perry.

Rick Perry, you are a pretender, not a defender of free markets.

You supported Lance Armstrong's 3 billion dollar Texas taxpayer funded medical research center. That's like ObamaCare. That's not free market.

Rick Perry, you secured a 300 million dollar business handout slush fund for you and just the two leaders of the legislature to dole out to whomever you felt like being friendly to. That's corporate welfare, a recipe for corruption, and as bad as the TARP bailouts that caused the Tea Parties to explode all across America. In fact, you gave 20 million dollars to Countrywide Financial which later went bankrupt.

You supported a new state business tax. You set up toll road tax collection booths all over Texas highways. The Austin Tea Party and the Austin Toll Party booed at you on the steps of the state Capitol for that. I was there.

Rick Perry, you signed an executive order forcing young Texas schoolgirls to get the HPV vaccine even if it was against their will -- even if it was against their parents' will -- while your former chief of staff was a lobbyist for Merck. Rick Perry, your judgment was so bad the Texas legislature revolted against you and overturned your decision.

I want to compliment you in one area. Libertarians like me embrace immigration and welcome people from Mexico and the rest of the world who seek a better life and the blessings of liberty. Compared to most Republicans, you have been pretty open to immigration. I credit you for being friendly to our southern neighbors. Rick Perry, I support amnesty and I think you do too. You supported a guest worker program to help people who would otherwise be illegal aliens.

But I'm concerned about our economy, about job opportunities, and the direction our country has been headed for a long time. Rick Perry, our country is in deep trouble. We don't need another pretender, we need a real defender of liberty.

Rick Perry, I will not vote for you for president.

For more information, or to arrange an interview, call LP Executive Director Wes Benedict at 202-333-0008 ext. 222.

The LP is America's third-largest political party, founded in 1971. The Libertarian Party stands for free markets, civil liberties, and peace. You can find more information on the Libertarian Party at our website.

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