Perry to speak to conservative group in Boston

BOSTON -- Rick Perry is expected speak to a conservative group in Boston on Tuesday night. The former Texas governor has made no secret of his feelings for the Bay State in the past.

There’s no doubt that Perry is more comfortable visiting GOP strongholds -- red states like South Carolina, but how will he be received in Boston?

“Some of his views are kind of extreme,” said one man.

“He’s phony,” said a woman.

Perry’s chief rival is former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. The two mixed it up over social security at Monday night’s Tea Party Debate in Tampa.

In his book, “Fed Up!” Perry railed against Massachusetts, writing: "I would no more consider living in Massachusetts than I suspect a great number of folks from Massachusetts would like to live in Texas. We just don't agree on a number of things."

“He’s right! I can’t speak for everyone, but I can speak for me and I wouldn’t want to live in Texas,” said Pam Lewis, who does not support Perry.

Romney, Perry’s rival, signed a universal health care bill into law in 2006. Perry wrote he wouldn’t want to live in a state that would support that, and continue to reelect liberals like Ted Kennedy, John Kerry and Barney Frank.

“I don’t like him. I mean, I like Texas, I think it’s a great state. My mom used to say to me if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all, so,” said Sen. Barry Finegold of Andover. “I think he should listen.”

“I welcome all visitors and I trust that as Governor Perry sees more of what’s great about Massachusetts, his views will become more generous,” said Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.

Perry was invited to Massachusetts by a Massachusetts Think Tank to give a speech at an awards dinner.

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