Perry speaks to nearly 300 people in Boston

BOSTON -- Texas Governor Rick Perry was the guest speaker at an event in Boston on Tuesday night, but did his message win over voters?

Early polls show Perry with a 12-point lead over Mitt Romney. Perry says he’s the guy who can fix the economy and create jobs.

“There ought to be a 12-step program in Washington D.C.,” said Perry. “And the first step should be: Admit you are powerless over your spending addiction.”

Far from the heart of Texas, the conservative governor gave a speech to a mostly receptive crowd in Boston on Tuesday. More than 300 people attended the awards dinner put on by the Pioneer Institute, a public policy group based in Massachusetts that preaches the benefits of smaller government.

“I know I can be hard on Massachusetts from time to time,” said Perry. “In particular Massachusetts politicians.”

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."

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 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 softened his stance for the Massachusetts crowd. He said he appreciates that Massachusetts is the cradle of liberty.

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