The Obama campaign statement, courtesy of spokesman Ben LaBolt, on Texas Governor Rick Perry entering the presidential race:

“Governor Perry’s economic policies are a carbon copy of the economic policies of Washington Republicans. He pledged to support the “Cut, Cap, and Balance” plan that would preserve subsidies for oil and gas companies and tax cuts for the wealthiest while ending Medicare as we know it, eroding Social Security, eliminating hundreds of thousands of jobs and erasing investments in education and research and development. That’s the same approach he took in Texas, where middle class families know his economic record is no miracle – it’s a tall tale. Governor Perry allowed special interests to write their own rules, hired corporate lobbyists to oversee corporations, and cut funding for programs that would create opportunity for middle class families. In a Republican field that has already pledged allegiance to the Tea Party and failed to present any plan that will benefit the middle class or create the jobs America needs to win the future, Governor Perry offers more of the same.”