Just in case you thought we hadn't been making fun of Perry enough lately, I'm posting this silly press release we got from Carole's camp. They must watch a lot of TV over there - or maybe they just keep up with their pop-culture references. Basically, they don't want us to forget that Perry went to the Bahamas and it may or may not have had anything to do with "fact-finding." Our favorite part is when her spokesman supposedly sings the lyrics to "Gilligan's Island." Don't believe me? Click on the permalink for the full effect.

Nice to know we aren't the only ones that think humor works to get a point across in politics.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: MARK SANDERS, 512-469-9393
February 16, 2006

"LOST," "FANTASY ISLAND," "GILLIGAN’S ISLAND,"
2nd Anniversary of Perry's trip to the Bahamas

(AUSTIN) - On the second anniversary of Gov. Rick Perry's controversial fact-finding getaway to the Bahamas to fix Texas schools, his opponent's campaign suggested a new island hopping trip to television's most famous islands.

"Maybe the governor is still 'Lost' on 'The Island' and should ask 'The Others' if they have kidnapped his school finance plan," said Mark Sanders, spokesman for Independent candidate Carole Keeton Strayhorn.

"Or perhaps, a three hour tour, a three hour tour with Gilligan, the Skipper too, the Millionaire and his Wife, the Movie Star, the Professor and Mary Ann here on Gilligan's Isle might enlighten him," he sang.

"As a last resort, he could wait anxiously on the 'Fantasy Island' beach waiting for 'The Plane' to air drop a real solution that has eluded him for nine sessions of the legislature," Sanders said.

On President's Day weekend in 2004, Perry traveled to the Bahamas with staff and millionaire campaign contributors for what he called a "working retreat" to discuss fixing Texas' school system.

The trip led to an investigation by the Texas Ethics Commission later that year.

In a sworn statement during the investigation, Perry said: "I made a decision that in order to best facilitate my office's development of politically viable education policy I would need to get together with a select group of political and technical advisors in a setting removed from daily distractions."

Sanders said: "Perry’s 'daily distractions' must include the teachers and parents who care more about the children of Texas and their education than a mid-winter trip to the tropics."