First, Republican Texas Gov. Rick Perry scoffed at New York's CEO-baiting slogan of a "new New York," saying it looks like the same old high-tax state to him.
Then Democrat Gov. Andrew Cuomo shot back by saying at least it's not Texas.
Rimshot.
"The new New York sounds a lot like the old New York," Perry said as he added New York and Connecticut to his job-poaching tour. "Higher taxes. Stifling regulations. Bureaucrats telling you whether you can even drink a Big Gulp," he said, in a slap at New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's ban on big, sugary drinks.
Cuomo couldn't resist a response Wednesday while out promoting his own job-poaching proposal to offer no business or income taxes for 10 years to a company and its employees who comes to New York.
"Our program does one better, you can stay in New York pay no income tax and you don't have to move Texas," Cuomo said. "You can live in New York."
Each governor known for his, say, confidence, is being pushed by some of their supporters to run for president in 2016. Although smearing each other's huge electoral states might not seem like the wisest long-term politicial strategy, a Democrat from Queens probably stands as much chance of winning Texas's electoral votes as a Texas Republican does of taking New York's.
Perry's five-day visit to New York and Connecticut officially begins Sunday.
It follows his recent job-poaching trips to California and Illinois, which also featured ads criticizing those states.
In February, Perry hit California trolling for jobs and offered as his defense a down home comment to the Los Angeles Times, "You fish where the fish are."
California Gov. Jerry Brown wasn't amused.
"No state has ever poached their way to long-term prosperity," Brown said in a statement.
In Illinois, Perry warned employers in April radio ads: "You need to get out while there's still time."
"He's a big talker," Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn responded in the Chicago Tribune, then took aim at Perry's failed presidential run. "I think people saw that in the presidential campaign,"
Perry's latest tour already includes $1 million in television ads promoting Texas' pro-business, low-regulation climate. The radio ads will air on nine stations in New York.
Take ABC13 with you!
Download our free apps for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
