New troubles for Perry

Add a new possibly damaging factor to Rick Perry's string of flaws that are surfacing as his front-runner status put him under the investigative microscope.

We've already had the amateurish, unprepared debate performances; the questionable kickback money from the drug company that markets the HPV vaccine he mandated; the suspicious insider trading that has made him a millionaire since he first got elected to state office; and the first-hand word from lobbyists that Perry was right when he said he can't be bought for $5,000 -- it takes $100,000 to even get in to talk to him about some deal.

Now we have allegations from the reliable, non-sensational McClatchy news service that he has played fast and loose with Texas' public pension funds and the healthcare fund for Texas teachers.

At the same time he's calling Social Security a Ponzi scheme, those Texas pension funds have a total unfunded liability of $41 billion; and other funds have promised benefits they will never be able to pay under current financing models. And critics say that Perry has not made it a priority to do anything about these problems, despite the prediction that the teachers' healthcare fund will go bankrupt in 2014.

Further, Perry has tried to gain control of the Teachers Retirement Board that sets policy and makes investments. As governor, he makes appointments to the Board; but in addition critics say someone from his office tried to "strong-arm" their decision to make risky investments in projects that Perry wanted to push.

The former chairman of the Texas Pension Review Board called the pension systems "a ticking time bomb. . . . I just don't think you should be making wild bets with other people's money." Perry removed him from office a year before his term was to expire.

So: the Flavor of the Week has flaws -- pretty big ones.

There's just barely time for the GOP to try out one more imaginary White Knight.

"Chris Christie!!, Where are you?"

It's pure political theater, writ large.

Fun to watch.

Embarrassing before the world.

Pathetic that this is the best they have to offer.

Scary that one of them could wind up as our president.

Ralph