Perry Staff E-Mails Reveal Candid, Sometimes Heated Exchanges

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – E-mails released by Governor Rick Perry’s office reveal candid and sometimes heated exchanges among staffers, other state officials and political power brokers.

The e-mails released to open-government activist John Washburn refer to some current and former lawmakers as racist and evil. Washburn is a computer consultant who lives near Milwaukee.

The e-mails were obtained Wednesday by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. In early November, Washburn launched twice-weekly computer-generated requests to Perry’s office.

They each asked for several days worth of government e-mails. Perry’s office destroys its routine e-mails weekly, but must save them once a records request is filed.

Perry’s office released four days of communication from November, offering some behind-the-scenes glimpses of how top Perry aides and supporters deal with daily crises, events and criticism.

Perry spokesman Robert Black says the e-mails provide a “snapshot of very open and candid conversations among staff.”

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)