GOP honcho calls Perry aide "idiot" and demands apology

It's amazing what havoc a few un-deleted e-mails can wreak.

We reported today that a big batch of e-mail records, slated for destruction until a political activist asked for them, included a slap at former Secretary of State Jack Rains. Rains had called former state Rep. Ron Wilson a "racist,'' in one e-mail, and the governor's appointments secretary, Ken Anderson, told colleagues in his own message that Rains probably wasn't sober when he dissed Wilson.

Well, now Rains is REALLY upset. Here is an extended portion of an e-mail Rains sent last night to an unknown recipient:

As anyone who knows me at all is aware, I do not drink during the day and in my 70 years have never been charged with drunkenness. I am outraged a member of the governor staff would maliciously malign my character . . .

To make false accusations, behind my back when he assumed I would never know, is inexcusable. This is not the first dumb stunt pulled by this clerk but he has now gone beyond the pale. We have labored too long, for far too many years to allow such an idiot to undermine all that we have worked to accomplish.

I am waiting for a call from the governor and an apology from Kent [sic] Anderson, before I take any further action. I welcome your counsel.

I get the feeling we haven't heard the end of this story yet.

-- Jay Root