You may remember the grand show of patriotism that took place on the Capitol steps a few days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, featuring Gov. Rick Perry flanked by firefighters, police, and national guardsmen, and the unfurling of a large American flag. What you might not have noticed amid the media frenzy, say sources at the scene, were the Guv’s own press-office cameras rolling to capture footage of Perry in action.
Sources tell the Chronicle that the man behind the lens was Perry PR guru Gene Acuña. Perry “was just being so dramatic, and it was just a perfect, perfect backdrop, it just jumped out,” says one source.
While it wouldn’t be unusual for Perry’s folks to film their man in action, the question remains: Could they have been capturing patriotic B-roll for political ads Perry will use in his upcoming gubernatorial campaign? “No, absolutely not,” says Perry spokeswoman Kathy Walt. “I brought my own digital camera, just to try it out, but that was all. Strictly amateur stuff.”
Perhaps only time — and television — will tell.
This article appears in September 28 • 2001.