Just One More Thing... 
 
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 Gov. Rick Perry of Texas is one of the least thoughtful and most damaging state leaders in America, having done great harm to immigrants, abortion clinics and people without health insurance during his 14 years in office. But bad political judgment is not necessarily a felony, and the indictment handed up against him on Friday — given the facts so far — appears to be the product of an overzealous prosecution. 
 
 For more than a year, Mr. Perry has been seeking the resignation of the Travis County district attorney, Rosemary Lehmberg. He had good reason to do so: Ms. Lehmberg was arrested in April 2013 for driving with a blood alcohol level of more than three times the legal limit, and she verbally abused the officers who found her with an open bottle of vodka. She ranted and raved at the local jail, threatening sheriff’s deputies, and she had to be restrained in a chair with a hood over her head. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 45 days in jail. In addition to endangering people’s lives, she instantly lost her credibility as a prosecutor of drunken-driving cases. 
 
 But Ms. Lehmberg is also an elected Democrat, and as the prosecutor in Austin, the state capital, she ran the Public Integrity Unit, which investigates corruption charges against state lawmakers, often including prominent Republicans. The office, in fact, has been investigating whether several medical research grants were improperly given to people with connections to Mr. Perry. Had she stepped down, the governor might have named a Republican to replace her, so she refused. 
 
 After the arrest, Mr. Perry told Ms. Lehmberg that if she didn’t resign, he would cut the financing for the Public Integrity Unit. In June, he did just that, using his line-item veto to zero out the $7.5 million for the unit. That was a bad idea. Had county officials not stepped in with some money, the veto could have shut down an important investigative body and its cases. Mr. Perry should have left the matter to the courts, where both a criminal and a civil attempt to have her removed failed, or to the voters. 
 
 But his ill-advised veto still doesn’t seem to rise to the level of a criminal act. After a complaint was filed by a liberal group, a judge appointed a special prosecutor, Michael McCrum, a San Antonio lawyer and former federal prosecutor, to take the case. A Travis County grand jury indicted Mr. Perry on two felony counts: abuse of official capacity and coercion of a public servant. The indictment says he exceeded his veto power by combining it with a threat to Ms. Lehmberg if she didn’t quit. 
 
 Governors and presidents threaten vetoes and engage in horse-trading all the time to get what they want, but for that kind of political activity to become criminal requires far more evidence than has been revealed in the Perry case so far. Perhaps Mr. McCrum will have some solid proof to show once the case heads to trial. But, for now, Texas voters should be more furious at Mr. Perry for refusing to expand Medicaid, and for all the favors he has done for big donors, than for a budget veto. 

 Photo: TOM REEL Image 1 of / 55 Caption Close 
 
 Image 1 of 55 Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Photo: TOM REEL 
 
 Image 2 of 55 Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Photo: TOM REEL 
 
 Image 3 of 55 Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Photo: TOM REEL 
 
 Image 4 of 55 Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Photo: TOM REEL 
 
 Image 5 of 55 A few demonstrators are present before Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. A few demonstrators are present before Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Photo: TOM REEL 
 
 Image 6 of 55 Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Photo: TOM REEL, San Antonio Express-News 
 
 Image 7 of 55 Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Photo: TOM REEL 
 
 Image 8 of 55 Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Photo: TOM REEL 
 
 Image 9 of 55 Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Photo: TOM REEL 
 
 Image 10 of 55 Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Photo: TOM REEL 
 
 Image 11 of 55 Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Photo: TOM REEL 
 
 Image 12 of 55 Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Photo: TOM REEL 
 
 Image 13 of 55 Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Photo: TOM REEL 
 
 Image 14 of 55 Former Texas Governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for President of the United States at the Million Air hanger at the Addison airport near Dallas on June 4,, 2015. Former Texas Governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for President of the United States at the Million Air hanger at the Addison airport near Dallas on June 4,, 2015. Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News 
 
 Image 15 of 55 Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Photo: TOM REEL 
 
 Image 16 of 55 Former Texas Governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for President of the United States at the Million Air hanger at the Addison airport near Dallas on June 4,, 2015. Former Texas Governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for President of the United States at the Million Air hanger at the Addison airport near Dallas on June 4,, 2015. Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News 
 
 Image 17 of 55 Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Photo: TOM REEL 
 
 Image 18 of 55 Former Texas Governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for President of the United States at the Million Air hanger at the Addison airport near Dallas on June 4,, 2015. Former Texas Governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for President of the United States at the Million Air hanger at the Addison airport near Dallas on June 4,, 2015. Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News 
 
 Image 19 of 55 Former Texas Governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for President of the United States at the Million Air hanger at the Addison airport near Dallas on June 4,, 2015. Former Texas Governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for President of the United States at the Million Air hanger at the Addison airport near Dallas on June 4,, 2015. Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News 
 
 Image 20 of 55 Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Photo: TOM REEL 
 
 Image 21 of 55 Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Texas Governor Rick Perry goes through the process of being booked for felony charges at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin on August 20, 2014. Photo: TOM REEL 
 
 Image 22 of 55 Former Texas Governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for President of the United States at the Million Air hanger at the Addison airport near Dallas on June 4,, 2015. Former Texas Governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for President of the United States at the Million Air hanger at the Addison airport near Dallas on June 4,, 2015. Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News 
 
 Image 23 of 55 Former Texas Governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for President of the United States at the Million Air hanger at the Addison airport near Dallas on June 4,, 2015. Former Texas Governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for President of the United States at the Million Air hanger at the Addison airport near Dallas on June 4,, 2015. Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News 
 
 Image 24 of 55 Former Texas Governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for President of the United States at the Million Air hanger at the Addison airport near Dallas on June 4,, 2015. Former Texas Governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for President of the United States at the Million Air hanger at the Addison airport near Dallas on June 4,, 2015. Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News 
 
 Image 25 of 55 Texas Gov. Rick Perry appears prior to his Aug. 19, 2014 booking in Austin on a charge of abuse of power. | Photo still from Texas Tribune video Texas Gov. Rick Perry appears prior to his Aug. 19, 2014 booking in Austin on a charge of abuse of power. | Photo still from Texas Tribune video 
 
 Image 26 of 55 Gov. Rick Perry's booking photo taken Aug. 19, 2014, at the Travis County Courthouse. Gov. Rick Perry's booking photo taken Aug. 19, 2014, at the Travis County Courthouse. Photo: Courtesy Photo. 
 
 Image 27 of 55 Texas Gov. Rick Perry, center, arrives at the Blackwell Thurman Criminal Justice Center, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014, in Austin, Texas. Perry has been booked on two felony counts of abuse of power for carrying out a threat to veto funding to state public corruption prosecutors. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less Texas Gov. Rick Perry, center, arrives at the Blackwell Thurman Criminal Justice Center, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014, in Austin, Texas. Perry has been booked on two felony counts of abuse of power for carrying out a ... more Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press 
 
 Image 28 of 55 Texas Gov. Rick Perry, front right, is escorted away from the Blackwell Thurman Criminal Justice Center, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014, in Austin, Texas. Perry has been booked on two felony counts of abuse of power for carrying out a threat to veto funding to state public corruption prosecutors. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less Texas Gov. Rick Perry, front right, is escorted away from the Blackwell Thurman Criminal Justice Center, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014, in Austin, Texas. Perry has been booked on two felony counts of abuse of power ... more Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press 
 
 Image 29 of 55 Gov. Rick Perry at the Travis County Courthouse on Aug. 19, 2014. Gov. Rick Perry at the Travis County Courthouse on Aug. 19, 2014. Photo: David Saleh Rauf/San Antonio Express-News 
 
 Image 30 of 55 Texas Gov. Rick Perry appears prior to his Aug. 19, 2014 booking in Austin on a charge of abuse of power. | Photo still from Texas Tribune video Texas Gov. Rick Perry appears prior to his Aug. 19, 2014 booking in Austin on a charge of abuse of power. | Photo still from Texas Tribune video Photo: Texas Tribune 
 
 Image 31 of 55 Texas Gov. Rick Perry appears prior to his Aug. 19, 2014 booking in Austin on a charge of abuse of power. | Photo still from Texas Tribune video Texas Gov. Rick Perry appears prior to his Aug. 19, 2014 booking in Austin on a charge of abuse of power. | Photo still from Texas Tribune video Photo: Texas Tribune 
 
 Image 32 of 55 Texas Gov. Rick Perry appears prior to his Aug. 19, 2014 booking in Austin on a charge of abuse of power. | Photo still from Texas Tribune video Texas Gov. Rick Perry appears prior to his Aug. 19, 2014 booking in Austin on a charge of abuse of power. | Photo still from Texas Tribune video Photo: Texas Tribune 
 
 Image 33 of 55 Texas Gov. Rick Perry appears prior to his Aug. 19, 2014 booking in Austin on a charge of abuse of power. | Photo still from Texas Tribune video Texas Gov. Rick Perry appears prior to his Aug. 19, 2014 booking in Austin on a charge of abuse of power. | Photo still from Texas Tribune video Photo: Texas Tribune 
 
 Image 34 of 55 Media wait for Gov. Rick Perry to be booked at the Travis County Courthouse. Media wait for Gov. Rick Perry to be booked at the Travis County Courthouse. Photo: David Saleh Rauf/San Antonio Express-News 
 
 Image 35 of 55 Media and Perry backers (w/flag) await his booking. Media and Perry backers (w/flag) await his booking. Photo: Peggy Fikac/San Antonio Express-News 
 
 Image 36 of 55 Gov. Rick Perry's indictment on two felony charges Friday set off a maelstrom of reactions from elected officials and political insiders. Scroll through the slideshow to see what Republicans and Democrats had to say about the charges. less Gov. Rick Perry's indictment on two felony charges Friday set off a maelstrom of reactions from elected officials and political insiders. Scroll through the slideshow to see what Republicans and Democrats had ... more Photo: Mengwen Cao, The Associated Press 
 
 Image 38 of 55 U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas: 
 
 “Unfortunately, there has been a sad history of the Travis County District Attorney’s Office engaging in politically-motivated prosecutions, and this latest indictment of the governor is extremely questionable,” Cruz said in a Facebook post. 
 
 “Rick Perry is a friend, he’s a man of integrity – I am proud to stand with Rick Perry. The Texas Constitution gives the governor the power to veto legislation, and a criminal indictment predicated on the exercise of his constitutional authority is, on its face, highly suspect.” 
 
 Pictured, during his address at the RedState Gathering, Sen. Ted Cruz said conservatives are near victory in big fights like Obamacare and immigration. less U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas: 
 
 “Unfortunately, there has been a sad history of the Travis County District Attorney’s Office engaging in politically-motivated prosecutions, and this latest indictment of the ... more Photo: Kin Man Hui / San Antonio Express-News 
 
 Image 39 of 55 Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush: 
 
 
 
 Florida Gov. Jeb Bush speaks at the George Bush Presidential Conference Center Friday, Jan. 18, 2002, in College Station, Texas. (Bryan-College Station Eagle, Butch Ireland) "The indictment of @GovernorPerry seems politically motivated and ridiculous. Major overreach and an encroachment on his veto authority," Bush tweeted Florida Gov. Jeb Bush speaks at the George Bush Presidential Conference Center Friday, Jan. 18, 2002, in College Station, Texas. (Bryan-College Station Eagle, Butch Ireland) less Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush: 
 
 
 
 Florida Gov. Jeb Bush "The indictment of @GovernorPerry seems politically motivated and ridiculous. Major overreach and an encroachment on his veto authority," Bush tweeted Florida Gov. Jeb Bush ... more Photo: A 
 
 Image 40 of 55 George P. Bush, Republican candidate for Texas Land Commissioner and son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush: 
 
 "Let's come together and #StandWithRickPerry to continue building our #texasmiracle," Bush tweeted. George P. Bush, Republican candidate for Texas Land Commissioner and son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush: 
 
 "Let's come together and #StandWithRickPerry to continue building our #texasmiracle," Bush tweeted. Photo: Helen L. Montoya / San Antonio Express-News 
 
 Image 42 of 55 Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pennsylvania: 
 
 
 
 Pictured, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, Republican from Pennsylvania, speaks at a luncheon sponsored by radio station KLUP at the Pearl Stable, Friday, May 30, 2014. "I #StandWithRickPerry against the Dem-controlled Travis Co TX DA's office which has a reputation for malicious prosecution of Republicans," Santorum tweeted Pictured, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, Republican from Pennsylvania, speaks at a luncheon sponsored by radio station KLUP at the Pearl Stable, Friday, May 30, 2014. less Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pennsylvania: 
 
 "I #StandWithRickPerry against the Dem-controlled Travis Co TX DA's office which has a reputation for malicious prosecution of Republicans," Santorum ... more Photo: BOB OWEN, San Antonio Express-News 
 
 Image 43 of 55 Outgoing Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst: 
 
 “I’m disappointed with Travis County’s attempts to criminalize state politics," Dewhurst said . "As I understand the facts, Governor Perry’s acts were consistent with what any House or Senate Finance Chair would do to get the attention of a state agency.” less Outgoing Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst: 
 
 “I’m disappointed with Travis County’s attempts to criminalize state politics," Dewhurst said . "As I understand the facts, Governor Perry’s acts were ... more Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle 
 
 Image 44 of 55 Texas House Speaker Joe Straus: 
 
 “The Texas Constitution gives the Governor clear veto authority, which the Legislature respects even when we disagree with some vetoes," Straus said . "That authority plays an important role in our system of government.” less Texas House Speaker Joe Straus: 
 
 “The Texas Constitution gives the Governor clear veto authority, which the Legislature respects even when we disagree with some vetoes," Straus said . "That authority plays ... more Photo: San Antonio Express-News File Photo 
 
 Image 45 of 55 Texas Republican Party Chairman Steve Munisteri: 
 
 “I think most reasonable people would come to the conclusion that it’s political in nature. I think most people would feel it’s not inappropriate to exercise a governor’s pergoative to not appropriate funds to a governmental authority that’s had a government official that’s conduced themselves in a way that gives the governor pause.” Munisteri said . “He has about a year and a half to the Iowa caucuses, so certainly this needs to be resolved before that.” Most Republican voters “will feel as I do – that this was politically motivated. This is not about somebody charged with taking a bribe … misusing government property. This is about a governor who said he didn’t want to agree to appropriations for a public official who had admittedly committed a crime.” “I don’t think anybody will think twice about it. Obviously, though, it’ll impact him if it hasn’t gone to trial or resolved prior to the 2016 season kicking into high gear. I think from his point of view he wants the quickest trial as possible.” less Texas Republican Party Chairman Steve Munisteri: 
 
 “I think most reasonable people would come to the conclusion that it’s political in nature. I think most people would feel it’s not inappropriate to ... more Photo: Eric Gay, Associated Press 
 
 Image 46 of 55 Greg Abbott, Texas Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial candidate: 
 
 Appearing on Fox News to discuss Texas’ border enforcement surge on Saturday , Abbott said he had not looked at the Friday indictment but said he questioned how Perry could be indicted for “using his veto . . . vetoing a law and exercising how power.” 
 
 
 
 Pictured, Abbott discusses his education policies while visiting the Toyota plant on Monday May 12, 2014. “I don’t know what to think of it,” Abbott said.Pictured, Abbott discusses his education policies while visiting the Toyota plant on Monday May 12, 2014. less Greg Abbott, Texas Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial candidate: 
 
 Appearing on Fox News to discuss Texas’ border enforcement surge on Saturday , Abbott said he had not looked at the Friday ... more Photo: SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS 
 
 Image 47 of 55 Wendy Davis, Democratic gubernatorial candidate: 
 
 Speaking with reporters before a block walk in Plfugerville on Saturday , Davis reiterated her statement Friday that she was troubled by the charges against Perry. 
 
 Asked whether Perry should step down, Davis told reporters: “As I said, there will be, I’m sure, more information that comes to light. I trust that the justice system will do its job, and these indictments handed down by the grand jury demonstrate that some very seriously potential crimes have been committed.” That puts her at odds with the state Democratic Party, which said the governor should resign shortly after the indictment was revealed. less Wendy Davis, Democratic gubernatorial candidate: 
 
 Speaking with reporters before a block walk in Plfugerville on Saturday , Davis reiterated her statement Friday that she was troubled by the charges against ... more Photo: Ralph Barrera / Austin American-Statesman 
 
 Image 48 of 55 Congressman Joaquin Castro: 
 
 Castro tweeted , "For the sake of Texas, Governor Perry should resign following his indictment on two criminal felony counts involving abuse of office." 
 
 Pictured, Castro chats in the lobby as Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro readies to speak at the National Association of Hispanic Journalists convention at the Marriott Rivercenter on August 9, 2014. less Congressman Joaquin Castro: 
 
 Castro tweeted , "For the sake of Texas, Governor Perry should resign following his indictment on two criminal felony counts involving abuse of office." 
 
 Pictured, Castro chats in the ... more Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News 
 
 Image 49 of 55 Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa: 
 
 
 
 Pictured, Newly-elected Texas State Democratic Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa meets with members of the Bexar County Young Democrats at Madhatters Tea House & Cafe, Wednesday, June 27, 2012. “Governor Rick Perry has brought dishonor to his office, his family and the state of Texas. Texans deserve to have leaders that stand up for what is right and work to help families across Texas. The indictment today shows a failure of Governor Perry to follow the law," Hinojosa said . "This is systematic of a broader problem: Ken Paxton is facing a possible indictment and Attorney General Abbott has refused to rule on whether Governor Perry can use taxpayer dollars to cover his legal expenses. We call on Governor Perry to immediately step down from office. Texans deserve real leadership and this is unbecoming of our Governor.”Pictured, Newly-elected Texas State Democratic Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa meets with members of the Bexar County Young Democrats at Madhatters Tea House & Cafe, Wednesday, June 27, 2012. less Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa: 
 
 “Governor Rick Perry has brought dishonor to his office, his family and the state of Texas. Texans deserve to have leaders that stand up for what is ... more Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News 
 
 Image 50 of 55 David Axelrod, former senior White House adviser to President Barack Obama: 
 
 This Jan. 28, 2011 file photo shows David Axelrod, outgoing senior White House adviser to President Barack Obama, during an interview with the Associated Press at the White House. Axelrod, who is a former political reporter for The Chicago Tribune, has known the president since the early 1990s and was a driving force behind Obama's message of change during the 2008 campaign. He is a calming influence on the Obama 2012 campaign team and has helped focus on middle-class voters. "Unless he was demonstrably trying to scrap the ethics unit for other than his stated reason, Perry indictment seems pretty sketchy," Axelrod tweeted This Jan. 28, 2011 file photo shows David Axelrod, outgoing senior White House adviser to President Barack Obama, during an interview with the Associated Press at the White House. Axelrod, who is a former political reporter for The Chicago Tribune, has known the president since the early 1990s and was a driving force behind Obama's message of change during the 2008 campaign. He is a calming influence on the Obama 2012 campaign team and has helped focus on middle-class voters. less David Axelrod, former senior White House adviser to President Barack Obama: "Unless he was demonstrably trying to scrap the ethics unit for other than his stated reason, Perry indictment seems pretty ... more Photo: AP 
 
 Image 51 of 55 Jim Messina, former campaign manager for President Barack Obama: 
 
 "Here's to suddenly loving the Texas legal process: Rick Perry indicted," Messina tweeted 
 
 Pictured, President Barack Obama's campaign manager Jim Messina tours the floor at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, Sept. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) (Charles Dharapak / Associated Press) Pictured, President Barack Obama's campaign manager Jim Messina tours the floor at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, Sept. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) (Charles Dharapak / Associated Press) less Jim Messina, former campaign manager for President Barack Obama: 
 
 "Here's to suddenly loving the Texas legal process: Rick Perry indicted," Messina tweeted 
 
 Pictured, President Barack Obama's campaign Pictured, President Barack Obama's campaign ... more 
 
 Image 52 of 55 CNN political analyst Paul Begala: 
 
 
 
 Pictured, Begala, of Washington, D.C. via Austin, talks with Mayor Julian Castro, right, and Joaquin Castro, center, the morning after his keynote speech at CNN Grill during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012. Begala tweeted : "Thought bubble as @GovernorPerry goes for his mug shot: "Do these glasses make me look innocent?" less CNN political analyst Paul Begala: 
 
 
 
 Pictured, Begala, of Washington, D.C. via Austin, Begala tweeted : "Thought bubble as @GovernorPerry goes for his mug shot: "Do these glasses make me look innocent?" ... more Photo: Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News 
 
 Image 53 of 55 Michael Quinn Sullivan, president of the conservative Texans for Fiscal Responsibility: 
 
 Sullivan tweeted , "Malicious prosecution to silence conservatives is newest weapon of the establishment nationally and, sadly, in Texas. #StandWithRickPerry" less Michael Quinn Sullivan, president of the conservative Texans for Fiscal Responsibility: 
 
 Sullivan tweeted , "Malicious prosecution to silence conservatives is newest weapon of the establishment nationally and, ... more Photo: Courtesy Photo 
 
 Image 54 of 55 Griffin Perry, son of Rick and Anita Perry: 
 
 "Two pieces of wisdom: 1/2 Proverbs 18:17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines," 
 
 Pictured, Texas Gov. Rick Perry holds his new granddaughter Ella Gray Perry, as his son Griffin, right, Ella Gray's father stands close by. "Two pieces of wisdom: 1/2 Proverbs 18:17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines," Griffin Perry tweeted Pictured, Texas Gov. Rick Perry holds his new granddaughter Ella Gray Perry, as his son Griffin, right, Ella Gray's father stands close by. less Griffin Perry, son of Rick and Anita Perry: 
 
 "Two pieces of wisdom: 1/2 Proverbs 18:17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines," "Two pieces of wisdom: 1/2 Proverbs 18:17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines," Griffin Perry ... more Photo: San Antonio Express-News 

 AUSTIN – The special prosecutor in Gov. Rick Perry's case said Monday there will not be an arrest warrant issued for him on the charges that he abused his power. 
 
 "I've agreed that only a summons will be issued" for Perry to appear in court, said San Antonio lawyer Michael McCrum, the special prosecutor. He said that is not unusual and that Perry is not getting special treatment. 
 
 The case revolves around Perry's threat last year to veto funding for a public corruption unit overseen by Democratic Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg unless she resigned in the wake of a messy drunken-driving arrest. She stayed in office, and the Republican governor vetoed the money, saying she had lost the public's confidence. 
 
 McCrum emphasized that it's not unusual to do without a warrant in his experience, which includes a stint as a federal prosecutor. 
 
 "In my experience as a prosecutor, I've done that before in cases where I do not see a risk of flight nor a risk that evidence will be destroyed," McCrum said. "I don't want anybody to get the impression he's being given any special favors." 
 
 McCrum and Perry's lawyer planned to talk Monday to decide on a date for Perry's arraignment in court. 
 
 It is unclear when Perry will turn himself in to be processed. 
 
 McCrum said he had told Perry's lawyer, David Botsford, that "so long as it happens this week, I have no particular preference on what day it happens." 
 
 Asked whether Perry would be required to have a mug shot, McCrum said, "He's going to have to be processed like every other person who is charged with a crime." 
 
 Perry was indicted Friday on one count of abuse of official capacity, a first-degree felony punishable by five to 99 years in prison, and one count of coercion of a public servant, a third-degree felony carrying a punishment of two to 10 years in prison. 
 
 He has contended the indictment is politically motivated and that he acted within his constitutional authority.
– Texas Gov. Rick Perry will be spared the indignity of an arrest warrant over his indictment on abuse-of-power charges, but he still must have his mugshot taken, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. "He's going to have to be processed like every other person who is charged with a crime," explains special prosecutor Michael McCrum. It's not clear when Perry will turn himself in for processing, but the San Antonio Express-News says supporters expect it to happen later today and are planning a rally at the Travis County courthouse in Austin. Meanwhile, even Perry's usual critics on the New York Times editorial board agree with the governor that this is a case of "overzealous prosecution." Perry threatened to withhold funding for an anti-corruption unit unless the Democratic DA in charge of it resigned in the wake of drunken-driving charges. She didn't, and Perry vetoed the money. That shows "bad political judgment," says the Times, but it's no felony. The governor still needs that mugshot, however, and the Austin American-Statesman solicits advice for him from some image experts: "Ditch the glasses and think happy thoughts." (Here's an idea of what Perry might wear to get his mugshot taken.)