Texas Gov. Rick Perry's words resonate near and far

HOUSTON — Texas Gov. Rick Perry wants to make one thing clear.

"We live in a great country," he said, hands pressed to his chest. "I'm not in favor of Texas seceding."

That said, Perry insisted that those who jumped on his statement last month -- a seeming nod and wink at the idea -- were purposely trying to distract from the real problem: Washington's overreaching.

"This was a classic example of trying to deflect off the issue at hand, which people were talking about," Perry said, doing a bit of his own deflecting between stops on a steamy Houston afternoon. "They're sick of Washington overspending. They're sick of Washington mandating to states how to run their business. That's what this country ought to be having a discussion about."

It might seem Perry has President Obama and congressional Democrats in mind, and, in fact, his contempt for the Beltway crowd has made him a folk hero to many conservatives nationwide who would gladly see Washington revert to its original swampland.

But his main target is closer to home: fellow Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison, the state's popular U.S. senator and the biggest threat to Perry's hopes for an unprecedented third term and, some say, a shot at national office.

Everything is bigger (and better) in Texas, as Texans will tell you, and the March primary promises to be one of next year's marquee contests. On one side is Perry, 59, hoping to galvanize the shrinking GOP base with a message of unstinting, unadulterated, keep-your-hands-off conservatism.

On the other side is the somewhat less conservative Hutchison, 65, who speaks softly and hopes to broaden the party's appeal to Democrats, independents and, most crucial, the kind of moderate Republican who votes in November but rarely in March.

Theirs is a fight playing out nationally, but it is all the more resonant in Texas, home of former President George W. Bush, who helped deliver the GOP to its unhappy state.

"In some ways this is a perfect litmus test," said Royal Masset, a longtime Republican strategist, who questions whether the party has a place for moderate conservatives like him.

It is a fight few Texas Republicans want; few, that is, save Perry, who has a history of winning close, nasty contests and seems to campaign best when pressed to a wall.