GD POLITICS — Episode Summary

Episode: Rick Perry on the Texas Primary, Psychedelics, and His Debate 'Oops'
Host: Galen Druke
Guest: Rick Perry (Former Governor of Texas, Former Secretary of Energy)
Date: February 19, 2026

Overview

This episode features a candid and wide-ranging interview with Rick Perry, delving into the current Texas Senate primary, Perry’s very personal experience and advocacy for the psychoactive drug ibogaine, and an honest reflection on his infamous 2012 “Oops” debate moment. Perry provides insight into political character and party dynamics, explains his surprising policy advocacy as a social conservative, and offers personal anecdotes about leadership, faith, and public life.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. The Texas Republican Senate Primary

(Starts ~01:58)

• Endorsement for John Cornyn:
  Perry strongly endorses Senator John Cornyn for re-election, emphasizing Cornyn’s character and reliability compared to challenger Ken Paxton (Texas Attorney General).

  “Character counts. Ronald Reagan said that… The character of John Cornyn versus the character of Ken Paxton...there's no comparison.” – Perry (02:27)

• Critique of Ken Paxton:
  Perry frames Paxton’s controversies and ethical lapses as central issues, stressing the importance of integrity in public office.

  "Do I want to have someone who has clearly been immoral, unethical and illegal representing me in the United States Senate?” – Perry (05:24)

• Decline of Traditional GOP Influence:
  Perry attributes changes within the Texas GOP to a drifting away from “Judeo Christian values," using his weekly Bible study as metaphor.

  “The Bible is that checklist. So if the Republican Party is going to be the party of Judeo Christian value, then having someone who basically has flaunted those rules…” – Perry (07:00)

• Trump’s Role in the Primary:
  Perry downplays Trump’s influence in this race:

  “This election’s not about Trump, obviously... He is not endorsed in this race. As a matter of fact, he has made the statement that he knows all three of them, likes all three of them...So in my opinion, he's a non factor here.” – Perry (11:44)

• Implications if Paxton Wins:
  He views a potential Paxton victory as a troubling sign of declining standards.

  “The idea that character doesn't count. I mean, if you want that to be your bumper sticker, good luck.” – Perry (14:50)

2. The Democratic Senate Primary in Texas

(Starts ~15:06)

• Perry avoids taking sides, but predicts a Republican victory unless the party “picks a massively flawed candidate” (16:20).
  On Democratic candidate James Talarico’s faith:

  “My advice to him would be, you know, is your mortal soul worth more than your political position...? As an individual who will stand up in front of a group of people and profess Christianity and to be pro abortion does not...to me, those two don't mix.” – Perry (18:46)

3. Psychedelics, Ibogaine, and Mental Health Advocacy

(Begins ~19:59)

• Personal Experience with Ibogaine:
  Perry details being treated with ibogaine in Mexico for mild insomnia and anxiety rooted in youth concussions. He describes surprisingly positive mental health outcomes and brain imaging showing reduced atrophy.

  “Six months later, after one treatment with ibogaine, the atrophy no longer showed up on my fmri.” – Perry (27:54)

  • Emphasizes that he is not advocating recreational use, but strictly medical/clinical research.

• Ibogaine’s Risks & Prospects:
  Host raises medical risks (notably cardiac complications), which Perry addresses, citing magnesium drip protocols that reduce dangers and urges FDA to reschedule ibogaine to allow further clinical trials.

  “I would like to see it rescheduled from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3, where there can be substantial clinical trials across the country.” – Perry (30:32)

• Advocacy Bridging Conservative Skepticism:
  Perry tells how testimony from struggling veterans moved conservative lawmakers to support clinical trials.

  “…those members of the legislature looked into the eyes of those veterans… until this medicine came along and they were introduced to ibogaine… and that changed minds.” – Perry (43:51)

  • Cites scientific studies and high rates of addiction recovery in preliminary research:

    “One treatment, one oral treatment with ibogaine and people who have been addicted to alcohol and 85% of the cases and the initial studies… they're cured, they're healed.” – Perry (33:05)

4. The 'Oops' Debate Moment — Behind the Scenes

(Begins ~49:09)

• Perry offers a full recounting of his much-memed 2012 debate gaffe, attributing it to the after-effects of major back surgery, opioid painkillers, Ambien for insomnia, and Provigil for alertness — a brutal cocktail during a campaign.

  “I'm surprised I functioned as well as I did, that I could even remember two of the three that I was going to get rid of...It was a brutal period of time.” – Perry (50:29)

• He draws a lesson about the insidiousness of opioid addiction and the need for better medical approaches, connecting back to ibogaine advocacy.

  “Opioids are incredibly...some people are very prone to be...addicted to them and addicted to them very quickly. ...With the treatment of ibogaine, that brain scan gets back to a normal looking brain between 48 and 72 hours.” – Perry (53:04)

• On whether “oops” cost him the presidency:

  “I think I was a candidate who was probably not going to be successful because of my physical and my mental state due to the surgery...It all turned out all right from my perspective.” – Perry (55:58)

5. Reflections on Politics & Message for the Future

(Starts ~57:43)

• Perry emphasizes federalism, state competition, and a hard-headed realism about the combative nature of American politics.

  “Governing is really pretty easy. It's finding the people who are willing to just stay focused...Being a federalist at heart and believing in the 10th Amendment and letting the states be the laboratories of innovation...” – Perry (58:09)

• He ultimately declines to offer a purely optimistic closing, stressing that politics is meant for “testing” and recovery from failure.

  “If you're looking for a quiet, easy place to live, America and capitalism are probably not where you want to be...You're going to be tested and you're going to fail. Are you going to get up? We'll see.” – Perry (59:20)

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |---|---|---| | 02:27 | “Character counts. Ronald Reagan said that...” | Rick Perry | | 07:00 | "...The Bible is that checklist. So if the Republican Party is going to be the party of Judeo Christian value, then having someone who basically has flaunted those rules..." | Rick Perry | | 18:46 | “As an individual who will stand up in front of a group of people and profess Christianity and to be pro abortion does not...to me, those two don't mix.” | Rick Perry | | 27:54 | “Six months later, after one treatment with ibogaine, the atrophy no longer showed up on my fmri.” | Rick Perry | | 30:32 | “I would like to see it rescheduled from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3, where there can be substantial clinical trials across the country.” | Rick Perry | | 33:05 | “One treatment, one oral treatment with ibogaine...in 85% of the cases...they're cured, they're healed.” | Rick Perry | | 43:51 | “...those members of the legislature looked into the eyes of those veterans...and that changed minds.” | Rick Perry | | 50:29 | “I'm surprised I functioned as well as I did...It was a brutal period of time.” | Rick Perry | | 53:04 | "With the treatment of ibogaine, that brain scan gets back to a normal looking brain between 48 and 72 hours." | Rick Perry | | 55:58 | “It all turned out all right from my perspective. I’m a lot more interested in where God has got me placed at the moment...” | Rick Perry | | 59:20 | “If you're looking for a quiet, easy place to live, America and capitalism are probably not where you want to be...You're going to be tested and you're going to fail. Are you going to get up? We'll see.” | Rick Perry |

Episode Structure & Timestamps

• 00:27 – Introduction and themes [Galen Druke]
• 01:55 – Welcome, Texas primary and Cornyn endorsement
• 04:49 – Unexpected Cornyn-Paxton dynamic
• 07:00 – Biblical values in GOP, character
• 11:44 – Relationship to Trump and GOP direction
• 15:06 – Democratic primary analysis
• 19:59 – Ibogaine experience and policy advocacy
• 29:02 – Risks, clinical research, and reclassifying ibogaine
• 35:39 – The ibogaine “journey” and healing potential
• 43:14 – Bridging conservative skepticism on psychedelics
• 49:09 – The 2012 "Oops" moment, medical context, and reflections
• 57:43 – Politics, leadership, and final message
• 60:14 – Conclusion and farewell

Tone & Takeaways

The tone is forthright, personal, and occasionally humorous, with Perry comfortable confronting both his successes and mistakes. The conversation bridges state and personal politics with evolving positions on policy, especially where hard-won experience or new evidence provokes change. Perry is unwavering in his emphasis on character, but also seeks practical, compassionate solutions—particularly for veterans struggling with addiction and trauma.

This summary captures the episode’s rich political analysis, open testimony regarding medical innovation and mental health, and reflections on American governance and personal growth. Even for those who haven’t listened, it provides the context, heart, and key moments of an interview that blends policy depth with genuine personal narrative.