Perry defends recession remark

AUSTIN (AP) - Republican Gov. Rick Perry said videotape seeming to show him questioning whether Texas is in a recession is only a "snippet" of what he told a Houston business group and shouldn't be taken out of context.

Perry told reporters Tuesday he regards the Texas economy and job creation with seriousness.

He said anyone who listens to what he said repeatedly or in the Houston speech Thursday would know that.

He said the videotape is the work of a "political hack."

It shows him discussing Texas' emergence from the recession and saying, "We're in one?"

The video was shot by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's gubernatorial campaign and was posted on YouTube.

Hutchison's campaign has been circulating news stories highlighting Perry's remarks.