You know that Rick Perry who portrayed himself as a rugged individualist, flirted with secession and generally suggested the federal government wasn’t worth a bucket of warm spit and ought to be knee-capped? Yeah well, that was then. This is now:

Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) on Thursday declared a disaster area and said he planned to request federal funds in response to an explosion at a fertilizer plant in Waco that may have killed as many as 15 people.

At a press conference, the governor thanked President Barack Obama for calling for offer quick action after Wednesday night’s explosion.

“Last night was truly a nightmare scenario for that community,” Perry said. “President Obama called from Air Force One as he was en route to Boston… We greatly appreciate his call, and his gracious offer of support, of course, and the quick turnaround of the emergency declaration that will be forthcoming, and his offer of prayers.”

That’s okay, Rick, it’s never to late to change from being a “maker” to a “taker.” If Wall Street can do it, why can’t you? Consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds anyway, I’m told.