Karl Rove is just the latest of George W. Bush’s allies to express his displeasure with Rick Perry, who has criticized the former president for abandoning fiscal conservatism.

Rove apparently thinks Perry owes Bush his position, but Texas Monthly notes what Rove forgot to mention:

He had no choice but to help Perry. If Perry lost to Democrat John Sharp, and Bush ran for president (as it was clear he intended to do), his Republican rivals could say, If Bush wins the nomination, the governor of Texas will be a Democrat.

In short, Bush’s folks only helped Perry because otherwise the talking point would have been that Bush’s nomination would elect a Democrat.

In fact, Bush’s people and Perry’s people apparently have a history of disliking each other. Which may be why Perry has no apprehension over hitting Bush for abandoning conservatism.