Published: September 29, 2009 11:32 am      

Perry's campaign runs Amway-style voter program

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Gov. Rick Perry's re-election campaign is paying volunteers to sign up other volunteers.

It's also pledging to come up with more cash for those who turn out voters in the March Republican primary. Incentives for campaign volunteers usually consist of campaign souvenirs or special opportunities.

Offering cash is rare, but legal.

The Dallas Morning News reported Tuesday on the Amway-style program, known as Perry Home Headquarters.

Perry spokesman Mark Miner said it offers an incentive to work hard for the governor.

Perry is facing U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison in the March GOP primary for governor. Hutchison's campaign compared Perry's voter recruitment program to tactics used by ACORN, the embattled community organizing group that has long been a target of conservative critics.