Upon his arrival at the ranch, Cleland -- who lost both legs and an arm during the Vietnam War -- was met by Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, himself a Vietnam veteran.

CNN: Political drama unfolds as letter carriers fail to deliver

Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson meanwhile promised in a statement that any of the state's coastline affected by the spill "will be cleaned up quickly and BP will be picking up the tab".

BBC: Gulf oil spill reaches Texas as tar balls wash ashore

Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, a Republican who counts himself a friend and supporter of Mr. Perry, predicted that the governor would bounce back in his home state, where his party holds majorities in both chambers of government.

WSJ: A Battered Perry Heads Back to Texas