Posted on 10/27/2011 11:05:28 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Numerous preemptive obituaries are being written for Governor Rick Perry’s campaign. These efforts are premature because they fail to understand and appreciate the fickle winds of political fortune.
Governor Perry has substantial political assets that make him a potent candidate and that will give him another chance to prove himself to Republican voters.
Each candidate brings their own set of positives and negatives to the game:
Mitt Romney has money to burn, establishment support, business experience, and passable debating skills. He also has a record far to the left of the majority of Republicans, a history of changing his position on major issues, and gives the impression that he will let you down when your back is turned.
Herman Cain has business experience, a high likability factor, and a fresh approach to conventional problems. He also has a propensity for confusing statements, no history of political success, and seems less vested in his own campaign than are his supporters.
Newt Gingrich has laser-like intelligence, a thorough understanding of policy choices, and excellent debating skills. He also has two ex-wives, a tendency to talk too much, and a manner that strikes many independents and women as smug or arrogant.
Rick Perry is not an able debater. In fact he seems to be bored with the entire exercise and I don’t blame him for that. The process that currently passes for “debate” is a valueless mixture of antagonistic press conference and TV quiz show. Rick Perry is not a policy wonk. Neither was Ronald Reagan. Neither was Dwight Eisenhower. Neither was George Washington.
What Governor Perry does have is:
A demonstrated ability to win elections.
A demonstrated understanding of how to lead and govern.
A Reaganesque capacity to touch the “mystic chords of memory” that bind us together.
A large stockpile of cash.
A set of opponents who all have significant electoral problems of their own.
While being ahead is intuitively always better than being behind, the clear political fact is that polls in October-November-December, don’t win elections in January and February. An Iowa State University poll published on November 18, 2003 showed Howard Dean at 29%, Dick Gephardt at 21%, John Kerry at 15%, and John Edwards at 8%. A Pew Research poll published on December 2, 2003 showed Dean at 26%, Gephardt at 22%, Kerry at 9%, and Edwards at 5%. (H/T nationalpolls.com)
The Democrat’s experience in 2004 is I think highly relevant as it was largely the mirror image of 2012. Eight years ago Democrats loathed George W. Bush just as conservatives today can’t stomach Barack Obama. Like Obama now, Bush was widely seen as vulnerable and thus there was a wide open scrum for the Democrat nomination.
For all his money Mitt Romney has been unable to close the deal with Republican voters. For all his current polling success, Herman Cain still appears to be a long shot to stay the distance. For all of his smarts and ability Newt Gingrich retains major downside risks.
The flaws of his opponents, together with his own considerable skill and potential, leaves an opening the size of Texas for Governor Rick Perry.
“...but keep pushing him and turning us off. “ <<<<
Keep trolling and turning us on. No enthusiasm for your own candidate(s), I take it? It’s starting to show. Considering you spend your time coursing through Perry threads for kicks. I get it. It IS much more interesting to be the one “coming on”, rather than the guy simply
“hanging on”. Guess we’ll get to see more of you. Cool. We’re all in, here, that’s for sure, and certainly Campaign Rick has traditionally come from behind, so we do know how that gets done, over you or through you, it doesn’t matter.
” And then when I mentioned that after those remarks I liked Perry a little better, the vitriol was astounding—enough so that at this point, judging from Cain’s supporters, I wouldn’t vote for him if he were the last candidate on the ballot. I wonder if they realize how much harm they are doing for the man they claim to support? “ <<<<
You don’t really believe these are Cain supporters do you? This is Romney/Obama at work, plain and simple. This much hysteria has nothing to do with conservatives, JOBS, or Cain, but they can’t say their for Romney and be on FR. They do their best to troll Perry in the attempt to bring down Romney’s only nemesis, Rick Perry, who is the threat coming. It is utterly delightful to hear the roar out there against it.!!
It’s fascinating how much hatred and venom is directed at Mr. Perry in this thread. To the haters: if you hate Mr. Perry so much, then why bother posting to a thread like this? Or is spewing hatred and venom the only pleasure you derive from life?
” Up to the job? Rick Perry runs a state with 24 million people, with the 13th largest economy in the world and a 1200 mile international border.
He’s flown C-130’s all over the world.
He was an Air Force Captain with a military command. He’s an Eagle Scout.
He created over a million jobs while the US lost 2 million.
Rick Perry is more qualified to be president and is more ready to lead this nation than Herman Cain has ever been in his life.
Rick Perry came from the poor rural cotton farms of West Texas and became the governor of one of the most powerful states in the US.
There is no better candidate. Better debater? Romney and Newt.
Better motivational speaker? Yep Herman Cain (who by the way has a rule among his lower level staff, don’t speak unless spoken too).
Better candidate for President. No way. More prepared to lead this nation? Perry and Newt are the only ones. “ <<<<
Worth repeating. Rick matters, in a time when DC, and frankly a lot of FR, has become all about lipstick thinking, (looking for anything new and that sparkles who has a mouth) the line in the sand kind of guy is pretty darned exciting. Great comment.
More accurately, its the mentality and ideology that made him say “No Heart”. It screams “Not a conservative!”
Bump!!
What is wrong with you?
The debate formats are nothing more than a chance for the MSM to ask gotcha questions and leave no time for the candidates to fully explain their positions.
Don’t know why people can’t see that.
Perry likes to lockup the "Female Fantasy" vote early.
The women Perry appeals to are still hot, only now it comes in flashes.
: )
WRT debates-----he can’t handle the questions, and the vetting of his Texas record shows him in a very bad ligh.
Very few politicans have displayed Perry's total ignorance----and his terrified "deer in the headlights" look as he stumbled through the debates.
This coward is copping out of future debates b/c he can't control his disdain and contempt for voters.
And if I ever find out he sucked up to Mexico by telling these foreigners he thought Americans were "heartless"....in my book, that would be grounds for treason.
The more C Wife pimps for Perry, the lower his numbers go here at FR.Now it is down to crumbs. Maybe we should hope she keeps it up : )
Heh-—good point.
Looks like Perry’s worst enemies are his “friends.”
Look for "Raza Studies"------courses indoctrinating young Americans WRT Pedagogy of The Oppressed---- books depicting America as land grabbers, oppressing poor, starving Latinos, and the need for revolution to take back what they think belongs to them.
Ricky's sucking up to Islam has garnered Sharia Law Courts in the Texas justice system----ready to transfer to the federal level by a Perry WH----and at least one triumphal Texas mosque in cattle country. More's to come, you can bet.
” the pledge of allegiance to Mexico, and the singing of the Mexican ntl anthem is now in Texas Schools. “
No joke ?
LOL!
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