Perry Road-Tests A Stump Speech

National Journal ^ | 18 Jun 2011 | Reid Wilson

[mandaladon]

NEW ORLEANS, La.--Republican activists have waited all week to see a front-running presidential candidate. When Texas Gov. Rick Perry took the stage Saturday, they may have finally gotten their glimpse.

In a 20-minute address to about 2,000 activists at the Republican Leadership Conference, Perry decried the Obama administration and even Republicans he blamed for "apologizing" while touting his own record with remarks that sounded conspicuously like a stump speech.

"This administration in Washington that's in power now clearly believes that government is not only the answer to every need, but it's the most qualified to make the most central decisions for every American in every area," Perry said. He called Obama's approach to the economy "an affront to every freedom-loving American and a threat to every private sector job in this country."

"I stand before you today as a disciplined, conservative Texan, a committed Republican and a proud American, united with you in the desire to restore our nation and revive the American dream," he said.

Though he has adamantly denied an interest in running for president for years, Perry's attitude has changed in recent weeks. He has reportedly dispatched aides to Iowa to feel out the political situation in the home of the crucial first caucus. Now, his biggest supporters believe he is likely to enter the presidential race.

"I do think he'll get in. And it won't be because he wants to, it'll be because he thinks he needs to," said Bill Crocker, chairman of the Texas Republican Party. Crocker introduced Perry to members of the Republican National Committee at a luncheon in Dallas last month.

[Cheetahcat]

Sure,I have NO USE for a MUSLIM AZZ KISSER,Maybe you do in some twisted way!

[Cheetahcat]

Sure,I have NO USE for a MUSLIM AZZ KISSER,Maybe you do in some twisted way!

[Cheetahcat]

Sure,I have NO USE for a MUSLIM AZZ KISSER,Maybe you do in some twisted way!

[Cheetahcat]

Sure,I have NO USE for a MUSLIM AZZ KISSER,Maybe you do in some twisted way!

[Cheetahcat]

Sorry, about that posting ,but there is a problem with the site.

[af_vet_rr]

Stay at it, you all are really impressing and influencing.

You go right on supporting Giuliani supporters and friends like Rick Perry, but there are plenty of serious pro-lifers like my wife that will not support Perry for trying to get a pro-abortion candidate elected to the White House. For them, the pro-life issue is serious and Perry's campaigning for Giuliani for the White House and his continued friendship and support before and after the 2008 campaign is something not to be casually tossed aside. They look down upon abortion the way Jim Robinson does. I'm not as fanatical about being pro-life as they are, but I certainly understand and agree. For me, Perry has done more than enough before and after his campaigning for Giuliani to not get my support.

You also go right on pretending that it's okay if Perry has serious non-conservative lapses as long as conservatives push to keep him honest, but as I said, a lot of us believe that you shouldn't have to force a conservative politician to be conservative.

[dusttoyou]

Thanks for validating my point.

[dusttoyou]

Thanks for validating my point.

[af_vet_rr]

Now, Perry is Muslim sympathizer? In what way?

Perry is very good friends with Aga Khan, and he's helped Aga Khan start on a new Muslim center in Plano or Dallas and has hosted some celebration that covered Khan's 50 years as the leader of whatever Muslim sect he is in, as well as some other stuff for Khan.

Yeah, Aga Khan is a descendant of Mohammed, and yeah Perry is good friends with him, but Aga Khan is about as good of a Muslim as you'll find - he's done a lot of charity work and has tried to steer Muslims away from violence with non-Muslims. I'll get flamed for saying this, but it should be way down the list of things to not like Perry for and is a bit unfair. The guy didn't choose to be a descendant of Mohammed.

[eddie willers]

Thanks for a voice of sanity.

The purity tests and the circular firing squad that has been assembling daily at FR has been disheartening to say the least.

[Cheetahcat]

No you validated mine, Abu!!!!WE do not need Muslim Lackeys in Power here and anyone too damn stupid to see WHY should not run for anything!

[dusttoyou]

So you claim to represent JimRob? Betya don’t!

I doubt there are many on FR that support abortion. With the record Perry has, its a pretty good stretch to try to tie his position to Rudy’s totally unacceptable one. Making a speech for any candidate does not mean the speaker agrees with EVERY position of the candidate.

Somehow your fringe has a mistaken and rather naive assumption that you are going to find the perfect candidate that agrees 100% with what you think. Get real, how is that even remotely possible with 300 Mil citizens each with own opinion?

Like it or not politics is compromise. It is each of our responsibility to filter through all the chaff to find the one that is most likely to do the most right for the most people.

My concern with you “conservative purists” is when you don’t get your Mr or Ms Perfect Conservative, you’ll sit out another election and we’ll all end up with more and even worse nobama.

I do not endorse or favor Perry at this point in the process. He does have some things that are worth considering. My personal preference would be Palin. I sure don’t like the bunch who claim to be running now, for a wide variety of reasons.

[dusttoyou]

So you claim to represent JimRob? Betya don’t!

I doubt there are many on FR that support abortion. With the record Perry has, its a pretty good stretch to try to tie his position to Rudy’s totally unacceptable one. Making a speech for any candidate does not mean the speaker agrees with EVERY position of the candidate.

Somehow your fringe has a mistaken and rather naive assumption that you are going to find the perfect candidate that agrees 100% with what you think. Get real, how is that even remotely possible with 300 Mil citizens each with own opinion?

Like it or not politics is compromise. It is each of our responsibility to filter through all the chaff to find the one that is most likely to do the most right for the most people.

My concern with you “conservative purists” is when you don’t get your Mr or Ms Perfect Conservative, you’ll sit out another election and we’ll all end up with more and even worse nobama.

I do not endorse or favor Perry at this point in the process. He does have some things that are worth considering. My personal preference would be Palin. I sure don’t like the bunch who claim to be running now, for a wide variety of reasons.

[dusttoyou]

So you claim to represent JimRob? Betya don’t!

I doubt there are many on FR that support abortion. With the record Perry has, its a pretty good stretch to try to tie his position to Rudy’s totally unacceptable one. Making a speech for any candidate does not mean the speaker agrees with EVERY position of the candidate.

Somehow your fringe has a mistaken and rather naive assumption that you are going to find the perfect candidate that agrees 100% with what you think. Get real, how is that even remotely possible with 300 Mil citizens each with own opinion?

Like it or not politics is compromise. It is each of our responsibility to filter through all the chaff to find the one that is most likely to do the most right for the most people.

My concern with you “conservative purists” is when you don’t get your Mr or Ms Perfect Conservative, you’ll sit out another election and we’ll all end up with more and even worse nobama.

I do not endorse or favor Perry at this point in the process. He does have some things that are worth considering. My personal preference would be Palin. I sure don’t like the bunch who claim to be running now, for a wide variety of reasons.

[dusttoyou]

Hard to know when getting SERVICE TEMP UNAVAILABLE. No intent to hit multiples.

[af_vet_rr]

So you claim to represent JimRob? Betya don’t!

No, not at all, I was using him as an example, as Jim Robinson has widely known views on abortion. If I used my wife's name, it would mean absolutely nothing to you. Jim Robinson on the other hand, you're instantly familiar with his views on abortion.

With the record Perry has, its a pretty good stretch to try to tie his position to Rudy’s totally unacceptable one.

I don't care what Perry says his position is, actions speak louder than words, and his actions are that he actively campaigned for a pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, and pro-gun control candidate for the White House in 2008.

In the eyes of serious pro-lifers, you don't campaign for a pro-abortion candidate like Giuliani, period. I may not have that level of belief when it comes to being pro-life, but the older I get, the harder the stance I take on it. I certainly understand pro-lifers who feel that way.

Somehow your fringe has a mistaken and rather naive assumption that you are going to find the perfect candidate that agrees 100% with what you think.

I don't need somebody who is perfect, I just want somebody I can trust to be a conservative and not try and line the pockets of his friends or get despicable people elected.

Like it or not politics is compromise. It is each of our responsibility to filter through all the chaff to find the one that is most likely to do the most right for the most people.

That kind of thinking is what got us Juan McAmnesty at the front of the ticket in 2008.

[Eva]

It’s extremely counter productive to attack your own party during a primary. Attack issues, is you must, but leave the politics of personal destruction out of it. Don’t do the Democrat’s job for them.

Every single Republican candidate, with the possible exception of Mitt Romney has something positive to bring to the table. If we emphasize the positives we can actually have more influence than we will have being constantly negative. It is possible to move the whole slate of candidates right with positive pressure.

[af_vet_rr]

It’s ironic when you think about it - if Rick Perry had been a FReeper, and he made posts supporting Giuliani that mirrored the actual speeches and interviews he gave while campaigning for Giuliani, he would have been banned.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

And allow me to go on the record to say that I greatly admire and thank John McCain for his service in our military, and for the hardships and anguish he endured while held a prisoner. However, the Senator & Presidential candidate Juan McCamnesty has been a disgrace to conservatism, especially the last 10-15 years.

[Cheetahcat]

No counter productive, are you Listening??? helping our MORTAL enemy build a DAMN Mosque!!