Rick Perry: Perhaps Not Out of This Race Yet!

National Review Online ^ | Januarey 4, 2012 | Jim Geraghty

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Last night, I wondered if four of the “Not Romneys” would “have the self-control to stop hitting the other Not Romneys and focus on Romney?” For much of this morning, it appeared there would be two fewer of them, with indications that Perry and Bachmann would depart the race.

But now, perhaps not; Perry’s personal Twitter account just chirped, “And the next leg of the marathon is the Palmetto State…Here we come South Carolina!!!” It featured this photo:

[MachIV]

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

[Lib-Lickers 2]

Santorum isn’t near the top here so he’ll be helping Romney

[RitaOK]

PERRY, GINGRICH and SANTORUM will triple team ROMNEY, for the good of the conservative cause.

I believe they will be a force against all the CASH Romney’s Super PAC is using to pick them off one by one.

That is, Romeny can PICK THEM OFF ONE AT A TIME. Together, they can compete against the ESTABLISHMENT and send a message, if not incinerate them. Let us pray.

[Tribune7]

Good

[World'sGoneInsane]

End of the road speech last night? Maybe he found another path!

[gov_bean_ counter]

Thanks.

[Dr. Sivana]

I believe attacking Romney is a waste of time and money. I don’ think Romney’s numbers can be moved. Romney represents a percentage of the party that HATES the rest of us.

That's not why he should attack Romney. He should attack Romney to show that he is compatible with the majority of conservatives who don't want Romney.
Concerted attacks on Romney also belie the notion that he is the consensus candidate.

[Vigilanteman]

I heard Perry on Hannity yesterday and found his performance appalling. He was focusing his entire attack on Rick Santorum.

Tactically, that might have been smart if he thinks he cannot win over the Romney voters anyway. But strategically, it is stupid as it continues to split the vote.

Santorum may not do all that well in New Hampshire, but his performance last night will ensure that he is competitive in South Carolina.

He need to buy a clue from Michelle Bachmann and drop out.

[TexasFreeper2009]

I still have a small fleeting hope that Perry might reconnect the other side of his brain and come back :)

I have no confidence in Santorum at all, last night will be his one and only victory.

[World'sGoneInsane]

The Perry haters deserve Romney. Oh, maybe that is what they are here for.

[jersey117]

Glad to hear it. We are going to need a strong Second Amendment advocate to go up against obama - big time. Obama has made some bold unconstitutional moves over the last couple of days. It is going to be a rough ride and we need someone to take him on in SC and Florida. I suggest that when Perry comes back, he goes after Obama directly and forget the petty back and forth with he others. He needs to show what he’s made of going up against obama.

[CatherineofAragon]

“I am so damn happy right now. Even the Perry haters can’t bring me down.”

Amen. Rick Perry is not a quitter. So much for the guarantees that he would drop out today. ;)

There is absolutely no reason for him to drop out now. God bless him and Godspeed to him. I’ll be praying for him and supporting him.

[MissMagnolia]

I agree with you that Romney’s numbers probably can’t be moved ..... they are his base just as Obama has a certain contingent that will vote for him no matter what. This sounds cliche but the other candidates need to leave Romney in the dust & soar above him and run their campaigns against Obama & for the country. If they go after Romney & constantly compare to Romney, they are playing his game on his turf - he’s got enough “hairspray” (money, organization, etc.) that they won’t disturb his campaign hair at all. So ... do your own thing, make your own case - tell the country what YOU can do ... a candidate who “catches fire” can beat Romney.

[altura]

Yes. Tried hard to talk myself into Santorum this morning before Perry announced but I could only see him as the fad candidate of the day.

How many of those have we seen rise and fall. Sarah Palin—well she fell because she never started. Then Cain — inglorious failure. Then it was Newt all the way..Still don’t know what happened to the Newt I thought I knew.

Now it’s Santorum. I can’t help but believe he is the Huckabee of this race. Huckabee won Iowa also and we know what happened to him.

[shield]

Perry got the headlines once again. LOL...astute political mind.

[rintense]

Not necessarily. Her supporters will likely move to Santorum and Newt.

[Tribune7]

You are going to see a serious attack on Santorum in the next few weeks.

If it manages to knock him out, I'm going to want Perry around. I think Perry has been pretty well inoculated.

OTOH, I hope Perry does not spend his time going after Santorum. I think that was his big mistake in Iowa. The attacks he made that I saw were pretty cheap shots and made him look like a hack.

[eureka!]

Yep. Santorum is a one hit wonder. SC and FL voters are saying “who is that”?

[gov_bean_ counter]

Romney will continue to benefit from a crowded field and his strategy will be continue to attempt to maintain a balance among his competitors so that none gets to his magic 25%.

[kabar]

That is the same kind of rationale that led to McCain getting the nomination in 2008. McCain became the presumptibe nominee of the party with just 33% of the primary vote. The race was over after SC and FL. Perry, Gingrich, and Santorum can gang up on Romney, but if they split the conservative vote three ways, then Romney is the one who gains. And don't forget, that Paul has his cult of followers to further split the vote.

For Perry, SC will be make or break. If he fails to get into the top three, he is finished.