Posted on 01/04/2012 8:21:41 PM PST by Para-Ord.45
If Rick Perry leaves the Republican race, there will not be a candidate in the field who authentically represents smaller government. While many conservatives don’t mind activist government so long as the ends are conservative, the willful use of activist government for conservative ends leaves in place a government perfectly capable of activist liberal government when conservatives lose.
The only way to fully turn the tide of big government is therefore to support someone who is willing to scale back government. Unfortunately, the only candidate with both an agenda to significantly cut government and a record of actually doing so is the flawed candidate from Texas with a campaign no one can be proud of.
But can he win? Yes. And should he stay in? Absolutely. If Rick Perry leaves, conservatives who want Washington out of their lives will have fully ceded the field to other men, mostly conservative, who are not as committed to the idea of “making Washington as inconsequential in our lives as possible.”
(Excerpt) Read more at redstate.com ...
It's not impossible, but he does have an uphill battle.
Lets see how he does in the next debate.
AMEN!
It is absolutely true that Perry is the only genuinely “states rights” conservative (left) in this GOP race. Nobody can disagree with it.
He can, but I am more interested in why he changed his mind about dropping out and wants to continue on. Did he do it because he really feels he can win? Did he do it because he got a phone call from “someone” to keep in the race and split the Conservative vote. I really don’t know the answer.
However I will be watching closely and see who Rick goes after the most in the coming debates, speeches and adds. That will tell the tale.
I guess Anita’s phone call got through. Rick should really stick to going with his instinct. He’ll know when it’s time to run with the big boys, instead of ruining his career by being Romney’s stalking horse.
It is absolutely true that Perry is the only genuinely “states rights” conservative (left) in this GOP race. Nobody can disagree with it.
I now pronounce you Strawmanwinger.
A good boost would be a Bachmann endorsement .
Thanks for this thread.
” - - - - While many conservatives don’t mind activist government so long as the ends are conservative, - - - “
Whoooooooooooa - - - ! Pull up there, Erick Erickson! Let us have chat about having a consistent meaning to our words, or we will surely fall into the abyss of “like govspeak.”
Conservatives conserve, preserve and otherwise protect. What has ANY “activist government” EVER conserved in any Nation?
____________________
Perry was trained to be a warrior, and served as one that required excellent judgement in dangerous situations.
Perry will call upon his warrior skills in South Carolina and beyond. If he can’t pick up the Battle Flag and lead on to victory in Tampa, then he damned sure won’t be able to lead this Nation out of THE VALLEY OF DEBT.
Do I want Rick Perry to stay in the race? Yep. But I want a conservative congress even more. Honestly, the Pres(id)ent race is just the dog and pony show. Worst result would be Willard winning, followed by Obama. Because Willard won't bring conservatives to the polls, and that leaves a whole lot of close house and senate races in liberal hands. And given the choice, I know a whole lot of people who'd run the risk of another four years for Obama rather than hand the reigns to the party to Willard and his buddies. No real conservative for congress will see a dime of national support in close races, or worse, they'll send Willard on over to shake some hands and kiss some babies, and bury any sort of conservative support.
Yes, I know judges are important, I know federal regulations are important, but nominations can be defeated IF we hold congress, and Willard spells liberal domination of both houses for a decade to come.
So, heck yeah, Rick Perry can stay in the race. Just get two others to drop out and narrow the choices. Otherwise, clear the field, because if they want even a semi-conservative in the White House, that has to happen.
I hope so. Santorum is a nice guy, but he’s a light-weight. And I don’t want another senator but someone with executive experience. The more I see the unappealing Romney, the more I realize I won’t vote for that elitist robot man. I feel Perry and Newt are the only ones with credentials to beat Romney, then Obama.
IMHO, Perry got a call from Mitt.
As long is perry is in, it keeps a percentage of the conservative vote away from Mitts Opponents.
He will stay in just to shape the debate.
That’s the sort of fellow he is.
Despite the BS talk of him being an elite or that his wife is driving this thing, Perry is not working for any of that.
He means it, He is about smaller Gov, and more autonomy.
There’s plenty of time to narrow the field. No one has to drop out now. It will happen naturally as it did with Bachmann (she had no chance).
>> If Rick Perry leaves the Republican race, there will not be a candidate in the field who authentically represents smaller government. <<
I’m going to vote for Rick Santorum. I believe he represents smaller government, but I suppose reasonable people could distrust him. But come on, Erickson, Ron Paul represents big government? Put down the crack pipe. And this in support of a candidate who believes that the state can compel twelve-year girls to get vaccinated for a disease spread only through sexual activity?
What a moron!
There's a pretty massive assumption you have going there, Parley. I never saw a single word from Perry or any of his surrogates that he had decided to drop out of the race. True, he did say he wanted to take some time to mull over the situation, and he did so. In fact it didn't take him long at all to see that he would be leaving people like me with literally nowhere to turn. I'm sure glad he has decided to stay in and I hope that he can do a better job of getting his ideas across - because he is just the guy to send Obama back to Chicago, or wherever the hades he's from.
Po ol Perry got beat up here today for saying the Iowa process was “Quirky”
Well its beyond quirky, and the VA ballot rules are also beyond quirky.
New Hampster too.
I think we need to put an end to that sort of institutional insider BS.
Perry does too.
He probably can win Texas .
The MSM interprets him saying he is dropping out and it’s fact Eh?
“I am more interested in why he changed his mind about dropping out...”
He probably became discouraged, then went back to Texas and felt better after he had a good work-out and saw all his tweets of support. No big mystery.
Sure, suppose Mitt and Huntsman divvy up the majority of NH as seems to be expected, then Newt and Perry do better in SC than Santorum. What seems like a Santorum surge today might look different then.
I really like Rick Perry. But he blew it. He was late to the party, didn't have a real plan and wasn't prepared for the debates. Unfortunately, Romney was early for the party, had a plan and was prepared for the debates. So guess what? We're stuck with him. Running for POTUS is serious business. And it appears only Romney took it seriously. It sucks, but that's the way it is.
He needs to keep hammering on energy.
Perry is more of a warrior than a come-love-me kinda guy and it shows. Having to come off as cuddly while you’re trying to cut of the arms and legs of a fedgov that deserves it ain’t easy.
I’d say he should have two messages: one for softies and one for nihilist hardasses like myself, and don’t try to meld or integrate those two messages.
Just what is Santorums plan? and how has his debate performance been?
Wow, we were thinking the same thing. Perry is not comfortable handling people with kids gloves. He just doesn’t know how to do it. He does know how to smash liberal enemies, though, and he must just be dizzy with all the love-in required in stumping.
I disagree. I don’t think we have to settle for Romney. Just think, would you rather live in Massachusetts or Texas. Rick Perry never said that he was dropping out. Anyone who says that is not getting their facts straight.
“He needs to keep hammering on energy.”
amen
that’s the key. a clear cut self sustained energy policy. and it’s very do-able. it covers everything ppl are worried about
Isn’t Massholechusetts the place that keeps electing Bawney Fwank? and Jon Cherrie?
Energy is at the root of prosperity.
And a Palin endorsement. And Newt continuing to hack away at Romney. And Paul continuing to hack away at himself.
A solid 75% of the GOP doesn't want Romney as its nominee, and still rejects his purported "inevitability." But Conservatives will need to coalesce around a standard bearer soon to avoid forfeiting the race to Romney, and I think Rick Perry is the best candidate we've got.
Wrong. I am NOT a Ron Paul supporter, but Ron Paul is a authentic smaller government candidate. But the field is very narrow.
Actually, he decided during his morning run before leaving Iowa. He said that he saw the way forward.
With a strong, independent energy policy that creates wealth for everyone, everything else just falls into place.
Focus, Perry. Energy -> Jobs -> Wealth -> Security.
I say that Ron Paul is a no government candidate.
Yes, Rick does mean it. And his backers mean it.
And it was not his wife that asked him to run. It was the GOP leadership.
States Rights, yes he means that. There is a reason for that too.
By the way, I grew up 14 miles from his parents and know them. (Live 14 miles from them now.)
Have several very big Perry for Governor signs in my workshop.
Yes it is. However politics is a dirty game and I am just keeping my eyes and ears open for anything. Hopefully everything is on the up and up.
Yes, Rick can win Texas and several other states. The Presidency? Not sure about that.
Almost.
His courage and conviction far outshines any names he has been called around here.
A true conservative that is willing to cut government, create jobs, and give the people their inalienable rights back is just few of his attributes.
He won't sell out to those that threaten our country. One of the biggest threats to this country right now is Obama and the direction that this country has taken. In fact, Perry will get back to basics of what made this country great.
He has a higher calling, and he proved that today by forging ahead. God Bless Rick Perry! I truly believe that the angels are on his side. While I am not overly religious, he is the right man for the job at this time.
He is everything Obama is not. Beyond his record he Texas, he needs to keep hitting what America is about. He is not arrogant in his belief. He knows what needs to be done, and now he needs to go forward and let every voter know that we need to take our country back.
I am thankful that he is forging ahead. He will be the one to make us proud to be Americans once again. He is the warrior that will not back down in face of adversity and international threats.
He will be able to lead this country out of the "valley of debt" and more importantly he will have the fortitude to deal with any future threats to our country. I'm not sure any other candidate has that gumption.
I look forward to him debating Obama. Perry is a true warrior, and thankfully one that refuses to quit.
All the LSM blathering of ‘retail politicking’ had this Austinite queasy.
The only reason we even know he’s here is when some liberal policy, law or politician bites the dust and the Rather left clabbers up to scream and cry.
In his element, his natural habitat, if you want to see Perry in person, you’re going to have to do it jogging in the AM.
One could easily interpret Perry’s cancelling his flight to SC, and saying he was going back to TX to reassess and to see if there was any path forward for him in this campaign as a prelude to dropping out. Then they said it’d be Thursday before any announcement, but by Wednesday morning the assessment was complete and he’s apparently found a way to go forward.
So far as I can see, Perry’s continuing only seals the deal for Romney.
Watching McCain and Mitt on Fox now.
its a puke fest.
These guys think they are all insiders.
OMG, wait until Hannity plays the old Cain “Tale of Two Mitts” for Sarah. It is mind boggling. Three years ago Cain was tearing him apart. I guess they do what they are told.
LOL.... Good one and well deserved. ;>)
I think Santorom showed us Romney is vulnerable.
I hope Perry’s people are reading. Right now, Zero is cruising along with no attention on him or what he’s doing, essentially a TRUE vacation. The 99ers got their unemployment extended.
Everybody is taking a psychic breather after the holidays.
The LSM is about to wrap Iran around the whole primary, pitting everybody against everybody. Stay out of that.
Focus on Energy, and the jobs and wealth that come with it in every region of the US. Remind Americans that the biggest blow to Iran is America ceasing to buy energy from anybody. That’s something people can understand easily.
Palin is on now, and I’m about done with her.
She seems to be a “yes” man now.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.