Report: Rick Perry thinking of jumping into GOP race

Hotair ^ | May 25,2011 | Allahpundit

[Hojczyk]

It’d be hard for him to say no. Romney, Pawlenty, and Huntsman will split the centrist vote, so there’s an opportunity on the right for a prominent conservative to swoop in and consolidate the base. That’s what Palin’s going to try to do, leveraging her higher name recognition to swamp Bachmann and Cain in Iowa, but Perry would be a major challenge for her. In fact, given his record on jobs, he may even pull some votes from the centrists.

Coming soon to a debate near you?

With conservatives aching for more choices in the approaching 2012 Republican primary, Perry declined Tuesday to rule out a White House bid during a press conference about a new anti-abortion measure. Also Tuesday, his top strategist told the Tribune that the governor is, naturally, “thinking about it” given the flattering comments made recently by some in the GOP, although he “doesn’t see any change in his direction.”…

The Perry camp is still telegraphing the notion that the default position is not to run, but it’s safe to say they have cracked the door open, at least a little bit, over the last week. Specific wording matters — a lot — in these speculative political matters…

“Obviously, it’s flattering to have everybody, Rush Limbaugh and all these other conservative, right-of-center leaders, talk about you, urging you to think about it, urging you to run, saying they support you. But I don’t see any difference in terms of the governor’s thinking,” [Perry strategist Dave] Carney said.

“I’m sure he’s thinking about it because it’s just human nature when you have Rush Limbaugh spend 20 minutes talking about you and have all these other people mention you, that you don’t sort of think that’s flattering and think about it.

[Jim Scott]

For the 'Palin-can't-win' crowd any politician that is somewhat conservative is 'the only one who can beat Obama'. I don't buy it. Obama is very vulnerable. Once you begin to tune out the leftmedia cheer-leading for Obama, including the skewed polls, that becomes obvious. I can't defend or criticize Rick Perry because I simply don't know enough - pro or con - about his positions on the major issues and his record as Texas governor to make a substantive judgement on whether I could support him. However, if Sarah Palin doesn't choose to run, I'd consider Perry. If Sarah does run, all bets are off and the Sarah-bashers on FR will have to start working overtime to undermine her candidacy and keep telling us 'she can't win'. Eventually, they might even start to believe it.

[TXnMA]

"All other things being equal, I think there would be a backlash against another Texas governor."

True. Especially from Texans who know firsthand about the [former?] Democrat's slimy ways...

[pgkdan]

I hope you donned your asbestos underwear before posting that. The palin cult is going to all over you!

[nascarnation]

Also Perot had a Texas sized grudge against the Bush family IIRC so it was easy for him to do it.

[nbenyo]

“Here’s one Texan who wouldn’t vote for him.....no way”

Then pick up your marbles and whine about Obama for 4 more years.

[Scanian]

That’s right. That kind of stress goes with the territory.

Nobody else on the right flew off the handle like she did
that day.

[RVN Airplane Driver]

Texans have good memories. RINORickGoodhair will not carry Texas if he runs.

Whatever you are drinking or smoking I want some if it makes you that delusional. Have you forgotten he has won handily in our Governors races....and you make the insane statement he wouldn't carry Texas....

[TexasRedeye]

Here’s one Texan who wouldn’t vote for him.....no way

So, if he gets the nomination, your vote (or your no-vote) goes to Obama. Sad.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Nobody else on the right flew off the handle like she did that day.

Nobody else on the right had the balls to do what she did that day.

[normy]

Another Texan who would crawl over broken glass mixed with nails to vote for Perry over Obama. We've had the arrogant inexperienced, pseudo intellectual in an African package. No different than Kerry or Clinton, just a different color with a bigger chip on his shoulder.

I'll take a guy with executive experience, an excellent record on jobs during both the Bush and Obama years and a guy who can put on a Carhart and connect with a Pittsburgh steel worker or a Louisiana roughneck. It's clear Perry is the man to crush Obama.

[TXnMA]

Texans had no conservative alternative -- so ...many folks held their noses...

Perry will not carry Texas.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

I guess that Perry's new FR fan club have conveniently forgotten THIS:

Perry orders anti-cancer vaccine for schoolgirls

or THIS:

Perry's Trans-Texas Corridor plan is a hard sell

[normy]

He will carry Texas, and David Dewhurst will be our new Governor.

[LifePath]

Guess I am out of touch. What did Palin do in Wisconsin that some here are criticizing?

[Scanian]

If you dig that kind of performance, go ahead and encourage her to run.

To each his own.

[TXnMA]

If voice is your criterion, you are an empty shell.

Too bad we don't have a tape of you trying to out-shout that mob of megaphone-wielding, hecking union scum!

[RVN Airplane Driver]

You are as goofy as a pet coon if you don’t think Perry would carry Texas....you spent too much time up in the NE...your brain has turned to mush. Make rational statements and arguments and we will have a discussion and I will respond. Otherwise continue your babble alone...

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Guess I am out of touch. What did Palin do in Wisconsin that some here are criticizing?

She rode to the sound of the guns.

Palin to GOP: Fight like a Girl (An instant classic)

Palin in Madison: Veni, Vidi, Vici

Video: Governor Palin’s Speech At Tea Party Rally, in Madison, WI – April 16 2011

[TXnMA]

Obviously you are not a rural Texan who fought long and hard to stop Perry’s Spanish land grab scam.

[TexasFreeper2009]

mickey mouse could carry Texas over the zero.