Perry: Mistake by rivals to skip Fla. test vote

Forbes.com (AP) ^ | 9/24/2011 | PHILIP ELLIOTT

[South40]

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Working to shake the perception of a stumbling campaign, Texas Gov. Rick Perry told GOP activists Saturday that his 2012 presidential rivals made a mistake by skipping an early test vote that he hopes will calm jitters about his bid.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota both left Florida before the voting began...

((snip))

Ahead of the test vote, Perry's campaign bought breakfast for hundreds of the party faithful assembled for a three-day conference and debate.

[South40]

I guess the breakfast bribe failed.

[basil]

I don’t understand a lot about politics—but you’re right—sure looks like a bribe to me.....

[Diogenesis]

Is he nuts?

Perry claims if more of his competition had shown
up, that he would have done “better”?

Give me a break.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Let me get this straight; Perry is concerned for his rivals because they didn't show up?

So he is rooting for his rivals?

[South40]

Cain ranked higher than both Romney and Perry combined.

[Staff Of Moses]

Stupid is as stupid does.

[South40]

Buying votes with bribes in a real election is ILLEGAL. Of course this wasn’t a real election but it was real bribes.

[Dr. Sivana]

I guess he thinks that some of Herman Cain’s supporters would have jumped to Romney if Romney showed up. Sheesh!

[Oshkalaboomboom]

The FL straw poll was just more evidence of the disconnect between actual voters and the crap the GOP is trying to shove down our throats. Wait for the articles saying how this vote is meaningless and more calls for conservatives to get back on the plantation.

[GeronL]

lol.

Buying breakfast for the heartland racists eh??

[GeronL]

lol.

Buying breakfast for the heartless racists eh??

[South40]

Is he nuts?

I think he just may be.

Rick Perry told GOP activists Saturday that his 2012 presidential rivals made a mistake by skipping an early test vote that he hopes will calm jitters about his bid.

[South40]

Buying breakfast for the heartland racists eh??

lol! A winning strategy it wasn't.

[South40]

The FL straw poll was just more evidence of the disconnect between actual voters and the crap the GOP is trying to shove down our throats.

Bravo! That's a perfect analysis.

[TheCornerOffice]

Ruh-Roh.

Big mistake to talk about how important the vote was going to be -- before it happened! As soon as I read that earlier today, I thought, "That's a mistake. Perry is gonna be really embarassed by this comment if he doesn't win the Straw Poll."

[Donnafrflorida]

Bill Kristol just said that Cains votes were just “none of the above”. They still don’t get it these pompous arrogant career talking heads.

[berdie]

If the Florida straw poll is like the Iowa straw poll, and I assume it is...it’s a Republican fund raiser.

All of the candidates give speeches and buy food for the attendees.

I am happy for Mr. Cain and I hope the results reflect an accurate poll.

But as far as straw polls go..I lost faith when I found out how they worked.

[Renata Maree]

I really don’t understand this, but am beginning to wonder if Rick Perry is for real?

[South40]

But as far as straw polls go..I lost faith when I found out how they worked.

I'm not a big fan of 'polls'. But the history of the Florida straw poll I find interesting.

Ronald Reagan won in 1979. George H. W. Bush won in 1987. And Bob Dole won in 1995.

[South40]

Big mistake to talk about how important the vote was going to be -- before it happened!

I don't get it. Perry had been the frontrunner but after torpedoing his campaign with his 'no heart' remark he had to realize the damage he had done. He also may have considered the geographical arena -- the south. But then, Herman Cain is a southerner also. So, as I said, I don't get it but I am happy with the results just the same.