Ross Douthat, of Grand New Party and New York Times fame, counsels Mitt Romney to avoid overreacting to Rick Perry’s recent rise to the top of the Republican primary polls:
The first primary isn’t for four months — an eternity in politics. Perry has been exposed to the national spotlight for all of two weeks. He hasn’t shared a stage with the other candidates yet, hasn’t spent much time on the trail, hasn’t had to wed the vision of his candidacy to the more perishable reality of a campaign. In the next round of debates, Michele Bachmann and the lesser right-wing contenders will have every incentive to attack Perry, because he’s siphoning away their kind of voter. If Sarah Palin gets into the race (which I still doubt), she’ll have to take the fight to Perry as well. Meanwhile, unless Jon Huntsman starts getting traction, Romney doesn’t have to worry about any of the rival candidates making a play for his core supporters. (If Perry is the only plausible alternative, the Massachusetts governor has the moderate-East Coast vote locked up.) And once it becomes clear that Chris Christie (alas!) isn’t riding over the hill to save them, he can probably count on a steady drumbeat of favorable press from a movement-conservative establishment that’s heretofore been keeping him at arm’s length. So why not wait and see a little bit, let Perry have his moment in the sun, and save his punches for the months when more voters start to pay attention?
I think Douthat makes good sense. Perry backers like to cite the fact that he has never lost an election as evidence that his history and record will hold up to scrutiny. However, the national stage of a presidential campaign shines a brighter light on a candidate’s weaknesses than a statewide run. Time will tell if Perry and his much-heralded record can withstand the barrage of negative attacks that will inevitably come his way in the near future.
August 27th, 2011 at 11:11 am
I don’t think Romney is panicking.
August 27th, 2011 at 11:13 am
More new data from Gallup..
August 27th, 2011 at 11:17 am
1:
No, Mitt’s not panicking. The press is panicking because they can’t see beyond the next news cycle.
Romney’s strategy is fine for now. Reflexively changing things to fight off Perry will do nothing to dislodge Perry and only diminish Romney.
August 27th, 2011 at 11:19 am
Romney is toast. But he doesn’t know it yet.
August 27th, 2011 at 11:22 am
What a myopic parochial world you squishes live in.
This is going to be easy…
August 27th, 2011 at 11:23 am
It doesn’t appear like Rpmney is panicking. The RomNots here seem to be kindly doing that on his behalf.
August 27th, 2011 at 11:23 am
Bob,
Is Ron Paul your candidate or is it one of the others in the race?
August 27th, 2011 at 11:25 am
#7:
I’m just reading the tea leaves. Romney is headed to single digits to join his stalkig-horse Michele Bachmann. They both deserve each other.
August 27th, 2011 at 11:25 am
4:
-Has multiple regions locked up.
-Running as a conservative, but has the moderate/independent vote in hand.
-Is currently 2nd in the polls and not likely to be dislodged from there.
-Universally recognized as the “electable” candidate
-Next in line in the Republican party.
-Favorable Primary calendar.
-Has the resources.
-Knows how to run a national campaign.
-Running a disciplined campaign.
-Capable of outright winning any debate.
-Main opponents seem intent on running as a parody versions of conservatism.
I don’t think he’s quite toast yet.
August 27th, 2011 at 11:28 am
bob,
Perry is toast, but you don’t know it yet.
August 27th, 2011 at 11:31 am
But the one thing he can’t buy are people’s votes.
Mitt only has one chance: He needs to attack Perry with all the passion he can muster or he’ll be finished by the end of September.
Did you notice he was only at 14% with Gallup. Once the snowball starts going in reverse it won’t pretty. Watch moderate voters jump ship like rats once he’ll be finished once and for all.
Now where will his voters go? I don’t know but they’ll go somewhere.
August 27th, 2011 at 11:34 am
Perry is the rising star. He can do no wrong. His pathway to the nomination is assured once he dispatches Romney. Perry will “kick a dog when he’s down.” He is a superb politician. President Perry is just around the corner.
August 27th, 2011 at 11:34 am
Mitt has dipped into the 20′s this morning in the market.
INTRADE: 2012 Republican Presidential Nominee
2012.REP.NOM.PERRY
Rick Perry to be Republican
Presidential Nominee in 2012 Trade 37.5% chance
2012.REP.NOM.ROMNEY
Mitt Romney to be Republican
Presidential Nominee in 2012 Trade 29.0% chance -1.0
August 27th, 2011 at 11:37 am
On September 6th, Mitt is going to lay out his jobs agenda in detail. This will establish the theme of his campaign more thoroughly, and do it in a state (Nevada) where 2/3rds of the Republicans in the State’s House of Representatives have already endorsed him.
It’s also a state with the highest unemployment rate in the nation, and one that can be won in 2012…..IF Romney’s the nominee.
The contrast with Perry will be clear. Perry will win the backing of Big Government Republicans, and will be able to cite his massive expansion of the size of state government back in Texas.
Mitt will win the backing of Republicans who want to make government smaller and more efficient, as he accomplished in Massachusetts. He wants to take the government apart….piece by bloody piece……and put it back together as a MUCH smaller entity. In Massachusetts, he only put it back together a little bit smaller……but that was because he had more than 700 vetoes overridden.
In Washington, he can do the job right proper.
August 27th, 2011 at 11:40 am
BTW,
I’ve been saying the same things here that Douthat lays out in his column. Wonder if he reads my stuff…
August 27th, 2011 at 11:41 am
#14:
Perry has credibility in the name of the “Texas miracle.” Massachusetts was 47th in the nation in producing jobs (48th if it weren’t for Katrina)under his watch.
August 27th, 2011 at 11:48 am
Some more BIG movement at Intrade this morning..
August 27th, 2011 at 11:50 am
bob,
You are citing a corrupt statistic. Romney left Massachusetts with an unemployment rate of 4.7%, while Texas has an unemployment rate—after more than 10 YEARS of Perry governance—of 8.5%, and rising.
As has been already been completely established here at Race, Mitt turned around a downward trend in employment in his state, and left the unemployment rate WELL below the national average.
August 27th, 2011 at 11:52 am
Seems like bob has given up on Palin.
Bickering aside, I don’t think Romney has shown any evidence of panicking yet. Time will tell what sort of strategy his campaign has worked up.
Also, Douthat makes a good point about how all the Bachmanns and Santorums need to attack Perry, and that Mitt doesn’t have to yet, and probably should not do it yet. However, the danger of waiting for the others to attack Perry is that he could let Perry hang around too long, and build up an emotional connection with his flimsy supporters. In other words, he has no solid major base yet, and Mitt needs to scare the fickle frothers away.
I hope Mitt doesn’t attack Perry in the Sept debates. Looks like he will not need to yet. Let things play out Mitt.
August 27th, 2011 at 11:53 am
Dave,
Huntsman’s job plan is coming out before Obama’s and Romney’s.
At the next debate it will be interesting to sit back and watch the Battle of the Jobs Plans between Hunt and Mitt.
And then to get Perry’s opinion on why his Texas plan has been creating half of the jobs in America.
August 27th, 2011 at 11:58 am
BTW,
I’m not really knocking what Perry accomplished in Texas—-at least, not all that much. It would have been nice if he’d had surpluses instead of deficits, and even nicer if he’d REDUCED the size of the government. And it’s a shame he had to resort to massive corruption to get things done in the state….something that will be a BIG deal in the coming campaign….but his TORT reforms and relatively enlightened regulatory policies are admirable. He also held the line, for the most part on taxes…..although he, unlike Mitt, did raise them from time to time.
But positing some mythical “Texas Miracle” is a bit much.
August 27th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
#11 Bob, is this the first election you’ve ever paid attention to? Do you not remember that McCain was finished before he won NH? That turned everything around for him. Romney has early stares locked up. Who cares if Perry ends up winning Iowa! Romney wins NH, Nevada, Michigan and Florida and it’s all over, regardless of what the national polling says!
August 27th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Perry’s job creation in Texas:
http://www.rightspeak.net/2011/08/rick-perrys-job-creation-in-texas.html
August 27th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
Craig for Perry,
Huntsman announced he would announce his jobs plan a week before Mitt AFTER Mitt announced he would announce HIS on September 6th. This is bad strategy, as well as bad manners, on Jon’s part….although he has to do what he has to do to gain at least SOME traction in the race.
Mitt gets to see Huntsman’s plan and play one-upsmanship…..thoroughly upstaging him.
BTW, the percentage of jobs Texas is creating is 40% of those created in the nation. That’s impressive enough to not need a lot of exaggeration. But it’s mostly a continuation of demographic trends and policies in progress before Perry took office.
Perry’s dirty little jobs secret is that W created a lot more jobs in the state than HE has.
August 27th, 2011 at 12:13 pm
Here’s what Romney is up against and why panicking really should not be out of the question for Mitt..
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/08/26/comparing-michele-bachmann-and-rick-perry/
August 27th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Governor Dub was a great jobs creater before Perry, too. He and Perry have obviously set up the right environment to attract jobs.
August 27th, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Here is why DeMint hates Perry:
http://www.rightspeak.net/2011/08/rick-perry-agrees-with-obama-open.html
August 27th, 2011 at 12:20 pm
“Governor Dub was a great jobs creater before Perry, too. He and Perry have obviously set up the right environment to attract jobs.”
Is that right?
http://www.rightspeak.net/2011/08/perry-redux-part-3.html
August 27th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
I posted this comment on the NYT article earlier this AM.
Can you imagine that this situation was not anticipated by Romney’s team long ago when they conjured up this strategy? The only exception is they thought a stronger Palin would be playing the Bachmann role and a stronger Huckabee playing the Perry role. Not to say that things on the ground don’t require changes to the plan.
I believe the Romney camp has already signaled the start of the campaign in earnest as September 6th, with the launch of his economic plan, what has to be the foundation of his campaign to America. All else that has happened up to this point was just marching in place.
August 27th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Here is my prediction about South Carolina endorsements:
Nikki Haley endorses Perry
Jim DeMint remains neutral
Lindsay Graham endorses Romney
August 27th, 2011 at 12:30 pm
Douthat makes a good argument, but his premise – that Perry will fade or that voters will wake up and realize he’s too extreme – relies on Perry to lose rather than Romney (or Bachmann) to win. Which begs the question, what if he doesn’t implode?
August 27th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
TC, here’s mine:
Haley endorses Romney
Graham endorses Romney
DeMint endorses Romney (even with the summit snub from Romney)
August 27th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
Not only is he not panicking, but he is smiling. This entry was fully anticipated by the campaign team. We’re in the first inning still, of what may be an extra inning game(if the convention gets brokered the way I suspect it will), and Mitt’s team has deep bench, solid bullpen and the best General Manager in America!
August 27th, 2011 at 12:39 pm
31
I think Douthat is saying Perry will be scrutinized one way or the other. I don’t think there is any doubt about that.
But Douthat is telling Mitt to wait to attack Perry until he’s positive he needs to do it.
What if Perry doesn’t implode? Well at the very least, he will come back down to Earth. If he eeks out a win in IA, SC, and FL, then he’s the nominee. He’s not going to run away with the nomination.
August 27th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
#34:
Agreed. We might very well see the GOP’s equivalent of the 2008 Obama v. Clinton race (or Mondale v. Hart v. Jackson if Ron Paul stays in the race). I would be very, very surprised if the 2012 race is over by Super Tuesday.
August 27th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
5. As rove said: it’s easy as announcing. But she won’t. Because if she does, her gravey train pulls into the station. And when she gets slaughtered in the primary, no one (except you and tex and a handfull of die hards) will pay to see her perform anymore. She’ll be no longer relevant.
Run sarah run!
August 27th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
Question for all of you… who would make a better president? Rick Perry or Sarah Palin? Spell it out. Explain your thinking.
August 27th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
Mitt needs to accelerate his Lunch Pail Mitt persona (plaid shirts, skinny jeans, tousled coif, Walmart, old pickup truck and NASCAR). Mitt needs to be seen as the most conservative candidate on issues ranging from TARP to Global Warming, he needs to downplay Massachusetts and run as the rugged Western candidate. What Mitt can’t afford is to be seen as an effete Northeastern technocrat promoting a Massachusetts template for the nation. He needs to project more rage and continue displaying raw, unscripted anger at hecklers.
August 27th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
In other words JA Pruce, you are telling Romney to be something he is not. That did not go over well in 2008. Romney needs to just be Romney. Voters want an authentic person. If Romney trys to portray himself as something he is not, he will lose again.
August 27th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
#37:
Easy, Perry. Because he’s been Governor of a large, diverse state for a decade so he has a healthy dose of gubernatorial experience. Palin was Governor for 18 months of a state with less people than my county.
August 27th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
#37 – Sarah Palin by a long shot. Perry is Bush 2.0 and is up to his eyeballs in crony capitalism. Real change requires a moderate fiscal libertarian with a track record of dealing with corruption in her own party, cutting spending, reforming entitlements, developing our natural resources, etc. That is Sarah Palin.
And don’t give me this quitter stuff. Lots of folks in Texas are not too happy with Perry promising his supporters last year that he would not jump ship and run for the Presidency if he was re-elected.
August 27th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
Who would make a better president between Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin? I’d say it’s a tie.
But that’s for the 45 Rombots here and the three Palinites to answer.
August 27th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
I said before this race started that if Mitt was able to hold onto his three most prominent 2008 endorsers (Jim DeMint, Glen Beck, and National Review) that he would win in 2012. Now it is looking as if those endorsements might be slipping away and Mitt’s inevitability strategy might be fading. Whoever comes off as the most authentic figure, culturally to GOP Primary voters will win.
August 27th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
If any GOP candidate would win the 2012 election, he or she will be hated by a majority of voters within 1 year and GOP would lose seats in 2014 midterm. Democrat Cuomo, Hickenlooper, Clinton, or someone else would win in 2016.
August 27th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
The question is, “can Mitt sell primary voters on the idea of Massachusetts as the model for America?” If he can, then he wins. If he can’t, then he loses.
August 27th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
ACtually, Texas C. that’s EXACTLY who Romney is. He does not have servernts, cooks or folks picking out his clothes. He’s rich because he’s frugal. He’s been seen in walmart buying stuff. He’s been seen at burger joints and driving his own truck (which he’s owned for some time). We could all learn lessons from the Romney’s on how to live, and how to give.
August 27th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Easy, Perry. Because he’s been Governor of a large, diverse state for a decade so he has a healthy dose of gubernatorial experience. Palin was Governor for 18 months of a state with less people than my county.
===================================================
He certainly has experience in running up a $27 billion deficit. Tripling the state’s debt. Crony capitalism. Kicking the can down the road which means the state’s deficit will get deeper. If Perry were a CEO of a private company, he might be doing time in a hotel the government runs. Palin left with $12 billion in the bank.
August 27th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
I think Palin would make a better president by Perry, just by a BIT. First of all, she is not corrupt, and Perry is. Second of all, she’s smarter.
But Perry would be less divisive for the country, only by a little.
Anyway, Palin > Perry.
August 27th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
Who would make a better president between Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin? I’d say it’s a tie.
================================================
Better than Perry and Bachmann. Perry even makes Romney look like a piker.
August 27th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
#31 & 31, As a fence rider, a Graham endorsement would be a huge negative in getting my vote. HUGE negative.
August 27th, 2011 at 1:33 pm
Good afternoon my savages,
Listen up.
None of the canididates need to panic.
It’s the rest of us who needs to panic….
……because, before us are the following three choices.
A joke.
A dope.
A fraud.
I will be voting for the “fraud” in the Minnesota GOP primary over the other two.
Of course…..I could hold out hope for the quitter to join the race….but then again, I have decided to quit on her before she quits on me.
Did I make anybody happy with this post here at RACE42012????
No…I’m sure I didn’t…..however the truth often hurts.
The dope will win the GOP nomination….I hope he selects the fraud to help him in the Northern states during the General.
Have a nice day everyone.
August 27th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
Hey Smack
You don’t seem to be in a good mood. Well, I’m glad you are on the right side, albeit unenthusiastically.
Come back again bro
August 27th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
Wow, Smacks…temper temper.
Welcome back
(I think)
August 27th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
51.
“The dope will win the GOP nomination” -Smacks
===
Hey, are you calling Perry a dope? ‘Thems’ poking in the chest words!
August 27th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Smacks,
Why are you calling Romney a fraud? Give me five reasons why that’s true?
August 27th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Well put, Smack.
August 27th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
I think Smack just (very poetically, I might add) touched on what a lot of us are feeling: a lack of real excitement or commitment to a candidate. Don’t mistake it for an enthusiasm to see zerO go down in hard next year, I’ll be working for whomever our nominee is. But, shees! Is this really the best we could have done here?
August 27th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
oops, don’t mistake it for a LACK of enthusiasm to see zerO go down.
August 27th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Good point, JA.
Texas is the model for America by far over Taxachusettes.
So say hello to President James Richard Perry.
(Even his name sounds like a leader.)
August 27th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
45
That has to be to most ignorant comment ever conceived of.
Mitt is NOT selling Massachusetts as a model for the nation.
WHAT THE HELL are you talking about?!?!?!?!
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 27th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
#35.- No doubt…Sarah Palin but neither Palin or Perrycrook are presidential material. Palin in the few months as governor was better than Perry.
August 27th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Smack is obviously not enamored with the choices available right now…as many aren’t.
Once Governor Palin is campaigning and people compare her record of accomplishments with the others…
well
let’s just say everything is going to change.
Once she’s in the game, Smack will come to his senses, as will millions of others.
August 27th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
“Here are some highlights from Perry’s publicly-funded personal spending bill, via RCP:
$700,000 for the “lavish” rental home where Perry has lived for nearly four years, while the governor’s mansion is being renovated.
$8,400 for maintenance on the house’s heated pool.
$1,001 for Neiman Marcus window coverings
$1,000 for repairs on a filtered ice machine.
$70 for a home subscription to Food & Wine magazine (this one is sure to draw populist ire).
Perry has previously come under fire for taxpayer-financed house bills. In 2007, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee — a conservative favorite who lived in a trailer while his governor’s residence was under repair — suggested Perry should follow his example and find a good mobile home. Perry’s response: “Texas ain’t Arkansas.””
You would think that Perry’s $150,000 salary would be enough for him to spring for the $70 subscription for ‘Food and Wine’ magazine.
Another question is why Perry feels the need to hide his travel expenses. Perhaps this is why.
“The Governor’s office basically stonewalled CBS 11, but eventually the journalists uncovered the secret police, secret locations, and secret costs. Just the security costs were over $70,000 in taxpayer dollars. And for those of you who have followed Rick Perry’s expensive rental mansion, you won’t be surprised that his hotel bill alone was $17,000.
Doug Pitcock, a $396,000 donor to Perry and CEO of Williams Brothers Construction Company, paid for the [$180,741.55 private plane costs] and had the flight marked as a charitable donation to TexasONE.
One expert told KTVT that trips like this “can be a lucrative way to conduct business. You pay for vacation and in return you may get contracts or government brokered deals worth millions of dollars.”
Immediately after the Pitcock-funded Israel trip, Williams Brothers received over $100 million in highway contracts. Williams Brothers is the biggest recipient of highway tax dollars with an estimated $9.6 billion in contracts during Perry’s time as governor.”
August 27th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
What’s Mitt doing this weekend? Here’s Michele’s itinerary..
Bachmann rocks Solivita
August 27th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
Franklin,
What’s Palin doing this weekend to promote her candidacy?
August 27th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
Hey, remember when someone posted a youtube video of the Dos Equis guy and said that’s how they picture him? Well, here’s Telly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&NR=1&v=CUU1l6EKqmA
Let’s just say I’m being kind to your guitar skills. This guy is badass.
August 27th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
Well, his guitar is badass. He is good though.
August 27th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
4. “Romney is toast”
8. “Romney is headed to single digits…”
11. “Watch moderate voters jump ship like rats once he’ll be finished once and for all.”
12. “Perry is the rising star. He can do no wrong. His pathway to the nomination is assured once he dispatches Romney. Perry will “kick a dog when he’s down.” He is a superb politician. President Perry is just around the corner.”
16. “Perry has credibility in the name of the “Texas miracle.””
Hey, check it out–the infamous Baghdad Bob has found a new gig!
August 27th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
68
Lol.
August 27th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
66. That is sweet.
August 27th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Rick Perry Channels Reaganomics, Will Attend First GOP Debate
The State Column | Staff | Saturday, August 27, 2011
August 27th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
71. So now Perry thinks he’s Reagan.
August 27th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
Sept 6 & Sept 7:
Mitt’s economic plan vs _____________ whose? Except Obama’s, I guess. And Mitt, Michele et al are going to have to let some air out of that Texas Miracle balloon.
Until then, cool your jets, folks.
August 27th, 2011 at 2:34 pm
73
Jonny “Mitt’s Shadow” Huntsman will release his jobs plan Wednesday, in a desperate attempt to upstage his eternal upstager Mitt.
August 27th, 2011 at 2:37 pm
My prediction: Perry won’t even win the primary in Texas. “Texas Miracle”? Right. And it was all Rick Perry’s doing. (/s)
The so called Texas Miracle can be attributed to many things, but Rick Perry ain’t one of them. Think Eagle Ford Shale, no state income tax, intense hiring spree in state and fed gov’t (Border Patrol, CBP, ICE), new massive Toyota plant, $100 per barrel oil, the 80% rule for home equity loans, etc, etc, etc. None of this had one iota to do with Rick “The Dick” Perry.
August 27th, 2011 at 2:39 pm
#72 – The problem, as I see it, in suggesting a Reaganomics approach is that this is not the same economy. We don’t have high interest rates or even high individual tax rates. Paul Volcker’s plan to actually trigger a recession is not really an option.
#73 – Huntsman is announcing a job’s plan before Romney.
August 27th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Smack is just butt hurt cause his candidate (the “Coward” if we’re giving names) decided to take a ride on the “Fail Boat”! LOL!
August 27th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
By the way, TEX and Tele, I’m on the Palin train now! Run Palin run and siphon off Perry’s numbers!
August 27th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
75. TexasTyrant,
Well then, what has the man been doing for the past 10 years?
August 27th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
Perry loves to spout ad nauseum “look at all the jobs we created!” However, when asked how he did it, he is completely clueless. I loved, no, LOVED his interview with Laura Ingram. The man hasn’t the slightest idea how to create jobs. Well, not entirely true. He did create some nice cushy jobs for his big campaign donors. Those still count after all.
August 27th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
Here’s a good question.
Is the Perry support actually FOR him or is it really just an anti-establishment vote?
Think about that (and how the flavors of the week have shot up and then back down to earth, over and over)
Now imagine when that anti-establishment voting block actually has someone to vote FOR.
Are you catchin’ old t-dude’s drift here?
August 27th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
76. Good point on the Reaganomics approach. Whereas learning from the past is a good trait to have, you have to understand how it does or does not fit in the present time and be capable of charting your own way as President given the unique circumstances you and the country are facing, as you’ve clearly specified in the example. Well stated.
August 27th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
What Perry doesn’t realize is that the US is not Texas…His myopic over confidence, and over simplistic view that he will win the nomination because he has never lost an election in Texas shows how out of touch he is….Does this guy think that the country is like Texas? Has he ever lived anywhere but Texas? No! He’s been in Government so long he has no idea what people go through on a daily basis.
August 27th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
@79, campaigning. He had vigorous third party challenger in ’06, and a credible primary challenger last year. The Texas Dems are in shambles right now. There wasn’t a chance in hell he was going to lose to a Dem statewide. I’ll give him this, he’s a great campaigner and not to be underestimated.
August 27th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
Perry’s big problem is that some of the harshest attacks on him have come from his fellow Texans. He has made a lot of enemies in Texas including Republicans. This is their opportunity to beat Perry on a national stage and I bet few of them (starting with Kay Bailey Hutchison) will miss the chance.
August 27th, 2011 at 2:58 pm
@51, Smack! It’s great to see you back. Be well my friend.
August 27th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
#81 – That is a good question and I think its a little of both. Voters like what they hear about his record in Texas and they even like his rhetoric (heated almost crazy rhetoric seems to be “in” these days).
I also agree that the primary voter, indeed much of the electorate as a whole, is very anti-Washington, anti-establishment. But voters often change their minds in the late stages as they are getting serious about voting. They flirt with X but marry Y.
August 27th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/204861/20110827/rick-perry-for-president-why-texas-governor-surging-polls.htm
August 27th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Rick Perry Channels Reaganomics, Will Attend First GOP Debate
========================================
We’ve seen all the government spending he’s cut. That’s how you end up with a $27 billion deficit. Even as he’s asking other Texans to sacrifice, he’s living it up at taxpayer expense. He’s even asking taxpayers to pony up for his magazine subscriptions. Waiting for a Perry apologist to spin this.
August 27th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
Perry = crony capitalism, corrupt good old boy, exactly what Palin rooted out of Alaska. His star is fading fast as people learn the truth about him.
August 27th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
“What’s Palin doing this weekend to promote her candidacy?”
We’ll find out next Saturday in Indianola, Iowa.
August 27th, 2011 at 3:50 pm
Yeah, the moderate Sen Hutchison will most likely endorse her fellow moderate, Romney — while the other U.S. Senator of Texas will stay out of it.
August 27th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
91. That’s next weekend
August 27th, 2011 at 3:54 pm
Perry = crony capitalism, corrupt good old boy, exactly what Palin rooted out of Alaska. His star is fading fast as people learn the truth about him.
===============================================
The best barometer of that is Craig. Notice how even he can’t spin the Perry facts away and doesn’t even try.
August 27th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
That’s next weekend
=======================
You remind me of screaming memes that were wanting to know when Reagan was going to do something. She will do it at the time that she feels is right.
August 27th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Wow, we’ve been invaded by followers of a governor who quit halfway through her term — and is not even in the race.
And I strongly doubt Palin will say she’s in next week when she is scheduled to be one of many speakers at a new startup tea party group — that is expected to draw 5K — but we will see if they get near that many to show up.
August 27th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
#60,
Mass Con: “Mitt is NOT selling Massachusetts as a model for the nation.”
Therein lies the problem. Traditionally candidates say I did X and Y for my State while Governor and this can serve as a model for my Presidency. Mitt is explicitly trying to disown his Massachusetts Governorship and saying “I promise not to replicate any of my own policies while President.”
August 27th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
#97 – I think we have a winner.
August 27th, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Franklin,
Quit comparing muti-term governors of our largest states with Palin, a 29 month and out governor who quit when the Dems picked on her. Boo-hoo.
You’re making a fool of yourself EVERY TIME.
I knew Reagan. Palin’s no Reagan. Reagan was a doer when things got tough. She’s a quitter.
August 27th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
Governor Gardisil is not long for the top tier.
Like all flavors of the week before him, he will fall back to earth once people learn something about him, just as Michele Bachmann, Donald Trump, etc, have.
People are looking for a candidate with demonstrable results this time.
One is coming.
August 27th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
Perry is getting the majority of the self identified TeaParty but there is no consensus of opinion…..
Perry’s Tea party support is weak….Too much opinion and influence is coming from the organizers personal agendas and what they want to project on the candidate they don’t like….Instead of letting people make up their own minds……
They are okay when supporting candidates, but don’t have a very good record on picking candidates….
August 27th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
Ding Ding Ding ..
Therein lies the problem. Traditionally candidates say I did X and Y for my State while Governor and this can serve as a model for my Presidency. Mitt is explicitly trying to disown his Massachusetts Governorship and saying “I promise not to replicate any of my own policies while President.”” -JA
COMMENT OF THE DAY
August 27th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
#88 The reasons why Perry’s up? He’s ruthless campaigner who appeals to Bible thumpers and down home folks. But with the exception of the so-called Texas Miracle (which little may be attributable to Perry), none are reasons why he would make a good POTUS.
That case is yet to be made.
August 27th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
95. she’s not Reagan, and she’s not as popular as her ego thinks she is.
August 27th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
August 27th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
I think Palin has woven such a web that she almost has to run to save face..She can always drop out half way through, citing personal reasons!
August 27th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
105: Well, sounds like Perry is Trump’s “right person.”
August 27th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/08/27/rick-perry-in-his-own-words-on-the-renewable-fuel-standard-for-ethanol/
Rick Perry in his own words on the renewable fuel standard for ethanol
4:10 PM, Aug 27, 2011
August 27th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
106: Too funny.
Palin keeps saying she hasn’t made a decision because her family hasn’t decided. Huh? Her family more than anyone knows what her running would mean to the family, so why wait? What are they going to know later rather than sooner about the impact on the family? Very strange.
I don’t see how she comes anywhere near winning with Bachmann and Perry in the race. IMO she loses face by staying out and loses face by running and losing,–unless she stays out and backs the winner.
August 27th, 2011 at 4:36 pm
Did Perry say that he would like to remove the environmental regulations from the oil and gas industry?
August 27th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Woo-hoo! Huntington Beach, Cali just won!
Now they’re playing Japan TOMORROW for the Little League World Championship!!!!
August 27th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
#108 – Sounded like a dodge.
August 27th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
http://www.rickperry.org/issues/
August 27th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
BP for All
So, Ricky P is for getting rid of the EPA ? Is that what he is saying ? Or….what the hell is he saying???? A guy like Mike Wallace will “spittoon” that kind of a B. S. answer…….eliminating all the EPA regulations that many depend on for health controls. Can’t wait for this clown to actually start fielding a question or 2
CraigS
August 27th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
I went and put on Romney 2012 shirt and I kept taking it off….. putting it back on… the other way…no the other way….couldn’t decide which way the front was..back n forth…back n forth…
Then I tried on a Perry 2012 shirt and I noticed right away that there were holes in the shirt. The thread was waaayyyyyy to loose…the shirt would not hold together.
Then I tried on a Bachmann 2012 shirt and right away I got a headache..I tried to pray it away but it did not work, so I ripped off the shirt and got into my TPAW pajamas.
…yes the TPAW pajamas put me to sleep, but my headache went away, it kept me warm..no holes. And I know the difference between the front and the back of my pajamas.
Smackdaddy is peacefully asleep.
Don’t wake me up!!!!
August 27th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
CraigS,
LOL! You sound a lot like a Mike Wallace — hopeless government regulation loving, ObamneyCare liberal.
August 27th, 2011 at 4:54 pm
Craig, #114,
Where are all of the Pro-Regulation candidates who will be challenging this? In a Republican Primary, I’ll put my money on the anti-regulation vs. the pro-regulation candidate any day of the week.
August 27th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Smacks,
I hope you and Tim get all the sleep you can get. After you’re both rested — in a few years — you can THEN both take on this Minnesota senator:
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRazxE1Ck2YsL4xHbzBc2BLltoeMHiMsjYv_l9L2tdL02NQp2H6
August 27th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
115 Smack,
I hope those TPaw pajamas have a trap door on the back so that you can exit quickly.
August 27th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
117,
Exactly JA.
August 27th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
115. Smackdaddy!
You should make one more trek to Iowa next Saturday to Indianola to hear Governor Palin…just so you can make a rational and informed decision on who to support.
Heck, stop and pick up your buddy in Fayettte, if he isn’t already planning on coming.
We could have a mini Race meet up.
BTW, I tried to find you in Ames but it was hopeless. Must have been a million green shirts. The Christian band playing for T-Paw was awesome though.
August 27th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
T-Paw coined the term “ObamneyCare” so let’s not say his campaign was totally fruitless. Thanks, Tim.
He ALSO invented a potent debate retort to use if you find yourself being manhandled by the only female on the stage. “You’re killin’ us, Michele!!
August 27th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
BP # 116
Yet another goofy response. You really need to do some homework. O.K Let’s play a game with you and, your new proxy , Ricky P
Which ones of the following EPA regulations would you like to see eliminated, like an ObamaCare liberal ???
1. Clean Air Act
2. Toxic Substances Act
3. Motor Vehicle Pollution Act
4. Water pollution Controls Act
5. Clean Water Restoration Act ( From harmless oil and gas guys in Texas )
6. Safe Drinking Water Act
7. Scenic Rivers Protection
8. Food Quality Control Act
9. Water Quality Control Act
10. Hazardous Waste Controls Act
11. Nuclear Waste Disposal Act
12. Pesticide Control Act
Please let us know what you and your goofball candidate would replace when they get rid of these and the EPA ? Better check with your campaign contributors first. By the way, check the environmental laws in Texas, my friend . Not so very good…..but to hell with the little guy if it puts big buckaroos in Ricky P personal checking account….as it sure as hell has
CraigS
August 27th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
123, Craig,
Whose running as the EPA candidate in the race? Good luck to them.
August 27th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
123.
Wow, you are a liberal. Well, you’ve got the right candidate then: The co-architect, Mitt Romney (with Teddy Kennedy) of big government enforced regulations, mandates, exchanges, and subsidies.
Good luck with that.
Huntsman must be your second choice.
August 27th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
JA beat me to it in #124.
August 27th, 2011 at 5:32 pm
Tele,
If Palin gets in…she will need to work hard and be on all shows answering all questions. I hope she gets in to stir the pot some more.
Craig for Huck ( I will not call you Craig for Bachmann…I consider this your drug taking phase of your life)
I dont think TPAW has any interest in being a Senator. I think TPAW will get a Job in either the Perry or Romney Administration.
I think Perry will need to consider Romney as VP. Perry’s VP will need a Northern flavor to it….and not a Northern Nut job flavor.
I have been very hard on Romney, but he is not a nut job and is a good man. I just can’t warm up to the guy…but then I’m a cold hearted bastard.
I don’t think the ROMBOTS should panic yet. Perry might implode and Bachmann is not a factor.
Hang tough Massachusetts Conservative, and the rest of you Romney savages…you may pull this out.
Maybe Mitt needs to be the underdog..light a fire under him.
August 27th, 2011 at 5:34 pm
#109 K.G.
You’re right, she’s in a lose, lose situation….but, she has to start making decisions soon… Something tells me she’ll land on her feet..even if she has to change her image.
August 27th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
I agree with Douthat. There is no reason for Romney to panick. Perry is the shiny new object in the race. Once he enters the debates and his record becomes more scrutinized, he will begin to tarnish.
As a Virginia Beach native, I’ve lost power (due to Irene) about 3 times today – the longest lasting for about 3 hours. Since the strongest part of the storm will be hitting us in the next hour, I expect the power will go out again soon. Reading all these comments on my cell phone has helped me pass the time. Thanks, everyone, and keep commenting whether or not you have anything interesting to say. (I rarely say anything of interest, so if anyone needs any tips or hints, feel free to ask).
August 27th, 2011 at 5:42 pm
128. Trust me on this.
She has made a decision.
She is waiting for strategic reasons.
Conserving resources and watching the flavors of the week implode, one after another.
She wants to be the last on to jump in, but time is getting short.
She is running and thank God, because these two guys have too much baggage.
August 27th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
Happy days! No regulations for off shore oil drillers…. as kid I would go to the beach and the bottom of my feet would be caked with tar from the off shore oil platforms…The only thing that would clean it off was a bar of Lava soap and a stiff brush..Happy days are here again….Perry for President!
August 27th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Yep, that’s what we need. More government regulations paper-pushed by more government workers..Romney for President!
August 27th, 2011 at 6:04 pm
#129 Shane…
Stay safe! The storm looks horrific.
August 27th, 2011 at 6:09 pm
Congrats to Herman!
!
August 27th, 2011 at 6:10 pm
#129:
You’ll be fine trust me. Having been through 3 hurricanes in 6 week back in 2004 I can tell you that they become more tedious than anything else.
August 27th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
It’s true that there are too many regulations that’s hampering growth…but there are also good regulations like the ones that keep our food supply safe.
But don’t you think getting rid of the EPA is a little much…..when all that needs to be done is reforming it to what it’s intention was in the first place? Romney for President!
August 27th, 2011 at 6:21 pm
123 CraigS. On target comments. Anti-regulation sounds conservative but it’s just stupid when it’s a talking point shortcut to know-nothing support, which is what Perry seems to be angling for.
Teddy Roosevelt was a Republican. He helped begin the process of regulating business to peel back the excesses of monopolistic capitalism. Later, many labor regulations were crafted with the ultimate effect of stabilizing labor relations and diminishing the role of unions.
There will be voters who pay attention and want more than cynical sloganeering masquerading as conservatism, there will be voters who demand thoughtfulness and a reasoned approach to problem solving. Rick Perry needs to start appealing to these folks, or they will “vote ugly on him”.
August 27th, 2011 at 6:28 pm
129. Yes, our thoughts are with the East coasters tonight. Stay safe.
Also, good comments. I agree. Romney has a very coherent strategy that he is following, and he doesn’t show any signs of abandoning it. NH, NV, FL. If Rick Perry is perfect for a state, Romney isn’t going to win that state. And I think more states will swing toward Romney than Perry in the end.
August 27th, 2011 at 6:29 pm
97
Mitt is not selling Massachusetts as a model for the nation.
He is selling his ability to lead a blue, radical left wing state into a more Conservative direction while he was here.
While Mitt was here:
He vetoed over 800 things, most of them line-items with a radical left agenda.
He kept illegals from getting drivers’ licenses.
He kept illegals from getting state tuition money (something Perry wouldn’t and did not do)
He kept a Hezbollah leader from speaking at Harvard.
He fired Whitey Bulger’s brother from UMASS.
He proposed repeated tax cuts.
He vetoed all bills that attempted to expand abortion rights.
He made sure illegals were all reported to ICE after committing crimes.
He cut a record $3billion shortfall in his first year and turned it into a surplus, only raising fees around $300 million.
He fought to keep school choice and led the state to the best schools in the nation all 4 years.
I can keep going.
So yes, Massachusetts is still a liberal state. But Mitt governed here, and did it effectively. He was able to work with the 85% Democrat legislature, while still fighting for his principles of low taxes and low regulations.
Mitt is selling his ability to LEAD, especially in leading FAILING ENTERPRISES to a comeback.
And that’s something he has that no one else in the race except Herman Cain has. But Mitt has government experience as well.
August 27th, 2011 at 6:31 pm
Poll: Obama loses ground
8/27/11 6:02 PM EDT
August 27th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
Politico.com ^
August 27th, 2011 at 6:38 pm
Bachmann/Perry #123
Rick Perry I guess has never read Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle”
August 27th, 2011 at 6:38 pm
The rhetoric has gotten so bad, and the anti-Washington/anti-gov’t fervor so strong, that I am not sure anyone is allowed to say anything favorable about government other than “preserve medicare and social security.” Of all the crazy stuff Perry and others have said even they have been forced to acknowledge that medicare and social security are hands-off. Even though the entitlement programs are the biggest forces behind our debt and deficits. If Perry really is as bold and brash as some proclaim it would be refreshing if he stood by what he wrote in Fed Up!
August 27th, 2011 at 6:38 pm
Social Security is unconstitutional according to Perry in his book. Let’s fly that one up a Florida flagpole and see how many voters call that “conservative”.
August 27th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
#129:
When the storm is over, be careful of downed wires. During the ’04 hurricanes one or two people were killed by downed wires that were in puddles.
August 27th, 2011 at 6:47 pm
Geez….I’m beginning to wonder if Rick Perry really wants to be President!
August 27th, 2011 at 6:49 pm
Hang tight, Shane!
August 27th, 2011 at 6:54 pm
#145 – Jonathan,
We don’t get hit too often here (most of the past hurricanes that have traveled our area typically first hit 45 miles south of here – Nags Head, NC), so I’m thankful for that. The two worst storms of my lifetime were Gloria (when I was 6 years old) and Isabel (in 2003). With those two storms, we lost power for nearly a week. It is certainly nowhere near the level of Katrina or Andrew, but it definitely stinks. I’m surprised we actually still have power. It went out about an hour ago, but was only out for 30 minutes. I’m hopeful that it will remain on this time.
August 27th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
#148:
When we had the 3 from 2004 (Charlie, Frances and Jeanne), we were lucky in keeping power on all of them except Frances. That storm knocked out the power for 3 days in the middle of the Florida summer. It was miserably hot and humid.
We Floridians have gotten pretty good at preparing for these things, and because we get hit so often, our state has very vigorous building codes. That really helps keep the damage down.
August 27th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
Quit comparing muti-term governors of our largest states with Palin, a 29 month and out governor who quit when the Dems picked on her. Boo-hoo.
You’re making a fool of yourself EVERY TIME.
===================================================
Actually you are the fool here Craig. The fact is that Palin had a much greater impact on her state than Reagan did on California. She got a natural gas pipeline agreement passed that saved the state $1.5 billion. She got major reform legislation passed. She reformed the state ‘s royalty system, and ended up with a $12 billion surplus. That is a large part of the reason the state’s credit rating was lifted to AAA. She unlike Reagan did not have to raise taxes. Also worth noting that Reagan did not have to face possibility of millions of dollars in legal fees.
I can see why you have to attack. You can’t defend Perry. I can see why business likes him. Merck invested only $6,000 in Perry’s re-election fund and they nearly ended up making millions were it not for the Texas legislature. Another contractor put in $330,000 to one of Perry’s slush funds and ended up with millions in state contracts soon after. When a big Perry contributor was turened down by the Texas Enterprise Fund, he swung into action. Then we have the fact that he is living like a King at taxpayer expense. He could taked some lessons from Huckabee who lived in a trailer while the Governor’s mansion in Arkansas was being renovated.
August 27th, 2011 at 7:05 pm
Mitt has been doing a lot better than last time around, and I’d still give him the front-runner status, since he’s got the organizational advantage. His strategy appears to be rope-a-dope — only this time for real. He’s essentially waiting for others to slap him and then dodge and weave in response, at least until the polls get closer to actual voting and matter. It’s a good way for him to keep his powder dry and let the others go after each other. He can stand back and make himself the occasional victim of cross-fire from competitors that he will claim to respect. In the meantime, the field winnows, narrows, and firms.
Much like the Bam strategy in dealing with the GOP now, I’m guessing Mitt will bide his time and wait ’til closer to actual elections before going after details in his opponents’ plans. This may or may not work, depending on whether his opponents get better coverage for occupying the most popular positions. If they get there first with attention, he looks like an opportunistic copy cat — particularly if the position is at variance from earlier campaigns. If he gets there first with positive attention, he can sarcastically thank the others for their delayed endorsement of his plans.
Still, although the front-runner, he is still too weak to take much for granted. If he keeps over-specifying his approval of the Teapers — “I agree with them on XY issue — or going too moderate, he will likely face a strong arch-conservative challenger in the general. If he makes it through the nomination while leaving too much ideological space to his right, look out.
Aside from MSM candidate J-Hunt, no one else is likely to face a strong third-party challenger, since such a candidate would be from the overhyped moderate center, which has been lousy territory for launching any serious third-party bid. Who wants to vote for a candidate whose political ideas are best described as, “Whatever everyone wants: “I’m for a liberal-conservative black-white day-night procedural process solution. I love motherhood and apple pie, and I hate everyone I’m supposed to hate. Let’s just all get along.”
August 27th, 2011 at 7:08 pm
#149 – Jonathan,
Yeah, that was a horrible year for Florida. Wasn’t there a 4th hurricane as well? Or did that one skip the coastline? As we get pummeled here, when you turn on Fox News or CNN, the only thing they are talking about is NYC. Governor McDonnell was on CNN earlier, and they actually asked him about NYC. I couldn’t believe it. On the bright side, he was able to coordinate services early and he has been on the TV and radio many times today. I think we were more prepared for this hurricane than we have been for previous storms.
August 27th, 2011 at 7:15 pm
#152:
The fourth storm was Ivan. I don’t count it since I personally didn’t go through it. Tgat storm went through Pensacola in the Panhandle, while the other three hit us in Central Florida. Ivan pounded Pensacola really bad though.
I am actually laughing at the panic over NYC. It really isn’t going to be as bad as hyped once it gets that far north.
Most people know Jeb Bush is popular down here, but a lot of them forget why; it was those hurricanes. Jeb did a fantastic job during the storms. He knew exactly what to do and how to get everything organized. Of course, by the time the 3rd and 4th storms came through, everyone in the state was an expert on what hurricane preparedness.
August 27th, 2011 at 7:18 pm
If Palin gets in…she will need to work hard and be on all shows answering all questions. I hope she gets in to stir the pot some more.
=====================================================
I think she realizes that she needs to run a extremely grassroots oriented campaign. Whether that is with the LSM or some other medium is unknown. She
has also said the more competition the better and you seem to agree on that point.
August 27th, 2011 at 7:31 pm
#154:
Oh yeah, Ivan. That’s the one I was forgetting. My grandmother has relatives that still live in Orlando; they do not have many fond memories of that summer.
I think Shepard Smith has been on the air since 10am. That guy never gets any sleep anytime we enter a war or get hit by massive storms.
I think Jeb got a ton of credit following those hurricanes, even by people who are normally predisposed to throw things at him rather than pay him a compliment. Competence and an ability to organize are certainly helpful traits for an executive (something I hope our primary voters keep in mind).
August 27th, 2011 at 7:37 pm
#155:
It was a pretty unpleasant summer. It was either the last week in September or October before I had a full week of school, because they kept having to cancel it because of those wretched storms.
Competency is very important; it’s just one more reason why Governors make for such appealing Presidential candidates. No Senator manages a state when a natural disaster comes, a Governor does.
August 27th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
139. Great clarification and summary. Some seem to conveniently forget that MA is a liberal state when it suits their argument.
August 27th, 2011 at 7:52 pm
Here in southern WV, we’ve had lightly gusty winds and clouds from Irene all day. That’s a biggie of a storm. Wouldn’t want to be as close as Shane, having experienced only night-time squalls from a storm in southern FL a while back.
Jonathan mentions the politics of disaster response in 156. It’s interesting how that meshes with wide ranging responses from the general public. Now, for instance, it’s looking like Christie, Obama, and especially Bloomberg have overreacted since the intensity is far lower than predicted. Worse, though, is when the lead pols are perceived to have reacted too late to a system that is worse than predicted, such as happened to Dubya with the Katrina warnings.
But the general public reacts to the most excited dire warnings of storms that are weaker than anticipated by laughing off warnings of future storms. “I rode out that last one and nothing happened!” This could be a bad year for that if this season turns out to be Atlantic-centric as some long-range forecasters are guessing. If that’s the case, public response to future warnings may turn out to be too confident when a truly damaging storm with high winds strikes in the future.
August 27th, 2011 at 7:53 pm
Anything thinking that de Mint endorses Mitt (unless he’s the only one left) is clueless! Sorry but he simply won’t.
August 27th, 2011 at 7:59 pm
#159:
DeMint is a singularly worthless Senator. He’s passed nothing, and opposes pretty much everything on principle. While Romney needs someone that the hard-right respects to support him, he could do a lot better than DeMint.
August 27th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
#158 – MarqueG,
People definitely become too complacent in regards to these sorts of storms. Sure, the death toll is in the single digits out of the millions of people who are impacted by Irene; however, there is still a lot of damage done both to body and property. People need to be careful, as they are not only putting themselves in danger by ignoring any warnings, but also are putting rescue workers and neighbors in danger, as well. There may at times be an overreaction on the part of some officials, yet that is certainly preferable to an underreaction that results in more deaths and injuries. Best of luck to all of you out in WV. I guess you guys won’t get much in the way of wind, but those rain bands are causing some serious flooding even a hundred miles inland, so you can never tell what to really expect.
August 27th, 2011 at 8:13 pm
How can anyone overreact to a storm the size of Europe?
August 27th, 2011 at 8:21 pm
Shane, would’ve been nice to get some rain with the clouds, but we’re still in a mini-drought along with points west. Ya’ll in the VA tidewater and even some uplanders have had more than enough. Yet we can’t get any water from, say, Blacksburg, VA, through Lewisburg, Marlinton, and (here) Beckley, WV.
But here’s hopin’ the floodin’ don’t getcha!
August 27th, 2011 at 8:25 pm
PZ 162: By thinking that multi-hour sustained 50 mph winds with rain is no worse than fewer hours’ of sustained 100 mph winds with or without rain. One will do some light damage to roofing, siding, and even foundations. The other will flatten your whole house quickly once the weak point of the structure is breached.
August 27th, 2011 at 8:38 pm
August 27, 2011, 8:32 pm
Bachmann Promises Fast Economic Turnaround With Tax Cuts
August 27th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
165 – Fiscal policy alone will not turn the economy around. Monetary policy plays a significant if not more important role in the economy.
August 27th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
does any body know when obama’s big speech is expected I Am guessing it could get pushed back do to I Am guessing obama will go visit some or all of the states affected by Hurricane Irene so his big speech could get delayed?
August 27th, 2011 at 8:54 pm
166 i don’t expect the economy to be good even come election day 2012
August 27th, 2011 at 9:11 pm
Tax reform including reducing the corporate rate will be part of the package presented by the super committee.
The repatriation holiday is a bad idea because it incentives companies to park money overseas and wait for the next holiday.
The underlying problem is still housing and personal debt.
August 27th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
Bachmann: Environmentalists blocking US energy
Associated Press
August 27th, 2011 at 9:32 pm
Rick Perry blasts Obama, notes own job-creating record
By Associated Press
Saturday, August 27, 2011 – Added 2 hours ago
August 27th, 2011 at 9:35 pm
We do have a lot of untapped energy. It will be relatively cheap to tap oil shale, Arctic oil, etc…..if we don’t mind our country resembling Saudi Arabia. If we extract it carefully at more cost ( oil and gas won’t like that impact on their record profits ) we can still be energy independent and keep our environment clean. What’s wrong with intelligent careful energy independence ?
CraigS
August 27th, 2011 at 9:38 pm
BPsquared
RickyP says Washington is ” seedy”. He wants to make it inconsequential to Americans. Do Americans want their capital to be seedy and inconsequential ? Where is the capital to be…….San Antonio ???
CraigS
August 27th, 2011 at 9:46 pm
#170 Bachmann/Perry
Are people really worried about the EPA, drilling in Alaska, and the crazed environmentalist right now….to change any of these things would take years. She shouldn’t tell those people that she can just go in and shut down the EPA…
She’s letting Perry dictate her campaign stratagy….She should be talking about ways to stabalize the housing market, and finding answers to reform healthcare and of course putting people to work.
August 27th, 2011 at 9:49 pm
Immigration Perry: Feds Owe Texas for Incarcerating Illegal Immigrants
August 27th, 2011 at 10:03 pm
LV,
Bachmann is right.
The EPA is killing jobs everywhere including MOSTLY out here in California where I live. I know first hand having dealt with them in several businesses I’ve owned over the years.
I also know the owners of various medium sized companies who’ve got “fed up” and moved their entire operations to Texas – taking over a thousand jobs with them.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:07 pm
#175…… And this just became a problem in August 2011? People are already seeing through this for what it is….especially since Perry fought for years of against a fence along the Mexican border, what changed his mind?
August 27th, 2011 at 10:10 pm
BP Squared
What is Huck’s opinion of this West Texas dufus ???
CraigS
August 27th, 2011 at 10:12 pm
BP Squared
Why just move to Texas with your thousand jobs ? EPA is still there. Why not…….Guatemala ? No EPA. No environmental concerns. No environment at all !
CraigS
August 27th, 2011 at 10:23 pm
Romney has nothing to worry about. He’s leading in NH and Florida. So far, nobody is challenging Mitt’s base (independent, anti-Obama Democrats, moderate conservatives).
August 27th, 2011 at 10:25 pm
CraigS,
Are you a treehugger?
And will you vote for Perry as our nominee?
Btw, Texas is a much better climate for busineses because there’s less state governmental job sapping regulations — in addition to the Fed ones.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
181. (cont.)
..thanks to the last two governors of Texas.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:30 pm
As for Huck and Perry’s silly feud — Arkansas govs and Texas govs tend to not get along.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:35 pm
#176 Bachman/Perry
I know the EPA and the environmentalist who run it has become job killers, and I’m all for reforming….And what they’ve done to the water situation along the Delta in Northern CA. is criminal…But there are other ways to talk about creating jobs….But then again what do I know…their the experts.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:43 pm
Trump Courted by Rick Perry; Giuliani for VP?
Saturday, 27 Aug 2011 09:56 PM
By Special From Newsmax’s Most Informed Sources
August 27th, 2011 at 10:47 pm
Btw, Texas is a much better climate for busineses because there’s less state governmental job sapping regulations — in addition to the Fed ones.
=================================================
And buying influence is standard operating procedure.
August 27th, 2011 at 10:54 pm
^
Hillary Ranked as World’s 2nd Most Powerful Woman
August 27th, 2011 at 11:06 pm
This is funny. You may as well advise water not to be wet as advise Romney not to panic. The man loses complete control of his bowels if he even sees his shadow.
August 27th, 2011 at 11:26 pm
Craig for Bachmann/Huck/Perry or whomever else isnt named Mitt Romney….
This website is like crack for you. You literally post 25-40% of what is posted on this site. And with every new poll, every news story, every new statement that’s made- you continue to try and annoint your non Romney candidate of the month as the presumptive nominee.
Honestly it has become quite tired for me.
August 27th, 2011 at 11:42 pm
Adam Smith said, “leave the market alone, and it will right itself.” We don’t need a tenth of the regulations in the Federal Register. And the relatively few that we DO need are NOT the ones that are destroying economic growth in the country.
I trust Mitt to eliminate those that are counterproductive or unnecessary. The cost to businesses and the citizenry of complying with regulations and acquiring permits is the Fascist cost of bureaucracy. The budgets of the regulatory and permitting agencies are the Socialist cost of the bureaucracy. The former is greater than the latter by something like 100 to 1.
I hope Romney starts with the EPA and OSHA….and maybe the FDA.
BTW, the EPA was created by Nixon in the early 70′s with no specified mission whatever. They were created a power unto themselves….an agency without Portfolio. It has led to the loss of millions of jobs in America over the last 4 decades.
August 28th, 2011 at 12:05 am
Tyranny by Bureaucracy. Congress passes bills which are esstially bullet points, which are given to the agencies for interpretation and implementation. At this point they are essentially accountable to no one and free to run wild and ruin the country.
Don’t even get me started on the Air Quality Resources Board in CA. They are indeed run by Satan. And once some insignificant creature makes it to the Endangered Species list, forget about it. Delta smelt, anyone?
Whoever our next POTUS, he/she needs to take on these unconstitutional departments and stomp them into them ground.
August 28th, 2011 at 12:10 am
189
I second your post.
August 28th, 2011 at 12:26 am
Romney will beat Bachmann in Iowa. In fact Perry/Romney will run 1/2 in perhaps every single state.
August 28th, 2011 at 12:31 am
Texas unemployment jumped from 8.2% to 8.4% from June to July. It is epected to be over 9% by the end of the year and exceed the national average.
Hasn’t Perry had about the same record on job creation as Ann Richards? I think her increase in jobs was around 10.3%, and most of her tenure was during a recessionary period. Didn’t Bush have over 20% job growth? I think Perry is around 11%.
So, the great job creator in recent Texas history was GW, with Rick Perry and Ann Richards far back.
August 28th, 2011 at 12:38 am
That’s right, we rank 26th right now in unemployment – we are now in the bottom half of the states.
August 28th, 2011 at 12:41 am
Also, Rick Perry has increased government jobs by nearly 20% as he has sought to expand the government and its role here in Texas. It’s no secret that our government and spending has grown at a much higher pace then the federal government.
August 28th, 2011 at 1:09 am
A new story about Perry lobbying to keep his travel costs a secret. I didn’t see other governors, like Pawlenty or Romney, need to do this. I am certainly a fan of transparent government, and this just flies in the face of having a transparent and accountable government.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/perrys-travel-security-costs-will-stay-secret-until-after-2012/2011/08/22/gIQANIZBjJ_story.html
August 28th, 2011 at 1:16 am
Perry is a problem for the Republican Party’s brand as is the Tea Party. The movement is not growing in popularity with the American people.
And now with Perry as their leader and with his proclivity to use derisive & divisive words i.e. Washington is “seedy”, the infamous “treacherous/almost treasonous/pretty ugly” trinity, “shouldn’t curry favor with them”, his slight on the presidents patriotism, insinuating the military might not respect the current POTUS all of this sets a tone that will not win people over to the Republican Party or the TEA Party’s agenda.
Also I don’t think Perry is the right person to talk entitlement reform to the American people because of his hard right views from his recent book Fed Up. I mean look what happened to Paul Ryan. Does anyone really think Rick Perry’s personality is better suited to bring that message to a national discussion?!
Yeah sure Perry has a good job record in Texas but he’s a Republican Texan governing a state with a Republican majority, it’s kind of a duh. And it certainly doesn’t prove Perry’s leadership ability to influence in the arena of ideas.
A Romney/Rubio ticket would be the best one to win back the White House from Obama and to influence in the arena of ideas.
Both men are extremely articulate, intelligent, thoughtful, passionate speakers and would be great statesmen for America. And a ticket like this, it just might assure 16 years of conservative leadership in the White House.
August 28th, 2011 at 1:24 am
Mitt and Marco together at Rubio’s endorsement, they look so great together!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aNmQ3sw3ms
They exude such a positive, strong message and have the ability to deliver stinging criticism without demonizing people….both men do this very well.
And let’s just face facts; it would go down in the history books as the best looking President/VP teams ever
August 28th, 2011 at 4:07 am
#188…..CASUSIT
I see you are doing your level best to claim the spot of RACE 4 2012 Jerk-in-Chief…
August 28th, 2011 at 5:25 am
I don’t buy the argument that the FDA, EPA, OSHA and other agencies and departments should simply be eliminated. Perhaps the Dept of ED because I believe localities should control schools, but there are also college programs. To promise or call for abolishment necessarily leads me to wonder who will do monitoring and enforcement. We can’t depend on industry to regulate itself because if left to the market the incentive will be for fly-by-night producers to sprout up and take advantage of no regulation. They can dump their products, take the profits, and this disband before anyone is able to take action against their shoddy products.
In many ways China manufacturing is the model of what I am talking about. They make cheap goods – and they are not worth even the cheap price. I bought a pair of slippers from Wal-Mart made in China for about $3. Within days they began falling apart and leaving a black tar like substance on the floor. The cushion in the soles, which began falling out, looks like asbestos. When you go looking for the manufacturer they are out of business.
I would rather have an agency looking out for the goods arriving in the US than waiting for a consumer to buy something, get sick, and then sue, only to find the manufacturer long gone.
August 28th, 2011 at 5:41 am
Back to the title piece -
Douthat suggests that what Romney really needs is a third party to intercede. He suggests it would help if the dems targeted Perry. But what about the superpac supporting Romney? Why hasn’t it targeted Perry?
This is one of my complaints about Romney, not as a person but as a campaign. Where are the professionals? I don’t remember when a competitor has entered the race without as much as a scratch. Even Fred T. took a bunch of punches (he’s old, lethargic, with a trophy wife). Part of it is that conservative media has pretty much hailed Perry so there has been very little coming from the right. And the thinking is that the dems prefer the more extreme candidate who looks, sounds and acts like Bush, so there has been tepid fire from the left. That leaves the other candidates. The only one really firing shots is Ron Paul, but he’s out there alone.
If Bachmann and Romney had joined in Perry’s rise would not have been so quick and easy.
August 28th, 2011 at 6:47 am
Clearly, there’s no need for Romney to panic. (As an aside, it has been fun watching the panic among the Rombots, even as they try to convince themselves they’re not panicking).
Equally clearly, Romney needs to adjust his strategy. This above-the-fray pose he has taken is no longer adequate. If it ever was — he reminded me of a football team going into a prevent defense with a six-point lead midway through the third quarter. He was not far enough ahead and it was much too early for that.
But just as it was too early for Romney to act like the nominee-presumptive, it’s equally early to think that Perry’s meteoric entrance (impressive as it has been) translates into anything more than a good start.
August 28th, 2011 at 6:52 am
Rick Perry Wanted Bi-National Health Insurance With Mexico – http://www.rightspeak.net/2011/08/rick-perry-wanted-bi-national-health.html
August 28th, 2011 at 6:52 am
#202….But PabloZed…….Look what happened in 2008 when Romney took on the other candidates…they were very nasty in their own right but only Romney took heat for “going negative”
There is just something about a large faction of the GOP that has a double standard when it comes to Romney….and Romney had that fact burned into his forehead last time.
Add to that the fact that he over did the blitz in the early states and peaked too early and you have the current strategy.
Romney has been steadily building a nation-wide organization for years and he is being very careful of the timing for when he intends to turn it loose.
He’s aiming for the right amount at the right time rather than too much too soon.
As for Perry, he has so much to do in so short time. He has to put together an organization, attend a bunch of debates, turn up the fundraising, and, one would hope, deal with getting vetted.
I think all the other candidates will sit back and see if Perry will hang himself or wait until he goes negative first.
We’ll see how Perry is doing at the end of September…
August 28th, 2011 at 6:58 am
#203…Bob Havic
I haven’t had time to read most of the posts, but my impression was that the RomNots were hyperventilating at Perry’s poll numbers more than the Rombots are panicking.
If Perry is judged to out due Mitt in the next debate or two….I’ll start panicking…
(Mainly because I don’t trust Perry as far as I can throw him…)
August 28th, 2011 at 7:00 am
205:
Perry’s already signaled his intent to go negative.
August 28th, 2011 at 7:13 am
Jerald (206): “my impression was that the RomNots were hyperventilating at Perry’s poll numbers more than the Rombots are panicking.”
I’m not sure I’d go along with ‘more than’, but certainly that’s been happening as well — and on both sides, it’s been coming from exactly the individuals one would expect.
August 28th, 2011 at 7:16 am
The race right now is a marathon not a sprint. Sprinting comes when the general primary voters are engaged in each state. What Romney needs to do is wait until things developed. See how the press and the other candidates take on Perry’s baggage. Wait until Perry has had a chance to be exposed to the public at large and see how he handles it. If Perry finger poking incident is any judge, Perry will eventually wear thin.
Romney made the mistake last time of peaking too soon, he will not make the same mistake again.
There are questions to be answered before Romney changes his strategy.
* How will Perry do in the debates.
* How will Bachmann react to be supplanted by Perry in Iowa.
* How will the voters react to Perry’s skeletons like international Health Care.
Frankly, Perry’s rise may actually be a boon to Romney as he is no longer target #1. Let Perry take the hits for awhile, then swing back in full force after Perry has been taken down a few notches.
August 28th, 2011 at 7:38 am
208:
Which Romney supporter do you see panicking?
August 28th, 2011 at 7:57 am
“Romney made the mistake last time of peaking too soon, he will not make the same mistake again.”
It is often said of generals that they are always well-prepared to fight the previous war. It is a natural reaction, if once we fail, to do the exact opposite the next time. Sometimes that may be the right move, sometimes more subtle adjustments are called for. Time will tell if Romney’s 2012 approach will be more successful than 2008.
August 28th, 2011 at 8:08 am
# Bob Hovic Says:
It is often said of generals that they are always well-prepared to fight the previous war. It is a natural reaction, if once we fail, to do the exact opposite the next time. Sometimes that may be the right move, sometimes more subtle adjustments are called for. Time will tell if Romney’s 2012 approach will be more successful than 2008.
==============================================================
It is also said that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. How this plays out, who knows. I do know this, none of us know how this will play out. Just like in August of 2007, the Poll leaders where Rudy and Fred Thompson, and yet McCain still managed to win the nomination. There is something to be said about experience, even when it comes to the nomination process. Romney is the only candidate out there who has experienced a previous run
August 28th, 2011 at 8:16 am
What is the story about Perry and joint U.S – Mexico Health Care programs ?? Dare we bring that up or is that to be hidden too ? Hannity ? Here’s your chance , kiddo. Try , for once, to be ” fair and balanced .” Why would Perry block access to all his E mails ? Why would Perry block access to all his Funds that he uses to compensate his donors ? Why does Perry refuse to release the same state material that Bush made public in 2000 ? Why on earth does the media ignore this stuff? Believe me, the voters won’t and it will be 4 more years of Obama without breaking a sweat
CraigS
August 28th, 2011 at 8:38 am
“But PabloZed…….Look what happened in 2008 when Romney took on the other candidates…they were very nasty in their own right but only Romney took heat for “going negative”
Jerald,
I don’t see it that way. Romney took heat because the attacks were seen as disingenuous (Romney attacking Rudy on immigration, for example).
But assuming you are correct, that is why the superpac should do it. Imagine a series of ads by Texans that begin, “So you think you know Rick Perry?”
And one ad says, “Did you know Perry supported Al Gore, ACORN, and even wanted Texans to fund a cross-border healthcare plan for Mexicans, treating them like US citizens?” (Ads always stretch the truth).
Another one says, “Did you know Rick Perry became a millionaire while serving as governor by investing in shady real estate deals with campaign donors?”
And another, “Did you know Rick Perry mandated all pre-teen girls to get a vaccine that presumed all pre-teen girls were sexually active?”
August 28th, 2011 at 8:42 am
#214:
What really bothered all the other campaigns and candidates in 2008 about Romney was that he was claiming to be Mr. Pure Conservative, and then he went after the other candidates for their deviations from conservative orthodoxy. It really grated on the other campaigns and was part of why they all disliked him so much
August 28th, 2011 at 9:05 am
Jonathan, you mean… he talked about their actual RECORDS? Some of the other’s went personal, like the anti-mo stuff (huck and his followers, McCain’s mom). But RECORDS are free game. Cue Panic for Perry.
August 28th, 2011 at 9:13 am
215:
That’s why all the other candidates were children when it came to Romney. He was debating them on their position and they came back making it personal.
August 28th, 2011 at 9:31 am
Romney cheesed everyone else off last time because he reached deep into his savings account to run blanket ads that were flagrantly hypocritical. Every aggressively asserted charge that he leveled at others backfired by drawing media attention to Mitt’s record, which in every case had similar or worse deviations from the purity his ad men were implying.
This is a frequent pitfall for candidates with the ability to bankroll their own campaigns: They lose touch with the views of the potential donors they are turning off and begin to believe their own propaganda and press releases.
August 28th, 2011 at 9:40 am
MarqueG Says:
August 28th, 2011 at 9:31 am
Romney cheesed everyone else off last time because he reached deep into his savings account to run blanket ads that were flagrantly hypocritical. Every aggressively asserted charge that he leveled at others backfired by drawing media attention to Mitt’s record, which in every case had similar or worse deviations from the purity his ad men were implying.
====================================================================
That was completey and entirely false, did you mother every talk to you about telling the truth????
Name one thing that was flagrantly hypocritical. It is your attack that is full of hypocrisy.
August 28th, 2011 at 9:44 am
214: Pablo
Love your “So You Think You Know Rick Perry” idea. Terrific!
August 28th, 2011 at 9:48 am
214
That would be QUITE devastating. And as with all TV ads, the media always flocks to investigate if the things in the ad are true. And perhaps after a little digging, the media would realize the corrupt fraud Rick Perry is.
August 28th, 2011 at 10:23 am
#214…….Yes, I’m hoping those ads start rolling.
So when would be good timing?
Compared to Perry, most of the other candidates look like saints…
I’m sure wishing T-Paw could have stayed in…
August 28th, 2011 at 10:36 am
How many here really think that Romnot suggestions of what Mitt is doing wrong would result in positive feedback from them if he happened to implement what they suggest?
Can you imagine any of them saying, “Well done, Mitt–that’s the sort of leadership we were wishing he’d demonstrate.”?
Or would they be saying, “This is a sign of desperation on the part of Mitt and his campaign.”?
I have my suspicions.
I have to admit, though, a couple of PabloZed’s ad ideas would be fun to see.
August 28th, 2011 at 10:42 am
hamaca
I wouldn’t consider PabloZed a “RomNot” in the classic sense, he’s become much more intellectual and valuable to the discussion on this site over time.
August 28th, 2011 at 10:51 am
Remember guys, PabloZed suggested the superpac do it, not Romney’s campaign…
Hamaca, as for the RomNot suggestions…yeah I have the same suspicions…
August 28th, 2011 at 11:16 am
224. MassC, yes, I’ve noticed the same and am appreciating his views more whether or not I agree with them.
August 28th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
True Rombots will do the exact opposite of what a Romnot tells them.
Check and mate!
August 28th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
I don’t see Romney panicking either. So thanks for the unnecessary advice.
December 28th, 2011 at 6:27 am
It’s exhausting to seek out knowledgeable folks on this topic, however you sound like you realize what you’re speaking about! Thanks
You should participate in a contest for probably the greatest blogs on the web. I’ll recommend this site!