Bachmann generates buzz, Perry goes flat in Big Easy

Washington Times ^ | 6-19-2011 | Ralph Z. Hallow

[smoothsailing]

Bachmann generates buzz, Perry goes flat in Big Easy

Both Romney, Pawlenty pass up gathering

By Ralph Z. Hallow

JUne 19, 2011

NEW ORLEANS — The expected emergence of Texas Gov. Rick Perry as the clear challenger to presidential nomination front-runner Mitt Romney never materialized at the annual Republican Leadership Conference here over the weekend.

Mr. Perry underperformed, Jon Huntsman backed out, Newt Gingrich made a comeback, Michele Bachmann came off like a rock-star, Herman Cain got considerable love from the audience, Rick Santorum received quiet attentiveness, and Ron Paul’s supporters alienated party regulars as always.

The two contenders that political pros earlier this year figured would be the heavyweights, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Mr. Romney, were no-shows, having turned down invitations.

So, after back-to-back gatherings of party officials and rank-and-file voters at a televised debate in New Hampshire last week and then the conference here, the 2012 GOP presidential nomination contest remains as uncertain as ever.

What is evident, though, is that Mr. Perry - if he jumps in - intends to compete with Mr. Gingrich, Mrs. Bachmann and others for support from the political right, just as Mr. Romney will be competing with Mr. Huntsman for the center-right vote.

Republican activists have now had a chance to look over most of the 2012 hopefuls, and judging from scores of interviews, overheard talk among attendees and the intensity of crowd reaction, there is still no standout who looks destined to grab the big ring next year...

[xjcsa]

I don’t know, I was pretty impressed with Perry.

[mylife]

Fell Flat? LoL

Look, I am not a huge Perry fan, but the SOB was on FIRE!

[mylife]

Fell Flat? LoL

Look, I am not a huge Perry fan, but the SOB was on FIRE!

[Keith in Iowa]

It’s the beltway media meme - Bachmann is their darling much like McNutly was last go-’round... they’ll keep building her up, only to tear her down later when it suits them.

[smoothsailing]

I watched it on C-Span, I though he did fine, but I’d never watched him speak before. Apparently when he strays away from the podium and isn’t tightly scripted, he’s more impressive. At least according to the article.

[abb]

Ralph Z. Hallow is still writing. I thought he was dead...

[smoothsailing]

I though Perry did fine.

What cracked me up was the straw poll:

RLC 2011 Straw Poll ResultsIf the primary election for president were held today, for whom would you vote? Please check the box by the candidate of your choice.

Bachmann 191
Cain 104
Gingrich 69
Huntsman 382
Johnson 10
McCotter 2
Palin 41
Paul 612
Pawlenty 18
Roemer 9
Romney 74
Santorum 30

Texas fruitcake Ron Paul got 40% in a field of 12 people! I mean really, how seriously can the Republican Leadership Conference be if 40% of the folks there are barking moonbat Paulbots! Goodness Gracious!!!

[WWRD]

I agree - If a long, loud standing ovation and chants of “run Rick run” are indicative of a flat reception, there must have been a veritable riot after Bachmann was done speaking.

[Paladin2]

"... Perry goes flat>>"

I don't think so.

[MrEdd]

I would no more vote for Open Borders Perry than Mitt Romneycare.

[RED SOUTH]

Bachmann only coopted the Tea Party movement on the orders of Karl Rove who plucked her from the backbenches of the Minnesota state legislature and funded her campaign for the House in 06 and personally campaigned for her.

She supports ethanol subsidies and has recieved over 250k in farm subsidies with her family through a trust for a farm she owns with her family. Hardly walking the talk. And earmarks , Bachmann loves them. Her mouth doesn't match her actions.

Michele Bachmann wrote several letters to Bush adm in 2007 advocating a presidential pardon for Frank Vennes who was a large donor to her , Norm Coleman and Tim Pawlenty. Vennes pleaded guilty and no contest to federal charges of money laundering, cocaine and firearms trafficking in 1987.

Bachmann , who used to be a liberal , organized for Jimmy Carter in 76. Now she has Ed "walking around money" Rollins managing her campaign and allows him to say nasty things about Gov Palin , who had helped her. Meanwhile , Rove and the Bush people are working behind the scenes to nominate Romney and made a deal with Bachmann to split the Tea Party vote for the VP spot. That is why Bachmann easy on him during the debate.... not a single mention from her about Romneycare.

Chris Mathews love her .... the leftist media all of the sudden is taking it easy on her. They are waiting to destroy her later should she end up on the republican ticket and thet will have much more to work with than with Palin in 08. Just wait until the skeletons start coming out of her closet like the 1.2 million she recieved from the state of MN taking care of 23 foster kids , mostly who were teens and tell people they were used for babysitting services for Bachmann.

[Grunthor]

“Mr. Perry underperformed”
.
.
Not according to the video that I saw. Not according to the response of the crowd either. The writer is a liar. The reason is unknown.

For the record I am distrustful of Perry and backing Cain, Bachmann or Palin; in that order but there is no good reason to lie on other candidates or possible candidates.

[MrEdd]

Did my post indicate I had picked Bachmann?

No.

You are not going to make an open borders amnestybot who is pretty much the poster boy for Kelo vs. New London eminent domain abuse into a conservative by attacking someone else.

I could attack Ron Paul and Mitt Romneycare all day and the unacceptable record Perry has generated would not go away.

I have zero interest in helping the USA collapse into a mire of governance by twin socialist authoritarian parties. Being reborn in the fires of economic collapse or war is a better option if the ballot box doesn't work.

Among those who have declared, Cain looks most acceptable, but this is a cycle where a late entry is viable.

[MrEdd]

Did my post indicate I had picked Bachmann?

No.

You are not going to make an open borders amnestybot who is pretty much the poster boy for Kelo vs. New London eminent domain abuse into a conservative by attacking someone else.

I could attack Ron Paul and Mitt Romneycare all day and the unacceptable record Perry has generated would not go away.

I have zero interest in helping the USA collapse into a mire of governance by twin socialist authoritarian parties. Being reborn in the fires of economic collapse or war is a better option if the ballot box doesn't work.

Among those who have declared, Cain looks most acceptable, but this is a cycle where a late entry is viable.

[deport]

there is still no standout who looks destined to grab the big ring next year...

---

Probably true but I thought Perry was far from falling flat. For his first time out with a scripted stump speech he did get a fairly good reaction from the audience from what I saw. I’m sure the speech needs refining/tuning but that comes with time and more deliveries.

I’m not sure which two or three will emerge as the real contenders but Ames Iowa isn’t but a couple of months away. Heck if Paul spends a little month on getting his troops inside the event he may come out in front again. Now that won’t mean he’s the leader by any stretch. Gonna be an interesting fall, IMO.

[smoothsailing]

Rove and the Bush people are working behind the scenes to nominate Romney and made a deal with Bachmann to split the Tea Party vote for the VP spot.

That's a pretty serious charge, and if you can't prove it, it's slander.

So prove it, or do you just enjoy shouting in large font and bold type?

[imjimbo]

I seriously hope you post a picture of Katy on EVERY thread that mentions Perry-!!! Keep him in perspective-!!!

[truthfreedom]

Perry

Bilderberg 2007

Forced Vaccinations via Executive Order

Trans Texas Corridor

[Clara Lou]

Meanwhile , Rove and the Bush people are working behind the scenes to nominate Romney and made a deal with Bachmann to split the Tea Party vote for the VP spot.
It's bad to pose assumptions as fact. How do you know this to be true?