Posted on 10/03/2011 8:09:20 PM PDT by smoothsailing
October 3, 2011
Although Texas Gov. Rick Perry has been hurt by poor debate and straw-poll performances - and in recent days by associations with a racial slur - top Republican officials think he nonetheless can survive the blows and remain a major contender for the party’s presidential nomination.
These party officials, whose neutrality in nomination contests requires their anonymity in discussing the candidates, have told The Washington Times that the structure of the 2012 primary race, funding advantages and weaknesses in other candidates mean Mr. Perry can hang with Mitt Romney, Herman Cain and the other top contenders.
.........
Last week, Florida, in violation of Republican National Committee rules, jumped its primary to Jan. 31, which will prompt Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada to move their contests from February to early January in order to preserve the traditional calendar primacy. On Monday, South Carolina did exactly that, moving its primary to Jan. 21, and Nevada officials agreed over the weekend to move their caucuses.
.......
And while the latest primary moves have the effect of shortening the window for new people to get in the race and raise funds, a complaint already being made by the Texas governor’s campaign, party officials who spoke to The Times said Mr. Perry, a tea-party favorite, can keep his campaign going until April 24 at least and probably into May.
Even by that time, these officials say, no candidate will have been able to accumulate enough delegates to clinch the nomination - for two reasons.
First, three of the five states jumping ahead of the RNC-set calendar will lose half their voting delegates to the August GOP presidential nominating convention in Tampa. Only Iowa and Nevada won’t be penalized because...
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
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ummm what’s that blue critter doing?
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I hope he becomes President so we can share our homeland with Mexico.
The Washington Times is a pretty solid paper. I think the key for Perry is improving his debate performances and how strong his campaign chest is. He will need to advertise heavily to get the truth out about who he is.
Just reading threads on FR I would think he's for illegal aliens just walking in and taking over. How odd that Gilchrist supports him.
I agree that people have written Perry off too early. If Bachmann gets out then much of her votes will go to Perry. And Cain really stepped in it with his insensitive charge - conservatives have started to rally around Perry again and dismiss Cain.
And with all this Christie “will he or won’t he” a lot of possible Romney supporters are on the sidelines and holding their wallets.
Perry still has an excellent chance. I just hope he is in “debate bootcamp” like Palin was at in Arizona in 2008 .
And backing away from it only emphasized that he went off prematurely, Obama-like.
A strength of a candidate can be seen in how he (or she) responds to difficulties. Let’s see if Rick Perry has that strength.
>>Perry still has an excellent chance. I just hope he is in “debate bootcamp” like Palin was at in Arizona in 2008 .<<
The anger at Perry mishandling the illegal alien question and supporting the Texas version of the dream act continues to get more force in the backrooms and foreminds of Conservatives and groups everywhere. Rather than diminish over time, it his instead found fertile ground for growth.
His stance is worrisome to many. With good reason.
For those looking for a possible rainmaker, Gov. Parry’s misstep is massive and might be his “Macaca moment.”
Damnit.
Cain needs to move strongly NOW. Others, who remain nameless, continue to not do anything. Which is just as well.
sorry. he’ll never live down “niggerhead.”
I don’t care if Perry stumbles a bit.
As long as he hops over Willard on his way to the nomination.
These issues are small potatoes compared to his strengths.
Obama is going to have to explain away this flailing economy.
You need a psychiatrist.
I’m just having a little fun at Perry’s expense. Lighten up.
That’s pretty good! I like your sense of humor.
Really, where does Gilchrist get off pulling a stunt like that?
“Texas taxpayers have been taking it on the chin because Washington, D.C., politicians refuse to perform their obligation to secure our borders,” Gilchrist said. “We now have to rely on real leaders at the state level who are not afraid to take a firm stance to secure our borders and enforce our immigration laws. That’s why I fully endorse Rick Perry for Governor of Texas. He has a clear record of decisive action to secure our borders, stop the illegal drug and human trafficking trade, and is very clearly the right choice for voters in Texas to fight illegal immigration.”
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