Posted on 11/16/2011 9:20:40 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Rick Perry has challenged House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to debate him next week about his plan for a part-time Congress.
In a letter to Pelosi (D-Calif.) obtained by The Hill, the Texas governor wrote: "I am in Washington Monday and would love to engage you in a public debate about my Overhaul Washington plan versus the congressional status quo.
"I think it would be a tremendous service to the American people to see a public airing of these differences," he continued. "Let the people decide. If Monday doesn't work, perhaps we could find a time in Iowa over the course of the next month to discuss these issues in front of the people of America's heartland."
Perry is running as a Washington outsider, and in a speech on Tuesday he called for "a part-time Congress where their pay is cut in half, their office budgets are cut in half, and their time in Washington is cut in half."
Still, the decision to challenge Pelosi to a debate may raise some eyebrows.
It's unusual for a presidential candidate to challenge a congressional leader to a debate, and Perry has been criticized for his lack-luster debate performances. He stumbled in last week's debate in Michigan, when he forgot the name of the third government department he would close, only to remember it later.
That performance led some observers to argue his campaign for the White House was finished. A survey in Iowa this week found Perry in single digits and trailing not only Mitt Romney, but Newt Gingrich, Herman Cain and Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas).
In the letter, Perry pointedly invited Pelosi to Iowa, the early caucus state where he's trying to gain traction after falling in the polls.
Pelosi's office did not answer The Hill's question about whether she would meet with the Texas governor.
"Should you choose not to respond or engage in such a healthy discussion, I will take it to mean you will continue your obstructionist ways in the face of much needed Washington reform," Perry wrote.
In the 2010 election, Pelosi was a successful boogeyman for the Republican Party. The GOP made her leadership an issue in several congressional races and ultimately won control of the House.
Perry will be in Washington next week for Tuesday's GOP presidential debate on foreign policy issues.
In his letter, the governor also asked Pelosi if she agrees with Minority Whip Steny Hoyer's (D-Md.) criticism of his plan for the part-time Congress.
Hoyer on Tuesday asked if Perry was making a "serious proposal" and accused him of "pandering to the Tea Party."
"I wonder if his obstructionism reflects your own opposition and that of the Democratic Caucus to urgent reform the American public vehemently demand," Perry wrote in his letter.
It is a great idea to cut staff and pay by half. She will never debate him.
WOO-HOO!
CUT THEIR PAY AND TIME IN DC IN HALF!
Courtesy ping.
In order to find out what’s in the debate, we have to debate.
Wow.
Perry home run. Outstanding idea. Elections could be won on these sort of ideas.
Kudos to Perry.
He’s come a long way from talking about skipping debates. This is a bigger risk than “debating” Newt Gingrich in a non-debate forum.
Thanks for the ping.
What a concept, Rick Perry and Nancy Pelosi debating. LOL!
Although I like Perry’s idea, the salary is not where the congress critters make most money. Why? How do yo think so many politicians become multi-millionaires?
The key to the whole thing is get rid of loopholes. That gets rid of lobbyists, a major source of funneling money. Have you guys been paying attention to Jack Abramoff?
Any flat tax with few deductions/loopholes for both personal and corporate taxes is the only way to get rid of corruption.
Adding federal sales tax brings in the Trillion dollar underground economy into tax payers instead of freeloaders.
Ballsy move there, Guvnah...
Kudos!
Will Newt stand in for her and sit on the couch to debate Perry? Will Perry remember his lines? Will Pelosi even remotely stay on topic? Will anyone watch?
I like his proposal. But, debating Pelosi or even proposing to debate her is RIDICULOUS. He must STOP stooping low like the other Crazy candidates.
He's polling in single digits so it's a risk worth taking IMO.
Nancy sputters!
Couldn’t agree more. He has a record of getting tougher as the going get’s tough. What have we out there to choose from? That’s what we need, balls, can I say that? Let it rip damnitt!
I like the guy, but damn..... He couldn't win a debate against a watermelon.
As far as I'm concerned, you can ('course it's not my site...LOL.)
Perry is certainly showing some spine here.
I'll be very interested to see what Princess Nancy's response is.
Hey, nice tagline! :)
Hey! Stop LOOKING at it! ;-)
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