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Romney Campaign Still Sees Perry as Threat
Race 4 2012 ^ | December 2, 2011 | Matt Coulter

Posted on 12/03/2011 3:12:38 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife

This is really interesting:

An adviser to Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign says in a new book that the campaign was not happy to see former Godfather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain’s campaign rocked by allegations of inappropriate behavior dating back to the 1990s.

“We didn’t want [opposition research] on him coming out. We wanted him to stay where he is. He keeps Perry down,” the anonymous aide said, referencing Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

The comments were reported in the new e-book, “The Right Fights Back,” which chronicles the 2012 Republican presidential race so far…

Even when Cain polled high, Romney never made an effort to attack him, likely because he never saw the former businessman as a real threat. On the other hand, Romney clearly sees Perry as a threat to his campaign, as evidenced by his constant attacks on the Texas governor.

Rick Perry does have all the money, organization, and endorsements that Newt Gingrich lacks. And he has been spending a lot of that money in Iowa running positive ads (in preparation for a huge negative ad campaign reportedly to be focused on Romney and Gingrich). Romney still sees something in Perry that makes him wary of the Texan.


TOPICS: Government; Politics; Religion
KEYWORDS: conservatism; economy; gopprimary; perry2012; texas
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
After listening to Perry's latest campaign rhetoric, he is making many different groups, angry with his stand. Which spells voter alienation.

Perry should have been rising in the polls again, since he has spent over 10 Million on ads on FOX, cable, etc,. Instead, he has gone steadily down.

I do agree with his fairly conservative views, but he has gone out of his way to offend the largest moderate or independent voting groups in the country. (Hispanics, women, strong conservatives, etc,.

I first thought that Perry would be able to logically appeal to these groups, but he seems to do the opposite. His rhetoric is somewhat harsh, direct and offensive. There is no way he can or will win after what he has done over the last 2 months. Perry just lacks the ability to put the general public at ease. This is the biggest factor that wins elections. (Like it or not.)

21 posted on 12/03/2011 5:06:37 AM PST by PSYCHO-FREEP (If you come to a fork in the road, take it........)
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To: Bobalu
I agree, love your tagline by the way, but we need a candidate with a record to match up with Obama's during the same time.

Debates aren't going to decide an election, they never have except in the sixties with the NIxon/JFK but if that is our standard than Obama will LOOK better than Newt all day long.

Obama could debate Newt in the first month and then hammer him on ethics and personal failings for the next year.

Perry is the one Obama can't go up against. I also really don't want the "establishment gray haired guy with the young or black, or Hispanic or female conservative", ticket like McCain/Palin. I want high powered proven conservative men of action at 1 and 2. If they happen to be black or Hispanic fine. I also don't want the "gravitas" VP. I want 2 people who have records who do not need someone else to give them "gravitas".

I find it ironic that the Republicans are not only wanting to put in a short, fat homely insider with ethics issues out the wazzoo and 3 marriages but also a guy who hasn't had a legislative record in 15 years but has plenty of moderate to liberal attempts at keeping his brand alive.

I would rather just vote for the guy who is taller and has the best hair. At least you know he will get a small percentage just on that rather than lose the percentage to Obama.

That may sound crass but have you seen what passes these days for informed voters? A muslim with the same name of the guy we just went to war with and hung, with no record of achievement whose mom was knocked up by an African student. Who had ties to communists, radicals and anti American clergy beat the dog out of the short, chubby, white haired insider who tried to blur the lines on global warming, the WOT and many other issues. The only difference between Gingrich and McCain is that McCain had a great war record.

22 posted on 12/03/2011 5:07:10 AM PST by normy (Don't take it personally, just take it seriously.)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife; Bobalu

Newt has been around so long on the national scene and done and said so many things, you can’t even quantify the amount of baggage he carries.

Then there is the Newt personae of “I’m by far the brightest and the most clever with words” and unbridled narcissim. Now it has evolved to “I’m already the nominee, get used to it” (close paraphrase).

Therefore, the debate will be about much more than debating skills. Romney proved that by pulling out the big nugget from Newt’s past that he supports an individual mandate. And they say Perry is tonguetied...in that moment Newt eclipsed Perry in shutdown mode.

How does it feel, Republican Conservatives, to have Newt declare Newt the winner without a single vote being cast??


23 posted on 12/03/2011 5:09:23 AM PST by txrangerette ("HOLD TO THE TRUTH...SPEAK WITHOUT FEAR" - Glenn Beck)
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To: Liz
I'll tell you what, there a couple of Freepers on your ping list who have a reputation to think about. If I were them I would jump off your ship quick.
24 posted on 12/03/2011 5:10:09 AM PST by normy (Don't take it personally, just take it seriously.)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife
I suspect that as Newt's star begins to diminish upon closer examination, that Perry will get another look. He may not be a seasoned debater, though he is getting better. He does interview good in one on one situations. And unlike others, he can admit to his mistakes and apologize for them. His Christian faith is strong and he lets it show for all to see, and he is a Washington outside who will go there with major changes in mind. Santorum and Bachman are great people, and demonstrate their Christian faith publicly, But they come across as candidates for city council or school board. They, like Cain and Obama, are in over their heads.
25 posted on 12/03/2011 5:13:14 AM PST by rightly_dividing (1Cor. 15:1-4)
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To: PSYCHO-FREEP; Cincinatus' Wife

HUH?

Who are you for?

Are you a campaign analyst or are you a concerned citizen voter?

CW, PSYCHO-FREEP says Perry’s rhetoric is offputting and harsh, offending all the groups in America that Perry needs to appeal to, therefore he can’t rise in the polls.

My reaction was, “HUH?”

What say you?


26 posted on 12/03/2011 5:21:12 AM PST by txrangerette ("HOLD TO THE TRUTH...SPEAK WITHOUT FEAR" - Glenn Beck)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

This race has so many twists and turns, a gal could get whiplash! For all that pay attention here, I can’t speak for you but will only say that I’m wearing out with it all. They say politics is a spectator sport, but I feel like I’ve done 10 rounds already! Just let me vote already and let chips fall where they may. (and don’t ask who I’m voting for because at this moment I can’t make a decision on that)


27 posted on 12/03/2011 5:24:17 AM PST by marygam ((Hurry November 2012, we might not make it))
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To: PSYCHO-FREEP
Perry does best among Hispanics, women and strong conservatives. I am not quite sure what your saying.

His biggest problem is that the Republican voter is in fear mode. They are flailing around. Just because we have 20 debates doesn't mean Obama vs. whomever will. Most likely 2 over a year period.

Cain is done as far as reaching the top tier again. He distracts now and he never really had a grasp of the issues. Now it's like a small contingent want to defend him and think the rest of America cares like they do. His policy remarks killed him as much as his various women charges have.

Newt is the flavor of the week, marshmallow vanilla nut, he has multiple marriages, affairs and ethics issues so we even lose the family values appearance to Obama.

Mitt, still could beat Obama, he's clean, family man, executive, businessman but to the base he's also liberal and doesn't have core values.

Perry is everything Mitt is not with the family and the looks. Perry has a record, a socially conservative record, a gun rights record. Perry is the answer to Mitt but sorry, if it ain't Perry it has to be Mitt. I hate to say it but when the blinders come off the GOP, if ever, that is what they will see. Do we want to beat Obama. Yes or no.

28 posted on 12/03/2011 5:28:24 AM PST by normy (Don't take it personally, just take it seriously.)
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To: txrangerette
What part of that analysis don't you understand? Just look at the polls. If what I said is ineffective then I would be all out of context. (Wouldn't you think?)

Perry is around 2%. If he were igniting everybody’s ire, he would be ahead of Newt right now in the 30% range.

But go ahead, keep yourself in denial like the Cain fanatics. Sooner or later reality will force you to accept that it is what it is.

29 posted on 12/03/2011 5:29:13 AM PST by PSYCHO-FREEP (If you come to a fork in the road, take it........)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife; Bobalu
Wait until the debate December 10th. Mitt is going to chew up Newt and spit him out.

The choice is coming full circle. Mitt with the backing of the Washington Republican elite, the DC establishment or Rick Perry, the outside the beltway choice of the Republican Governors Association and guys like Bobby Jindal, Sam Brownback, Haley Barbour, Rick Scott and Nikki Haley.

30 posted on 12/03/2011 5:32:41 AM PST by normy (Don't take it personally, just take it seriously.)
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To: Liz

“overstuffed campaign chest.”

Now I know why his suits never fit! He thinks a campaign chest literally means stuffing the cash on top of his pecs!


31 posted on 12/03/2011 5:37:23 AM PST by miss marmelstein (Let's have a Cain Mutiny!)
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To: normy
I highly doubt that Perry is still doing well among “strong” conservatives. And your “Hispanic” category is more than likely about 20% of their overall voting block.

Perry's idea of Border Security does not sit well with the majority of them. It would be better if he would just keep quiet about it from all angles. It has been his biggest detractor.

And most of all, we truly must beat Obama, which is why I cannot support Perry at this time. He is too polarizing and considered too incompetent to win against Obama.

32 posted on 12/03/2011 5:38:26 AM PST by PSYCHO-FREEP (If you come to a fork in the road, take it........)
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To: BfloGuy

Santorum really should be a perfect candidate if you’re a Social Conservative.


33 posted on 12/03/2011 5:38:39 AM PST by truthfreedom
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To: PSYCHO-FREEP
I have to disagree that the Perry people are like the Cain people. Perry has a record of job creation and is unwavering in his social conservative creds. He has provenhimself leading the 13th largest economy in the world during the Obama attack on America.

Cain was "black walnut" he was someone to hope and dream about but never had the record or even the grasp of the issues.

Perry actually has a very good record and very good plans. We can't let polls decide who the nominee is because they are not accurate anyway. There is no way Newt is at 50% in Florida, no way. We have one month to turn the tide.

If Perry is making anyone mad it's the DC insiders and Congress. I am waiting for a massive push, a line in the sand by the governors of the various states to stand behind Perry. Now is the time to make a stand for States rights and limited government. If the Governors mean it, now is the time to take a stand.

34 posted on 12/03/2011 5:40:23 AM PST by normy (Don't take it personally, just take it seriously.)
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To: PSYCHO-FREEP

Wow, incompetent? Results don’t matter to you? Not one person running has a better record than Perry. None.


35 posted on 12/03/2011 5:42:41 AM PST by normy (Don't take it personally, just take it seriously.)
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To: normy

Never underestimate Newt. You were making that claim several months ago as well, but you can clearly see by the polls that that theory isn’t working.

America needs a real seasoned veteran this time and have already vetted Newt for all of his faults. More importantly, Newt admits his past, has been honest about it and the electorate understands it. You won’t educate anyone about Newt by attacking his past. We are well beyond that at this point.


36 posted on 12/03/2011 5:44:09 AM PST by PSYCHO-FREEP (If you come to a fork in the road, take it........)
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

Romney is the elephant in the room that all the other candidates were scared to death of. So for some reason all the other candidates decided to destroy Rick Perry.


37 posted on 12/03/2011 5:49:25 AM PST by CharlesWayneCT
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To: Cincinatus' Wife

If there are two people in the campaign that don’t like each other, it is definitely Perry and Romney. You can tell that Perry thinks Romney is a little wimpy twirp who is elitist and Romney thinks Perry is just a hick. You can tell they despise each other just by the way they look at each other. However, Romney has other problems to worry about besides Perry.....he is going to be crushed by any of the 7 other nominees including Perry.


38 posted on 12/03/2011 5:49:36 AM PST by napscoordinator (Anybody but Romney, Newt, Perry, Huntsman, Paul. Perry and Obama are 100 percent the same!!!!!)
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To: miss marmelstein

LOL-——he’s afraid to leave $$$$ lying around-—Anita loves to shop.


39 posted on 12/03/2011 5:49:39 AM PST by Liz
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To: miss marmelstein

Cain might just be providing the mutiny your tagline proposes.

When your candidate mutinies, dear me, what to do, what to do?

Kidding...

I heard speculation that he might suspend the campaign.

Speculation based on the realities of campaigning for President, especially financial realities and rules. If he quit, he wouldn’t get matching funds from the Feds, and that is just about to happen for him. That would leave him with financial issues in a campaign that had quit.

If he chooses to continue on just as he was, but with his support plummeted bc of the Ginger White thing and his other difficulties - especially when handling issue questions - there’s a bundle of problems associated with that.

The speculation is suspension. We shall see.

But how ironic...his support is going to insider Newt with the women issues, whereas he was supposed to be the outsider who accidentally had some women issues arise, unfairly.

Politics is strange.


40 posted on 12/03/2011 5:52:37 AM PST by txrangerette ("HOLD TO THE TRUTH...SPEAK WITHOUT FEAR" - Glenn Beck)
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