Posted on 12/09/2011 8:15:36 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
As conservatives look over the field of candidates we have been provided this election cycle, one thing becomes abundantly clear: most of these candidates will lose to Obama in 2012. But Rick Perry is the only guy that can show why he is the one you want to have a beer with while Obama is the one upset that the price of arugula is has risen at Wholefoods. If you’re reading this, you may not care who the most likable presidential candidate is, but the voters who decide elections do. The simple truth is that Perry is likable, Romney and Gingrich aren’t.
Mitt Romney has shown himself to be inherently unlikable. His whole persona seems contrived. He wasn’t asked to run for president, he dedicated his life to it. In the General Election, Romney will come off as disingenuous, out-of-touch and rich. Before this presidential run he had over four houses–you may not care, but General Election voters will. The only consistent political position he holds is on a healthcare mandate–voters want someone they can trust. Romney is ripe for attacks. David Axlerod will paint Romney as an out-of-touch opportunist and it will stick enough to convince independents in OH, FL and PA to stick with the known quantity of Obama.
Newt Gingrich running for president is like one of those bad movie sequels where you ask yourself, “why was it necessary to do this again?” We already ran an old, rich, fat, white guy. He was out of touch and lost by embarrassing margins.
There are also a lot of differences between McCain and Gingrich, but none of these factors make Newt more likely to win. Newt is more arrogant than McCain, and whether we like it or not — is defined by the media narrative as politically petty. He is a serial adulterer. Obama is a family man. Newt is a fighter and he will take it to Obama. The base loves that, we eat it up and can’t wait to see a debate. But Newt’s style isn’t going to play exceedingly well to General Election Voters. He comes off as self-absorbed and arrogant. When he cuts down a reporter you’ll catch a brief glare and maybe a smirk, but never a smile. The guy has no general election strengths. He is a loser and we have seen the original back in 2008. Don’t be duped into paying for the sequel!
Rick Perry is the only one that can beat Obama. Perry has something that neither Newt nor Mitt possess. Likability. When asked who was the nicest and friendliest candidate backstage at Republican debates, Jon Huntsman’s daughters unanimously answered — “Rick Perry.” Governor Perry has General Election likability and that is what it takes to win.
Would anyone say that Jimmy Carter was more likable than Ronald Reagan? Mondale more likable than Reagan? Bush I or Dole more likable than Clinton? Gore or Kerry more likable than Bush II? McCain more likable than Obama? Of course not, the likable guy always, always, always wins in presidential elections.
Obama is infinitely more likable than Mitt or Newt. But Rick Perry is the guy you want to have a beer with in 2012 and that will make all of the difference.
While Obama comes off as more genuine than Newt or Mitt, he doesn’t have that advantage over Perry.
In the end, Perry, due to his accent and demeanor is the most likable guy in a matchup and his record speaks for itself. He is the only one that can really exploit Obama as the guy who is upset because the price of “arugula” has risen at Whole Foods.
On the stump no one draws a brighter contrast with Obama than Perry. While an Obama speech is a jarring experience with right-to-left teleprompter reads while never looking into the camera, Rick Perry hits the stage with a few note cards and a lot of passion.
On top of all of these factors, Perry is the only guy that can’t be painted as out-of-touch, (During the last election, Romney still had five houses; Newt Gingrich has a half-million dollar line of credit at Tiffany’s Jewelers).
Perry is the guy you want to have a beer with and people don’t have to weigh how smart he is, all they need to know is that he has an amazing record as governor for ten years of one or our largest states.
Whether you are looking for a strong record, conservative consistency or the greatest chances of winning a general election, Rick Perry is your guy. IOWANS: UNITE AROUND YOUR MAN!
We all see the importance of getting rid of obama. The question is who would be the best candidate to do it.
There is no question the Gingrich is the best debater and is great speaking on the spur of the moment. However, he has some negatives. His personal life has not been great. He ran a "consulting" company in DC and made millions off of his connections and influence. He has been on the wrong side of some issues and he looks to "manage" the govt more efficiently rather than diminish it's dominance over our lives.
Perry on the other hand is not the best debater and is not as sharp speaking on the spur of the moment. However, his personal life is solid. His track record as Gov is outstanding. He is firm in his support for the 10th Amendment and when you learn about how he has helped people you see a guy who isn't just concerned with policy and process. Also, he is clearly not a DC insider.
If we think the campaign will rest on debate performance Gingrich is probably the guy. If we think the campaign will rest on who you trust/like it's Perry.
Ask yourself which of these two guys could you do business with on a hand shake.
Question 1: "How did you meet your second wife?
Question 2: You have been married 3 times. How did you meet your current wife?
And the bonus question "How can you be for a government mandate on health insurance but be against it in Obama's healthcare plan and how do you convince your mandate is somehow better the the President's?
By the way there are so many more of these it's not even funny. It's time to consider what we want from a President or do we just want to hope we can beat Obama.
Quick question Newt might answer in a debate
"Your wife has a half a million dollar account at Tiffany's. In these troubled times how do you justify that and tell us how you met your wife."
Look don't hate me, I am just trying to wake everyone up past the nice debate performance and see what Newt can expect when the MSM starts in on him. He's got a very ugly past and he's not a likeable guy. We will concede the family values candidacy to Obama.
Also remember this, Bush was a 2 term President and we just cleaned house in the last elections. We need to remember what our message is as a party.
You might also ask which of these candidates would other countries respect the most.
Speaking of Aggie jokes... What do you call an Aggie after he/she graduates?
Answer: BOSS!
Go Perry!
good performances recently compared to whom.. himself?.. (facepalm)
Gingrich and Romney focus on their appearance and popularity, and Perry is behind the scenes making himself the solid conservative outsider in this race.
It is as though he's determined to say what he feels, promoting conservative ideas and goals, supporting the military, supporting state's rights, protecting the unborn, pushing for a tax overhaul, challenging Congress to actually work and do things or face consequences....
while Newt and Mitt practice combing their hair and straightening their tie. It is as though their message is lost. Their message is behind them. They can focus squarely on WINNING THIS THING and not the inconsequential, trivial stuff like tax codes and creating jobs.
Bottom line for me, I'm proud that Perry is where he is. People that truly think about these candidates and their positions can't help but see Perry as the true conservative with half a chance.
I don't know if there enough thinking people to vote for him. We've become just like the democrats in that we play a popularity contest.
That's ok by me. Perry is standing firm and proud. No matter what happens, he's a solid S.O.B. in my eyes and has caused people to take another look. They realize he has depth and conviction. Is it too late? Maybe so. I hope a lot of people feel the same way I do and end up voting for the man.
In a race between Obama and Gingrich, Baraq Obama will be the ‘family values’ candidate.
I think things are swinging back his way. What I've always liked about Perry is I can look at his track record and see a solid conservative.
Only until Newt retorts, "my personal life may be less than perfect, but I didn't promote and sign legislation that takes tax payer dollars to subsidize abortion". Family values begin with fighting to protect Life.
The problem with Perry is that we cannot risk someone who is not ready to articulate the issues.
Maybe Perry can make a comeback and regain our confidence, but as for now, I don't think he is ready.
If you were the leader of Iran, China, Russia, Pakistan, would you rather sit down with bumbling Perry or hard nosed, articulate Gingrich? They want Perry. I want Newt.
I’m not making my decision based on what polls tell me. Remember only a week or two ago - Herman Cain was going to be the winner? Things can change overnight, Newt is a loose cannon, he’s got a few more debates where he can implode.
The irony is not lost on me, the media/elitist/beltway cabal have almost succeeded in narrowing our choices down to two that will ‘work’ with the Democrats. They always hedge their bets.
I don’t care where Perry is at in the polls! I know he is the BEST qualified guy running and I’m not going to let the media tell me who “can beat Romney”.
I’m not scared of Romney! He isn’t gaining any support and most of us don’t like him, we’d vote for almost ANYBODY before we would vote for him. Why is everyone so scared of him?
GO PERRY!
I sure hope so. There'd be an awful lot of crapped pants if that happens. LOL!
Texas can keep him for another 20 years.
You are so right alicewonders. On all points. Go Rick Go!
Perry's a doer, not a talker. Don't you get tired of hearing Obama talk? I think Newt would wear on you like that - just so arrogant. I like Perry's off the cuff style - find it refreshing!
This article claims Perry is the only candidate who can beat Obama. But he polls below the GOP frontrunners against Obama. So the claim is spurious and nothing but wishful thinking and the kind of nonsense we see from supporters who are trying to spin away their candidate's poor showing in the polls.
Indeed he is!
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