US Republicans eyeing Texas governor for president

NEW ORLEANS — Four years after George W. Bush left the White House, some US Republicans are pinning their hopes on his successor as Texas governor to triumph over President Barack Obama in the 2012 election.

Governor Rick Perry, who has openly flirted with running and said he will decide soon whether to throw his hat in the ring, was due Saturday to address delegates to an influential Republican Party gathering in this party city.

Perry isn't on the Southern Republican Leadership Conference straw poll ballot, but some of the delegates here say they like what they have seen so far from the nation's longest-serving governor.

"I'm hoping that Rick Perry makes a bid," said Regina Wilson, a Louisiana resident. "He can be strong when he needs to be strong, I think he has good thoughts, and I think he has the strength we need."

Former Republican vice presidential candidate and archconservative "Tea Party" movement darling Sarah Palin grins from a button on O. P. Ditch's shirt, but the 22-year US Air Force veteran says he likes what he sees in Perry.

"I want to hear what he has to say, and see if he jumps in," said Ditch, 73, adding "I think recently he's done a real good job with the state of Texas."

"I was enthused about him, about the potential for him jumping in because I know he's a good friend of the governor's (Palin), so if she thinks he's a good guy, I think he's a good guy," said Ditch. "If she doesn't run."

As much as I love them, they are not electable.

Tell me why. Tell me what you believe about Michele Bachmann and Sarah Palin that makes them "unelectable". Come on, let's have the MSM-masticated talking-points.

Need someone with cross-over appeal to win against the muzzie.

"Cross-over appeal" -- you mean like Ozero, the down-low, cross-over candidate? Crosses over the street with supple, conscienceless ease?

No, I know what you mean. "Crossover appeal" is RiNO code for "a RiNO". We need a Rudy McRomnoid RiNO to "speak to" Obama's pullulating mobs and pry enough of those suckerfish away from his government teat that a RiNO can slip in there by "triangulating" vigorously and smiling a lot ......

And do WHAT, man? What has a RiNO ever done that has stood the test of time, in the last 25 years?

Bob Dole? Raised taxes while in Congress, lost. Bush 41, said "read my lips, no new taxes!" -- then he raised taxes, and lost. An incumbent president who lost -- to the Rapist!! Oh, man -- that's your palladium of electability?

John McCain had "crossover appeal", too -- he lost big, remember? So how many tries are you guys supposed to be vouchsafed to do things your way, before people are permitted to support a conservative of their choice?

How's that "crossover appeal" thing working for us conservatives, hand? Seen any anti-OBL laws, for instance, out of Congress lately? You won't see one from Rick Perry.

As much as I love them, they are not electable. Need someone with cross-over appeal to win against the muzzie.

Absolute nonsense. And I'm old enough to remember when this sort of "reasoning" was used against Ronald Reagan in the 1979 presidential primaries. Remember how that turned out?

What we need is an enthusiastic (not betrayed yet again) base that turns out like crazy. You don't need a majority of potential voters to win, you need a majority of enthusiastic voters--ones who actually turn out.

I will vote for the Republican candidate, regardless of who that might be.

Mission #1 is to replace Obama. No Republican or RINO could be worse.

My perfect candidate does not exist. I have gotten over that. We must depose Obama in November 2012.

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