Rick Perry: Drawing the Lines Clearly

American Thinker ^ | June 25, 2011 | Peter Heck

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Rick Perry may just be the guy. The country's longest tenured governor, from its second-largest state, is generating a lot of buzz in conservative circles as he contemplates entering the wide open Republican presidential primary. There are plenty of reasons that Perry is an attractive option: he is a no-nonsense decision-maker with solid conservative credentials. A man who not only speaks about family values, but lives them, Perry's power to persuade voters to see things his way is proven -- battle-tested in a state known for independent-minded citizens.

But what serious political analysts on both sides of the aisle will acknowledge as perhaps Perry's strongest attribute heading into 2012 is the stark contrast that would be evident in a potential Perry-Obama showdown. While Republican front-runner Mitt Romney capitulates to the left on global warming, refuses to sign a pro-life pledge, and ridiculously defends the RomneyCare failure in Massachusetts, the media is working overtime to tout their choice, former Utah Governor and Obama administration official Jon Huntsman, as the Republicans' best hope. What nonsense.

While Huntsman or Romney might please the same Republican establishment that brought us the mesmerizing campaigns of John McCain and Bob Dole, the best thing for the Republican Party -- and the country -- is for there to be a sharp distinction between the two parties' nominees. If there were any question about whether Rick Perry would provide a clear alternative to Obama, look only to the left's reaction to Perry's recent speech at the Republican Leadership Conference.

Following his remarks (which, though well-prepared and delivered, were nothing outside mainstream conservative thought), MSNBC's liberal commentator Mika Brzezinski proclaimed that she "felt like an alien" watching the speech.......I found myself applauding Mika's refreshing candor about the perspective of the American left.

[caww]

we've noticed how "conservative" he gets around an election and just as soon as it's over, well, he's that dim that supported Al Gore.

Exactly...He's a RINO...he will show that clearly if he's President. NO RINO'S! or you can put the last nail in the coffin of this great country.

[RKBA Democrat]

“Boy, I remember seeing comments like this. Some things never change.”

Yeah, they sure don’t. It’s like listening to why I should be motivated and excited to vote for John McCain in 2008.

While I did manage to drag my carcass to the polls in 2008, if the best that the gop can come up with in 2012 is romney or perry, then I really don’t see the point in wasting 15 minutes of a November day.

[dragnet2]

Unfortunately, your choice will be the big tents choice. Rommey or Perry. For the insider wealthy and well connected, they win either way. In fact, they win regardless of D or R.

Sad huh?

[RKBA Democrat]

“Do you know what “civility” means? How about simple respect? Obviously not.”

I’m very capable of civility. But you know what? I’m watching my country being slowly ground into the dust. And I’ll be darned if I’m going to dance on eggshells in discussing political candidates whom I believe would do little if anything to prevent it.

As I noted, no offense was intended. But I’ve noticed that there are always those who will take great offense at criticism of their favored candidate regardless of how that criticism is parsed.

[RKBA Democrat]

“Unfortunately, your choice will be the big tents choice. Rommey or Perry. For the insider wealthy and well connected, they win either way. In fact, they win regardless of D or R.”

Pretty much.

George Wallace was dead wrong on most things. He was most wrong on there not being a dime’s worth of difference between the two political parties. He was off by about 9 cents.