4 ways Rick Perry could shake up the GOP race

The Week ^ | 7-21-2011 | The List

[smoothsailing]

4 ways Rick Perry could shake up the GOP race

The Texas governor is flirting with a run for the Republican presidential nomination — and he'd arguably make the contest a lot more interesting

July 21, 2011

Republicans disappointed with their party's current slate of presidential candidates are stepping up the pressure on Texas Gov. Rick Perry to enter the race. And it's looking increasingly likely that Perry will declare his candidacy soon. "I'm getting more and more comfortable every day that this is what I've been called to do," Perry told the Des Moines Register recently. "This is what America needs." How would a Perry run reshape the Republican primaries? Here, four theories:

1. Perry would make the early contests closer
The Texas governor has generated buzz aplenty, says John Whitesides at Reuters, largely because he'll challenge frontrunners Mitt Romney and Michele Bachmann head on. "If he gets in, he plans to run in each of the states with early nominating contests, directly challenging Bachmann in her top priority of Iowa and Romney in New Hampshire." Perry appeals to social conservatives who hate Romney, and has pro-business credentials Bachmann can only dream of, so he should be able to up the excitement factor in the early primaries.

2. Perry would overshadow Pawlenty and Huntsman
With Perry in the race, says Alex Roarty at National Journal, former governors Tim Pawlenty (of Minnesota) and Jon Huntsman (of Utah) would slide further toward oblivion. Both Pawlenty and Huntsman were "at one time considered among the most likely to win the party's nomination," but in a recent NBC/Wall Street Journal survey, they won the support of just 2 percent of Republicans. Without even declaring his candidacy, Perry earned twice as much support, trailing only Romney and Bachmann.

3. He'd unite the establishment and Tea Party
"Perry is clearly the flavor of the month among Republican insiders," say Chris Cillizza and Aaron Blake at The Washington Post. But he has broader appeal than other contenders. Perry is a critic of federal power, has a record of creating jobs in Texas, and boasts party ties that would almost certainly give him the second biggest warchest behind Romney. Add it all up and Perry's "the candidate perhaps best positioned to bridge the gap between the establishment wing and the Tea Party wing of the Republican Party."

4. Perry would give disgruntled Republicans someone to root for
"There's a hole in the Republican primary field you could drive a truck through right now," says the Texas Tribune's Evan Smith, as quoted by WNYC.org. He'd be someone evangelicals could get behind, instead of settling for Bachmann despite her broader electability problems. He'd give Southerners a candidate. He'd also be a powerhouse the Tea Party could get behind to build on the momentum they created last year. Big chunks of the GOP base are still looking for a candidate, and Perry "checks a lot of those boxes."

[presently no screen name]

The Gadasil vaccine Perry tried to “force” on Texas girls? Dead issue. He never tried to force it. There was an opt out. It was up to parents to choose Always.

There should not have been an opted out but an opted in. Here's your vaccine - it's here if you want it. NOT the other way - if you don't take it - you need a written note why you are declining. That BS is big gov't - you can have your dead issue since it appeals to you.

[normy]

You're statement is misleading. Palin was backing Perry over two other Republican woman during the primary. Your statement is trying to lead people to believe Perry was having a hard time with White so he had to ask Palin for help which is bull. I will clarify for the rest of the Freepers who want straight truth.

[presently no screen name]

(I love Sarah and Michelle Bachmann as much as anyone else, but we MUST face reality when it comes to our beautiful Conservative ladies’ chances of winning this thing!)

That disqualified you right there - take your media rant wrapped in sugary conman talk elsewhere! It's repulsive. If you stoop that low for Perry - you convinced me he needs it. Perry needed Sarah - remember that - SARAH doesn't need Perry - don't forget that!!

[presently no screen name]

Perry sucks in a lot of ways but he can beat Bammy Boy by at least 20 points. Rick Perry can raise the big money and get the votes too.

Really, votes from who? Guess what - I'm not voting for a sucky president. And pulling numbers out of the sky makes you look like a pie in the sky voter.

No thanks.

[presently no screen name]

Your statement is trying to lead people to believe Perry was having a hard time with White so he had to ask Palin for help which is bull.

That's your mind reading!!!!!!! No where did I say that - I repeatedly say he asked her for help and she did what she promised all the candidates, if they ask, she will help. If you can't understand that very simple post - you have a problem and don't you use your ignorance and apply it to other freepers as if they can't understand what I wrote!

I will clarify for the rest of the Freepers who want straight truth.

I gave the straight truth - but you turned it into a mind reading event for yourself.

Here's more truth for you - Perry needs Sarah, Sarah doesn't need Perry. American voters SOLD OUT all her meetings/invited conferences and movie and camped out for her book tour. And some still ask 'Perry who'?

[Bad~Rodeo]

Texas governor orders STD vaccine for all girls

Decision comes after maker of cervical cancer shot doubled lobbying efforts

Bypassing the Legislature altogether, Republican Gov. Rick Perry issued an order Friday making Texas the first state to require that schoolgirls get vaccinated against the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer.

[dennisw]

I’ll take a president Rick Perry that sucks over an Obama that sucks any day of the week and twice on Sunday

[dennisw]

Since beating Obama is job number one .... who do have that can beat him? I like Rick Perry so who do you like who can raise the money, get the votes to beat Bammy Boy?

[presently no screen name]

I played that game 3 years ago and too many years before that. Not this time. Besides I like my odds better and Perry isn’t the only game in town.

[patriot08]

I do like Sarah- as well as Bachmann. I have never trashed these ladies. If I had it my way, I'd be delighted with Palin/West ticket-but I'm just deathly afraid America won't buy it. They just don't have the crossover appeal- the ability to appeal to all segments of the Republican electorate. We must win this election or America is done.

That was a very rude reply, by the way.

[patriot08]

The only people who seem really concerned with the Gardasil issue is the Perry trashers of FR.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Check other Perry threads. There are Texans who disagree with you.

[Diogenesis]

[stephenjohnbanker]

My apologies ;-)

[Ditter]

I wish the Perry bashers would just be honest and come out and tell us who they are for and why their candidate is better than Perry. But they won't, they just continue with “Gardisil..... TTC...... RINO...... he worked for Gore...... his hair is too good and I don't have any!”

It is tiresome guys, who are you for and why?

[stephenjohnbanker]

She ran with one.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Go to you tube. Punch in Bill O’Reilly/Palin amnesty.

[presently no screen name]

Ya think? Conservatives don’t like big gov’t and will avoid a candidate who embraces it. Is this news to you?

[normy]

remember he asked SARAH for her support because he needed it to win his election in TX

There is no proof he needed Palin to win his election in Texas, he had won 2 before this one and before that he was the 1st Republican Lt. Governor ever elected in Texas. Why would he need Palin to win the election? He brought in Palin because he was up against Kay Baily from the Rino wing and Debra Medina from the Ron Paul wing

[normy]

Amen brother!