Posted on 08/12/2011 8:50:04 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Given that Texas Gov. Rick Perry plans to announce his presidential candidacy tomorrow, my ears have been especially perked for mentions of his name out here in Iowa. So far, he’s only come up a couple of times, but those comments — not surprisingly — suggest Iowans, at least, feel slighted at his decision to skip the debate and straw poll. They don’t seem to feel obligated to welcome him here when he arrives on Sunday, either.
Yesterday, for example, at a pre-debate event hosted by The Heritage Foundation, Rep. Steve King told us he thinks Perry’s decision to declare in South Carolina and to skip out on this week in Iowa was a “colossal blunder.” That might be wording it a little strongly, but it does still raise the question: Will Perry lose more than he’ll gain with the mode and timing of his declaration?
All of the obvious observations come into play here: Sure, he’s not satisfying the parochial concerns of Iowans, whose (rightful) pride in their state (it’s quite nice!) and its “first in the nation” status obscures their perspective on this. But he is setting himself up, immediately, to receive equal media attention as the respective winners of last night’s debate and tomorrow’s straw poll, thereby establishing himself as a top-tier candidate (which, based on polling, we always knew he would be anyway). It’s late enough in the game for voters to begin to be ready to narrow the field down and Perry, by the timing of his entrance, has basically guaranteed he’ll make the cut. But it’s also early enough to ensure voters — even Iowans — have forgotten his neglect of the straw poll by caucus time.
From my vantage point here in Ames, Perry hasn’t made a mistake at all. Of course, he’ll still have to perform. One of the reasons I was so reluctant to declare him the de facto winner of last night’s debate stems from my dislike (however unfounded) of what I call “the declaration dance.” Some part of me wishes everybody who wanted in had to declare on the same day, just so candidate comparisons could be a bit more fair and accurate. It’s possible Perry will pale in comparison to the other candidates as soon as voters see him on the campaign trail or standing on the national debate stage.
Now, I don’t personally see that happening. Like Sarah Palin, I am “enthused” that Perry has decided to run — and think he would make a formidable opponent to President Barack Obama. But it is possible — and, in fact, at least one prominent pundit has declared it probable.
Youll see Rick Perry, Ann Coulter said today on Sean Hannity’s radio show. He wont live up to expectations and the American people will throw themselves into the arms of Chris Christie. Thats my scenario.
Of course, Coulter’s comments reflect her determination to see Chris Christie enter the race at least as much as they reflect any kind of negative appraisal of Perry (and she said the whole sentence somewhat laughingly), but still, her comments come as an important reminder. The presidential campaign process is, in fact, grueling. Perry will probably withstand it with grace and presence — he seems like gold to me, tough and solid — but he could also fade.
That’s just one reason to hope the candidates here in Iowa get their acts together again and appear tomorrow at the straw poll a little more like the bunch who appeared on the stage in New Hampshire — informed, energetic and solutions-oriented. It’s also a reason to appreciate more fully that Romney still appeared presidential on the stage last night. And it’s a reason to look forward to the competition to come, because, even if that competition causes some to falter, it will also help to refine the eventual Republican nominee to the point where he or she can easily beat Obama in the general.
But not quite as enthused as she is of becoming "The Queen of Fabulous."
Is she speaking in her personal capacity or as a spokesperson for GOProud?
“Won’t live up to expectations...”
Ann ought to know.
She’s been sliding around on deck with a lot of random percussion lately.
What is so SACRED about Iowa. It’s a state full of Ag welfare. And people with an overblown sense of importance.
I’ve always thought NH was more important.
OR Fl, maybe Virginia and oh yeah SC.
Much ado about nothing.
bump de bump
I like Ann’s books, but fail to see the attraction of Christie, who is not pro-life and has not fought for pro-life, pro-marriage laws the way Governor Perry has done.
How so?
Would he join a gay group?
(could not resist)
Coulter has a boner for Chris Christie. It is weird, actually. I’ve never seen such devotion to a politician who has shown zero interest in running. I like Chrstie a lot, but do not see a candidate who would champion many critical conservative issues. He’d be a great campaigner and it would be fun to watch him make obama cower in the corner. Beyond that, I don’t see him as a viable candidate in 2012.
Perry=Bush redux.
The only two candidates that excite me at this point are Herman Cain and Sarah Palin. Of the remainder, the ones that comes across as the most conservative are Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul. It is scary to me that the Republicans could end up with another McCain as a nominee.
Youll see Rick Perry, ...He wont live up to expectations and the American people will throw themselves into the arms of Chris Christie. Thats my scenario.
This coming for someone who called Romney a “true conservative” in 2008. I don’t think I’d trust her to take out my garbage, let alone pick my candidate for me.
Dearest Anne, lately it’s you who hasn’t lived up to expectations.......
I guess you've missed all the pining for Palin at FR.
LOL!
And he's not pro 2nd amendment, either. I do wonder what's up with Coulter's attraction with Christie, too.
Exactly. The ‘Rats will hang GWB around Perry’s neck like a scarlet letter. Might as well be Rick Bush.
Well, her expertise on unmet expectations is unrivaled.
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