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.
“You’ll see Rick Perry,” Ann Coulter said today on Sean Hannity’s radio show. “He won’t live up to expectations and the American people will throw themselves into the arms of Chris Christie. That’s 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.
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I agree with Ann, but then Perry has always disappointed me.
I want to find a real conservative who can beat Obama, but I don’t know who that is.
that is so right on!! time to reset teh primary agenda
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‘Chris Christie slams fearmongering over Sharia law
Aug 4, 2011
Republican Gov. Chris Christie defended his decision to nominate a Muslim judge to the state Superior Court against conservative critics who warned that the new judge will implement Sharia law. The notoriously blunt-spoken Christie calling their fears “crap” and “crazy.”
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/chris-christie-slams-fearmongering-over-sharia-law-210648303.html
Christie is dead to me after this.
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Perry's ability to get elected is not my concern. It's a given. My concern is about what Perry does once elected. I want a President who refuses to spend the money that Congress gives him. I want one that will leave huge surpluses in every government department at the end of the first year, proving that our government spends too much money.
Perry has refused to take Fed Money for implimenting the Socialist policies of this Admin.
People were yelling W-T-F. But in the long run he was right.
I don’t worry about that aspect of a Perry Presidency.
He is a States Rights type of POL. I would expect him to beef up the Border security just short of sealing the Border. (which is my preferred solution)
I am still not convinced she is going to be on the sidelines. I think she either is going t jump in or may be waiting to see how Perry does before making a final decision. I like Palin, a lot, but have watched her numbers get worse and worse over the past year. I think she has the ability to be a winner, but I think it is highly risky, and possibly help Obama recover some by getti g people back to their position in 2008. This election should not e a rehash of 2008 , but needs to be about Obama and his failure, and a clear alternative. She offers the alternative, but the question is whether the message can get out effectively WI preconceived notions. She has the capability, no doubt, but I am hoping she sits this one out and gets behind the candidate of her choose this cycle. She mint be a great appointment or cabinet member to get her a chance to change her narrative for the future.
Here is the original on that article I just linked:
http://www.rlc.org/2011/08/12/texas-rlc-sends-out-warning-on-rick-perry/
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