Posted on 08/16/2011 1:52:40 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
CORPUS CHRISTI — On Saturday, Gov. Rick Perry acknowledged what many Texans have known for two years at least — that he's running for president. To buy into the notion that he finally gave in to the urging of his legions of supporters (especially his wife), or heeded a call from a higher power, requires a suspension of reality that would overtax the truest of his believers. And Perry doesn't like to tax.
It has been pointed out that now Perry is in for some serious scrutiny — the inferences being that it hasn't already happened here in Texas and that he might not hold up to it. Yes, he will face scrutiny and, yes, flaws, failures and contradictions will be found. Already the national press has noted that the Texas job creation he touts is primarily low-wage. Texans will remember and the nation may learn of his Trans-Texas Corridor toll-road debacle. Enterprising investigative journalists might enjoy poking into the lack of accountability for the Texas Tomorrow Fund he controls and no doubt they will point out the correlation between receiving an investment from the fund and being a Perry donor.
We'll boil down this incomplete list of warts to one contradictory thematic: Perry the private-enterprise/limited-government champion is a career politician who has cashed a government paycheck pretty much all of his adult life.
But we could — and the national news media should — pick apart every presidential candidate and point out reasons not to vote for him or her. The question remains: Can Perry stand up to it?
Only he can answer it, but if past behavior is an indicator, all who doubt him are in for a surprise. Our own experience says he deserves much scrutiny and criticism and that the possibility of him as the Republican nominee — and as president — is real.
Doubters should ask Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Last year, she looked like the gubernatorial candidate to end his career — on paper, until he wadded her up in the primary. He out-campaigned her and — this is the hard part for critics including ourselves to accept — outsmarted her.
He has never lost an election. Luck is among the reasons. Dumb luck is not. He has an instinct for knowing voters' hearts and minds before they and his opponents do.
He's a scripted candidate who refused to debate his Democratic gubernatorial challenger and wouldn't meet with newspaper editorial boards. Those who interpret that as an inability to think on his feet, veer from his script or win a debate should prepare for a surprise.
Perry already surprised the national media by attracting 30,000 people to his Aug. 6 prayer meeting in Houston. The media predictions were less than a third of that. What before was deemed a foolish gamble that would fail became, in hindsight, a bold stroke and a success.
Throwing in with the extremely evangelical Christian element appears now to be an inspired move to win the nomination that could turn into a liability in a general election. That's a logical viewpoint. It might be more logical to entertain the possibility that Perry has figured out something that logical viewpoint-holders don't know. Those 30,000 participants aren't 30,000 maybes and they aren't just votes. They'll be 30,000 zealous volunteers. They may not outnumber those who disagree with them but Perry probably has calculated that, on Election Day, they will.
Those — we — who suspect cynicism in Perry's courting of the evangelicals can't deny that he has proved to them that they can count on him. He doesn't just know the right verses. The sonogram bill he proposed is now state law. They actually can trust him — and how many politicians can claim that, truthfully?
His biggest liability may appear to be the country's most recent experience with an ex-Texas governor as president. Or, that might prove as big an obstacle as was the name George Bush to the second one's election.
We won't address yet whether Perry would make a good president, other than to say we have been displeased with how he governs Texas. But he makes an excellent presidential candidate, as the other Republican candidates and perhaps President Barack Obama will find out.
I was going with this guy UNTIL I read He backed Gore. I could never get behind perry now, I mean Gore??? WTF
The media/left will call it the 3rd term of GWB. A good case can be made that he is very similar to Bush, especially regarding his stance on immigration.
Rick Perry worked on Al Gore's Texas bid for votes in the 1988 Democratic Party Primary that Michael Dukakus won. Rick Perry was known as one of the "Pit Bulls," members who sat in the lower pit of the House Appropriations Committee and bitterly fought spending increases. He moved to the GOP in 1989 joining the parade of TX conservatives (like Phil Gramm).
......."During his time in Congress, [Al] Gore opposed federal funding of abortion, voting in favor of a bill which supported a moment in silence in schools, and voting against a ban on interstate sales of guns. His position shifted later in life after he became Vice President and ran for president in 2000…”…… Source
Gore his wife led the charge on putting warning labels on records back in the 1980s. In fact, Gore had an 84% pro-life record back in the 1980s:http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Al_Gore -- According to ontheissues.org -- Gore had an 84% anti-abortion voting record and voted pro-life 27 times. Evolving Gore
Perry: Al Gore's gone to Hell
What is Perry’s stance on immigration “floozy22?”
Well, make sure you vote for Obama when you get to the voting booth, k?
:mad:
Rick Perry is an opportunist. If he thought the way to win an election was by running as a Communist, he would be waving the red flag and singing the “Internationale” at the top of his lungsl
And yes, I am a Texan
“I was going with this guy UNTIL I read He backed Gore. I could never get behind perry now, I mean Gore??? WTF”
Let me help you a bit. There’s more for Perry to explain on this subject than can fit on a YouTube bite...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2764195/posts
I’ve been around the Corpus Caller all of my life. It used to be a very good paper and through the years it has turned into the worst, slanted, biased piece of toilet paper I’ve ever seen. For over 35 years I refuse to buy it. It is simply a Mexico loving, American hating rag and voice for those who wish to embrace socialism.
Now, if Solomon Ortiz happened to cut his finger, that would be front page news!
“Well, make sure you vote for Obama when you get to the voting booth, k?”
I’m sorry, but there’s still a PRIMARY SEASON. Why the hell do you you Perry supporters (Jonty30 in this case) keep talking like this is October, 2012? We still have a field of candidates to choose from, and half of them (at least) don’t have near the BAGGAGE of Perry to have to keep trying to explain away.
You’re not making your candidate look very good by attacking his opponents in that way.
You are right, I shouldn’t allow myself to get wrapped up.
It’s entirely possible that Perry won’t make the nomination in the end anyway.
I just like politics, it is so much like fake wrestling. :)
“I just like politics, it is so much like fake wrestling. :)”
LOL. I don’t know about being fake...you can get some real results, as we found in 2008.
There are very high stakes here. If the Dems pack the Supreme Court, it’s pretty much over for the union - as I don’t see how conservative states will be able to tolerate having a Soviet-style dictatorship in DC. That’s why I’ll still vote for Perry in November (if he’s the nominee), even though I’ve hated living under him for a decade now.
Did not support Arizona SB 1070 that tried to control illegal immigration in that state. Perry had “concerns” with portions of the law.
Does not support E-verify.
Perry, in a speech in Mexico in 2007, called for the “free flow of individuals between these two countries who want to work and want to be an asset to our country and to Mexico.”
I can understand that in a state and an economy like Texas that perhaps there is greater tolerance for illegal immigration, though I don't jump on that bandwagon. But illegal immigration has become such a huge issue in this country. Among other things, I want a president who at the very least, does not embrace it, as Perry seems to do.
Rick Perry. Texas’ answer to Edwin W. Edwards.
What DUMBASSES thought Kay Bailey Hutchinson was going to beat Perry for Governor?? HAHAHHAHA....she didn’t have a chance in hell to beat him.
Good grief!! Get into THIS millenium.....he backed Gore when Gore was still conservative BEFORE Clinton picked him as VP.
DU is missing you.
I can’t help but think of Benedict Arnold when I see these clowns talk a big game about small government conservatism, then fling themselves at the feet of the first big government RINO to come along.
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