Michelle Malkin v. Rick Perry (Why has she gone so intensely after Perry?)

Daily Caller ^ | 08/19/2011 | Matt Lewis

[SeekAndFind]

Earlier this week, Michelle Malkin went after Rick Perry over the human papillomavirus vaccine mandates he authorized as governor. Two days later, she followed up with a second scorching post, this time saying Perry was “soft on illegal immigration,” “prone to crony capitalism” — and that he “demonstrated Nanny State tendencies that are anathema to Tea Party core principles.”

(By the way, two months ago, I predicted Perry would face many of the questions that are now being raised by Malkin).

Some conservatives, of course, weren’t happy with Malkin’s criticism. When it comes to covering conservative primary candidates, some people think conservative writers should just turn a blind eye — or solely focus on attacking Obama. (A common criticism is: “You’re doing the left’s work for them!”).

On this, I side with Malkin. It is healthy for center-right journalists and conservative bloggers (there is a major distinction between the two — but time doesn’t allow one to address every nuance) to vet candidates. Skepticism is good. As The Jim Antle Doctrine advises conservatives: “A political alliance isn’t a marriage. You don’t have to take a presidential candidate for better or worse. Only when they’re right.”

Others, however, like Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin, seem to believe center-right media should function simply as “team players” or cheerleaders for conservative politicians. (Note: They get to decide who is “conservative” at the given moment).

For this reason, my well-documented column about Rep. Michele Bachmann’s penchant for earmarks (and farm subsidies, etc.), led Limbaugh and Levin to attack me. Limbaugh actually accused me of being too concerned about purity. He then defended Bachmann’s earmarks, saying: “I have never been one to base my entire view of a politician on whether or not they supported earmarks — ’cause it’s not that much money.”

Levin also had some choice words for me.

(No word yet on whether or not Limbaugh or Levin will attack Michelle Malkin for her criticism of Rick Perry…)

Conservative activists are understandably annoyed when journalists and bloggers (again, I’m conflating the two) begin to remove the facade of perfection carefully crafted by Republican politicians and their handlers. This is understandable, but the truth is that, in the long run, center-right journalists and bloggers don’t do the conservative movement any favors when they give Republican politicians a pass. Nor is it Malkin’s job (nor mine) to help Republican politicians get elected. Conservative activists must sooner or later understand that.

While I am 100 percent in agreement with Malkin that it is appropriate (and indeed necessary) for conservative writers to raise questions about GOP presidential candidates — I am still curious about the intensity for which she has gone after Perry. After all, the lingering questions about Perry are no more concerning than the questions about Bachmann’s record — and they are certainly no more concerning than questions about Mitt Romney’s. Until or unless more information comes forward about Perry, my take is that his past peccadilloes shouldn’t be a deal breaker for conservatives.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

I think there’s a personal thing with the Bush people, so that’s a separate dynamic that’s going on. I also think they have designs on Jeb in ‘16, so it’s in their interest to have a squish who’s a sure loser.

All of them want to make sure Palin is not in it. The thinking was that Palin liked Perry so much that she would endorse him and get all of us behind him. However, it doesn’t appear that she is playing ball.

Interesting indeed! :)

[ilovesarah2012]

I’m for whoever can beat Obama (unless it’s Romney). I think Perry has the best chance at this point.

[Nervous Tick]

>> In the litmus test of conservatives, Perry does not equal Bachmann, Palin, Cain, Ron Paul, Marco Rubio, and a few others. On the other hand, he’s light years ahead of Pawlenty, Christie, Romney, Julie-Annie, and Huntsman.

BINGO

My sentiments exactly.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: If there was a better governor in the race, I would support him/her.

Why Must the candidate be a governor?

[AAABEST]

None of this screams conservative to me:

All of this seems conservative to me:

Perry's story as told by him to the Texas Monthly

What Paint Creek Texas can tell you about Rick Perry

The Paint Creek Boy Who Would be King

The Governor Who Almost Wasn't

On the Fed:

Perry would consider Bernanke printing more money "almost treachorous, or treasonous."

Perry refuses to apologize for remarks on Bernanke.

Perry advocates audit of the Federal Reserve.

Global warming:

Perry rejects global warming - science skewed by financial interests.

Economy:

Perry against raising debt ceiling.

Perry calls for 6 month moratorium on government regulations.

Supports balanced budget amendment.

Guns:

”Perry’s pro-gun resume reads like something the late Charlton Heston would have been proud of… strongly supports the individual right to gun ownership and the subsequent right to use guns in self-defense.”

"Card carrying" member of the NRA

Perry has a permit to carry a concealed firearm

Perry Signs Legislation Protecting Texas Workers’ Right to Self-Defense

NRA Endorses Perry in Governor's Race.

Rick Perry's speech at the NRA convention

Perry carries a laser sighted .380 loaded with hollow points.

While jogging, Perry shoots and kills threatening coyote with one shot

Press: Are you packing heat? Perry: No comment, "that's why it's called 'concealed.'"

Supports campus concealed carry.

Military:

Perry spent 4 years active duty (not Reserve or Nat'l Guard) as an Airforce pilot.

Left Airforce with the rank of Captain

Was in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M

Opposes the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell."

Lifetime member of the American Legion.

Social Issues:

Supports constitutional amendments against abortion and for one-man, one-woman marriage amendments.

Opposes gay marriage, opposes special protection for homosexuals in workplace and housing, opposes the repeal of DADT

Pushed bill for ultrasounds before abortions and pro-life license plates

Education:

Perry behind removal of left-wing textbooks from Texas schools.

Texas homeschoolers endorse Rick Perry

Perry speaks at home school rally

Perry refuses millions in Obama education funds because of federal mandates

Perry seeks major reform of higher education

Fought for school vouchers.

[Mount Athos]

“All of the candidates-—except Perry-—respected Iowa’s role in the presidential race. “

Romney skipped the Iowa straw poll. Gingrich and Huntsman also skipped.

People would respect Iowa’s role in selecting their party’s candidate more if it wasn’t a straw poll.

[ilovesarah2012]

I prefer swaggering to bowing.

[Ron C.]

"Why has she gone so intensely after Perry?"

It's called vetting - in this case, about as honest as you can get. Is it right? Is it helpful? From my viewpoint, it is. I don't want a whitewashed candidate, from any perspective - especially from a conservative one.

Perry is probably going to be the nominee - but that nominating convention is a year away. During the coming year, there won't be a single issue, foible, penchant or word related to Perry that won't be endlessly dug up, brought up, and constantly blasted all over TV.

At the same time however, Perry will have to defend himself. How he does so will either make or break him as a potential US President.

Bottom line - there is no perfect candidate. Never has been, never will be. Perry may not get the nomination. The people across this nation may not vote for him. But one thing is quite certain - the majority of people in this nation right now are looking for the opposite of Obama.

The candidate that most appears capable of tearing down everything that Obama has done will most certainly be elected President. Is that Perry? He'll have to convince a majority that he is, or he won't last past the end of this year.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Yeah. Let’s just nominate him because he ‘can win’ and then worry about his record. What could go wrong?

[InterceptPoint]

Most Americans are put off by the way Perry swaggered into Iowa.

Which explains why he is only ahead of Romney in the most recent national poll by 29% to 18%.

I guess that explains it. Should have been a much bigger margin.

[Liz]

As Jess79 posted: This is the primary season. The candidates are vetted so that voters can make an informed decision. It's better to get the negatives out now so we can choose the best candidate against Obama. If we ignore a candidate's negatives now, Democrats and LSM will happily play them up, once the Repub candidate is selected..........

[ilovesarah2012]

If you find a perfect candidate who can beat Obama, please ping me.

[Erik Latranyi]

Why Must the candidate be a governor?

Because Congressment like Obama, McCain, Kerry and Bachmann are proving they do not have the material it takes to be President.

However, you are correct, you do not have to be a governor. You could be a business-leader like Herman Cain.

The key is someone with demonstrated leadership skills....who knows how manage people and a large operation.

Of the declared candidates, Cain is my favorite. Perry is my compromise.

[SeekAndFind]

Every single GOP candidate will have their flaws, which will make one thing — yes, but...

I won’t talk about Perry because he is being vetted to death on this thread..

But consider :

MITT ROMNEY : Romneycare ( which he defends to this day ). Need we say more?

MICHELE BACHMANN : No executive experience.

HERMAN CAIN : No Elective Government experience. Needs to Brush up on Foreign Policy.

RIC SANTORUM : Endorsed double turncoat and UberRINO, Arlen Specter over the conservative Pat Toomey. NO executive experience.

NEWT GINGRUCH : Too man skeletons in his closet.

RON PAUL : Isolationist. Pot and prostitution legalizer.

SARAH PALIN : Supports a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, but no amnesty for illegals. Took no action on Alaska’s “sanctuary cities”. Quit before finishing her term.

[so_real]

Clearly Perry is being touted as the "good enough" candidate. "Good enough" to appease the conservative base while yet maintaining firm GOP establishment control of the party. I really am tired of "good enough".

[Augustinian monk]

Your right. I have same gut feeling. As soon as comparisons to Bush by the media come (following a good week for Perry) out come Rove and other Bush aides c criticizing (and thereby giving the appearance of distancing themselves) from Rick Perry. Nothing could be better for Perry. It says to conservatives ( I am not going to be another Bush and gives him cover to independents as well). People here forget that there are a lot of highly paid smart people involved in these elections.

[HerrBlucher]

In the litmus test of conservatives, Perry does not equal Bachmann, Palin, Cain, Ron Paul, Marco Rubio, and a few others.

It depends on how you conduct the litmus test. The only ones in that list that have executive experience in governing are Perry and Palin, the others are just voters. It is easy to talk the conservative talk, but when you have to actually make hard governing decisions in the political arena, instead of just casting votes, that is when you have proven yourself. Bachmann, Paul, Cain, and Rubio are all talk and votes, we have no idea how they might perform as President. We do know how Perry and Palin are likely to perform. So it really is not fair to say that Bachmann or Cain, or Rubio, are more conservative than Perry because they have not really had to perform yet.

[ilgipper]

Most Americans are put off by the way Perry swaggered into Iowa. All of the candidates---except Perry---respected Iowa's role in the presidential race. All the candidates--except Perry---put a lot of time, money and hard work in the state---and debated the issues---so that Iowa and Americans could gauge their viability.

Which is why he broke out with a 12 point lead over the field. No one gives a rats behind about the Iowa straw poll. It is six months before the actual caucus, which actually counts, and still is something most Americans could care less about.

[Czar]

Thanks for your post and the added information provided about Governor Perry's position on various issues/topics. There remain several issues about which I would like to have more information. Two of these issues are: (1)illegal aliens, immigration and border security; and (2) Islamic militants within the U.S. and their various "cover" organizations such as CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood, and others.

Any information you might be able to provide would be appreciated.

[RobbyS]

Little late to be standing on principle. You are required by law to attend school /send your kid to school and to be innocuated against communical diseases. The only question is how useful the drug is. After all, you/your child will be in the same building with a lot of other people. . I recall in the ‘50s we had to take the first polio vaccines, which later proved not to be as safe as later ones. There was in fact a big argument about that. Went right ahead. Of course, you have to have lived through polio epidemics to appreciate taking the risk.