Rick Perry's a competent debater in Texas, but national stage brings new challenges

Statesman ^ | Sept. 3, 2011 | Jason Embry

[Clairity]

In his first three weeks as a presidential candidate, Gov. Rick Perry has shown that he knows how to steal the spotlight from his opponents, how to charm voters at a state fair, how to fire up a friendly crowd and, ultimately, how to shoot to the top of national GOP polls.

But can Perry debate?

[Clairity]

We'll find out soon enough, on Sept. 7.

I hope he does well.

[Lazlo in PA]

[Clairity]

I would like to quote samtheman on his excellent, succinct observation:

samtheman: “It’s not Perry’s job to get into academic arguments. His job is to do for America what he did for Texas.”

I wholeheartedly agree.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2772920/posts?page=50#50

[Clairity]

Yes, that is when Perry met Obama at the airport and wanted to hand him a letter asking for National Guard troops for the border, which Obama refused to accept.

[re_nortex]

We'll find out soon enough, on Sept. 7.

For many in the 49 lesser states [:-)], this will be the debut of Rick Perry on the national stage.

If he hits it out of the park, he'll be a serious contender. If he whiffs badly, it could quickly reduce him to a minor candidate in the race.

How do you think he'll do? (I honestly have no idea whatsoever).

[famousdayandyear]

As for me, I’m not looking for a debater—I’m looking for a man who can kick a$$.

[RichInOC]

Now there’s an inspiring slogan:

Perry 2012: He’s A Competent Debater.

[mylife]

Barack Obama is the master debater.

Lets send him off to his room

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

Right, that Perry sure is rotten and evil. Another 4 years of Obama would be worth the spite of principled stupidity, wouldn't it?

[comebacknewt]

I have defended Perry on a lot of threads on here, but I'm still not sure I'll vote for him in the primary.

If he does a good job in the debates, then that probably pushes me over to his side permanently. If he whiffs, I'll go with Bachmann -- unless Sarah surprises me and actually decides to run.

I expect him to do well, but as this article suggests, you never know.

[hsalaw]

As for me, I’m not looking for a debater—I’m looking for a man who can kick a$$.

Ditto here, and I also want a man who smiles as he does it. We already know he can debate the Obozo - uh uh uh I I I me me me Bush Bush Bush - with half his brain tied behind his back.

[Clairity]

Perry ping

[Clairity]

I personally think he will do well, but he has to be on his toes, because I am sure the moderators will have some real “gotcha” questions ready for him, the kind that it’s d%^n if you do and d%^n if you don’t”

[Artemis Webb]

"How do you think he'll do?"

I know you didn't ask this question of me but I'd love to take a shot at answering it: MY answer is, "Who the heck knows!" I'm a Perry supporter but there is obviously a certain amount of strategy that comes into play in a debate. One can't just go out there and spill their verbal position papers without regard to what is going on on the stage with the other candidates. The LAST thing Perry would want to do is come across as an a**hole. I would suggest he be polite to his fellow GOP opponents and spend all of his ammo on Obama. On the other hand, Perry is widely considered at this point to be the front runner and one can't doubt that the other candidates will be targeting him. If he targets anybody else on stage Romney would be best since nobody likes his lying ass anyway.

[Artemis Webb]

You need to grow up.

[mylife]

"He usually does what he has to do, and it really depends on which Rick Perry shows up," said Chris Bell, Perry's 2006 Democratic challenger. "He can get in a lot of trouble when he veers off script. He was very well prepared for our debate, and all he had to do was not screw up."

Chris Bell is a pathetic statist idiot.

He is the clown that said "the people work for the government"

[re_nortex]

I expect him to do well, but as this article suggests, you never know.

I'll be brutally honest and admit that I was pensive before the vice presidential debate in 2008. Sarah Palin was an unknown quantity (at least to me) in terms of how she would perform in that venue.

Even taking into account that her opposition was an idiot, she more than exceeded my expectations as she utterly decimated Say-It-Ain't-So Joe.

I think Rick Perry will face some formidable opposition come the night of September 7th. As the nominal frontrunner, the other candidates will likely have a laser-like focus on our governor.

[Happy Rain]

You know,if they cut Sarah Palin’s Alaska in half Texas would be one of the “49” lesser states;)

Anyhoo,with Perry taking Pawlenty’s place the stage will once again be overcrowded and thus be a bumper sticker sound bite competition.
Hopefully the moderators won't be a bunch of inane “gotcha” jerks like last time.

[Liberty Valance]

I suppose he’ll do ok. The debates for Gov here in Texas were sort of ... lackluster. Can I say that? I’m sure he’s going thru lots of prep as we type.