As Perry Rises, G.O.P. Elite Look Toward Romney

NY Times ^

[Borough Park]

As Perry Rises, G.O.P. Elite Look Toward Romney By JEFF ZELENY and MICHAEL D. SHEAR

TAMPA, Fla. — The rising presidential candidacy of Gov. Rick Perry of Texas is stirring excitement for many Republican voters but is creating unease in some quarters of the party’s establishment, particularly over his views of Social Security, which are at the root of an intensifying competition with Mitt Romney.

The decision on Monday by Tim Pawlenty, a former Republican presidential rival, to support Mr. Romney’s campaign signals the beginning of an effort by some party leaders to try to slow the ascent of Mr. Perry — or to push him to explain positions that are considered provocative.

In announcing his endorsement on Monday, Mr. Pawlenty said he believed Mr. Romney was the only candidate with the “unique qualifications to confront and master our severe economic predicament.” The judgment of Mr. Pawlenty, who dropped out of the presidential race last month, was carefully watched by some Republicans because he knows both men well.

The endorsement was a visible marker in a quietly continuing battle for the soul and direction of the Republican Party between traditional party leaders and grass-roots conservatives. To some degree it is a clash of styles and of principle versus pragmatism, but it also encompasses foreign and domestic policy differences, some of which have surfaced as the presidential campaign has intensified.

[preacher]

As Perry Rises, G.O.P. Elite New York Times Looks Toward Romney

[ari-freedom]

seems almost everyone here is more interested in attacking Perry than Romney.

[Lazlo in PA]

On a daily basis anymore, I hear the old Bush II hacks slamming and dinging Perry and propping up Mittens at every turn. That is all anyone needs to know about who the Elites are still putting their cash behind. Screw them.

[WFTR]

I'm amazed that people who complain about "flip-flopping" can jump on the Perry bandwagon after he publishes a book that says one thing six months ago and then suddenly backpedals on many of those positions now.

At least Rick Perry wasn't enough of a hypocrite to go into the routine about whether government can force a person to buy a product or service. By executive order, he forced everyone in Texas who buys insurance to buy insurance that covers Gardasil vaccines. He's also forced everyone in Texas to buy in-state tuition for illegal aliens.

[Ronin]

Mittens and Newtie are two candidates that I absolutely refuse to support.

[Lazlo in PA]

seems almost everyone here is more interested in attacking Perry than Romney.

Not everyone. Just a small vocal group who are still waiting for their candidate to make an appearance, if that ever happens. Perry is perceived to have stolen a reserved spot as frontrunner.

[magglepuss]

Perry v. Romney is McCain redo.

[comebacknewt]

If he is the nominee, he will need to explain his position on Social Security better than he has so far.

I'm not convinced it is necessarily electoral poison, but if he doesn't better explain his objections to the program and his plans for fixing it, he will be demagogued to death over it.

[ModelBreaker]

I’m not completely sold on Perry. But the opposition of the R establishment makes me more comfortable.

[NVDave]

Ditto. I am of a mind to suss out who the GOP “elite” are backing.... then work to elect almost anyone else.

[dps.inspect]

explain what you mean... no one is as bad a candidate as McCain was, nobody...

[magglepuss]

Romney is as uncharismatic as Perry thinks he is charismatic. Time for the Republican establishment to step in and give us the worst possible, wishy-washiest candidate they can come up with.
Well that’s what we (they ) want. Right!?

[Lazlo in PA]

Yeah yeah. Perry is a RINO. So who is your candidate and explain to me how the establishment is keeping them down.

[magglepuss]

OK Just to be a jerk, you tell me how Ford, Dole , and McCain are the best we can do on the right in the years we have failed.

[magglepuss]

And I have lived here in Texas under the governorship of Perry for the history making last 10 years. The man has positives and negatives. Tort reform was his best, cronyism invites some skepticism!

[Lazlo in PA]

I am not on the Perry is a phony bandwagon. I don’t see how a guy elected a few times in a state like TX with that population is an Establishment man like the folks you mentioned.

[truthguy]

Yeah yeah. Perry is a RINO. So who is your candidate and explain to me how the establishment is keeping them down.

I agree with you Lazlo. There are many who post here who simple don't understand politics. And they are foolish enough to believe the rest of the country thinks like they do. They would much rather lose an election to make a point rather than back a candidate who doesn't share 100% of their views.

Nothing short of Palin is gonna satisfy this group. But they can't seem to understand that a large number of Americans think the woman shouldn't be president. And that large number is now probably a majority of voters. And I actually like Palin, but I don't believe she walks on water the way so many do on this site. Now every time I point out some of her deficiencies I'm slammed as a Troll, A Rommeybot, or worse. So these people are never gonna be satisfied. You could resurrect Ronald Reagan from the grave and run him and they would find a reason to complain.

[byteback]

Yea I am sooo impressed that Perry doesn’t want a border fence and has no problem giving illegals free services. Damn those GOP establishment figures who think that is wrong.

[BobP]

As Perry Rises, G.O.P. Elite New York Times Looks Toward Romney

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Spot on Preacher!