Posted on 09/14/2011 11:24:24 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Richmond, Va. — Virginia turned blue in 2008, and if Republicans want to win the presidency next year, they’ll likely have to color it red. In a speech this afternoon, Gov. Rick Perry argued to a convention hall of over one thousand GOP activists that he’s the man to do that, talking up his electability, which his chief rival, Mitt Romney, has denigrated. “We need a nominee who draws a distinct and clear contrast,” he said.
“This campaign is about freedom,” Perry said, and the rest of the major issues, all important, are secondary to that theme. “The voters are getting the message,” he chuckled. “The voters of New York are sure getting that message,” commenting on Bob Turner’s surprise House victory in the Big Apple. “I just think that’s awesome.”
Perry was welcomed to dais with a rousing standing ovation from nearly the entire room. He bounced from handshake to handshake as he approached the podium, cutting through the crowd with ease in his gray suit and ruby-red tie. Spotting a few tea-party supporters in near the front, he “tipped his hat” to “grassroots activists” and drew roars at numerous junctures, bringing attendees to their feet when he pledged to make President Obama a “one-term president” and dismantle Obamacare.
Before Perry took the stage, Virginia governor Bob McDonnell spoke, praising Perry’s record. In recent years, they both served as the top elected strategists for the Republican Governors Association, with Perry as chairman and McDonnell as vice-chairman. McDonnell, beaming as he looked toward Perry, noted that he was “thrilled” to welcome Perry to the capital. “He’s a man of his word,” he told the crowd.
“Governor Perry brings ten years of experience,” McDonnell continued, listing off Perry’s accomplishments in Austin. “He truly created a marvelous state of opportunity in the state of Texas. He knows the power of the American dream.” He then highlighted Perry’s “humble beginnings,” his “storybook marriage,” and his Air Force service.
The audience was buzzing with the notion of Perry, should he win the nomination, tapping McDonnell as his vice-presidential nominee. Scores of Republicans wore pins emblazoned with “Perry-McDonnell,” and happily mused about the possibility as they munched on barbecue pulled pork.
Tucker Martin, a senior McDonnell adviser, tells NRO that the event should not be interpreted as an endorsement by the Virginia governor, but noted that the pair has a “close and warm friendship.” McDonnell and Perry “text, they talk on the phone, they argue over which state has a better job-creation record,” he says.
And on a lighter note, Martin adds, they also discuss college football — McDonnell, of course, is a die-hard Fighting Irish fan, Perry an Aggies booster. Still, “with the state races his focus at the moment, the governor will not be endorsing a candidate until after the November elections,” he says. “And even that’s a maybe.”
Perry’s campaign team was pleased with the reception. Robert Black, Perry’s spokesman, tells NRO that the governor is eager to make his case in swing states. “He’s going to play in every part of the country,” Black says. “In Virginia, it’s the same as in Texas — it’s about the economy and jobs.” Other candidates, he predicted, “will talk about us,” but as Perry crisscrosses the country, he’ll stick to that message, betting it’ll deflect the potshots.
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Doesn’t he have a job to do in Texas? Oh, I forgot, he doesn’t want to “quit” that job because he got “elected to serve out his term” (... spending his time flying around the country???).
I like this encouraging news. Put on your asbestes suit.
The nattering nabobs should be here any minute now.
Wish I could hang around but will be checking in.
Haven't seen too much talk about McDonnell for VP..He's a good guy, I have no problem wih him in that slot..but just to carry Virginia? I think Perry wins it whomever is the VP pick..Not sure if the ticket should be two white guys from the south...I think the VP should come from the MidWest..
Eat your heart out...when it is necessary he returns...but has hired such outstanding people, he can governor out of the state because of that great team he has in Texas. Oh yes, he returned for the fires. He didn’t have to but did anyway. OH yes, he isn’t a micromanager either. We all know what a poor executive is when they micromanage.
First and foremost, true freedom protects against backdoor deals between elected officials and corporate interests.
Freedom protects against behind the scenes handshakes between Democrats and Republicans.
Let’s stand up for real freedom—be a man and take a stand against crony capitalism.
They even passed a law there to give instate tuition to illegal aliens!
They allow refuge cities where the cops are not allowed to turn in the ilelgals.
We call Maryland the People's Republic of Maryland for those among other reasons.
So, you might ask, why would our peeps be applauding Perry?
I know I'm asking that, and I'm going to fire off some letters to my Republican members of the state legislature why they were applauding Perry and his policies.
We sure wouldn't be applauding O'Malley and his running dog lackeys, so why this other guy with the same program?
Ah, the usual suspects begin the sniping.
I’ve never seen Cincinatus’ Wife post something bad about another Republican primary candidate and I’ve never seen Bronze Titan post a positive post about his own.
Guess we know who the adult in the room is.
The Texas Legislature will not meet again (unless a special session is called) until 2013.
If Perry is needed I think he’ll be available. He’s appointed every position in Texas so he’s assembled a good team.
But you are correct, he is the sitting Governor of Texas — all 25,000,000 of us.
God Bless Texas and God Bless Governor Rick Perry and his lovely wife, Anita.
Amazing....people see him how we know he is...one of us.
“Doesn’t he have a job to do in Texas?”
The legislature isn’t in session, giving Perry little to do that can’t easily be handled by David Dewhurst, our Lieutenant Gov.
He’ll be back when it matters.
Or a young, charismatic, Latino from Florida...that my wife swoons over.
I wonder how many whiners will be polluting this thread?
We’re going to know early who wins the general election. Republicans expect to keep all their red states and with Rick we will see some blue states turn purple and be countable in the end. Don’t like what I am hearing about Pennsylvania jicking around with their electoral vote counting. Something about the congressional district duplicating the senatorial district pattern, and delegating by district majorities. It’s just different and can’t be helpful to our side or they wouldn’t be doing it.
Also, we do need to close crossover voting. Do we have to lose an election because of hijacking opportunities before we get the picture? I need to learn more about that on the caucas thing, etc.
Ok, my bad. I thought it was a more demanding job.
Nice!
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