Other than the jobs record of TX, which he can point to, what are Perry’s strengths that will get the independents to vote for him?
While his jobs record is a major plus, what other accomplishments can he list? I ask this as a tentative Perry supporter whose primary concern is that the GOP wins in 2012.
actually, that’s quite easy.
When you are a big states rights supporter, you can be perceived as more moderate on any issue you wish, just by saying that particular decision should be left to the people of such and such state to decide.
Pick nearly any issue, and you can use the states rights argument to make yourself look more moderate (this also works for libertarians, like Paul)
I'll drop a few links for you to look over. And thanks for asking.
Rick Perry’s Air War (with the EPA)...........>>>Texas alone opted for the unfriendly approach. It’s the only state that did not issue a plan for compliance—and Perry has made it clear that Texas has no intention of complying. The move was a blatant slap to the Obama administration—and once again gave Perry the national spotlight. Defying the climate rules offered him the perfect opportunity to loudly decry the science of global warming—which in his book Fed Up! he calls a “contrived phony mess that is falling apart under its own weight”—and to slam EPA as a “rogue agency” with an “activist mind-set” that has “targeted Texas.” Such rhetoric is viral catnip to the tea party voters who could help catapult Perry to the 2012 presidential nomination.<<<..............
In Texas Schools, Perry Shuns Federal Influence ………>>>When Secretary of Education Arne Duncan jabbed Mr. Perry on public schools in mid-August, it was only the latest skirmish between the governor and the Obama administration since late 2009, when Mr. Perry announced that the state would not sign on to common core-curriculum standards.<<<...
The Left is signaling that they hope a President Perry will fix education and get the inner cities out from under the impossible mess they've created.
Will Rick Perry Unravel the Strange Consensus on Public Education?
Trial lawyers prep for war on Perry America’s trial lawyers are getting ready to make the case against one of their biggest targets in years: Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
Among litigators, there is no presidential candidate who inspires the same level of hatred – and fear – as Perry, an avowed opponent of the plaintiffs’ bar who has presided over several rounds of tort reform as governor.
And if Perry ends up as the Republican nominee for president, deep-pocketed trial lawyers intend to play a central role in the campaign to defeat him.
That’s a potential financial boon to a president who has unsettled trial lawyers with his own rhetorical gestures in the direction of tort reform. A general election pitting Barack Obama and Perry could turn otherwise apathetic trial lawyers into a phalanx of pro-Obama bundlers and super PAC donors. …..”
Other than jobs (and that’s huge), Independents will like his killing Obamacare, repairing social security, decreasing the debt, his experience in the military while advocating we get our guys home as soon as humanly possible and no more “adventure” militarism, his promise to secure the border on Day 1 with the manpower and technology needed to do it. These are just a few “secondary” issues they’ll like about him.
I posted this on another thread and it is by far not all of his accomplishments or traits but just from my heart and head...
He encouraged legislation to lower property taxes.
He helped stop the creation of a state income tax.
He recruited tons of companies into Texas from other states.
He created an atmosphere here in Texas that created more jobs than any other state.
He refused to sign any legislation increasing state sales tax.
He encouraged Voter ID which passed (Feds are suing)
He demanded fiscal responsibility from school districts.
He defended boy scouts when ACLU went after them.
Nobody is stronger on the 2nd and 10th Amendments.
He put the Sanctuary City bill back on the table but TX Legislature didn’t have the guts to pass it.
He eliminated property taxes for veterans w/100% disability.
He calls the families of all Texas soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Gives them his personal cell number.
He took Marcus Luttrell into his personal home to make sure he got help for his broken body after losing his entire SEAL team.
He has allowed other veterans to live with him and Anita so they could monitor the help they needed.
He strives for the premise not to spend all the money.
He and Tx AG Abbot sued the EPA.
He and Tx AG Abbot sued over Obamacare.
He oversaw reform to laws in Texas regarding tort reform.
He strives for less regulation.
He has been governor in Texas and presided over more job creation than any other state - even more than all other states combined during one of the worst recessions in the USA and fighting with undue Obama/EPA etc... regulations.
He was excellent during hurricanes Rita and Ike as well.
He is an excellent marksman - right on target.
Loves to hunt.
He is a real people person.
He’s a mans man. He is exciting and fun.
He’s got friends like Chuck Norris, Nugent and ZZ Top!
He is really interesting if you try to get to know things about him - really interesting.
He cares about Texans. He cares about Americans.
He loves his Country, is Patriotic as all get out and has served his country in the Air Force (piloted C130’s)
He went to Israel several times and Israel gave him some kind of an award naming him “A Friend of Israel”.
He went there once to see how they secured their border and that is where he has formed how he would do it if President.
He will be a President for the people.
He is a Leader!
He will get our bloated government back to where it should be and he will reverse all of the current Admin stupid policies.
He will be one of the strongest defenders of this country people have ever seen.
Our soldiers will leap with joy to be under this Commander in Chief.
He WILL secure the border with boots on the ground and with upscale equipment without causing a problem with our bordering trading relationship with Mexico.
Is he perfect? No
He has made a couple of blunders ie: Exec Ord and TTC
But to his credit, he does listen to the people and will back down if they raise a ruckus.
He is a Christian and his lovely wife Anita is a retired nurse.
He was raised on a farm/ranch in a town that is actually not a town but rural area.
He was a boy scout. In the Air Force as a pilot.
He believes in smaller government and strong on the Constitution. He believes in a strong military.