Posted on 10/01/2011 1:40:24 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Voters encountered a confident and combative Rick Perry last night at the first New Hampshire town-hall meeting of the Texas governor's presidential campaign.
After uneven debate performances, Perry didn't hesitate as he took questions from voters about job creation, Social Security and global warming at the Adams Memorial Opera House in Derry. Throughout, he pitched himself as the Republican candidate who presents the clearest contrast to President Obama.
"We need a nominee for the Republican Party that is a clear contrast with Barack Obama," Perry said. "Ronald Reagan said it pretty good when he said 'Now is the time for bright colors, not pale pastels,' and let me tell you I am that bright color."
Perry needed little prompting to repeat his earlier characterization of Social Security as a Ponzi scheme, a description that rival Mitt Romney has seized upon. When state Rep. Al Baldasaro, a Londonderry Republican, praised Perry as the "only candidate that has stood up" and used the comparison, Perry said the government must reform the program so it will be there for younger generations.
"If we have not addressed this issue of Social Security it will not be there for them," he said. "And that is in essence the description and the characterization of a Ponzi scheme, for them to pay into it and those that are in first get the money and those that are in last don't get it."
He advocated allowing states to opt out of Social Security and create their own programs. Perry also said states should receive block grants to pay for Medicaid.
"Washington, D.C., has to get a lesson," he said. "And the lesson is all wisdom does not emanate out of Washington, D.C. They need to let the states be greatly more involved in how our Medicaid populations are taken care of."
When Cindy Brasier, a 56-year-old from Salem, asked if she would lose a portion of her Social Security benefits under his plan, Perry assured her that she would receive her payments in full. He said a new program should be created for people who are still young but said he doesn't know what age should be the cut-off.
Earlier, state Rep. Phyllis Katsakiores, a Republican from Derry, told Perry seniors are having a hard time, in part because their Social Security benefits have not risen in recent years. Perry responded that the government could help seniors by bringing down energy costs. That could be done by reducing environmental regulations that stifle domestic energy production, he said.
"Allow those energy sectors to compete against each other, and that will drive down the cost of these seniors' expenses because they're on fixed income," he said. "Everything that we can do to drive down those fixed costs for our seniors citizens."
One man challenged Perry about his skepticism of global warming. The man charged that Perry had ducked a question in a previous debate when moderators had asked him what sources served as his evidence.
"I'm ready for you this time," Perry said, prompting a laugh. He went on to say that in recent weeks a "Nobel laureate of some acclaim," whom he did not name, had decided there is no definite proof that global warming has been caused by humans. The audience applauded.
"For us to take a snapshot in time and say what is going on in this country today and the climate change that is going on is man's fault and we need to jeopardize America's economy," he said. "I'm not afraid to say I'm a skeptic."
Perry said that Texas substantially reduced its levels of certain greenhouse gases during the decade after 2000.
When the questioner tried to interject, Perry responded, "Hold on, I got the mic here. You got your question, and I'm going to answer." But he let the man speak again afterward.
Throughout the meeting, Perry spoke of the need to foster a strong economic climate by lowering taxes, limiting regulation and erecting barriers to frivolous lawsuits. He also got into the discussion about whether New Hampshire should adopt a right-to-work law, which would prevent unions from charging fees to non-members. The state Legislature passed the legislation, but it was vetoed by Gov. John Lynch. Perry told the crowd last night that New Hampshire could become one of the most competitive states if it adopted the policy.
"Right-to-work is not anti-union bill, it is a pro-jobs bill," Perry said. "And our friends who have chosen to be in unions, they'll have more access to more jobs."
The town hall was moderated by John Stephen, the 2010 Republican gubernatorial candidate, who selected the questioners. Perry took questions for a little more than half an hour. He kicked off the meeting by signing an anti-tax pledge before Tom Thomson, the son of former governor Meldrim Thomson.
Suppose Rick Perry does become president. What could he do to reverse the invasion by foreign nationals, we know he is against E-Verify, the most effective tool we have.
Closing the border would do nothing, they are already here and half the illegals are visa overstays.
My neighborhood school, four blocks away, is 100 percent English Learners, I drive my kid 7 miles to where she can be in a learning environment.
People, don’t give me another open borders president.
If I haven’t been posting as much as usual, be assured that will be corrected quite soon. I’ve been traveling and it has been difficult to post. Thank you for noticing and missing me.
I could say something similar about 3 years of Palin posts, but does that discourage the Palinoia Posse and the PDS Platoon? Quite the opposite! pissant and his minions found out the hard way what the limits were, but many still tread the line. Lord knows what that crowd will do the day she declares. I hope I’m not in bed, because it’ll be more fun than Christmas, my birthday, the 4th of July and a circus.
I’ve been reading your posts for a long time - and they are some of the nastiest I’ve ever read. I should have hit the abuse button on a few of them. But to accuse a disabled vet - JUST BECAUSE HE DOES NOT SUPPORT RICK PERRY - of having post traumatic stress disorder is low even for you. For shame!
You STILL did not address the legitimate issues I posted above. Why? People can see you refuse. It does Perry no good. If I’m wrong, then prove it.
I’ll stop coming to these threads (gladly) when you stop lying to people about your anything but conservative candidate and his anything but conservative actions. While you may be lacking your once mighty pep squad, people read these posts and your “Perry at any cost” propaganda blitzes filled with half truths and outright lies will not go unanswered by someone posting the truth and documented facts. If not me, then others.
Stop LYING TO PEOPLE. Those TIRED ISSUES are the same ones in the MSM daily and on the debates tripping him up. They are UNANSWERED ISSUES, but it’s not their bedtime.
I will be so happy when Palin announces..and will not be posting anything but congratulations and best wishes.
I don’t like PDS when it is against Palin or Perry..
Will that be before or after he cures cancer and finds a way to make cheap gasoline from worn-out shoes? Will there be free Bubble Up and Rainbow stew? Every man a millionaire? A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage?
“We certainly do and Perry is going to revive the U.S. national space program that has been ripped to shreds by Obama. “
That’s a federal issue and he’s a State governor. He has no power to do that. It’s up to the FedGov to deal with space issues...and he’ll never be in any position to do that. ;)
Were you an OV-1 Mohawk pilot?
You and me both. I just hope I have the inner strength to nor rub their noses in it on every thread that comes up.
BUT I think/hope that will be the cutoff. From that point I believe management here will treat the blatant PDS in a different light. At least I hope so.
On a silver spoon, underneath that sky of blue!!!
(Merle fan AND metalhead ;)
I, too, notice that the posse (or pep squad as you call them) have fallen off en masse. Now is that because they’ve realized that Perry’s a lousy candidate or are they just tired of hating on Michele Bachmann?
I loved the ptsd thing. Yeah, if I attack Mr. DREAM Act I’m crazy! Strange coming from someone who was in Vietnam, though. That’s usually the stuff the Left would throw out there...
Remember, we can all define ourselves whatever way we want on FR. Doesn’t always have to be accurate (or true).
I believe it’s just that he isn’t the conservative that some made him out to be and his record shows that. People were excited because he HAS done good things in Texas...A number of them and even I will admit that.
But his problematic issues on the border, guardasil and others really decked his support when hes true colors came out in the debate. The bloom was off the rose and the rose color glasses of his onetime supporters suddenly became crystal clear. Those issues, still a big problem for Texas, would be a nightmare spread across the other 49 states and people do not want GWBIII on those issues.
Now it's clear to us that the "thinking" inside Texas is very, VERY different from those "dam Yankees" outside Texas.
Personally I think it's really, really nice that Texans accept candidates like Perry "as they come"---in all his permutations---reinventing himself at the drop of his approval numbers.....to sate his unbridled lust for power.
Texans do not seem to second-guess anything a candidate like Perry tells them. That's really nice and I commend you all.
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However, I can assure you without a doubt, an individual like Perry could never, ever be elected in some states outside Texas.
Those dam Yankees up North size up a candidate and take special notice of the quality of his character, measured against the vagaries of human nature.
Now when a candidate slaps down a Yankee and says they are "heartless," you can betcha those dam Yankees are not gonna take that lying down.
There are disturbing side to Perry's character. Definitely not someone who engenders trust and confidence ...to a Yankee, anyway.
In all reality, it is probably a combination of both. You are calling Perry a liar, all the while, most every one of your slanderous claims are completely based on lies and demagoguery.
The Left is proud of your effort. You are doing the dirty work they could never get across, disguised as a “Conservative” concern Troll. It must make you proud to know that you are helping Obama get a second term by all means.
Takes all kinds to act like liberals. Vets are no exception. I tried enlisting but was medically unfit. I have a daughter in the USAF Sgt, F35 project and so I GREATLY respect those who serve and have done so.
But there are plenty of idiots that a couple stripes or bars won’t improve their intelligence...and you definitely found one in that category.
I was an LVER/DVOR (Local Veterans Employment Rep./Disabled Veterans Outreach Rep.) and homeless veteran counselor at the state employment office for many years and later a supervisor. USDOL mandates that any person filling that slot be a disabled veteran. There are several FReepers who’ve met me and know who and what I am. Can others say that?
Ask your doctor if Thorazine is right for you.
Please show me one thing factually incorrect in my posts. Just one...other than a typo.
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