Poll: Rick Perry loses the tea party

Politico ^ | 10-04-11 | Alexander Burns

[MNJohnnie]

The new Washington Post/ABC News poll confirms what the Florida straw poll showed last month: Rick Perry is bleeding support from activist conservatives.

In the national survey, Perry’s share of the GOP primary vote has fallen to 16 percent – a tie with Herman Cain and 9 points behind Mitt Romney, who draws support from a quarter of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents. Continue Reading

Ron Paul is in fourth place, with 11 percent, followed by Michele Bachmann and Newt Gingrich tied at 7 percent. Rick Santorum takes 2 percent and Jon Huntsman takes half that.

The apparent explanation for Perry’s decline is what you would expect: immigration and debates. Dan Balz and Jon Cohen:

Perry’s support for the Texas policy of providing in-state tuition to the children of illegal immigrants appears to be a significant problem in the GOP race. About two-thirds of Republicans and GOP-leaning independents say they are less likely to vote for a candidate who backs such a policy. Among tea party supporters, nearly eight in 10 say this position is a negative factor. …

In early September, Perry had a 3-to-1 advantage over any other candidate among those “strongly” backing the tea party, but his supported has plummeted from 45 percent to 10 percent in this group.

[kabar]

Exactly. Perry dismissed those who disagree with his in-state tuition for illegal aliens as lacking a heart and disliking people with different sounding last names. This sounded like the Bush, Rove, McCain, Graham slander that those against amnesty were bigots, racists, and nativists.

In an August 2011 Rasmussen poll, 81% of the voters were against in-state tuition for illegals. Is it any wonder that Perry's position is not playing well in the polls?

[Crichton]

Perry’s support for the Texas policy of providing in-state tuition to the children of illegal immigrants appears to be a significant problem in the GOP race.

I heartily disagree.

99% of voters will accept some disagreement with a candidate on the issues, even a significant policy disagreement.

But they will be very reluctant to support a candidate who launches an insulting personal attack against them for that disagreement, which is what Perry did with his "you don't have a heart" comment.

Mind-blowing stupidity.

[kabar]

Here is NumbersUSA's grading of the presidential candidates, including Obama. You can click on each candidate and get a detailed analysis of their positions on immigration issues.

[TexasCajun]

I believe our Texas Rino is far better than the Rino from Massachusetts. I like Cain, but don't think the Pizza Guy is ready for prime time.

Until someone else officially announces his/her candidacy, Conservatives will have to accept the best of what is offered and go from there.

In short, any Republican over Obamah or whoever they choose.

We're on the same team.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

This poll may very well reflect the facts but I am cautious about any poll from the WoPo and ABC. They want Romney to win and then they can point to how little difference there is between Romney and Obama as they grease the skids for Obama again.

[MortMan]

Rick’s problem regarding in-state tuition is his method of defending it. He did not offer a rational explanation of his position, but rather attacked (personally) anyone who disagreed with him.

When the candidate leads with a liberal tactic to silence opposition, one whouls expect that conservatives will fail to support the candidate.

[no dems]

It would be nice to see the Perry trashers on FR support their candidate and give us a reason to vote for them.
Thank you for this opportunity:
Herman Cain
1. He is not politically correct.
2. He could mop the floor w/Obama in Debates, not embarass himself like someone else we all know.
3. He HAS A FRIGGIN' PLAN for the Economy; the "9-9-9 Plan".
4. His Economic Plan is understandable to the average person.
5. He has created jobs in the Private Sector.
6. He is not a career politician, like someone else we all know.
7. He, being Black, says he can get 30% of Zero's Black vote; and I believe him. Blacks who are dicontent with Zero can vote for Cain w/o feeling guilty about not voting for a "brotha". That alone would sink Zero's reelection chances.
8. He admits he does not know everything but he will learn and surround himself with intelligent people, not cronies.
9. He owes no political favors.
10. He is intelligent, likeable and personable.

[MrB]

To your 1),

his appeal is that he can actually, genuinely state what he believes, why he believes it, and sincerely say that if he can’t convince you he’s right, then don’t vote for him.

Leftists cannot achieve this level of candor, because their core beliefs are abhorrent to decent people.

[no dems]

Conservatives will have to accept the best of what is offered and go from there.
Can you say: "Herman Cain for President"? (BTW, love your tagline.)

[TexasCajun]

I do like Cain but do you think the Pizza Guy is ready for prime time?

Cain has the business experience I like but I don't think he has the political experience.

I need to find out when the Texas primary is, it's a long, long way off.

[truthfreedom]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/polls/postabcpoll_100211.html

Some are “general population” others are “registered voters”

[org.whodat]

So Texas has 12 million illegals, that only leaves, 18 + million in the rest of the country. Your using that 12 million lie, tells me you are really a liberal are an amnesty supporter. Both of which support perry.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

But when he tried to justify taxpayer subsidies for illegal aliens’ college education, he lost me.

This is a tough question but I am sure you are up to it. Please explain to me how giving in-state tuition to someone who lives in the state is a subsidy? You are aware of the other requirements, aren't you? They must have attended high school in Texas for the last three years and meet all the other entrance requirements that anyone else must meet. How is that a subsidy? They live in Texas!

I agree with all who complain, "But they are ILLEGAL!" Yes, but until we can stop them from coming and find a reasonable and workable way to send those back who are already here, something the Democrats fiercely resist, we should make the best of it. The better educated they are and the healthier they are the better for us.

We have a corrupt Marxist in the WH who is actively supporting illegal immigration, gun running for drug dealers, Muslim jihadists, and is trying to cripple our economy. and here we are destroying our own who would try to change all that.

If you have a candidate, support that candidate but don't try to tear the others down. I know you will say you weren't tearing Perry down but you were with questionable reasoning.

[Allegra]

All of these people who are supporting Romney on here need to remember that he probably can’t beat Obama in the general and their support will help to ensure the completion of the Ayers/Soros agenda.

[Rick_Michael]

Your nominee will be Romney. Good luck with that.

[Daveinyork]

If they get a reduced tuition from someone else, someone is paying the difference. Is it the taxpayers? Is it the out of state tuition payers?

[CPT Clay]

Should never have had it! Nobody would listen to us Texans.

Hell, in last Gubernatorial primary, I pulled a dem ballot!!!

[max americana]

Yes, we know that..but the illegal alien tuition thingy killed him. Calling us HEARTLESS’ was another.

[jacknhoo]

Rick Perry never had the Tea Party, he only pretended to.

[Ratman83]

While I believe the law is wrong there really is no cost to the law. Tuition could be the same for in-state and out-of-state, it is an artifical price increase. So it does not cost anything in money.

More importantly allowing an illeagal in does reduce the number allowed at the school, so it actually takes a slot away from someone most likely a US citizen.

This is the real problem with the law.