Perry's haul for the long haul

Politico ^ | 10/5/11 | Maggie Haberman

[DRey]

What Perry’s fundraising shows, his backers argue, is that he’s the only conservative candidate in the race with the resources to compete against Mitt Romney over the long haul. In other words, he can spend his way out of his current predicament.

And while Perry has likely lost his chance to run away with the Republican presidential nomination, his eye-opening cash haul — collected in just 49 days — suggests he may yet be able to wrest it from Romney in an expensive, bruising nomination fight that drags on into spring.

“He is going to have the resources to run a comprehensive and lengthy campaign,” said Mississippi Republican National Committeeman Henry Barbour, a Perry supporter. “It’s clear that he would have raised more than $17 million if not for the loss of momentum that happened in Florida, which makes the $17 million more impressive.”

(snip)

If the Perry team is correct and Romney has already disqualified himself with too many GOP primary voters, there’s only one other candidate in the race who looks capable of cobbling together the right set of votes to claim the nomination.

“We’re 90 days out from the first ballot being cast and I don’t know whether Romney can seal the deal,” said Jeff Ballabon, an influential GOP fundraiser supporting Perry. “But $17 million in seven weeks from 20,000 in 50 states just said loud and clear that Perry can.”

[fieldmarshaldj]

Rita, I’ve watched him since he was Ag Commissioner in the ‘90s. He’s one of the most UN-impressive figures I’ve ever seen and far too typical of the slick Southern Democrats that infested our country for far too long. Hogging the Governor’s office well beyond a reasonable period of time is also similarly unimpressive (which helps to keep actual Conservatives from moving up the ladder). I’ve found him on his best day to be mediocre and seriously lacking, and on his worst... viscerally offensive. As was stated, if a “Republican” feels the need to shamelessly pander to a racial supremacist organization, he or she will NEVER earn my support.

We’ve got the opportunity to vote for someone who isn’t a career politician or obsessed for decades with avenging daddy’s loss, someone who has actually created jobs and is successful in the private sector and who is of above-average intelligence with the know-how to get down to tackling the issues.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Ain’t a dime’s worth of difference between the two.

[DRey]

The fact is, if he doesn’t take care of his bumbling in debates, he’s a non-issue. I think he’ll be fine on Monday.

[Irenic]

For all the claims of perry looking foolish in debates, one has to wonder about Cain. He certainly could have handled the 'rock' story better and there's this interview:

Cain on Stossel re: abortion

There are several videos/articles where Cain contradicts and makes one wonder what his positions really are and if he is as firm as he claims.

[EnglishCon]

It’s OK. Us non-whites are used to it.

[DRey]

His endorsement of Romney in 2008 doesn’t help. Establishment GOP in Tea Party clothing?

[RitaOK]

My support for Rick is his ability to stand between Romney and the nomination and still beat Obama. Otherwise, the Republican Billion $$$$ is going to Romney. If Cain can raise it, great. If Rick can raise it, great. The polls are going to be meaningful in this race, and so long as Romney beats Obama in the polls, it doesn’t matter if Cain matches or exceeds Romney in the polls for the horserace. The poll that matters is against Obama, not each other. Don’t you agree? The country is desperate to get the Marxist out of office. They are watching this battle against Obama mounting and we must win. We just MUST win. This is no time to have stars in our eyes. What I am afraid is that Cain and Perry are not as well oiled as Romney to go the distance. Gaffe machines are running even after the vetting of sins subsides over the course of the next 14 months ahead. Romney has learned to avoid gaffes by being vacuous in bad moments. Also, I think Perry is more of a threat to RINOs running the show in the Senate. They do not want Perry to win. They are safer in retaining power with RINO Romney. If Cain were to win the whole enchilada there is a probability that the RINOs in Congress would role him. There are upcoming debates in October. Rick will make his bed, or not. Everyone is ready to rally around Romney and settle the herd to go after Obama. Just my two cents.

[Irenic]

Establishment GOP in Tea Party clothing?

*****************************

Yes and his change of tune with the Federal reserve, though even in his book it seems grudgingly so.

Many of the Tea Party groups DO want an audit of the Federal Reserve. But Cain blames it all on sneaky Paulbots, but that issue isn't something unique to the Ron Paul crowd.

It makes me wonder where Cain is really at on issues. People may hate where Perry stood on some issues, but he stood firm. That stubborn streak makes me comfortable that Perry won't bend at the drop of a hat-- if he takes office.

No Need To Audit the Federal Reserve

[fieldmarshaldj]

My point is this: I and millions of Conservatives are sick and tired of having RINOs shoved down our throats by the party establishment. They learned nothing from 2008 and with the attempt to shove Slick Willard and La Raza Rick as our "only" choices, I tell them to screw off. I am not an R-bot slave, I am a Conservative and when the GOP fails to be Conservative and support Conservatives, I will NOT support them. Replacing Zero with another big government type will NOT fix this country. We need a REAL change, not more career politicians.

[Irenic]

DeMint Amendment to Audit Federal Reserve Blocked by Senate Leadership

I watch this and it makes Cain look darn foolish to me.

[casinva]

It is very obvious Herman Cain is a very smart business man. He’s a smart man period. He’s a very personable man as well. However, while nobody likes the old fuddy duddy in national politics, one must question if putting a completely politically inexperienced person in the most respected, highest political office in the land is appropriate.

Under Barack Obama and his socially-passionate and unscrupulous administration, our country has just gone through a horrific time in history, and our country’s government has been turned upside down and inside out. If we don’t have someone who has experience with government organization and how to work in legislative processes, or even if that person could LEARN but is behind in that knowledge and experienced insight, we could miss our time to get our country into a proper working order.

I do believe Herman Cain probably has some great ideas for some business principles that could help our federal government, but this just isn’t the time to put an completely inexperienced political leader in there just to SEE if he could handle politics and politicians or not, especially in our government’s most visible political slot. It doesn’t make me feel at ease, and I’m sure it would not make foreign dignitaries and our allies in this world feel comfortable either. There is too much uncertainty.

I had a hissy fit with Herman Cain a couple days ago when he used the racial bait thrown at him for his own benefit, but I have come back to at least appreciating his strengths, and I do feel he has them. I just don’t think we know if he has the particular strengths we need, and I fear for our country if we find out he doesn’t have them when he is sitting up there in that oval office, and out there with our Congressmen, both Democrat and Republican, and with the national media which we’ve already seen has been playing him, and in ALL situations that come with the politically-esteemed position of President of The United States of America.

I’d like to see him get some experience in politics, just not starting as a rookie (a smart rookie but a rookie none the less) in a position that should be respected SO MUCH that we seek only the most highly qualified and experienced person to fulfill the duties of that politically-esteemed position.

[RitaOK]

Well you know, I like chocolate on my ice cream but sometimes I can’t have it like I want it. What are you saying?

[Gene Eric]

>> Drey is not a dude, Gene, she’s a lady.

That was unexpected.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Let's entertain your notion for a second that he should get some "political experience." He's a resident of Georgia, and presumably the best experience would be Governor. Problem, GA already has a GOP Governor who just took office in January and barring any mishaps, will probably serve two terms until January 2019. That means Cain will have to wait seven years for that opening, by which time he'll be 73 years old (older than McCain was in 2008 running for President).

Assuming he won that year, the next available time for him to run for President would be 2020. Ah, but he couldn't run then because he'd only be halfway through his term (indeed, he'd have to be gearing up to run not even a year in office in 2019) and would be attacked for doing so. So then he'd have to run for Governor again in 2022 and the next Presidential run would be in 2024 (again, midway through his second term, but he'd probably be forgiven for that).

In 2024, he'll be 79 years old, older than President Reagan was after he completed two terms. In other words, he'd be too old and competing against much younger politicians. If Cain is to run, 2012 (at 67) is about as old as the country would be likely to consider at present for a first-term President. If he were 20 years younger, you might be able to make the argument, but he has spent his adult life in the private sector and isn't going to wait many more years for a run at a lesser office.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I’m saying no more McCains, no more Slick Willards and no more La Raza Ricks. Comprende ?

[casinva]

Cain: No need to audit the federal reserve: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiAkeFJXwUk

Thanks for that link, Irenic.

People need to listen to that one.

[casinva]

I appreciate your well thought-out response fieldmarshaldj. You have a lot of insight you could offer, and I wish you would do more of that here instead of the typical post you usually offer. We could use some of that insight you just showed you have here in our FR discussions.

As far as Cain’s age, I did not write his life’s storyline. That is his and God’s. I know he tried to get into a public officer earlier with at least a try at getting a Georgia Senate seat in 2004 I believe. He has had a great private sector life, and he has loads of private sector business experience. Our government could probably use some of that business experience and knowledge he has as a part of what we need to be doing for our country right now. But that business experience and knowledge is only a small part of all he needs to know and work with, a VERY small part.

I don’t know what to say about his older age and his not having the time to garnish the political insight and awareness he needs for such a high political position, and I’m not sure what the future has in store for a man who is extremely smart and down right personable but with no political experience, but I believe we need to hold the position of President of The United States of America in such high regards that we do not give it to a politically-unknown individual. Hopefully that will not keep Herman Cain’s destiny from happening in the best way for our nation (and for him too), but we MUST put our country’s needs before the needs of one individual citizen.

Thanks again fieldmarshaldj for a good comment. I hope we’ll be blessed with some other good comments from you from time to time. When I see you posting those good ones, I’ll give you a smile. :)

[ziravan]

Welcome back.

That last debate knocked you out for awhile. Did it really take Sarah declining to run to get your spirits up enough to hope for a Perry comeback?

Pay attention where Palin’s support goes. It won’t be to your guy.

Pizza man for Pres. He delivers!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Conservatives REALLY need to get together — take off their debating hats and put on their thinking caps; move from their opposition mode and into their beat Obama mode.

[Liz]

Perry's phony PR about raising $17M "overnight" is a ploy to jumpstart his dead campaign. Hypothetically, 20,000 donors gave $100---that equals $2 million. The FEC better scrutinize Perry's campaign reports---some individual donors may have donated to Perry and don't even know it (/snix).

So where did $15 million come from? Texas cronies, special interests, big business looking for favors?

============================================

Perry has raised truckloads of money for years preparing for his presidential foray. Perry got into the race with hundreds of millions of dollars, and multiple political PACS, teeming with money.

There's "Americans for Rick Perry" for starters.

Perry's Super Pac raised $55 million just by saying he WAS NOT running.

“Texans for Rick Perry” committee is a $102 million slush fund he uses at will. Some PAC mega-donors paid in $100,000 each in order to influence Perry's official actions. “Texans for Rick Perry” committee paid for posh family trips to the Bahamas, Amsterdam, Madrid, out of campaign contributions.

Perry's "Make Us Great Again PAC" raised millions to flood Iowa, and other early voting states, with ads promoting their boy.

========================================

No candidate has a more corrupt history of allocating tax grants and using his office to give favors to mega donors than Rick Perry.....

One Texas news report titled “The Governor’s Gusher,” documents 100 wealthy donors who “have sought corporate welfare, relaxed regulatory rules or other government favors” in exchange for their political largess in Texas gubernatorial races. A disturbing number of these profiteers made a fortune off government handouts or by bending or breaking regulatory rules.

A recent bill pushed through the Texas Legislature benefited Waste Control Specialists, a company owned by #2 donor to Perry, Harold Simmons. Just days after the bill was signed into law, Simmons wrote a $100,000 check to "Americans for Rick Perry, " another of Perry's presidential PACs.

Another donor paid Perry nearly $8 million in campaign contributions, and, in 2003, sought and received, his own regulatory agency called "The Texas Residential Construction Commission"

One of these shady transaction needs rigorous scrutiny---one Perryman gave the RepubGovAssoc a million----then the RGA wrote two checks to Perry totaling a million, which he did not declare as per campaign laws.

Rick Perry----the Prudential Candidate---do you own a piece of the Rick?