The point is that Perry was attacked constantly and never given a chance to outline any of his positive record and agenda.
How would you do in a debate, if the only question you get asked “when did you stop beating your wife”, then a follow up “you still didn’t answer, how much did you beat your wife and when did you stop” and so on? How are you going to find out anything about someone this way?
Nobody asked Perry a vile, untrue question like that. (The only really assholish comment is from Huntsman last debate). They asked him about supporting in-state tuition for illegals (which he does) and then he called conservatives heartless. I mean come on, this was his “attack” on Romney, who is perhaps the most transparently phony conservative ever.
RICK PERRY: I think Americans just don’t know sometimes which Mitt Romney they’re dealing with. Is it the Mitt Romney that was on the side of against the Second Amendment before he was for the Second Amendment? Was it — was before he was before the social programs, from the standpoint of he was for standing up for Roe v. Wade before he was against Roe v. Wade? He was for Race to the Top, he’s for Obamacare, and now he’s against it. I mean, we’ll wait until tomorrow and — and — and see which Mitt Romney we’re really talking to tonight.
Do you think for one moment that the general is going to be easier?
Who ever wins the nomination will be palinized to the point of no more meat, just the exposed bones. He better get the "experience" in while the gettin is good.
These debates are merely a warm up circle for the main event.