Posted on 10/19/2011 6:39:17 PM PDT by PSYCHO-FREEP
In previous debates, the adviser explained, Perry had tried to abide by time limits, leading some observers to say he seemed passive and withdrawn. Perry intended to make sure that didn't happen in Las Vegas.
It didn't. The Las Vegas debate was Perry's fifth, but the first one in which Perry really showed up to play. That doesn't mean he won, doesn't mean he was particularly likable, doesn't mean he always had cogent answers. But it does mean that Perry, on the verge of being completely written off as a candidate, gave himself a chance to get back in the game.
And Perry, for the first time in any GOP debate, rattled former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. He did it by bringing up a 2007 charge that Romney hired illegal immigrants to do lawn work at his Massachusetts home. Jobs are the magnet for illegal immigrants, Perry said. "And Mitt, you lose all of your standing, from my perspective, because you hired illegals in your home and you knew about it for a year. And the idea that you stand here before us and talk about that you're strong on immigration is on its face the height of hypocrisy."
Romney tried to laugh it off and to deny the story. "I don't think I've ever hired an illegal in my life," he said. Romney tried to explain, but Perry kept pushing, leaving Romney protesting that Perry was ignoring the rules -- just as Perry had planned.
"I'm speaking," Romney said. "I'm speaking, I'm speaking, I'm speaking. You get 30 seconds. This is the way the rules work here…Anderson?"
By the time Romney appealed to CNN moderator Anderson Cooper for help, Romney seemed flustered, almost frantic. "Would you please wait?" he said to Perry. "Are you just going to keep talking?"
(Excerpt) Read more at campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com ...
Perry looked good I have to admit. It’s still early enough that he might mount a come back and at least win his home state if nothing else.
Oh yeah, toupee dude on Hannity. That “focus group” of his was sad, just a long Romney 2012 ad. They said a few condescending words about Cain, but I only saw one member of that group that said they’d vote for him.
Stacked for Mittens.
Nope, you are the one spinning pal. Not over for Perry regardless of your opinion.
From what I’m hearing and reading both Romney and Perry shot themselves in the foot last night. Perry sure didn’t help himself except with those who were die hard fans in the first place.
Heck, I think romney won. What was Perry thinking? Is it because Perry can’t accuse romney of doing anything for illegals that he isn’t already doing? Perry just looked incompetent w that line of attack. Mexican lawncare is almost Mom and apple pie.
Newt is a talker, and a professional one at that. That is what you fail to see. You are basing everything on words or outward appearances.
Perry is a hard working, very busy man with a job to do. How hard is that for you to admire or see?
When you are standing on top of the mountain, there is no need to play offense.
“You are way overrating debates. No elections were won or lost based on debates...”
Um, er........ever hear of Kennedy/Nixon in 1960? Ford/Carter in ‘76? Bush Sr. caught checking the time on his wristwatch against Clinton in 1992?
Debates can have impacts on elections. It’s the public’s rare opportunity to see the two offerings side by side, actually exchanging with one another. Debate gaffes can be killer.
You may like your bumbling, stumbling, mumbling idiot better than “theirs” but if the general public sees the alternative no better then it doesn’t really matter what you think.
If Perry were to win the nomination and then get up there 3 times in a row against Obama with performances like these........he would be hammered and rightly so. People don’t want another W. and he’s just about as close a copy you’ll find in this collection of GOP hopefuls saving the poorer stage presence and grasp of the English language.
FOX has it’s head so far up Romney’s butt - can’t you see it? They were talking today that Romney WON the debate last night! I laughed out loud - under no circumstance did Romney win - he came off as thin-skinned, sputtering and slimy.
Do you really think that Frank Luntz does not manipulate these stupid focus groups?
That’s the plan man.......
“I’m still waiting for Cain to lay one punch on Romney. He’s been in the race even longer then Perry so what’s his excuse.”
When you are on top of the mountain there is no need to play offense.
Perry was showing voters that Romney is a major flip flopper and can’t be trusted. He says one thing and does another. Perry has taken responsibility for the TX instate tuition bill, which was passed by a veto proof majority and only 4 no votes. That was 10 ears ago. Perry has been viciously attacked by conservative web sites, GOP candidates including Mitt Romney.
“Do you really think that Frank Luntz does not manipulate these stupid focus groups?”
Do you have any evidence that he DOES?
Their audience has also dropped off a whole lot.
” No he is not a good debater, but he can certainly lay out
his plans in speeches. “
I only heard a clip of Perry giving a speech at the Western Republican
Leadership Conference today
and he was on fire.
His speaking style was fluid and he was impassioned .
During debates Perry sounds John Wayneish with the pauses ,
which apparently bothers some.
Not me.
TP, unless Perry has had those same bad advisors and that back problem for the last eleven years then those aren’t his problems.
In Texas, Perry was the next in line and had the “R” next to his name. Those were his biggest qualities.
1. Perry attacking romney for using a lawncare co. that uses illegals is stupid beyond belief.
2. For Perry to give anything to illegals is stupid. It insults all legal Americans. He’s pandering to illegals. If it’s such a struggle to not give illegals benefits then he needs to start telling us legals what laws we can break with no consequence and what new benefits we can expect.
Oh, what bunch of hooey. These so called debates run by liberal moderators are worthless. I am from TX and know Rick Perry for an excellent governor. He is not a good debater, but it is a different situation for speaking and not being attacked like he was the first 3 debates. Perry got the point across about Mitt and that is that he says one thing and does another.
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