Perry needs to sell Perry. That's about as simple as I can put it.
This is what it boils down to. Cain and Gingrich may have impressed people tonight, but after all is said and done, they make their biggest gains when Perry does or says something that is not popular.
Perry is not hurting in the polls and losing support because of Cain's 9-9-9 plan or Newt's intelligence or debate prowess, Perry is hurting because of comments he made. And he keeps on doing it. Witness his interview with CNN a few nights ago where he said
illegal immigrants should be given " work visas in which they can move back and forth between their countries". Things like this can cause people to leave Perry for another candidate, or they can cause people on the fence about the candidates in general to cross Perry off their list.
Cain and Gingrich won't make big gains after tonight, but I think they are solidifying their support. Their biggest gains are still going to depend on Perry continuing to say things that are unpopular, or other candidates losing further support. Romney, no those people who support Romney have sold their souls to the devil, and many of them will support Romney come Hell or high water. Catch Romney with a dead hooker or live boy and they'll still support him.
Perry is not hurting in the polls and losing support because of Cain's 9-9-9 plan or Newt's intelligence or debate prowess, Perry is hurting because of comments he made. And he keeps on doing it. Witness his interview with CNN a few nights ago where he said illegal immigrants should be given " work visas in which they can move back and forth between their countries". That is precisely what the Perry hold-outs fail to see. Others don't hate Perry. They've simply seen enough to convince them that he's not the sort of person they want for their president.
Especially, given the fact that he has repeatedly taken the wrong policy position, or bungled his presentation of his stance on an issue. Missteps like these cost presidential candidates dearly, and Perry has cost himself enormously with the voters.
Can he recover from his awful slide in the polls? Personally, I think it's doubtful, but maybe he can climb back. I doubt that he'll do so with those who he's offended or turned off. He'll have to draw from the undecideds, and from those candidates who drop out of the race.