Posted on 11/13/2011 5:24:29 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Taking a page from Ronald Reagan, Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Saturday sought to use humor to rebound from his much-noted debate flub earlier in the week. That flub, a 53-second brain freeze that was replayed endlessly on news shows, had him forgetting the name of the Department of Energy, the third federal agency he pledges to eliminate.
So Perry was quick to cut off CBS’ Scott Pelley, one of the debate moderators in South Carolina, when he began a question, saying, “Governor Perry, you advocate the elimination of the Department of Energy. If you eliminate the Department of Energy...”
“I'm glad you remembered it,” interjected Perry with a big smile as the audience broke into applause and laughter. Pelley responded, “I've had some time to think about it, sir.” And Perry shot back again to even more laughter, “Me, too.”
Far from being uptight after his earlier stumble, Perry was loose even before the debate. Backstage before the TV lights came on, Perry said to fellow candidate Rick Santorum, “So tonight if I need a lifeline, I'm just gonna look to you, OK?”
Santorum laughed and offered to “fill in the blanks” for the Texan. The two men then high-fived each other. At that point, they laughed about Rep. Ron Paul telling Perry after the Michigan debate that “everybody has that happen, most people just don't do it in front of four million people.” In South Carolina, Paul laughed and told Santorum, “I was trying to make him feel better.”
Perry’s use of humor was reminiscent of Reagan’s rebound in 1984 after the then-president's performance in that year's first presidential debate with Democratic nominee Walter F. Mondale raised questions about whether age had dulled Reagan's mental quickness. At the second debate, Reagan was ready when he question came up. “I will not make age an issue in this campaign," he said. "I'm not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent's youth and inexperience.” The lasting image from that debate is Mondale laughing heartily at the joke at his expense. And the question of Reagan’s age was put to rest for the campaign.
Exactly!!!
>>>>(I think Liz is a guy)>>>>>>>
Maybe Liz is short for lizard, a creepy crawly critter.
You need to learn how to read.
Christians do not praise, nor embrace pluralism.
Perry’s words are his words. He condemned himself.
Thanks for your reply! Pinging some more Freepers for their opinions.
He didn’t have to call, but he did. It WAS a very nice thing to do.
First it's ludicrous to believe that a normal person or even an extraordinary one has every word necessary on the tip of his tongue in an open question format. I often take a few seconds to retrieve the proper word in speaking about a subject the I have a premeditated firm fixed position on.
Secondly the important point is that the Federal Government must be made smaller and less intrusive, and that means more than just three departments must be reduced, so it's a large area of thought requiring a reasonably lengthy answer not favorable to sound bite timing.
Finally, Perry is doing his own thinking on this and in that way is like Reagan who was almost entirely responsible for his own conservative thinking and policy, he borrowed very little.
Whatever!!!
You know Perry could hold his own debating Obama because Perry has had more direct involvement with him than any other of the candidates!
THAT is my friggin point!
There are sure to be some Texas Freepers who do not care for Governor Perry, but I hope they would explain why they dislike him, and what he did that was upsetting to them. It is knowing the truth that is important. Disagreeing on some issues is to be expected, but I have heard mostly praise of Governor Perry from most Tesas Freepers.
BTW, I thought I heard there was to be a debate tonight. Or perhaps I got the wrong night. If anyone knows about a debate being this evening, please let me know. Have been busy today and kind of out of the loop on the news. Thanks!
Pinging to post # 61.
Liz, Are you from Texas? I would like to know why you are saying Governor Perry has “sucked up to Islam & Mexico”. Please explain if you know Governor Perry’s record in Texas.
I am just a Floridian who works supporting real conservative candidates here in Florida. We will make sure Dizzy Debbie is reduced to one job...Head of DNC, but no longer in the US House come January 2012! We have a few more to get out of Congress too, including Senator Nelson!
Another ping here to post #61
Think affairs as in JFK and Marilyn Monroe, or Bill Clinton and half the US female population under the age of 60 in Arkansas and D.C.
Cheers!
I am now recalibrating.....
Pro dream act, Oh yeah, and I am heartless too! Sorry, he hasn’t answered that and the CONFLICT OF INTEREST for the Guardisil EXECUTIVE ORDER. Note I am not saying money I am saying CONFLICT OF INTEREST because it would be a gain for his former chief of staff! Improper use of Executive power. Don’t want that in the Commander in Chief.
Ravenstar
Thanks for the ping!
I have heard Governor Perry's comments concerning the Guardisil executive order, and believe him when he said he should have gone through the legislature.
I hope the Freepers who are totally against Perry will explain why with details, and I hope Texas Freepers who know first hand what Perry has done will provide more information. I want to deal with facts, records, and do want to know more about Governor Perry.
As far as I am concerned, National Security/Defense and Energy Independence are the most important issues. As far as I can see, Governor Perry would put his attention on those issues first.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST for the Guardisil EXECUTIVE ORDER
Meant to add, can you comment on the “conflict of interest for the Guardisil Executive order”.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.