Iowa finish could knock Perry out of SC debate

Washington Examiner ^ | 01/03/2012 | Joel Gehrke

[Rational Thought]

Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas, appears doomed to a fifth-place finish in Iowa. Unless he drops out, that would make South Carolina his last stand against Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney.

The problem is that he might not receive an invitation to an upcoming South Carolina debate (given the debate criteria).

Candidates can qualify to participate in the CNN/Southern Republican Leadership Conference debate January 19th (two days before the South Carolina primary) in one of four ways. First and second, they can place in the top four in either Iowa or New Hampshire. Third and fourth, they can qualify by averaging seven percent support in three polls conducted nationally or in South Carolina by certain approved media and polling organizations.

Either Newt Gingrich or Rick Perry, it appears, will receive the debate invitation that comes with a fourth place finish in Iowa. With 31 percent of precincts reporting, Gingrich is in fourth place (13 percent) and Perry is in fifth place with ten percent support.

[NittanyLion]

Iowa finish could knock Perry out of SC debate

I guess there really is a silver lining in every cloud.

[D-fendr]

thanks for posting this article.

Something interesting in it that I didn’t know:

“Perry is skipping New Hampshire...”

[af_vet_rr]

Third and fourth, they can qualify by averaging seven percent support in three polls conducted nationally or in South Carolina by certain approved media and polling organizations.

Ouch! I feel for my friends who are Perry supporters. Never in their wildest dreams would they have thought that Ron Paul and Rick Santorum would beat Rick Perry out, or that Bachmann would be giving Perry a run for his money.

Some of them even flew to Iowa on their own dime to try and help Perry out. Ain't going to be a fun plane ride back.

[Parley Baer]

Ain’t going to happen. Huntsman is the one that needs to be gone.

[RC one]

It seems like things are falling into place for Romney any way I look at this.

[HighlyOpinionated]

I think we all should tweet, email, write, contact the RNC and Reince Priebus and tell the GOP to END THE SUPPORT of the Libertarian Candidate.

Ron Paul is NOT in any way representative of the Republican Party. Why they use resources to promote him and his antiestablishmentarianism point of view is beyond understanding.

[Ronin]

According to Drudge, Perry’s winning. I am not sure if he’s talking about the same thing, though.

[af_vet_rr]

Something interesting in it that I didn’t know:

“Perry is skipping New Hampshire...”

Perry put some effort into New Hampshire, even traveled there recently, and that was dumb as Hell in my view, because neither he, nor Santorum, nor Bachmann is going to do well there. They are wasting money if they are spending any in New Hampshire.

[grey_whiskers]

Of possible interest.

[af_vet_rr]

According to Drudge, Perry’s winning. I am not sure if he’s talking about the same thing, though.

The Rick that Drudge is talking about is not Perry.

With 50% of the vote in, Perry is predicted to finish in 5th.

[Clump]

Have no fear. Romney will not pick up a single point from the people who support Perry, Bachman, or Paul. They will all be gone eventually, and they will line up behind Newt in all likelihood.
I just dont see the infrastructure needed for Santorum to compete in the south.
And Mittens will never get more than 23%. The more conservatives that drop out tge further Mitt goes behind. Imagine what tonight would have looked like without Perry or Bachman.

[RC one]

Given Romney’s capital resources, his beltway support, and his campaign infrastructure, I see a very clear path to victory for him despite the fact that 75% of the Republican party has consistently not supported him. Money talks and he has plenty to speak with.

[skaterboy]

well rick will have company in laststandville..newt is that you?

[Psalm 144]

“Ouch! I feel for my friends who are Perry supporters.”

Same. I like them, I like their candidate, but it seems he said THE wrong thing at THE wrong time to THE wrong audience, and that was that. He has a solid record, and is better than most candidates who call themselves conservative. In less desperate times, he might have had opportunity to recover from a bad start. Not in this cycle, apparently.

[Donkey Odious]

Given Rick Perry’s debate performance to date, this might be a blessing in disguise......just sayin’....

[skaterboy]

ya those cain supporters really lined up behind newt huh

[American Constitutionalist]

" According to Drudge, Perry’s winning. I am not sure if he’s talking about the same thing, though. "

Not sure what Rick your talking about, Drudge's website meant Rick Santorum.

Here is the some of the counties in Iowa's results...
Most counties are reporting Rick Santorum taking most.

Results in Iowa

[TChad]

It seems like things are falling into place for Romney any way I look at this.

Sadly, I agree.

[jjotto]

So far, Romney has taken 4 0f the 6 largest Iowa counties (where the money is). Paul has one, and Santorum will probably get one.