WSJ: Can Perry Come Back?

Wall Street Journal ^ | January 5, 2012 | Stephen Moore

[Cincinatus' Wife]

National conservative leaders are wondering who, if anyone, can stop Mitt Romney from walking off with the Republican nomination after his narrow win in Iowa and his expected comfortable victory in New Hampshire next week. The name that keeps surfacing is Rick Perry, which says a lot about the desperation that the anti-Romney forces are feeling now.

[snip]

Perry insiders say that the plausible course forward for the candidate is to make this a one-on-one race with Mr. Romney so that the conservative vote doesn't split in two, three or four ways.

South Carolina has a history of deciding the eventual GOP primary winner. If Mr. Perry can take first or second place, he can live to fight another day and prepare for Super Tuesday, when voters in the bulk of Southern states go to the polls. Perry supporters also say that a comeback depends on his ability to make this a North versus South race. They say that three-quarters of Republican voters aren't sold on Mr. Romney. The problem for Mr. Perry, of course, is that even more voters aren't sold on him, either, in part because he has done such a lousy job of educating voters about his admirable record on jobs and growth in Texas.

Many conservative leaders that I talked to after the Iowa caucuses are rallying around the latest flash, Rick Santorum. But others have concluded that despite all of his debate mishaps and his poorly run campaign thus far, Mr. Perry may be the only Republican candidate capable of beating Mr. Romney. As one campaign aide told me: "We have to make a good second impression."

[mikhailovich]

Rick Santorum raised more than $1 million in the day after the Iowa caucus and has brought in more cash via online donations in last week then he did in the previous six months combined.

As a result, Perry supporters on FR will redouble their efforts to tear Santorum down.

20 posted on Thursday, January 05, 2012 7:33:24 AM by dirtboy --------------------------------------

Those are your words from yesterday, pal. Unprovoked I might add. You're guilty of your own hogwash in less than 24 hrs.

[mikhailovich]

"Care to answer Jim's comment about being positive, CW?"

Rick Santorum raised more than $1 million in the day after the Iowa caucus and has brought in more cash via online donations in last week then he did in the previous six months combined.

As a result, Perry supporters on FR will redouble their efforts to tear Santorum down.

20 posted on Thursday, January 05, 2012 7:33:24 AM by dirtboy

[dirtboy]

As a result, Perry supporters on FR will redouble their efforts to tear Santorum down.

Gawd, you are DENSE. Probably on purpose because you can't back up your lie.

I am not claiming that I did not post that. I had very good reason to say that yesterday, as Perry supporters had been bashing Santorum on FR for the last couple of days. I will gladly document that with links.

Now, back up your other claim, pinhead. Show where TODAY I have said Perry should drop out in favor of Santorum. Go ahead, I'm waiting.

[dirtboy]

Did you get dropped on your head too much as a child, troll?

[dirtboy]

And this was posted later that morning by the lead Perry operative on FR.

Which proves my point.

[mikhailovich]

It takes very little research to demonstrate that you are a self-serving potty mouth. You're also a very weird and scary person, spending countless hours posting sometimes tens, if not hundreds of insults and snotty comments to people in a single day.

Here's but a brief example. I have nothing else to say to you. The evidence is pretty clear.

The trouble with my uncle, Rick Santorum [he believes in the right to zot Paulbots] Tuesday, January 03, 2012 2:14:25 PM · 9 of 60 dirtboy to keyd

You Paultards must really think FReepers are stupid to fall for a dumbass brain-dead juvenile screed like this.

Why Are Ron Paul's Followers So Touchy? Monday, January 02, 2012 2:46:14 PM · 32 of 187 dirtboy to mnehring

Paul followers are either deliberately ignorant or actually agree with him. Neither speaks well for them.

Get Ready to Hear All About Rick Santorum and Universal Health Services Saturday, December 31, 2011 3:35:04 PM · 68 of 72 dirtboy to txrangerette

You really are a cretin, aren’t you? I am suggesting to CW that she spend more time promoting Perry and less time bashing the other candidates. "Hardly an unreasonable request."

Newt Gingrich Says He'd Defy Supreme Court Rulings He Opposed [Obama Campaign Ad Material!] Saturday, December 17, 2011 6:45:48 PM · 83 of 160 dirtboy to Steelfish

You are an ass. And you can kiss mine.

-------------------------------------------

Basically in a matter of days you go from bashing Paul and Gingrich supporters to requesting we all stop bashing people. You come off like a total flake, son.

That is all.

[dirtboy]

All that work to avoid the fact that you lied through your teeth and can't back it up.

Later, troll. I'm sure you can find a fly or two that needs its wings pulled off.

[dirtboy]

Basically in a matter of days you go from bashing Paul and Gingrich supporters

Are you so stupid that you think I am bashing Gingrich supporters? I AM a Gingrich supporter. You just can't read, apparently.

And tell me again how bashing Paul supporters on FR is such a bad thing. Paul is as bad a choice for the GOP as Romney.

[dirtboy]

You're also a very weird and scary person

This coming from a person who is lying about what I have posted on this thread. Now THAT is weird - anyone can read this thread and see that your claims cannot be supported.

[Ditter]

I haven’t paid much attention to you but after going to your homepage I see that all you ask for is good voter ID. It’s a shame Perry is toast because he instituted picture voter ID in Texas this past year. I am guessing as president he would do the same thing.

[dirtboy]

Like I have been saying, Santorum, Newt, Perry - all three are viable anti-Romney conservative candidates, but they also have to present their own visions to win both the primary and the general. My issues with Perry have been less with his record and more with the fact that he hasn’t been able to conduct a functioning campaign - and whoever goes up against Obama won’t have much of a chance without a solid campaign organization.

[Ditter]

Of the 3, Santorum, Perry and Newt, I have heard that Santorum has no functioning organization, Newt's is so-so and Perry's is excellent and well funded.

[dirtboy]

Given how Perry has performed, I don’t think a case can be made that his campaign is excellent, just well-funded.

[Ditter]

His performance in front of the cameras was HIS performance, not his campaign staffs. I don't think he would govern that way, he certainly hasn't in Texas. I would love to see what he would do as president, starting with picture ID’s for voting.

[dirtboy]

His performance in front of the cameras was HIS performance, not his campaign staffs

I've read plenty about the snafus by his staff as well.

[Ditter]

Really? LOL! I guess I don’t spend enough time reading.

[dirtboy]

Or perhaps it’s not something you care to read.

[South40]

Thanks D1. It’s all very simple; just support the most conservative candidate, one who is not pro-amnesty or pro-ILLEGAL alien. Santorum has his faults, they all do. But he is, at this point in time, a far better choice than all others.

[Ditter]

I’m waiting..........

[dirtboy]

Here’s a story from earlier today from Red State and Erick Erickson, he’s a Perry supporter who is tuned into the campaign:

http://www.redstate.com/erick/2012/01/06/on-the-perry-campaign-shake-up/