Hannity Challenges Rick Perry On Romney Attacks: ‘It Sounds Like Occupy Wall Street’

MediaIte ^ | 01/11/2012 | by Frances Martel

[SeekAndFind]

Rick Perry had an indisputably rough night in New Hampshire. In fact, tonight, his eyes were entirely on South Carolina, and, on Hannity tonight, he didn’t even bother to talk about New Hampshire. But his night got worse as Sean Hannity challenged him on his claims that Mitt Romney was a “vulture capitalist”– going so far as to claim that Perry sounded like a member of Occupy Wall Street.

RELATED: South Carolina Woman Welcomes Rick Perry: ‘Good To See Someone As Homophobic And Racist As You’

Perry began the segment attacking President Obama, but Hannity quickly shifted gears to the “very harsh words” Perry has had for Romney. “It almost sounds like Occupy Wall Street,” he noted, “it doesn’t sound like someone who is governing Texas as a conservative.”

“There is a real difference between venture capitalism and vulture capitalism,” Perry replied, adding that “venture capitalism we like; vulture capitalism, no.” He justified his attacks saying that “the fact of the matter is he’s going to have to face up to this at some time or another.” Hannity wasn’t satisfied with this answer, asking Perry whether he was saying “that Mitt Romney is a vulture capitalist, that he is unethical.” Perry specified that he thought what happened with two specific companies bought by Bain was “irresponsible,” and that “the folks in South Carolina agree with that.” Hannity replied that it was still “as severe as they can get” as far as attacks go, though Perry insisted there were places where Bain had “destroyed people’s lives.”

The segment via Fox News below:

CLICK ABOVE LINK FOR THE VIDEO

[free me]

Projection is all you got?

I directly disputed your “no it isn’t” statement.

When you don’t have the ability to engage intellectually you respond with name calling?

Poor, poor driftdiver’s got no game.

Pity.

[driftdiver]

I’m sure we’ll see some political ads about it.

[crosshairs]

Hannity cannot carry a radio show alone as Rush can. He depends on guests. He loves having Mitt come on his show.

And Rove on his tv show.

[Utmost Certainty]

Would probably help if you actually listened to Newt's explanation. It's unfortunate many Republicans don't seem to understand it.

Newt's case is simple:

1) Romney's vaunted "private sector experience", is of a particular kind that's going to represent a huge liability in the general election. Nobody's asserting that Bain Capital's actions were necessarily illegitimate nor unlawful, but it's obvious that Romney was no white knight of heroic, entrepreneurial capitalism.

2) Questions on business ethics are legitimate inquiries that one should have to answer for, especially if they're running for public office—these are not attacks on capitalism, and it's completely goofy that some would construe it that way. Those advocating a "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" attitude towards private enterprise activity, aren't doing capitalism any favors.

[Gator113]

“We’re being played for fools.”

That is absolutely correct and it is because most of us are.

[Norseman]

>>Hannity hasn’t the mental horsepower required to be a leaf blower.<<

My opinion of Hannity isn’t much higher than yours; he has the gift of gab and leans conservative, and after that it gets pretty thin. Rush is far more interesting to listen to.

That said, I watched all 6 plus minutes of the interview, and Perry accounted for himself very well, in my opinion. It was definitely a hostile interview the last 3 minutes or so, but Perry gave it right back to Hannity and stood his ground. I suspect the interview helped Perry in SC.

And, if Romney is the eventual nominee (I certainly hope not, but if he is) it will actually help to have this stuff sorted through in the primaries. That’s what vetting is all about, after all.

[altura]

Hah! Be careful when you are spelling ‘friend.’

Sometimes the subconscious mind takes over.

Well, now I’m trying to figure out who your candidate is.

You think Rick Perry and Gingrich are ‘dirt bags’ tho you fail to explain that characterization. You’re not for Santorum.

Who do you think is going to beat Obama if not Perry,Gingrich or Santorum.

Maybe Ron Paul? Ron Paul will get his little cult of followers and dem crossovers who want to make us look like fools but he could never win a general election.

Trying to figure out who’s left since you disdain all our candidates.

[driftdiver]

They control most of the information and its delivery. Its a very powerful tool.

Foxnews isn’t reporting the candidates they are pushing Romney. With the common language between hannity and fox n friends its obvious there is a script.

The camera angles for newt is nearly always negative. Santorum is shown in his sweater vest with a few people.

Romney always looks Presidential in the video they show.

[douginthearmy]

I heard Newt's explanation several times. I disagree with the entire line of attack. Business ethics is not the same as the occupy mindset in which rich people making money is somehow in and of itself unethical. From what I understand of the situation, those companies would have gone bankrupt either way. Bain found a way to make some money. They didn't take healthy companies and gut them for some unethical profit.

Newt's argument that this will hurt Romney in the general is true since it is hurting him amongst people who should know better. I am still in the Newt camp, but I really dislike this populist attack on Romney's left by the conservative candidates. I'm not saying everything that happens in business is automatically good and legitimate.

Think of it this way. Even if it's true and Romney loves to fire people who work for him then the absolute best place for him to be is in government.

[chiller]

"no one could possible question Rick Perry’s business friendly stance.?

That's what makes his "vulture capitalism" comments so puzzling. He' s catching hell today from Rush and Hanity, Laura, too, I believe. I was ready to throw in with Perry, in fact I did, just a few days ago. Newt admitted today he went over the line. Rick should do the same.

[Minus_The_Bear]

Has Romney ever fired a government employee? Nope. He hasn’t. He never did as Governor.

[moehoward]

"Almost as if someone is writing a script."

Please, the script was written days ago, 60 seconds after Bain started getting what little traction it has.

[novemberslady]

Funny how Sean/Rush/etc. complain about Obama not being held accountable by the media, then turn around and do the exact same thing for Romney.
They act like no one should question the chosen candidate. Not even during what is supposed to be a Republican primary season where us common folk get to vet 'our' candidates.

Well this primary season is a joke, and it's on people like me.

All you other candidates shut up and go home!