Posted on 07/08/2013 7:30:21 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Rick Perry has announced that he will not seek reelection in 2014. When he leaves office, Perry will have served as governor of Texas for 13 years (the longest such tenure ever, I believe) and, as John Fund notes, he has a fine record. Perry kept taxes low and business regulation reasonable, and it is no coincidence that approximately 30 percent of new private-sector job creation during the last decade occurred in Texas.
Perry will also be remembered for his extremely weak run for the presidency. His lack of fluency and failure to remember his own talking points cost him dearly. Aside from that, his momentum stalled when Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum attacked him from the right on immigration issues.
Perry didnt favor of amnesty or a path to citizenship. He was attacked from the right for supporting interstate tuition rates to the children of illegal immigrants and for opposing a 2,000 mile fence (he wanted to put more boots on the ground and the use more aviation assets).
Perrys vulnerability for taking these fairly mild immigration stances can provide a lesson to Republicans running for office in conservative jurisdictions.
Perry has not ruled out another run for president. Clearly, he would have to demonstrate quite forcefully that hes not the same debater we saw in 2011.
In addition, Perry is less of a conservative favorite these days. In 2012, he supported the bid of his lieutenant governor for the Senate against Ted Cruz, the new conservative favorite.
Things are brighter for Perry on the immigration front, though. With so many potential Republican presidential contenders now supporting amnesty, Perry would not be stranded on the left on immigration. In fact, he could get to the right of much of the field by not supporting amnesty (to my knowledge, he hasnt taken a position on the Senate legislation).
Perry would also win points for his pro-life stance. Under his leadership, the state legislature is on the verge of restricting late-term abortions.
But most of the 2016 Republican field will have solid pro-life credentials. So if a strong anti-amnesty conservative Cruz, for example enters the race, its difficult to identify Perrys niche.
He wouldnt be the establishments candidate; nor would he be the top choice of hard-core conservatives. His prospects would therefore be dim, even if he were able to show that hes an able debater/campaigner.
I still like him.
A battle for the ages is about to begin. If the Dims can get their hands on the governorship, Texas will begin to turn as Colorado has turned. All it will take is a flawed Republican candidate who will be hammered in the media night and day, day and night until he or she is completely marginalized, publicly humiliated, threatened with violence, you name it, and voila! A Democrat in the Governor’s mansion.
This was the Senior moment in the debate that saw Perry’s candidacy implode:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCyTQEANlmM
This is not good, because I wanted him in office when it’s time for Texas to lead the way out of communist dictatorship. The next governor might not be so attuned to what Obama is up to.
I supported him in the 2012 primaries, first as part of a Palin ticket and then on his own. I still would again, although supporting Dewhurst over Cruz could come back to haunt him with conservatives.
Greg Abbott is more than capable of leadership.
What bothers me is if Abbot becomes Gov, who becomes the new AG?
Abbott has been a stellar AG.
How could he not support his own Lt Gov?
It’s was a political pickle.
Oh I agree, either way he was going to catch grief. I actually think he did the right thing. By going with Dewhurst he was doing what was best for Texas. It worked out well, Cruz still won and Dewhurst owed Perry his loyalty.
Thanks for posting. Fair reading on Perry.
No. That was just when the conservatives outside Texas saw what we who had been working to rid ourselves of him had been saying all along.
Unless he changes his stance on illegal immigration and/ or amnesty (I’m not actually sure if he supports this amnesty crap or not), it would be difficult for me to support him.
I NEVER liked him.
He’s GW Bush but without that silver tongue.
He only looks good when you compare him to even worse people like that clown Gingrich and everyone who’s ever run against him for Governor.
Anyone who supports him for President again after that pitiful effort last time isn’t playing with a full deck.
How could he not? Cause DewCRIST is a RINO piece of crap who makes even Perry look good in comparison. How about that? Political pickle my ass. Perry backed the establishment candidate because he’s part of the establishment.
He’s not “his” LT Governor anyway, in Texas it’s a separately elected office.
Rick Perry supports and fights for everything I believe in. What’s not to like? He just needs a really good non-establishment coach.
RE: Rick Perry supports and fights for everything I believe in. Whats not to like?
How is he when it comes to amnesty and illegal immigration?
I just love you cowards who call in the harpies to help you fight a battle. If you don’t like Rick Perry, that’s your problem, but he’s done a masterful job with Texas and only the Texas democrats don’t like him.
I just love you cowards who call in the harpies to help you fight a battle. If you don’t like Rick Perry, that’s your problem, but he’s done a masterful job with Texas and only the Texas democrats don’t like him.
Wrong, many conservatives don't like his RINO hide either. Your standards must be pretty low if you think Ricky's mediocrity and Bush style "conservatism" is "masterful".
I don't know what the hell you mean by "calling in the harpies". If you mean PINGING other people I'll remind you this is a publicly accessible website and discussion and sharing information is what it's for. Anyone with Internet access can see this discussion thread.
What are you afraid of? Dealing with more conservatives that won't heap praise on your boy? Feel free to ping your list of fellow Perrybots and lets have a big party. Or not, I don't give a damn.
I tell you guys (and I'm talking to my "Harpy" pals now McGavin) I don't get the tools who go off complaining about other people getting pinged to a thread, and it's only the frothing bots who are in love with some politician who do it. I just don't get it. Do they think every disagreement should be treated like a one on one boxing match or something? It just makes no sense. Did I miss the memo we got telling us to act like kids on the playground?
You attack in packs like the roving teenage gangs.
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