So Who Exactly is Stronger Than Rick Perry in 2016?

Townhall.com ^ | July 12, 2013 | Mark Davis

[Kaslin]

If you’re wondering whether my Governor is going to try to become our President, I have no magic window to that, even though I have known him for nearly twenty tears.

But from here in Texas, where all kinds of political plotlines are getting attention, there are some insights I can share as Rick Perry plans a return to private life that may be only momentary.

First, let’s get rid of the dumbest analysis of the past week-- the notion that Perry is not seeking re-election because he feared a loss to pro-choice rock starlet Wendy Davis.

Senator Davis may run, and why not? She is probably the Democrats’ strongest candidate for 2014. But amid all the buzz about Texas shifting from red to purple, be aware that we are nowhere close to electing a Democrat Governor.

If state Attorney General Greg Abbott serves as Perry’s successor, he would be a strong incumbent seeking re-election in 2018, so that’s not exactly a door the Texas Dems can walk through either. So we’re a good decade away from any notion of a Democrat in the Governor’s mansion in Austin.

So will Perry seek another mansion to move into in January 2017, the one being vacated at last by the Obamas?

It would not surprise me. But nor would a decision to stay in private life, to write books or just enjoy his family, including a granddaughter born just a couple of weeks ago. It’s easy to forget because he looks years younger, but President Perry would turn 70 at the end of his first term in the White House. He would, in fact, be the third oldest man ever inaugurated, behind Ronald Reagan and William Henry Harrison, and just a week ahead of James Buchanan.

But let’s not obsess. No one is talking about Hillary Clinton’s age as a factor, and she has more than two years on Perry.

The 2016 GOP primary race may have a young-folks feel to it, though. In a field that may contain Senator Marco Rubio (currently 42), Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (45) and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal (42), Rand Paul and Chris Christie look like grizzled veterans at 50.

But let’s sift through those names while asking a question about Perry’s chances. If you find yourself underestimating him because of the “oops” moment on a debate stage, think again: Who exactly would bring stronger credentials than Perry in 2016?

Let’s dispense with Christie immediately, because millions of Republicans nationwide already have. I’m pleased to have him as Governor of New Jersey, but his zeal to keep that job has involved episodes ranging from fawning over President Obama to faint-at-best support of the Romney-Ryan ticket to ambivalence over some conservative causes.

Senator Paul is an interesting guy. Not as out-there as his Dad, but still steeped in a rigid libertarianism that might place him just outside the GOP primary mainstream.

Walker and JIndal are superb public servants who have helped their states with bold conservative leadership, but they have been around for a hiccup of time compared to the decade and a half Perry will be able to tout in a thriving Texas.

I mention Jeb Bush only because every 2016 preview insists on it, even though I find absolutely no groundswell of desire for his candidacy.

So again-- tell me who would be a bigger deal than Perry at the starting gate sometime around the summer of 2015? (I’m not forgetting Sarah Palin. I just don’t think she will run for President again, and who knows? She may be freshly installed by then as Alaska’s newest United States Senator.)

Now to the irony you may have already discerned. There is one name that might excite as many voters as Perry, if not more, and he is one of those pesky 42-year-olds, and from the same state, to boot.

That would be Ted Cruz, who has generated more buzz and passion in six months in the U.S. Senate than some leaders do in an entire career. A poll this month already shows more Texans stoked about Cruz than Perry for the White House.

But let’s tap the brakes for a moment. While Cruz has more zip on the appeal meter right now-- and he deserves every bit of it-- there would have to be attention to the skills needed to win a general election, and there Perry’s seasoning and broader appeal may accrue to his advantage.

But if national GOP voters are in the same “screw it, we want a fighter” mood that Texas voters channeled last year, Cruz would be a force so formidable that Perry may choose to stay out rather than walk into that buzz saw.

But when have we been in that mood lately? No wonder we pine for Reagan. He wasn’t just a magnificent President, he was the last consistently conservative nominee we offered up-- and I say that with all due respect for our standardbearers since, especially George W. Bush, whose presidency I will always be grateful for in the post-9/11 era, even though government got way too big on his watch.

So a lot of fortunes depend on the mood of Republican voters as 2015 winds to a close and the Iowa caucuses draw near. Will we atomize our preferences along a wide spectrum containing some worthy warriors, allowing another under-inspiring, semi-conservative to waltz through the crowd to the convention?

Or will we be in the mood to stand up to Hillary, or whoever the left’s hero will be that year? Will we be ready to fight for the repeal of Obamacare, lower taxes, state’s rights and a strong values agenda?

He may have struggled last year to remember that third cabinet agency he would get rid of, but with four more years of protecting Texas from the Obama agenda, coupled with a crisper approach toward campaigning, Rick Perry would be a strong bet to land among the strongest contenders when hopefuls start announcing two years from now.

[af_vet_rr]

Because he's a junk-yard dog who was determined to take the fight to Obama. Admittedly, he is also a loose cannon prone to work accidents, but, by that time, the field was pretty limited.

As many things as I dislike about Newt, this is the one part of his personality that could keep me supporting him. Rubio, Jeb, Perry, Santorum, and all the rest, none of them have ever really shown the kind of tenacity Newt can exhibit, and they spent far too much time talking about themselves, when we can read their websites ourselves - they need to make this about the other side, because the otherside sure as hell makes it about us, and they let the other side define us far too much.

I would like to see Rand Paul and Ted Cruz exhibit this kind of tenacity, because that's what it's going to take to beat the Democrats. You can't be nice and limp-wristed about things, you have got to be willing to fight them tooth and nail. Hopefully Paul or Cruz have that junkyard dog mentality.

[jpsb]

No I intensely dislike Bush because he threw out the Constitution with his Patriot Act. There threw out local control of education with “No child left behind”, he hugely grew the nanny state with his free drugs for granny act. He screwed up the middle east beyond repair with his War in Iraq that was based on untruths about weapons of mass destruction. He double the national debt, he ruined the economy and he made conservatives unelectable thus giving us Obama. But yall “social conservatives” just love him. Bush ruined the country and you want more of the same? Fools! Obama has now run twice against Bush and has horrible as he is, he won. Why because Bush sucked. Obama is Bushs’ legacy.

[jpsb]

You keep calling Santorum a conservative, he is not a conservative. Yeah he is good on family values but that is all he is good on. Other than family values he is a big government, big spending anti-constitutional liberal.

Real conservatives are Palin, Cruz, Lee, Paul, Poe, Demint, etc.

Phoney conservatives are Santorum, Romney, Rubio, McCain, Gramn, etc.

[varina davis]

Gov. Rick Perry in 2016 with Cruz or Paul as running mate. works for me.

[geologist]

Washington has made and is making disastrous decisions. Each one appears to be against America and the people. It does not seem military as the slashes in their budgets are severe. Builderberg's perhaps. It is such a closed group and the Clinton's are both for it. Communist ideas and rigid seizing of power is happening before our face and there is no uproar heard. It seems impossible for America to be brought down by Soros or some such.

Having the press and media be for the liberals is a powerful element indeed.

My prayers to god are for forgiving our offenses, having mercy on America, for the restoration of America to our former values and faith in God Almighty. Protection and peace over our land and Israel, Jerusalem, and all believers, thank thee LORD for thy blessings and grace, in Jesus Christ. Amen.

[jpsb]

Perry is wobbly

"May 12, 2001 - Rick Perry of Texas signed a hate crimes bill today that strengthens the penalties for offenses against minorities, gays and others"

Plus he is very weak on illegal immigration.

[hosepipe]

There be powerful forces at work here no doubt..

Theres way too many people involved to be a mere conspiracy.. somebody would “snitch”..
Looks like to me the American people generally have become corrupt..

Not all but MOST... else they would change things..
Is corruption “ignorance”?.... maybe two sides to the same coin..

Whether “America” don’t really CARE or is actually corrupt is a minor point..
The apathy is palpable.. you can “taste it”... “hear it”.. “feel it”.. “see it”...
It’s being “FED” like a Zoo Animal..

Its like “Logans Run” the people are pretty much brain washed.. already..
Talking to “them” is like talking to your telephone or a BORG... they are “drones”.. in the collective..

Its like a terrible political disease.. that must run it’s course..
The people are too weak to fight it off..

Its the BLACK POLITICAL PLAGUE of the new millennium...
Most will die in their ignorance.. i.e. a political death..

Would make a good novel or book really.. or even a movie..
Its the BLACK PLAGUE and Bush and Obama are carriers..
Jeb Bush and Gingrich are Witch Doctors with feathers and JuJu bags..

The media are the fleas.. democrats the rats..
AND the disease is worldwide.. the BLACK Political PLAGUE of the year 2000... it’s global..

[Sirius Lee]

Personally, I’d love to see Santorum get his shot. He’s earned it.

He ran and already proved himself a loser. It's time for Cruz, not some "I'm next" retard from PA.

[AD from SpringBay]

I think it’s Jeb Bush’s turn. But really, whoever the GOP nominates will be better than the democrat. We’ve got to just set aside the little differences and vote for the nominee to win this thing.

[dirtboy]

I think it’s Jeb Bush’s turn. But really, whoever the GOP nominates will be better than the democrat. We’ve got to just set aside the little differences and vote for the nominee to win this thing.

That is exactly the kind of feeble thinking that brought us lame candidates and defeat in the last two presidential elections.

[rintense]

Thank you for saying what needed to be said

[af_vet_rr]

Don’t forget that he supported the most blatant pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, and pro-gun control Republican that has run for President in the past few decades, and he still considers Rudy Giuliani a dear friend.

[af_vet_rr]

That is exactly the kind of feeble thinking that brought us lame candidates and defeat in the last two presidential elections.

Exactly! The candidates who ran in the last primary were losers, either losing to each other, or to Obama in the case of Romney. Waiting four years does not change any of that - if they couldn't beat Romney for the nomination in 2012, then they won't have what it takes to beat Hillary or whoever gets the Dem nomination in 2016. And even though I like the junkyard dog approach of Gingrich, the same applies to him.

This "it's my turn" BS has given us George H.W. Bush, Bob Dole, George W. Bush, John McCain, and Mitt Romney, not a Conservative to be found among them.

Plus, anybody who ran in 2012 has already laid out a roadmap for the Dems to use against them, because they were showing exactly how to take out each other. We need fresh blood.

We need not only fire in the belly, but brains to boot.

[JCBreckenridge]

Cruz is ineligible.

[JCBreckenridge]

Disagree strongly.

Ron Paul supports gay marraige. He’s a great libertarian, but he’s not a conservative.

[jpsb]

Ron Paul is not Rand Paul.

[AD from SpringBay]

Well golly, I dunno. I mean, shouldn’t we just allow the GOP leadership to decide these things?

[Cringing Negativism Network]

That is debatable.

I say he is eligible.

[JCBreckenridge]

Justice Kennedy! Is that you!?

[Cringing Negativism Network]

Lol.

Nope. Not even close. :D