Good point. I agree that Reagan’s record would be nitpicked by FReepers. Reagan was not 100% perfect.
What Reagan did have, though, was a long record of writings and radio addresses on practically every issue that demonstrated how smart and engaged he was. His ideology and character were never in doubt.
Perry has written two strong books, and he has a fine record in Texas. But he has a few more question marks. Reagan was an open book.
I’m from Texas, so I’m excited about having Perry on board. I just have to be honest about what I think are his limitations.
Fair enough. That’s what primary season is all about. Let’s vet him and examine his positions closely. I’ve done a fair amount of that already, and that’s why (so far) Perry is my guy.
Reagan had written and spoken extensively on his positions, but Perry has written a fair amount too. Perry has taken heat from the right for previously being a Democrat that supported Al Gore (the 1988 version), but people forget that Reagan was a Democrat who voted for FDR each time.
We need a solid conservative Republican, who is right on most of the conservative positions, who can win the election. I’ve done the math, and there is no way that Bachmann can win. (I don’t think Sarah can win either.) I don’t want to “pull a Sharron Angle” in the 2012 general election. In my opinion, Perry can definitely win.