Posted on 09/08/2011 7:17:47 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Anyone hoping or fearing that Rick Perry would crash and burn in his first GOP debate last night can either feel depressed or rest easy.
In his debut on the national stage, Perry proved he possesses a somewhat indefinable star quality -- exactly what Republicans were distressed to feel was missing from the field.
That quality emanated from him even when he struggled with difficult questions about his views on climate change and Social Security that present complex electoral challenges for him and his party in a national race. He knew when to speak strongly and when to underplay.
......The real controversy arose from his decision not to run from the attack he launched on Social Security in his 2010 book “Fed Up,” but rather to say that politicians need to be honest about the Ponzi-scheme nature of the old-age pension system.
......He’s right -- it is a Ponzi scheme. The challenge for Romney now will be making the case to primary voters that it will be fatal for the GOP’s shot at denying Barack Obama a second term to have a candidate who calls it a Ponzi scheme. He’ll have a strong case to make.
But there is something striking in the contrast between the two men. Romney looks like a casting director’s idea of a president, and after running for the office for four years solid now, he has an enviable fluency and command of the stage.
Alas for him, there’s a reason he was unable to solidify his own status as a front-runner: He just doesn’t seem to have “it” -- that elusive quality populist politicians who find a connection with ordinary voters seem to possess.....
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
I don't. Remember, this was an MSNBC debate, which means that only the most politically engaged even bothered to watch. What most voters will see from the debate are the "highlights" - for Perry, that will include the SS question, the exchange with Romney over jobs, and the death penalty question. On all three of those, I think Perry helped himself, particularly with the Republican base (this is for the Republican primaries, after all). The SS question has the potential to be a problem in the general election if Perry cannot articulate a plan to protect current seniors while reforming the program for future recipients, but he has about 6-9 months to work on that.
Exactly!
My jury is still out on Perry. I’m waiting for Texans to convince me he’s really a conservative and not just another career politician willing to say what it takes to get elected (like our own Huckster). Texans should know him best, because they had to live under his governorship for years. So this is my call to you Texas FReepers, tell me what you think of Perry’s track record and do you think he would make a good conservative President?
My wife’s philosophy is that taxes are in effect the government stealing a part of your life away. We literally spend months in servitude to the government by simply working solely to pay annual federal/state/local tax obligations.
When the federal government takes more than is required for basic services rationally reserved for a central government (national defense, roads, regulation of “actual” interstate commerce), it in essence is reducing our God given life spans.
This, at best, is slavery. At worst, blasphemy.
Re Texas and alternative to SS for retirement, you might want to check out: http://www.moneyandmarkets.com/galveston-vs-social-security-39613
Successful program. Wish Rick had mentioned it - but he has had a few other things on his plate this past week in addition to campaigning, like running a state and major forest fires.
You have a smart wife!
I think Perry’s best quality last night was he showed he owns what he says. Not backing down a bit on any of his statements and willing to take responsibility on things that may have been done differently. Something much different then Romney. Newt, Paul and Romney should have done nothing else but perform great, they are Presidential repeaters. Have been well rehearsed on this stage. Perry came in as the virgin, being the “pinata” on stage and overseeing his state’s wildfire crisis for a week and still came out on top. His confidence and honesty is what stood out and that is exactly what the American people are looking for, because they sure as he!! haven’t seen it for the last 3 years.
You owe me a keyboard! LOL!
IE. Perry must stay aware there are many that have bought hook line and sinker the idea about the danger of man made global warming. The point being Perry or any Republican needs every voter possible and can not afford to put them off on any issue ... because it will be throw back at him in sound bites when we get to the real rivalry. Not that he should avoid it altogether but be very careful in his true statements about the science being “unsettled”.
It is a very difficult maneuver to stand our among like minded candidates all pursuing the same office.
There are many issues to emphasis, immigration, economy, jobs, cutting spending, balanced budget amendment, etc.
the EPA regulations, drilling for oil.
Global warming is a big excuse for draconian regulations and take over of Americans life styles. All of which are severely injuring our economy. IE. California crops, have been decimated, OR DESTROYED COMPLETLY. ... ALMONDS, TOMATOES, ETC.
clever comeback
Sorry, still see him as just another run of the mill politico. I want to see fire, show me fire in a candidate not more blaaaaah.
“Next time, I hope SOMEONE in the good state of Texas, who knows Perry personally, gets him to read up on the recent CERN study basically PROVING that AGW is a baldfaced lie.
Please, someone, please, tell Rick about that.”
Well, CERN doesnt quite do all that, the cloud impact on climate has more questions than answers, but certainly it debunks the ‘science is settled’ garbage.
Perry needs to have some substance to the charge. He will.
Rick Perry is not a Bush. GW Bush was and is the aristocrat son of an aristocrat East Coast Brahmin father. GW Bush thought it was beneath him to respond in kind to his detractors and was beneath the (office of the) Presidency. Rick Perry carries none of this rich boy baggage. He will not be sitting back and taking it when he is elected President
I liked GW Bush in many ways, I'm just explaining why he didn't punch back or have his surrogates punching back.
Rick Perry probably doesn’t think he did very well, but plenty of time to improve. Romney was a lot better but has had a lot more debate experience.
I noticed that when Perry was getting asked the "name two Scientists question" , all the other candidates started looking throught their notes. Guess they thought they might be asked the same thing.
Perhaps they didn't notice that Perry was getting the most questions, followed by Romney. The rest of them were mostly being ignored.
I hope you’re right. There are still plenty of debates to watch him in action.
What is destroying the almonds and tomatoes in California?
Romney was a lot better but has had a lot more debate experience.Romney ALWAYS comes across as TOO smooth. Way too smooth.
LOL!!
Google for back information. Check it out. California tomato crops, and Almond production denied water by Pelosi ... or some such
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