Posted on 09/19/2011 9:39:45 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
WASHINGTON — Rick Perry's Republican rivals are struggling to find a coherent, easy-to-grasp argument against the Texas governor, who tops GOP presidential polls despite attacks from all sides.
In fact, it's the "all sides" nature that complicates the opposition's message. Republican voters who watched last week's presidential debate and its aftermath might wonder: Should I see Perry as too conservative or too moderate?
Perry is the newest face in the GOP race and his opponents are determined to define him for primary voters, casting him as liberal, conservative and unelectable. They hope their characterizations of the front-runner take hold before he has a chance to sway opinions.
Mitt Romney depicts Perry's criticisms of Social Security as too far to the right. "If we nominate someone who the Democrats could correctly characterize as being against Social Security, we will be obliterated as a party," the former Massachusetts governor said recently.
On immigration, however, Romney and other opponents say Perry veers too far left. The governor opposes a fence along the entire border with Mexico, and he granted in-state college tuition to illegal immigrants in Texas.
Meanwhile, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann leads a chorus that contends that Perry is too lax about individual freedoms because he wanted Texas to vaccinate all schoolgirls against a sexually transmitted disease.
This anti-Perry strategy forces voters to sort through subtleties and contradictory narratives. Fair or not, it's easier for people to grasp bold, unambiguous images of politicians as conservative or liberal, strong or weak, and so on.
(Excerpt) Read more at ajc.com ...
Agreed.
You don’t see Newt and Cain attacking Perry because they actually have ideas that need to be heard. The others are wannabes.
Fox news showed the one they got Sunday.
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Exactly!
I hate Obamacare...it is destroying jobs and the economy...the only plus it has is it is just like Romneycare....which is a killer for Mittens. HA...this will take Mittens out from winning the nomination...there are a h*ll of a lot of other stands he has...but this is the killer for him. Besides, Mittens will never repeal obamacare. That is an important point...hope Perry drives that home.
It’s not a matter of ideology, it’s a matter of honesty. I’d be in the Perry camp if I weren’t totally convinced that I can’t believe a word he has to say.
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I will vomit you out of my mouth.
“You don’t see Newt and Cain attacking Perry because they actually have ideas that need to be heard. “
Good point. REAL CANDIDATES DONT NEED TO GO NEGATIVE, they get people to vote FOR them.
Cain and Newt have both been impressive in the debates.
“Should I see Perry as too conservative or too moderate?”
Somewhere in between. I think that the attacks that the other candidates have leveled on him are good in one way, he is going to HAVE to become a better debater, and learning defense on the stage with 3 or 4 mini-jackals nipping your heels is one way to do that.
Perry? No thank you. I much prefer Sarah Palin first, and Herman Cain Second.
He needs to do like Newt does. Ignore the questions if they’ve been ask before then go on to what he thinks is important...jobs and the economy.
bttt
Gov. Perry is “just weak.”
Perry has got a lot of people scared to death. He’s got them quaking in their boots. They know he has a good chance of evicting Obama from the White House. Instead of engaging in warfare against Perry, keep in mind who the REAL enemy is — Obama. Go Perry!
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today issued the following statement on President Obama’s speech on the economy:
“President Obama’s plan is a bait and switch that offers more than a trillion dollars in higher taxes for a promise of temporary tax relief. The president penalizes investment when it is needed most, discourages charitable giving and doubles down on a failed government stimulus strategy.
“Worst of all, the Obama plan fails to provide the certainty employers need to create jobs and the spending and deficit reduction our economy needs.”
excellent points and Cain just placed 3rd right behind Romney in Zogby...so, his campaign is gaining traction
Can anyone tell me what Perry’s economic plan is? All we have heard is that “he created jobs in TX”. That won’t get it done, folks.
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