South Carolina and the Campaign Trail

By: Erick Erickson (Diary) | September 6th, 2011 at 04:45 AM |

RESIZE: AAA

On Saturday, Sarah Palin went to Iowa to lament crony capitalism in both parties. Her aides said she was taking shots at Rick Perry and Mitt Romney. We don’t know for sure whether or not she was because Sarah Palin herself did not confirm it. History is full of times Palin aides said something only to find Palin herself contradicting the aides.

Yesterday, Sarah Palin went to New Hampshire and said we shouldn’t be squabbling with each other on the same team.

What do Jesus and Sarah Palin have in common? Only God knows the hour of their coming to save mankind. I give up and I’m tired of being teased.

Yesterday, in South Carolina, Jim DeMint hosted a forum that should be the model for future Presidential debates. He allotted time for each candidate to appear on stage and answer questions from conservatives about things conservatives what to know about. My only quibble is that, while I have tremendous respect for Robert George, I think Professor George went too far into the weeds on topics he personally cares about and, while every other conservative cares about them, are not the focus of the year in politics. Otherwise, it was nice to have non-sound bite answers to non-sound bite questions.

While all of this was happening, a shakeup happened at Michele Bachmann’s campaign. My friend Ed Rollins is stepping aside as the campaign manager and the deputy campaign manager is out too. Ed says he is too old for the day to day grind of a campaign and is worried about his health. This news comes as Bachmann tries to stop her slide in the polls.

The guy everyone wanted to hear from in South Carolina, Rick Perry, was a no show. And we can now behold the disgusting rancor of a number of folks who cannot set their cheerleading for their own guy aside.In the past twenty-four hours more than 300 homes have been destroyed in Texas with an out of control wildfire surrounding the capital of the state. In the past year, land the size of Connecticut has been consumed by the wildfires. Tropical Storm Lee may not have sent Texas rain, but it sure sent some wind, desperately exacerbating the situation.

The level of partisan pile on from Republicans that the Governor of the State of Texas would have to fly back to Texas to deal with a disaster is rather unbecoming of the supporters of the other candidates. But then, all the other candidates save Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul possess the word “former” before their title.

It may be hard to believe, but Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry just won elections last year and have gainful employments unlike the other candidates. Sometimes they are both forced off the campaign trail to do their day jobs.

According to sources who spoke to Byron York . . . well, it speaks for itself.

“It’s obvious that Rick Perry is skipping the DeMint forum because he knew he was going to be asked tough questions about his previous support for gay marriage in New York, as well as his policies in Texas in favor of illegal immigration,” says one representative of a rival camp. “He’s looking for a reason to not actually be compared to the other candidates,” says an official in another camp. “He was grasping for a reason not to show.”

Had Rick Perry stayed, these same sources would have lamented his lack of priorities to the State of Texas and wondered how we could ever elect a man who, like Obama, was too busy campaigning to govern.

Some things should just not be political. Doing one’s job in the midsts of a natural disaster should be one of them.

On Wednesday in California and then again next week in Florida we’ll see Romney and Perry on stage. Till then, the proper response should be praying for the people in Texas, not ridiculing their Governor for doing his job.

Tags: Jim DeMint, Michele Bachmann, Mitt Romney, Rick Perry, South Carolina

COMMENTS

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redpenny

was an excellent forum with the panel asking hard questions.In my opinion all canidates did well but Newt Ginrich was head and shoulders above all others.The former speaker of the house hasn’t a chinaman’s chance in hades of winning the Repub nomination but all things considered;he’s by far the best qualified individual seeking the nomination.
http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

Some people feel that the campaign-season is excessively prolonged, as evidenced by this e-mail from a friend:

“It is a sad reflection on our Presidential politics that the primary race has to start in earnest so soon. Thus far, we are seeing a myopic focus on the economy, but the political landscape that folks see today could radically change by next spring or summer (especially regarding foreign policy).”

I concur that Foreign Policy looms as a potentially-pivotal consideration–and the D’s would certainly want Social Issues to be emphasized–but I suspect the R’s will attempt to stick to jobs/jobs/jobs. Furthermore, any concern with “cronyism” will face in comparison, when the electorate worries about the economy; performance is the key.

More broadly–perhaps because I have favored Perry for months–I perceive the early-start to the primary season as an opportunity for a consensus-development process to supervene. It is not difficult to project Perry’s capacity to draw heavily from “Fed Up!” when attacked during the half-dozen debates that will be held during the next two months, and any specific question regarding governance will be easily tethered to a populist political philosophy.

What could easily result would not only be the winnowing-down of the potential candidates [with $-support evaporating, as has begun to occur with Michele...as per Ed Rollins' candid commentary], but a growing-recognition that Romney would easily be bested by Perry [face-to-face]. Thus, what would emerge would be a go-to “loyal opposition” orator–each time BHO said/did anything–thereby allowing the voters to “get to know” Rick.

BHO’s $1-billion won’t be able to counter this ability to create a comfort-level, particularly because most of the big-guns have already been shot-off @ Perry during the August MSM-doldrums. MSNBC can rerun its screeds that suggest contradictions, where there are none [e.g., federalism and DOMA], and CNN can pontificate [corroborated by fact-checkers galore]; FNC will ensure his message is disseminated.

My guess is that there are two operational hurdles facing Perry. First [c/o my son] is that he’s ANOTHER Texan; this can be rebutted when metaphorical distinctions [A&M v. Eli] are noted, even as BHO’s personal attractiveness drops [n.b., golfing vacation while awaiting big jobs-speech]. Second [c/o a close-friend] is that the have-nots will be intimidated to vote against losing their “Obama-Money”; it would be hoped that sufficient education would have occurred in the interim to dispel fear and to emphasize the need for fiscal responsibility.

Thus, time is on our side, even as D-insiders suggest that the “better watch out, you may get what you wish for” aphorism may apply to their prior preference to run against Rick [as opposed to Mitt]. Their desperate predictions of a 3rd party would go “POOF!” if Rick were to absorb [easily] the fervor of the Tea Party Movement…leaving BHO to lose a bipolar race [for starters, almost the entire fly-over USA].

THEREFORE, let’s enjoy the ongoing migration to Perry [for corroboration, note his Intrade-numbers] as people return from summer vacations [and "home-cations"] to awaken to Perry’s unique magnetism. Let them note how he would support a “0%” capital-gains tax and let them feel-good when he discusses the need to support democracies abroad [such as Eretz Yisrael]. [Both were aired yesterday-a.m. on CNN.]

Am I excessively upbeat? Is the prolonged campaign-season a blessing? Can anything be dredged-out about Perry that KBH and the Bushies didn’t already air?
pttx333

when he was already on the move in Bastrop visiting with the folks who are evacuated or lost their homes. He is doing his job that we elected him to do, and as he has always done. Perry is no shirker and would never skip out on any debate or any other obligation. What a concept! Those who blast him know not of what they speak, believe me.

Byron York went waaay down in my opinion. He so very obviously is in the tank for Romney, which is fine, but not in order to use his bully pulpit to slam other candidates. How crass!

I agree with you on Palin. Though I agree with her on so many levels, she is just a bit much to me these days. The coy teasing is very unbecoming to a lady. And I say that as a 71 year old conversative, anti-feminist female.

Enjoy your informative site and columns. I have learned a great deal here. Thank you.
http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

“Furthermore, any concern with ?cronyism? will faDe in comparison, when the electorate worries about the economy; performance is the key.”
pttx333

use your enthusiam to feed my own. I well recall the KBH/Bushie dirty smears and, in spite of their best efforts, Perry is still standing tall. And, yes, he does have a unique magnetism unlike any other person on the horizon.
http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

I have been annotating “Fed-Up!” and, thus, foresee how he can “win debate points” while gently elbowing [nothing more] his competitors [tomorrow-p.m. and beyond].

For example, his citation of Alexis de Tocqueville’s praise of “townships” was a refreshing reminder of why “All politics is local” [the quote of Tip O'Neil's father]…see page 32. He has a matured view of governance, and there will be no need for on-the-job training.

When debating, he need only discuss his economic success in Texas [2 million moved-in, etc.] and note that great-stat regarding jobs-creation [having created half of total American jobs].

He won’t stumble, he won’t need to invoke any “aw-shucks” posturing [disappointing rivals, in a bipartisan fashion], and his wry smile will resonate.

I appreciate your endorsement of my energy, pttx333, but the key concern is whether the MSM will be able to stifle the excitement we witnessed @ the Gathering.
Nexus

Agree. As to Palin, she’s waiting to see what happens with Bachmann.
pttx333

heart of hearts that the MSM, et al., will accomplish what they are so committed to do. They will never stifle my excitement, for one, and I know that I’m not the only one. I read many sites each day on the ‘net, and there are so many people from all over who are anxious for the debates to see what Perry is about. I do my share of spreading the news (all the while fighting off the trolls), but they will find out for themselves. There are no words to describe the governor in all his glory (warts and all ), they will learn it on their own.

Thanks for the insight. I must read “Fed-Up!” and find out for myself. Rick Perry is no dummy and that wry smile is sure to bring the house down at any debate! It is just a Texas “thang” doncha know!
http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…is the “game” my friend Guzardi and I have been playing.

Every time an accusation arises [such as the allegedly-Islamist curriculum he approved in 2006], we chase-down its origins, write directly to authors, dialogue with them until truths emerge, and then create a paper-trail for future-reference.

Within the heart of the GOP-blogosphere, the dybbuks are emerging and are being defeated “on the merits”; this serves to enhance my pro-Perry claims.
pttx333

The dybbuks (good word, BTW) are coming from all directions these days. I can’t understand their thought process in that they seem to truly believe that someone will fall for their vile and disgusting accusations. They have nothing of merit it would seem, so they just throw out anything and pray that it sticks. It seems to me they are bringing a pen knife to a gunfight and will always be defeated on the merits.

Unfortunately, we live in a different world these days. I was brought up in the 50′s when the country was much kinder and certainly more civil. At least it was in my world.
hero43

Newt Ginrich is a very capable and seasoned politician. Once he served in a position of power and failed to deliver a return to traditional values. All three branches of government were under Republican control yet it soon became business as usual. More spending, more consolidation, more of the same march towards big government (yes it was at a slower pace)
.
Newt could serve well as the idea man in another administration but I was so disappointed with totality of the Republican failure, that supporting him for another bit of the apple does not seem wise.

As always, I welcome other views and will support ANY candidate other than the present ruler in the White house.
romeg

in Groundhog Day. She has learned from her own missteps and mistakes and now she is learning from the missteps and mistakes of others. I still don’t think she will become a candidate for the 2012 race UNLESS Perry gets knocked out for whatever reason.

I’ll leave it at that for now.
bgintn

rsklaroff, I know this was in 2001

http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/8851-rick-perry-proposed-bi-national-health-insurance-with-mexico

As for the Hillary letter, that is not an issue because it was sent before her mess was presented. Just a congratulation on taking on a problem not an endorsement.

I know he has his hands full with the fires in Texas, people are dieing.

Is the North American Union raising it’s ugly head with Perry?
With this and the Texas Corridor Highway am I seeing signs that it is?
smitch61

It’s your blog, you can write what you want. You can even accuse people of alcoholism if you want and claim it came from other people. Reputation is a huge thing to lose. Who knows whether or not Sarah Palin will enter the race, but one thing is clear, she has not teased anybody. Perhaps you do more writing than listening. She has made quite clear for months that she will make a decision by the end of the month. Perry said he was not running, and then ran. Christie said he would commit suicide before running, and now is apparently considering it, Hillary said she was not running either 5 years ago (the campaighn lasted two fricking years) but of course she ran anyway. Words to the politician are just words with no meaning. I am not sure who I am supporting yet, but the current field is certainly lacking IMO.
Marcus_Traianus

I certainly expected no less from Romney’s acolytes. But we will see how well their nonsense holds up in the next debate.

Personally, I have no issue with vetting our candidates. It eventually helps them in the general election. But a political, town hall style debate vs. a life-or-death situation in a state Perry was elected to govern? You are kidding Byron- right?

To me it simply shows that Perry has a firm grasp on priorities. He knew this had the potential to hurt him politically and instead chose the responsible action. How refreshing is that?

Frankly, Romney’s staff comments are insulting and somewhat demeaning. Do they think the good people of SC and Demint are reactive rubes without the cognitive abilities to determine the aforementioned? Hardly.
romeg

Trial Lawyers.

The old saw about The Facts, The Law and The Table.

Since they are too lazy to get the facts, they will Pound the Table with the distortions and outright lies that are already out there regarding Perry. This is the tactic they employed, quite successfully, against Palin in ’08, and somewhat less successfully against Reagan in ’72 and ’76.

It is what they know and how they operate. They want potential Perry supporters to have sufficient doubts about him between now and our convention to choose one of the other Republican candidates, most likely, Huntsman or Romney, who they will refer to as having a more “balanced” view, their favorite word for the moment.

IOW, they don’t want a stark contrast with BHO. They want someone who can be made to look more like him and then pose the question: Why would you want a pretender when you can have The Real Thing (Apologies to Coca Cola).

Dr. Sklaroff,
Thank you for your very thoughtful and thorough analysis.
pdawk

I thought he did quite well and seemed to have a firm grasp on the impact of the new regulatory “reforms” on business. I know this not a popular thing to say on RedState, but I am significantly more interested in getting someone in the White House who understands economic policy and private sector job growth than I am having a fire breathing conservative elected.

Most years I would be all on board the Perry bandwagon, but I think two things must happen during this election. First off, we have to nominate someone that will beat Obama and beat him thoroughly. I want to take the Senate, expand the house and come into power with a mandate from the American public. Second, I want someone who understands the business community and can do the things necessary to enable robust growth in our economy.

Having said that, I am waiting to see how Perry performs at the debates. If he can show a strong grasp on issues relating to the economy, I will have no issues voting for him.
http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…because the thrust of his message was to recognize the potential need for people to have a health insurance policy that would provide seamless coverage if they were frequent border-crossers, just as may occur in America when people may frequently live/work in neighboring states.

I would sincerely doubt that a great believer in federalism would be seeking some special unified status of three countries, which is the thrust of all those conspiracy-theories that have wandered around the Internet.

Yet, I savor all this emerging, but it invokes [in a positive fashion] the quote from SCOTUS Justice Louis B. Brandeis: “Sunshine is the best disinfectant.” Here, of course, it will predictably apply to those hurling smears at him..
http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…particularly noting the FNC poll last week. Guzzardi and I were fantasizing yesterday, imagining the MSM dealing with her as Perry’s PRESS SECRETARY.
Scope

but what an interesting idea. Palin would keep the Democrats heads exploding on a daily basis, so much so that soon enough they would have to be committed. I’ll go with that idea in a heartbeat.
http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…noting, for example, this comment reinforcing her end-of-September deadline.

http://www.familymedia.tv/news/politics/article/archive/2011/08/?tx_ttnews%5Bday%5D=24&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=2012&cHash=86e7dc6ccce26fa7b52d2902f1d762ea

I think she wants to confirm Perry will do fine in the debates,and then will feel comfortable not running.

If memory serves, she [and polls show this is pervasive in others] said the field was “incomplete” with more fervor before Perry entered, than more recently.
http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…if the rhetoric in his book is any gauge. For example, he opens chapter 4 with an anonymous quote that will characterize why he has claimed his goal is to ensure people DO NOT fear D.C. is forever on their backs:

“If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in five years there’d be a shortage of sand.”

[I might add that a gigantic aquafer was discovered under it, but Perry makes the point that deregulation will serve as an automatic stimulant. This is what business leaders have emphasized [including yesterday on an expanded "all star" segment on FNC's Special Report], and this is what has WORKED for him. Indeed, his slogan “Get America Working Again!” is a double-entendre that also predictably will resonate.

http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2006/02/07/feature-01
http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…how the MSM “chose” our candidate [recalling Rush's comments, before-during-after the New Hampshire primary]?

“Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice shame on me.”

This time, as BHO’s popularity plummets, we will nominate a Reagan for the new millennium.
Locked and Loaded

draws a distinction between Romney performing – on stage – and Perry performing – in his elected capacity as governor of the the state of Texas.

He derides the working man and positively heralds the stage actor. Hmmph!
forlinianslip

” Jim DeMint hosted a forum that should be the model for future Presidential debates.”

Really? He based invitations upon the idiotic pre-Ames Real Clear politics poll. Giulliani got an invite, but not Santorum..

He held it on a date conflicting with the Chapin Parade. Santorum walked the parade, prompting SC Senator to Graham say, “President Bush walked in the parade,… Senator McCain came. We’re four months away from the South Carolina Primary to determine the Republican candidate for president. Since 1980, every candidate whose won the South Carolina Republican Primary got the nomination for the party. I can’t get over it. I don’t understand.”
draftcain

It was convenient for Perry to be in Myrtle Beach, S.C. in the afternoon for a meet and greet, but not important to face the cameras in an unfiltered forum that didn’t rely on sound byte answers.

Perry flew back to Texas and held a press conference in the evening. It’s amazing how the fire didn’t get into his way to have a fundraiser in N.H. and have S.C. events.

The man is accomplished in many areas of politics, however, he is a creation of political operatives and media.
Repair_Man_Jack

The next time something really bad happens in the world do you want a President to be in charge of people doing something about? No. Not good enough. He needs to be waiting around to take questions at my preferred political forum.
pttx333

name might imply, you are not doing a very nice man and GOP candidate any favors. Is this your idea of civil debate?
draftcain

Repair Man Jack, the fact is he had plenty of time to do a soft meet and greet and raise $$$.

And please tell me how he was able to do one thing that wasn’t being done to combat the devastation. ZERO, ZILCH, NADA.

The fact is, this was probably the only forum of its kind that we’ll see this election cycle.
draftcain

I would hate to see what you consider civil. We’re in the midst of one of the most important processes of our system of government; that being the vetting process for our nominee. Governor Perry can fly to H.H. and S.C. and chase donations and potential voters, at the same time his state is burning. What gives?
carolynr

I don;t know whether you folks read my blogs or not…but I will start out with this. (1) the MSM picked Obama. He was never vetted, nobody asked him hard questions. We don’t know about his education (really)…we don’t know very much about him with the exception that he worked for ACORN and his wife (as an attorney for her hospital!. We got a glimpse of him with Joe the Plumber and his socialistic ideology but…we had that “white guilt” going on…I suppose…either that or there are a lot of very stupid people in the country.

We continue to do the same thing over and over and over again expecting a different result. Next on the stage…John McCain. Could the GOP have done better…I think so…but it was his turn…and the people capitulated to the GOP instead of going with their gut. We went to the poles…holding our noses and tried to vote out the communist.

Well, here we are again. I make no apologies…I am a backer of Rick Perry and the man had a bigger obligation on his hands…his wildfires…SO HE DID HIS JOB AND LOOKED AFTER HIS CONSTITUENCY. Hey….MSM…GOP…that is what we expect from a person that leads our government…someone to be loyal to the people…not the MSM and Not the *&)(&*)(*& GOP. You can tell I am mad. Please people, before you judge Perry…remember what you did the last time…you voted for the GOP and the Media…you went for the candidate that couldn’t even beat a community organizer…and a communist to boot…and no…I don’t make an apology for that either.

Now…want to vote for the GOP and MSM’s pick…Well, here’s the skinny on Romney:

He supported TARP
He initiated Romneycare (blueprint for the disaster we have now)
He supports Cap & Trade ON A GLOBAL BASIS.
He says there is nothing wrong with companies asking for bailouts.
Supports reappointment of Bernanke(debasement of currency)
Didn’t like Contract With America
Likes Mandates (See Romney care)
Worked to regulate green house gas emissions in MA
Got MA involved in regional climate change
Supports ethanol subsidies
Wants to increase SPENDING on energy research
Opposes Fair/Flat Tax
During debate with Teddy Kennedy said he was not a fan of Reagan.
Refused to support Bush Tax Cuts
Thought Obama’s stimulus would “accelerate timing of recovery”
Supports No Child Left Behind
Proposed Tax Shift to increase taxes on SUV’s.
Spent millions in higher fees and taxes while gov of MA.
2008 – told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer…”there’s nothing wrong with dealing with global warming.
Instituted special gas fee of 2 cents per gallon on gasoline.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST….Sat on his hands and would not weigh in on the bill in Congress…Cut, Cap and Balance….when asked about it in the debate…he denied his “hiding from the subject” and said he supported it. After all was said and done and he needed “Conservative” support…he said he did. Sounds like another Obama to me.

PEOPLE…does this sound like Barack Obama or what. Are you going to be hoodwinked again. Are you going to let us go up in smoke? Byron York made some very stupid remarks…however…FOX is very pro-Romney…this is their pick…just like McCain was last time. Whether it be Obama or Romney…IT ALL ABOUT BIG GOVERNMENT, BIG SPENDING AND MORE GLOBAL INVOLVEMENT IN OUR SOVEREIGN COUNTRY.
carolynr

Please…I beg people…go read the post by me…Carolynr
blarman

Why all the unsolicited apologies for Rick Perry, Erick? It’s his job to run his campaign and respond to the criticisms, not yours. And in the case of Byron York’s criticisms, they are spot on. Perry doesn’t want to have to face the music on those issues any more than Romney wants to face criticism on the Massachusetts health care laws, or any number of other politicians on anything else. That’s the great thing about the debates: you try to focus on making what you are good at overshadow the things you aren’t so good at, and your ability to do those two things determine your success (along with a lot of money).

My point is, that you ought to just start printing Perry ads beneath all your columns. I don’t begrudge you your choice of President, but at least come out in the open about your support or you will be just as biased as the leftists in the media.
pttx333

any favors. Of course, to me, you sound like a Ron Paul supporter flying under the radar yet again. See? That is the reputation that one gets. The bottom line here is that if you are indeed who you try to imply you are, we are trying to remove Obama from office in order to save this country. Do you honestly think that anyone on this site is for his remaining in office? If you want to rip someone to pieces, use your ammo on him. The debates will sort all of this out. In the meantime, you are only alienating anyone who might normally be willing to listen.

That is what gives.
http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

Guzzardi and I were discussing the current “blogging” atmosphere, and it seems that the trend on multiple sites is for those who initially attacked Perry [vigorously] to have relented.

This observation may become a harbinger for the post-debate analysis [both by the MSM and on the web]; again, it would be anticipated that Perry-support would become amplified in the process.

We are focused on ensuring that PA stays in the GOP-camp [recalling support that Guzzardi has given to Toomey for ALMOST A DECADE] in 2012.
http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

First of all, the fact that EE hosted RP doesn’t adversely affect the credibility of his weekly analyses; he even expanded last week’s, to ensure comprehensiveness.

Second, Perry has hardly been reticent to “face the music” when queried on his prior-quotes; indeed, the MSM is consternated because he hasnt’ retracted anything.

Third, he showed he has his priorities straight; as of this-a.m., the reportage was that many fires aren’t controlled, and he’s accepting behavioral responsibility for confronting this statewide crisis.

Fourth, BY didn’t even acknowledge the dire emergency being faced by many Texans [evacuation, etc.]; this proves the baseline bias of the piece was controlling its conclusions.

Fifth, he will not duck debates; were this to occur, perhaps the “evasion” argument could be conjured. This guy appears over-eager to express himself to the general public, rather than hiding behind any pseudo-crisis.

Thus, EE need not post ads under his essays for, unlike many commentators, he encompasses multiple viewpoints when he addresses key-facets of a given issue.
irishgirl

some of the comments about Perry. Hey folks, we’ve had around 1000 homes burned to the ground here in Texas in the last day or 2 and, we consider that to be somehwhat of a catastrophe. The drought here is unlike anything I can remember in years and I can assure you that if Perry had stayed around for this debate (jeez, you’d think there weren’t anymore debates scheduled) he would have been blasted for not doing his job, which is to lead. And please, if you’ve never experienced a severe drought someplace where the winds whip up to 50 to 70 mph ALL day long for several days in an open plains setting or even the hill country, then keep your comments to yourself; because, frankly, you probably don’t really comprehend how it is here in Texas right now.
cbartlett

I am a life-long Texas conservative and, like many conservatives around here, I have a love-hate relationship with a Perry candidacy. I have become a lot less skeptical about supporting him in this race after reading this article.

http://peskytruth.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/rick-perrys-negatives

If you are looking to learn more about him, please do yourself a favor and read this – it is really good information that is backed up with source materials. I have lived and voted in this state for more than 30 years and I still learned a lot. I am very concerned that the liberal-biased MSM and Democrats have lots of ammunition to demonize him in the public’s eye. AND we have the added burden of Washington elites (including Bushes) trying to bring him down. He is far from being the perfect candidate, but he might be the best choice to defeat Obama. (Especially if Romney is our only other choice – see post above about him.) PLEASE read this information and educate yourself so you can help dispel the liberal myths and lies they are going to put out there. We CANNOT survive another 4 years of Obama!
http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

Guzzardi and I have been circulating this piece for a fortnight, and no one has refuted anything therein; it’s vetted!
http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

veardmorecoalition.org/node/5848/rick-perry-hes-guy
http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…as a hands-on kinda leader. If he had been POTUS during this term, he’d have been in the Grand Ol’ Opry when it was flooded last year, etc. BHO, on the other hand, doesn’t view populism–behaviorally–in a comparable fashion.
http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

it was cut-off

http://www.saveardmorecoalition.org/node/5848/rick-perry-hes-guy
http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

http://www.teapartynation.com/forum/topic/show?id=3355873%3ATopic%3A1413587&xgs=1&xg_source=msg_share_topic

he may not appear @ the debate
http://www.gmsplace.com/ civil truth

Either summarize here or come up with an accessible link.
Aaron Gardner

See here.
http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

Perry Unsure Whether He’ll Make the Debate Tomorrow Night

UPDATE: Perry to Attend!

Citing the wildfires in Texas, Governor Rick Perry is not sure he’ll be able to make it to tomorrow night’s GOP Debate at the Reagan Library.

From The Hill:

Perry took a detour from campaigning Monday to return to his state to oversee relief efforts in the wake of devastating wildfires.

“I don’t know. That’s a fluid situation at the moment. Again I go back to we’re going to be taking care of the folks here ? We’re really focused on the events at hand and the other side of that is we’re pretty good at multitasking,” said Perry on CBS’s “The Early Show” Tuesday.

Wednesday?s Reagan Centennial GOP Candidates Debate at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Calif., was expected to be Perry’s first opportunity to go head-to-head with the other GOP presidential candidates.

Perry deflected all political questions to focus instead on the wildfires in Texas.

“This is not the time to be talking about politics. There’s another 14 months ahead to talk politics. Right now I’m substantially more focused on making sure that these people … folks all across this state are being taken care of. Getting out of harms way, saving lives is the big issue for me right now,” Perry told CBS.

Wildfires have destroyed more than 1,000 homes across the state. Perry said at a news conference that more than 100,000 acres have burned in Texas, according to The Associated Press.

While I am disappointed at not being able to see Gov. Perry at the debate, he obviously has a job to do besides running for President and his priorities are straight.

There are still around 8 debates left before the Iowa Caucuses. As a matter of fact, another one is scheduled for next week that Judson will be attending.

UPDATE: Perry will Attend!

Spokesman for Perry confirms he will attend tomorrow night’s debate.
runner12

to his state in the midst of a disaster. I cannot believe that some our condemning him for it. Heaven forbid the man put people above politics (sarc).
Scope

I’ve been looking forward to seeing him in a debate, but would certainly have understood if he couldn’t make it. I’ve been seeing some of the pictures, and reading some of the stories about the horrible circumstances his state residents are in. I think that is something you well appreciate.

Hope all is going well with you and the family, and that your are getting closer to getting home. I can’t imagine how spoiled they must be with spending so much time with the grandparents. That’s dangerous territory right there. LOL
Scope

From some comments he has made he is with his people for sure. He said that he wasn’t even thinking about politics right now because people’s lives were in danger. That gives me a great sense of comfort that he will do the same for all of the people of the nation.
acat

19 reasons Mitt can’t be the nominee.

Just add a link proving each item.

Mew
pttx333

I feel your anger, and it matches mine.
http://www.doctor-bob.biz rsklaroff

…is Perry’s responsible conduct compared with how McCain “suspended” his campaign when the TARP-legislation was brewing.

The former is not self-referential and is c/w his sense of responsibility; the latter was evidence of disorientation that was to sink the campaign.
Tbone

There was no way Perry could or would miss this debate. So, by floating the concept that he might have to stay in Texas, he essentially obtained public permission to to attend. Plain brilliant.
acat

ala Bush / Katrina.

Yeah, Perry’s team are proving to be top notch.

Mew
http://uslibertyjournal.blogspot.com/ Daezy

N/T
scpol

You and Rick are not doing yourselves any favors.

1) Erick’s statement was based on the content of the debate, not the invitees. If you want to call Jim DeMint an idiot and try to win the GOP race in SC, then go ahead.

2) You are factually inaccurate. Invitations were based on polling averages one week after Ames. Your delusion that a 4th place finish in a for-profit straw poll entitles Santorum to top tier consideration is ridiculous.

3) You are factually inaccurate again. DeMint’s event didn’t compete with the Chapin parade. It was designed to complement it. The parade was at 8:30 am. DeMint’s event was at 3pm.. The locations are less than 30 minutes apart.

Rick Santorum was a valiant conservative in the Senate. His attacks on DeMint the past few weeks demeaned demeaned him over the past few weeks
minister_of_war

n/t.
acat

Fixed it for ya.

Mew
minister_of_war

… that person is automatically accused of being a Ron Paul supporter?

I’ll remember from now no not to make any valid criticisms of Perry ever in my life. That way I don’t get accused of supporting Ron Paul’s loony & completely naive foreign policy.
gekster

you spend your time promoting who you do like instead of taking pot shots at Perry over a nothing issue. Yes, a nothing issue.
Have you tried that.
Most of the people who are trashing Perry, mildly and with force,
are closet RP supporters.
Sorry if you got hung with that bunch, but it has been an 85% certainty.
I know you think it bad that Perry did not do what you and some others think he should have done, but get over it and tell us who and why you actually support.
It will quickly take the RP label off.
minister_of_war

There’s only two important parades in the entire country: the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York & the Parade of Roses in Pasadena. Of course, politicians will always march in parades & parade-goers will always care less.
minister_of_war

… showing up to the forum yesterday wouldn’t have held up the Governor only ONE HOUR.
minister_of_war

… But here in Arizona, we still expect our Governor to be able to walk & chew gum at the same time.
acat

(I’d say “game, set, match” but .. can’t have matches, might start another fire)
acat

Seriously. The man had a job to do. He went and did it.

You were inconvenienced.

Get over it.

It’s not helping Romney look any less like a cheap, easily folded suit.

Mew
minister_of_war

I think that stick & stone will brake Perry’s bones, but a few words of criticism won’t hurt him.

It’s not like Byron York was saying that we need to “Take out those S.O.B.’s”. That’s what I consider to be “disgusting rancor”.
gekster

Perry bad, Perry real bad. I don’t like Perry. Perry bad.
minister_of_war

… I’ll try a B Flat instead.
http://908StraightSt.wordpress.com/ mbecker908

do them one at a time, let alone at the same time. I can’t wait for 2014 when we can get a real, competent leader as Governor.
minister_of_war

… I could only imagine what she would been like in the forum yesterday that I keep harping on Perry for skipping.

20 minutes of paused silence…. Yipes!
minister_of_war

… As many people have pointed out, it’s early in the Presidential cycle & we have plenty of time to make a decision on whom to support.
minister_of_war

… Do you remember the time we had this liberal nutjob named Janet Napolitano running this State. Those were the dark ages of Arizona.
californiagold

Not all posters who raise valid points about Perry are Ron Paul supporters. Some are probably Romney plants, Bachmann supporters, or undecided, like me.

Although at this point, if the establishment neocons continue to trash Perry, I’ll probably end up voting for him anyway, in spite of his immigration policies.
gekster

ntnt
gekster

Re-read my comment.
californiagold

When a crisis of the magnitude of the Texas fires hits, the ONLY responsibility of the governor is to his state. I can’t believe anyone even questions this.
http://908StraightSt.wordpress.com/ mbecker908

Brewer isn’t much better. She’s a completely incompetent hack who’s never met a problem that couldn’t be solved by government. I’m looking forward to Governor Shadegg.
minister_of_war

I’m still hoping for a Governor Pearce. But that’s just wishful thinking.
californiagold

n/t
draftcain

You’ve got to be kidding me. Apparently, you’ve not been around the political block in awhile. Politicians rely on perception, PERIOD. The fact is that Perry was in S.C.!!! Monday night’s forum would have limited viewership and unfettered access to the candidate. The most logical concern is that Perry (who has foot in mouth disease) would risk being in front of a crowd and stumble on the issues, or say something that could be spinned negatively.

By skipping Monday’s debate and attending the massively marketed and widely viewed Reagan Library forum, he is able to seize the “Obamaesque” mantle of being “The One” for GOP voters. He’ll not be faced with a 20 min Q&A and will be able to give his typical sound byte and head nods. Good for TV, bad for an educated voter base.
gekster

that you support Herman Cain.
If that is the case, then why have you spent all your time posting against Perry, and not one word in support for Herman Cain.
If yoou have posted something in favor of Cain, I must have missed it.
pttx333

Perry, just as you would not make points by bashing any other candidate. Why does it matter to you whether or not Perry came back to Texas to handle the fire situation? You mention “The One” and “Obamaesque” – are you an Obama supporter afraid of Perry? I can’t imagine you care one whit about Mr. Cain – if so, it would be more proper to promote Mr. Cain than to continue slamming Mr. Perry in his name. Any way it goes, your comments are not appreciated by me and neither is your approach to the whole matter.

For future reference, as far as I am concerned, take your shill tactics elsewhere and leave me alone. I am willing to discuss any issue, but will not continue to respond to your attacks. And that is the end of this matter for me. Oh, a tip for you – please don’t pretend to be a Cain supporter when it is obvious that you aren’t. Hiding behind his good name using your obnoxious tactics is a terrible thing to do, IMHO.

RS

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