Patterico's Pontifications

12/4/2011

Could Perry stage a comeback?

Filed under: 2012 Election — Karl @ 8:34 am



[Posted by Karl]

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour seems to think so:

Q:  Is it becoming clear that Mitt Romney will emerge as the Republican nominee?

A:  I don’t think it’s clear. I think people make the mistake of writing off Rick Perry and believe he can’t come back. He’s got a mountain to get over, but I don’t think it’s impossible. Both Newt and Romney have a lot of support, but I don’t think it’s a two-man race. I think Perry could get back in it with Gingrich and Romney. I can’t look you in the eye and say nobody else can come up. You’ve got to learn your lesson this year not to say that about anybody.

Coincidentally, this subject came up a day or so earlier on Twitter, in a conversation involving Allahpundit, blogger Karol Markowicz, fundraiser/adviser Nathan Wurtzel and me.  AP, skeptical of a possible comeback, asked me what I thought Perry would have to do to get back into contention. 

I think the first and most difficult step is for Perry to stop being a bad candidate.  He has gotten a bit better under the radar, but needs to continue to improve. 

If Perry does improve, he may stand a shot at placing third in the Iowa caucuses.  The new Des Moines Register poll has Perry near the bottom at six percent, but the poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points.  PPP has a poll in the field in Iowa and teases that Perry appears to be in double digits

The Register poll shows more respondents choose Gingrich as their second choice than any other candidate.  However, Perry could benefit not only from Herman Cain’s collapse, but also from lingering doubts about Gingrich. 

In Iowa, the doubts will primarily come from the religious right.  In past cycles, social conservatives ensured victories for candidates like Pat Robertson and Mike Huckabee.  This year, there is no consensus candidate. 

Newt — he of the serial infidelities and divorces — bought himself some goodwill with some religious conservatives by pouring $150,000 into the successful 2010 campaign to oust three Iowa Supreme Court judges after the state’s high court struck down a state ban on same-sex marriage.  But even that support has proved controversial among social cons in Iowa.  And Newt probably did not help himself with them by telling Jake Tapper human life begins at implantation rather than conception.

Michelle Bachmann also hurt herself recently with this demographic by gaining access to the email database of a group of parents who homeschool their children in Iowa and sending them two unsolicited email blasts.  Nor does there appear to be any groundswell in Iowa for Rick Santorum.

Perry seems to have figured all of this out; his latest ad is aimed squarely at religious conservatives.  If Perry climbs back into third place (or at least ties it with Ron Paul) in Iowa, he has a shot at maintaining a viable campaign.  There is the traditional spin about there being three tickets out of Iowa and Perry — like Romney and Gingrich — is blessed by his rivals.  Conservative voters are looking for a viable NotRomney, and while they are currently flocking to Gingrich, all the polling suggests his support (like those for his rivals) remains soft. 

NotRomney voters may also be looking for an insurance policy, given Gingrich’s demonstrated propensity to implode.  Indeed, Gingrich looked as though he had his final implosion just a few months ago.  And if Newt can make a comeback, it is possible that Perry could do the same.  But it’s not likely unless Perry continues to improve his campaign over the next month.

–Karl

160 Responses to “Could Perry stage a comeback?”

  1. Ding!

    Karl (e39d6b)

  2. Not in my lifetime.

    Colonel Haiku (d838e0)

  3. Said the guy whose candidate spent a personal fortune and finds himself again way beind an unfunded foe for the third time in 5 years…

    EricPWJohnson (719277)

  4. Mr. Governor Rick already did his monster truck prayer rally and plus also he forced doctors to make pregnant hoochies who want abortions watch a sonogram.

    If the social cons don’t love him more than chockit donuts now it’s cause there’s something else going on.

    I think it’s cause social cons already hate it how people think they’re stupid, so they don’t want to get behind a candidate who can’t make the sentences.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  5. Perry has the swagger down, but he doesn’t have the vision, or mental acuity that’s needed.

    He’s a goes-where-pointed individual and he doesn’t have the chops.

    Colonel Haiku (d838e0)

  6. Karl:

    AP, skeptical of a possible comeback, asked me what I thought Perry would have to do to get back into contention.

    I think the first and most difficult step is for Perry to stop being a bad candidate.

    As the saying goes: If my aunt had wheels, she’d be a teacart.

    I think Rick Santorum is more likely to benefit.

    People saying that Rick Perry could stage a comeback are basing that on the amount of money he has in the bank, or the reputation and standing of the campaign professionals working for him.

    Sammy Finkelman (54094c)

  7. Rick Perry isn’t a viable candidate. Even if by some fluke he did manage to get the GOP nomination it would only result in a second term for Barack Obama.

    ropelight (3fcbf9)

  8. People saying that Rick Perry could stage a comeback are basing that on the amount of money he has in the bank, or the reputation and standing of the campaign professionals working for him.
    Comment by Sammy Finkelman — 12/4/2011 @ 8:57 am

    — Most accurate comment you have ever made, sir.

    Icy (7e0657)

  9. was before or was
    after or before he was
    thrust upon nation?

    Colonel Haiku (d838e0)

  10. Sammy, Icy,

    At this juncture, absolutely correct. But if Perry continues to improve on the trail, those are also the factors that lead people in IA to choose him over Santorum or Bachmann.

    Karl (e39d6b)

  11. happyfeet,

    Perry staged that rally, but thought he could do that to “get it out of the way” and not court the religious right on the ground in places like IA. Doesn’t work that way.

    Karl (e39d6b)

  12. …and there are still Cain supporter votes up for grabs. According to PPP they loathe Romney and love Gingrich. I forgot what the numbers were last night, but nonetheless, it will be interesting to see it unfold.

    Even Perry (or Bachmann) might gain support as they look to a more Tea Party leaning candidate.

    Dana (4eca6e)

  13. We have an ego problem…………….says obama spokeshole Michael Dumbassky

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  14. _____________________________________________

    However, Perry could benefit not only from Herman Cain’s collapse, but also from lingering doubts about Gingrich.

    I wouldn’t have any problem with Perry on the ballot against the current guy in the White House. However, it’s the non-partisans and squishes who will be determining this nation’s fate in 2012. The reactions of those people I truly can’t gauge and don’t have too much confidence in.

    As for the core voters, perhaps various ultra-conservatives are dissatisfied with all the Republican candidates (and not without reason) to the point of being happily (and idiotically) in favor of my-way-or-the-highway voting in 2012 (IOW, they’ll either sit it out or favor third-party choices). But I’d say it’s that pool of “centrists” and wavering Democrats who are the bigger question and are the largest number of voters up for grabs over the next 12 months.

    I wasn’t happy with Perry throwing the idea of lack of “heart” around when the issue of illegal immigration came up. But as of 12-3-11, that’s nothing and stirred up only those of us on the right. The bigger “doh!” was when he couldn’t remember the name of a federal department he wanted to eliminate. IOW, that looked bad in the eyes of all people, regardless of one’s ideological biases. That showed a pretty big Achilles Heel on Perry’s part, and even though President “Goddamn America” is a “59-states” teleprompter politician, he nonetheless has the ease of a slick used-car salesman, which Perry will have to equal or surpass.

    Mark (411533)

  15. If these chuckleheads are going to remain chuckleheads, they’re just wasted votes. Hey, look who Tommy Christopher has deemed sufficiently pollworthy to mock!

    Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (a23d14)

  16. Perry should write his debate points on his hands, like Sarah Palin, to avoid another “Ooops” debacle.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  17. If Cain’s loyal fans have really decided to jump ship at this point because of the latest sexual scandal involving Cain, seems like they would have jumped over to about any of the other candidates except Gingrich. I could see a bump for Bachmann, Santorum or Paul to be more likely being that Gingrich and Perry have past adultery baggage out there floating around as well.

    The Examiner is accusing Perry of adultery along with Gingrich. This is news to me. Heh.

    Dana (4eca6e)

  18. I agree Mr. Karl he thought he could coast after that. But curiously though the social cons have a lot been the dog that hasn’t barked in this campaign so far.

    I’m still hopeful that the egregiousness of Obama’s behavior will help sublimate social con energies towards the end of healing the wounds caused by his rape and plunder.

    We have to get back to good before their kooky agenda can hope to advance, and I think a lot of them recognize that. Or at least I hope so.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  19. I don’t have hard polling data, if such a thing existed, but those 25% or so undecideds seem to have had their number decimated of late.

    Yeah, conservatives have nothing to crow about with Newt, but it looks like they’re holding their noses more agreeably than in 2008.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  20. then again social cons are a lot – deep in their dark little hearts – engaged in the Godly struggle to keep a mormon out of the white house

    we know that from that bigoty pastor from texas

    so maybe cause of that they’re in an any-port-in-a-storm mode that’s unusual for them

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  21. Why doesn’t Tommy come right out and just tell us all who we should vote for. Then we could all stop arguing over the nonsense of who’s the best candidate. Wouldn’t that make things a lot easier and more peaceful-like? I quake in front of Tommy Xopher’s intellect and poise. I miss him when he goes silent for a few days.

    elissa (2b76d3)

  22. If the number one criterion for support is readiness for the job (dangerous times and look what we have now), then no. Perry has yet to make the case.

    Moreover, he has tended to unmake it. Maybe they know him in Texas, but the reaction here was “How the F did this guy get to be governor of a big state like Texas for a decade?” Sure the state seems to work, but you wouldn’t know why from the way Perry presents himself.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  23. AS Kirk said to Khan, elissa, you know simple odds would dictate he’d get something right.

    narciso (87e966)

  24. Then again, of the remaining sane candidates, Perry is the only one that has a ghost of a chance against Newt & Mitt.

    But I just have a hard time seeing him beat Obama; too much like W, except not as poised or glib.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  25. so rosin up that bow for faded love and let’s all dance

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  26. Time will tell how much value voters place on a candidate who actually lives and adheres to the values he or she preaches.

    Colonel Haiku (d838e0)

  27. rag, happy, rag.

    Colonel Haiku (d838e0)

  28. it’s dog east dog
    and cat eat mouse
    rag, mama, rag
    all over my house

    Colonel Haiku (d838e0)

  29. it’s dog eat dog
    and cat eat mouse
    rag, mama, rag
    all over my house

    Colonel Haiku (d838e0)

  30. it’s a two-fer and it ain’t even Tuesday!

    Colonel Haiku (d838e0)

  31. that’s a rambunctious little ditty

    I ask about your turtle, and you ask about the weather!

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  32. OJ Simpson–Occupy Los Angeles–and More…..

    I filed a lawsuit in downtown Los Angeles on November 9th, 2011
    Case # BC473185 related to The OJ Simpson Case and Saga, Occupy L.A.
    and More……

    On November 17th, 2011, there were media reports here in Los Angeles and on TV,
    on the radio, and on the Internet that there was going to be a hearing for a
    Temporary Restraining Order that was to be heard the next day regarding
    Occupy L.A. Here are a few links:
    http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_19364469
    http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/occupy-la-restraining-order-police-263276
    http://kabc.com/Article.asp?id=2336931&spid=39963
    http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/11/occupy-la-to-seek-restraining-order-against-police-

    And there were Many, Many More Reports regarding this situation.
    As I watched on TV that evening I wondered to myself>>>Hmmmmm….

    Then, the next day the reports were that the “ACTIVIST” and Occupy L.A. DIDN’T SHOW UP.
    And then I really wondered, What the Heck??????? Here are a few links of MANY:
    http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=8436945
    http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Occupy-LA-Activist-Fails-To-Show-Up-
    http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501363_162-57327962/latest-developments-in-the-occupy-protests/
    It was ALL-OVER the Internet and in the media that the “ACTIVIST” didn’t show-up.

    THEN, I find out a few days later that it was “ME” that didn’t show-up>>>WTH????????
    And the ONLY news outlet that reported that it was me that didn’t show-up was the
    Hispanic newspaper here in los Angeles la Opinion. How in the world can La Opinion be
    the only news outlet to report that it was “ME” thatt didn’t show-up.
    Could it “Possiby” be that it had to do with my personal involvement in The OJ Simpson Case
    and Saga and a “WHOLE LOT MORE”????????? I would think so.

    Here is the link and it is in Spanish:
    http://www.impre.com/laopinion/noticias/2011/11/19/orden-de-restriccion-contra-de-283073-1.html

    I translated the article from Google and here it is in English:

    “A man of Reseda, identified like Mario G. Nitrini, asked for 9 of November the past a restriction
    order so that the Department of Police of Los Angeles (LAPD) does not evacuate the camping of Occupy in City the Hall without previous warning of 30 days.Nevertheless, the legal committee of said IT to Occupy that the measurement was taken by external people to the movement, without the consent of the general assembly.
    “One was an unilateral action”, commented Pam Noles, spokeswoman of Occupy.
    The Office of the judge advocate general of the City took care of citatorio yesterday that it emitted Department 86 of the Court Superior of the County of Los Angeles to give capacity to the promoted request, but the part plaintiff, Mario G. Nitrini, did not appear.
    In order to know what the request treated, lawyer Carol Sobel, like legal advisor of Occupy, appeared to the hearing,
    which could not be carried out.
    “Still we do not know in question”, said to Sobel yesterday in the morning when finishing the term for the hearing.
    The Court informed that it would be summoned to new date for case BC473185.
    The demand is against the city of Los Angeles and others, including the solicitor of the USA, Eric Holder, to officials of the LAPD and the Department of Justice, and specific as a case of organized delinquency or “racketeering”.
    Mario G. Nitrini, to that could not be located, is considered a regular critical of the LAPD.
    The Office of the judge advocate general of the City would be being against at your service solicitd because, according to it indicated spokesman Jenaro Bátiz, do not exist arguments valid that to impose a restriction to him to the city.
    On the other hand, Bátiz informed that only yesterday positions against two demonstrators stopped in one of the
    two marches of Thursday by resistance to the arrest appeared.
    The defendant are Adam Diaz, of 31 years, and one woman whom its name identified like Jane Doe did not give,
    of 21 years; who could face a year in prison and a fine of 1.000 dollars.”

    WELL, there is ONE HUGE PROBLEM WITH THIS. I “DID NOT” file for this hearing. Someone
    (a man by the name of Chris “CR” Legal Sr.) said that they were me (False Impersonation) and was in an
    Illegal and Criminal Conspiracy with other Occupy Los Angeles people to ride the curtails of my
    lawsuit Case # BC473185, UNREAL AND UNBELIEVABLE………An Attorney by the name
    of Peter Thottam also contacted me regarding this matter.

    On November 28th, 2011 I decided to find out for sure what was going on in this matter. I went to the
    Superior Courthouse Downtown and while I am standing in line waiting to get in, this Chris “CR” Legal Sr. leaves
    a voice mail message informing me that there is an Ex-Parte hearing the next day regarding Occupy LA and
    what was my availability, and more…….WTH??????? After leaving the courthouse and Department 86
    I went back to the Occupy LA Campsite and I spoke with several Occupy Los Angeles So-Called-Leaders
    and for sure they “DUMMIED-UP” and knew nothing….. Yea Right……..
    That did it for me. I went to The City Attorney’s office across the street from The Los Angeles City Hall
    and I wanted to find out what the heck was going on. I finally got to speak with 2 ladies. I met with
    Assistant City Attorney Valerie Flores and Deputy City Attorney Juliann Anderson and they told me that this
    Chris “CR” Legal Sr. had come in to the City Attorney’s office a few weeks ago saying he was me
    giving them a whole bunch of paperwork and that they were informed that they were notified about the
    Tempory Restraining Order hearing on November 18th, 2011. AND this Chris “CR” Legal Sr. is
    AFRICAN AMERICAN>>>>saying he was Me Mario Nitrini >>>>>>UNREAL……GOOD GRIEF.
    This Chris “CR” Legal Sr. from what he told me, was in the legal Committee of Occupy Los Angeles.
    And Ms. Anderson then tells me that this Chris “CR” Legal Sr. Guy came in and informed the City Attorney’s office
    that there was going to be this Ex-Parte hearing and again saying he was me.
    No one can make this stuff up.
    I’d really had it then. Ms. Anderson wanted me to sign a declaration and I said I would and I
    wanted to file a Criminal Complaint against Chris “CR” Legal Sr. and other conspirators. I went across
    the street and filed a criminal complaint with officer K. Study Badge # 25521. Then I took the the complaint
    back to Ms. Anderson, signed the declaration and gave her a copy of the Police Complaint.

    The next day LAPD Detective Brosnan ( Phone # 213-972-1228) calls me for more information regarding this.
    I have phone calls in for a return call from LAPD Detective Brosnan and L.A. Deputy City Attorney
    Ms. Juliann Anderson (Phone # 213-978-8124.) and I am hoping that they will follow-up with me.

    During the day on November 28th, 2011 I had a brief chance meeting with Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck.
    We both agreed on a truce with me and The LAPD and others, based on a Legally depending situation……
    It was a positive meeting.
    At this time, I am in a Neutral state (LEGALLY DEPENDING) regarding this statement I made:

    “Me, Mario George Nitrini 111 being the Plaintiff,
    filed a BIG-TIME lawsuit the other day, Case # BC473185, suing The City of Los Angeles, The Los Angeles Police Department, and MORE………pertaining to My personal involvement in The O.J. Simpson Case and Saga, the movement I am involved in—–Occupy Los Angeles— and MORE………
    In one of my statements, I state that Los Angeles Police Department:
    “Chief Charlie Beck knows knows plaintiff has knowledge of Chief Becks criminal corruption dealing with the real killers(s) of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, being members of his police force. See exhibits C and “D” attached hereto and incorporated herein. Additionally, plaintiff request judicial notice of The OJ Simpson Case and Saga.”
    Ex-LAPD Police Department Detective Mark Fuhrman is THE KILLER of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson. In my opinion he had help murdering these two people.
    NOW, I ( Mario Nitrini ) filed several of my Legal Documents pertaining to my personal Involvement in The O.J. Simpson Case and Saga and entered them in this Lawsuit as Exhibits B and C with other exhibits from A to F2. Please NO ONE try and illegally cover-up or “FORGET” to enter ALL of my lawsuit in the record.
    In whatever legal form, these people will be called to give a deposition:
    Cheryl Shuman – Denise Brown – Mark Fuhrman – Bill Pavelic – Gloria Allred – Diane Dimond – Harvey Levin – Dr. Felix Yip – LAPD Captain Jeri Weinstein – Paul Barresi –Marcia Clark – LAPD Detective Bob Parsons – Stephanie Medina – Eric Garcetti – Dana Garcetti – LAPD Commander Michael Morairty – William Bratton ex-Police Chief of the LAPD – Councilman Bernard Parks – LAPD Segeant Kim – Jeffrey Eglash former inspector General of the los Angeles Police Commision
    –Ronald Y. Ito ( aka Ron Ito) Retired–LAPD RHD Detective who was involved
    in The OJ Simpson Case and Saga and that I gave information to
    which NOW I Know would have led to OJ Simpson’s innocence.
    I want to see Detective Ito LIE his way out of this one. HE CAN’T……
    Kim Goldman Hahn –Tom Lange -LAPD SGT. Guiterrez—LAPD Officer J.H. Hart
    Gil Garcetti.
    GIL GARCETTI is a Criminal and Illegal, Corrupt, No-Good Person. He and his staff of criminal
    hoodlums made several agreements with me both IN-WRITING and VERBALLY.
    They broke several of them, did not honor others, and have tried to sabotage me and take me out any way they could.

    Legally Gil Garcetti and his staff (Present and Past) will honor the agreement’s that were made with me…….

    Lisa Bloom –
    Richard C. Wemmer Retired –LAPD Captain Commanding Officer West
    Los Angeles Community Police Station. LAPD Chief Charlie Beck
    Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley
    United States Attorney Andre Birotte and Former Inspector General
    for The Los Angeles Police Commission
    ALL 3 of you knew I had my Civil Right’s Violated several times and
    ALL 3 of you Illegally and Criminally
    covered that fact up. WHY? I legally want some answers. And most likely there will be more people called to give a depostion,

    AND it could lead to Criminal Prosecution for some of these people and MORE…………
    Let’s see ALL of YOU people LIE and ILLEGALLY Cover-up your way out of this one.”

    Just so EVERYONE knows, I have saved certain telephone messages amd Audio Tapes and have safely put away LOT’S of

    Legal Documents in several places. There will be NO MORE COVER-UP involving me, Mario George Nitrini 111 ANYMORE……..

    MarioGeorgeNitrini111
    mariogeorgenitrini111
    _______________
    The OJ Simpson Case
    The Anthony Pellicano Federal Indictment Case
    The Biggie Smalls Federal Lawsuit Case
    The Michael Jackson Cases and Saga
    The Robert Blake Case

    MarioGeorgeNitrini111 (aa500b)

  33. I think Romney has it just about wrapped it up but Perry has done very well in recent interviews. Gingrich still suffers from too many people my age who remember him too well.

    Mike K (9ebddd)

  34. Comment by daleyrocks — 12/4/2011 @ 9:30 am

    Perry should write his debate points on his hands, like Sarah Palin, to avoid another “Ooops” debacle.

    I read that Governor Rick Perry had some notes with him (they were allowed to hav notes) but he couldn’t find where he had written down the “agencies” he wasnted to eliminate.

    Note: They weren’t agencies – they were Cabinet Departments. And I’m sure the proposal was not exactly that they be defunded, just downgraded in status.

    Sammy Finkelman (54094c)

  35. Actually, he probably hadn’t written down any of that himself.

    Sammy Finkelman (54094c)

  36. even after all of Obama’s vicious rapings and ravagings, America is still a land of second chances I think

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  37. that is to say, the same dynamic which makes it conceivable that commander gigglefart could be reelected makes it entirely possible that the good Mr. Gingrich could be the Team R nominee

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  38. what if Romney was one of us?
    just a slob like one of us?
    just a stranger on the bus…

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  39. Dana,

    Since Perry announced his campaign, a Paul supporter has been advertising in Austin for proof of Rick Perry’s adultery or gay encounters. I don’t know if there were any responses.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  40. But Romney is NOT one of us; he’s one of “them” . . . you know “them” . . . Lawrence O’Donnell and EricPWJohnson certainly know “them” . . . Romney is The Man in the Moon . . . with an r and an m thrown in for extra spookiness.

    Icy (7e0657)

  41. indeed

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  42. Since Perry announced his campaign, a Paul supporter has been advertising in Austin for proof of Rick Perry’s adultery or gay encounters. I don’t know if there were any responses.
    Comment by DRJ — 12/4/2011 @ 10:47 am

    — EPWJ responded to the ad, but he walked away very disappointed and disillusioned by the experience . . .

    No “encounter”. Aww, poor thing.

    Icy (7e0657)

  43. In addition, there was earlier media speculation about Perry’s marriage by Politico (which I won’t link) and New York Magazine (link here).

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  44. I think that if a Ron Paul supporter is doing this, then Ron Paul needs to be asked, in front of a camera, how he feels about that kind of campaigning.

    Simon Jester (c8876d)

  45. Dear DRJ:

    How awful and mean-spirited are these people!

    If someone doesn’t like Governor Perry’s persona or policies, fine. I respect that.

    But this personal stuff? It’s sick.

    Simon Jester (c8876d)

  46. I think it’s typical Texas political dirt-digging, Simon Jester. Perry has been around long enough to know how to deal with stuff like this. The give-away is that the Paul supporter’s ad was in the Austin Chronicle, a decidedly liberal publication, so I suspect Texas papers and pundits take the ad with a grain of salt. Even the liberal-leaning Austin American-Statesman discounted tales of marital rifts and debunked a ‘Perry is gay’ rumor.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  47. the life-begins-at-conception-not-implantation zealots should start their own party I think where they can obsess Andrew Sullivan-like about what goes on in utero and nominate like-minded zealots and make sugar cookies in the shape of little fetuses and sing songs and stuff.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  48. yummy!

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  49. From DRJ’s link:
    Anita’s behavior was so obvious that a local columnist John Kelso wrote an article about her never smiling on the campaign trail: “Somebody needs to goose Anita Perry to get a smile out of her.” http://www.statesman.com/news/local/somebody-needs-to-goose-anita-perry-to-get-1203160.html

    I noticed this myself when the Perrys visited San Diego a couple of months ago after one of the debates. I hadn’t read Kelso’s column or anything else that had pointed this out, it was just so obvious that it was impossible to ignore. I’ve read that Anita is shy, and that would explain it. But it still was uncomfortable to watch her being uncomfortable.

    Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (a23d14)

  50. then again social cons are a lot – deep in their dark little hearts – engaged in the Godly struggle to keep a mormon out of the white house

    we know that from that bigoty pastor from texas

    We know no such thing. That guy’s a Baptist minister; it’s his job to be anti-Mormon and anti-Catholic, and especially anti-apostasy, which ought to rule Gingrich out. But the SoCon base includes Mormons and Catholics, and other kinds of Protestants that Baptists would probably consider heretics, and they all manage to get along because that’s what one does.

    Milhouse (ea66e3)

  51. Where are the leading social con endorsements of Romney Mr. Milhouse?

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  52. here have a cookie

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  53. the life-begins-at-conception-not-implantation

    What exactly does “conception” mean? It’s a process, it takes time, and implantation is part of that process. It’s like arguing over whether something begins in Texas or in Houston.

    Milhouse (ea66e3)

  54. Where are the leading social con endorsements of Romney Mr. Milhouse?

    They’re not endorsing him for the same reason you and I aren’t endorsing him. It’s because nobody has the faintest idea what he believes, if anything.

    Milhouse (ea66e3)

  55. Brother Bradley,

    Laura Bush was reportedly shy, too, and at least initially hated being in politics. I guess it’s not strange to see an extrovert marry an introvert but it is an interesting coincidence.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  56. Romney believes that he should be President, just like his dad should have been. Probably brainwashed into him at an early age.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  57. It’s like arguing over whether something begins in Texas or in Houston.

    that’s what I mean I think those ones what want to roll around in the abstruse should find a better venue for it than presidential politics

    It’s because nobody has the faintest idea what he believes, if anything.

    I can’t disagree.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  58. “it’s his job to be anti-Mormon and anti-Catholic, and especially anti-apostasy”

    We are all God’s chirren.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  59. Mr. Feets – In case you missed it: Senate Repeals Bans on Sodomy and Bestiality in the Military

    I’m sure glorious marriagings will shortly follow.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  60. corr -Beastiality

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  61. We are all God’s chirren

    Yes, but some of those chirren are prodigal and need to come home for a bang-up fatted-calf dinner followed by charades. Unfortunately we can’t agree on which is the good son and which the prodigal. And ignorant people seem to think “prodigal” is a good word. And the traditional Xian interpretation of that story casts the Jews as the good son who resents all the attention heaped on the bad son who came back. Which, you know, is OK with me; at least they acknowledge that we’re the son who’s stayed faithful and good all the time, and doesn’t need to be bribed with fatted calves though the occasional shawarma would be nice.

    Milhouse (ea66e3)

  62. That guy’s a Baptist minister; it’s his job to be anti-Mormon and anti-Catholic, and especially anti-apostasy, which ought to rule Gingrich out

    That completely runs counter to Christian principles. One would hope that isn’t what Baptists are all about. Sheesh.

    Colonel Haiku (29bee7)

  63. corr -Beastiality

    No, you had it right the first time. And it makes sense, considering what part of the world our troops are in. After all, when in Rome…

    Milhouse (ea66e3)

  64. Xian principles condone polytheism, idolatry, and apostasy?! Those must be some new principles, then, because there’s nothing like that in the Bible or in 2000 years of Xian history.

    Milhouse (ea66e3)

  65. Another Bigot in the Mist…

    Colonel Haiku (29bee7)

  66. Huh? Do you dispute that Mormonism is polytheist; or that, at least from the Protestant POV, Catholicism is idolatry; or that, again from a Protestant POV, Gingrich is an apostate? Or do you dispute that the Bible is very clearly down on such things, and that 2000 years of Xian history shows that Xian principles back up every word that minister had to say?

    Milhouse (ea66e3)

  67. I think the appetites of American soldiers for carnal trysts with fauna are vastly overstated

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  68. milhouse… religious bigots like you should be repudiated every step of the way. You are anti-American and if I met you and you had the stones to look me in the eye and speak that crap I’d kick your ass up and down the block and around the corner, for good measure.

    Effing creep.

    Colonel Haiku (29bee7)

  69. That wouldn’t be very Christian of me, but it is what it is.

    Colonel Haiku (29bee7)

  70. Doesn’t Mormon doctrine teach that it is the only church with the power to lead people to the true knowledge of God the Father and Jesus Christ? The only church with the authority to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost and perform other priesthood ordinances?

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  71. Mr. Milhouse is a good American with a lively mind and a rather elaborate moral compass and best of all he has a great concern for this forlorn little polity of ours, while so many are apathetic or agnostic.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  72. “And the traditional Xian interpretation of that story casts the Jews as the good son who resents all the attention heaped on the bad son who came back.”

    Milhouse – You know I always appreciate your interpretations of xian doctrine. This is the first time I have seen you attempt a job description for a xian minister.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  73. Most churches believe they have the answer, DRJ… my experience, anyway. Let me ask you one…

    Do members of the Mormon church stand outside new Baptist Church (or any other religion’s) facilities and hand out hate literature? I’ll even answer this one for you: No, they certainly do not.

    The same can’t be said for Baptists and that is shameful.

    Colonel Haiku (29bee7)

  74. Those Baptists are not very evolved, Mr. Haiku. And not very American.

    But one must be kind, I suppose.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  75. Col

    What Happy said

    EricPWJohnson (719277)

  76. Doesn’t Mormon doctrine teach that it is the only church with the power to lead people to the true knowledge of God the Father and Jesus Christ?

    Yes, as does the Catholic Church and the Protestants.

    I’m a Christian and wouldn’t have an issue voting for Romney if he’s the one. I think it’s narrow minded of people to assume Christians would be against him for being a Mormon. Our worldview is more realistic than that sort of naivete assumes.

    Dana (4eca6e)

  77. Colonel Haiku,

    As a matter of policy, Mormons come to our homes uninvited and attempt to convert us. I don’t know if that is worse than your Baptist example, but my guess is that both are doing what they believe their faith requires. As for Mormon doctrine, I don’t know enough about Mormonism to do anything more than ask questions but the LDS website seems to say what I asked above.

    I also want to say clearly that I don’t have a problem with Mormon leaders, or Baptist leaders, or Jewish leaders, or atheist leaders. My concern is that Romney is too moderate to be an effective advocate for conservative values.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  78. Since Perry announced his campaign, a Paul supporter has been advertising in Austin for proof of Rick Perry’s adultery or gay encounters. I don’t know if there were any responses.

    DRJ, I understand that – however, the quote I posted, I could see a bump for Bachmann, Santorum or Paul to be more likely being that Gingrich and Perry have past adultery baggage out there floating around as well., presents it as factual. Thus my saying, that’s news to me. I was being ineffectively snarky.

    There are always accusations and a stirring of the pot with those in the running, but until there is proof, it’s all just speculation.

    Dana (4eca6e)

  79. SAys the pikachu, really what kind of Molly Ivins mincing Texan are you.

    narciso (87e966)

  80. PS — I agree with Dana that many churches believe they are the one true church. Not all, but many.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  81. better Perry than either of the two Beltway RINO’s currently being shoved down our throats by the MFM, the GOP establishment and all the “concerned and thoughtful conservatives”, like those in this thread.

    this is the same sort of guavno that got us McLame, and, by extension, the SCOAMF.

    in fact, the thing that convinced me Perry would make a decent President, besides how well he’s dealt with governing Texas, is the fact that all the usual suspects lined up against him early and did everything they could to start the “unqualified” meme, and then run it full bore to convince the masses it was true.

    anyone y’all fear that much is my choice. you’ve been running the same play over and over again for years, but not everyone is falling for it these days.

    redc1c4 (fb8750)

  82. I’m not sure I get your point, Dana #79. Are you saying it’s wrong to print statements like that without proof, or are you saying there must be some truth to it because it’s been printed?

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  83. “I agree with Dana that many churches believe they are the one true church. Not all, but many.”

    DRJ – I agree, but I am not sure how many ministers would describe actively hating on members of other xian denominations as part of their job descriptions.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  84. I think the latter, DRJ, pikachu really ought to be for Huntsman, e doesn’t have any of that icky lifeydoodle stuff, on him

    narciso (87e966)

  85. milhouse… religious bigots like you should be repudiated every step of the way.

    What part of what I wrote do you deny? It seems to me that you’re the only bigot in this discussion.

    Milhouse – You know I always appreciate your interpretations of xian doctrine.

    Were you really not aware that that has long been the standard Xian (all denominations) interpretation?

    This is the first time I have seen you attempt a job description for a xian minister.

    Again, there’s nothing in the least controversial about what I wrote. Why would any church hire a minister who didn’t affirm the fundamental truth of that denomination’s doctrines, whatever they happen to be? Would a Mormon temple hire a president who believed that there is only one god? For that matter, would a Baptist church hire a minister who really believed that there is only one god and not three?

    Do members of the Mormon church stand outside new Baptist Church (or any other religion’s) facilities and hand out hate literature?

    “Hate literature”?! Please describe this literature, and explain what exactly is hateful about it.

    I think it’s narrow minded of people to assume Christians would be against him for being a Mormon. Our worldview is more realistic than that sort of naivete assumes.

    Exactly. That’s what the first amendment is about.

    I also want to say clearly that I don’t have a problem with Mormon leaders, or Baptist leaders, or Jewish leaders, or atheist leaders. My concern is that Romney is too moderate to be an effective advocate for conservative values.

    This too.

    Milhouse (f8511c)

  86. Thanks DRJ I was just thinking the same thing, and was also thinking that it was very unusual for Dana to be thinking like I was thinking what he was thinking when he wrote it

    EricPWJohnson (719277)

  87. Milhouse – How often do you speak with xian ministers?

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  88. Dana,

    Sometimes my brain doesn’t work as fast as my fingers but I took a deep breath, cleared my head and I think your point is: The article is stating as fact something that may not be a fact at all. Is that correct? If so, I agree … but that’s politics, isn’t it?

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  89. A June 2011 Gallup poll indicates Romney and Huntsman face problems because of their religion:

    The new Gallup poll, conducted June 9-12, finds nearly 20% of Republicans and independents saying they would not support a Mormon for president. That is slightly lower than the 27% of Democrats saying the same.

    The poll break-out showed 18% of Republicans, 19% of independents, and 27% of Democrats would not vote for a Mormon. It’s interesting that significantly more Democrats than Republicans and independents are concerned about Mormonism.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  90. Of course, Romney is so identified with Mormonism that it could be those 27% of Democrats were basically saying they wouldn’t vote for Romney. That’s well within the number of Democratic voters who wouldn’t vote Republican under any circumstances, so it may not be an issue.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  91. So amigo, how goes Ron Paul’s battle in Iowa?

    Mike (973f3c)

  92. Milhouse – How often do you speak with xian ministers?

    Sometimes, but not very often. Why? What has the frequency of such conversations got to do with my knowledge of the various forms of Xianity?

    I am not sure how many ministers would describe actively hating on members of other xian denominations as part of their job descriptions.

    “Hating”?! What exactly was hateful in what Jeffress said? What exactly did he say that was not stock standard mainstream Xian doctrine?

    many churches believe they are the one true church. Not all, but many.

    Actually, all churches believe that they are at least part of the One True Church; they differ only in whether there are also other parts to it. But you would be hard-pressed to find a believing Xian of any sort who would say there is salvation to be found in Hinduism, or in Baal-worship!

    Milhouse (9a4c23)

  93. Milhouse,

    Welcome to the modern Episcopal Church.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  94. Of course, Romney is so identified with Mormonism that it could be those 27% of Democrats were basically saying they wouldn’t vote for Romney. That’s well within the number of Democratic voters who wouldn’t vote Republican under any circumstances, so it may not be an issue.

    Do you mean that that 27% are unaware that there are Mormon Democrats?

    Milhouse (9a4c23)

  95. The fact is that I probably do know as much about Xianity in its various forms as any well-read outsider, which is to say more than most Xians know, and certainly more than most Xians know about forms that are not their own.

    Milhouse (9a4c23)

  96. I don’t know, Milhouse. Maybe they don’t know there are Mormons who are Democrats, or maybe they know but wouldn’t vote for them, or maybe they want to use the poll results to discourage Republicans from nominating Romney, or maybe they just won’t vote for a Mormon this year – because the Mormons in this race are both Republicans.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  97. That guy’s a Baptist minister; it’s his job to be anti-Mormon and anti-Catholic, and especially anti-apostasy

    — Southern Baptist, maybe. Beware the broad brush.

    Icy (7e0657)

  98. Colonek Haiku acting like a thug…………no surprise there.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  99. DRJ

    I think Romney’s flips come from his generous nature and his foundation in helping people.

    Romney can be swayed by suffering, but in many cases sacrifice, deprivation, the want of a better life, is the catalyst that has brought millions to this country with one goal in mind – building BUILDING a better life for their family.

    Romney to me, is one of those who has trouble blurring the lines between creating an atmosphere so people can have that self acquired success and helping way too much by creating entitlements thus diluting the very essense of what makes America unique among the world

    EricPWJohnson (719277)

  100. The article is stating as fact something that may not be a fact at all. Is that correct? If so, I agree … but that’s politics, isn’t it?

    Yes, that was my point, DRJ. I was musing on the Cain supporters and which candidate would get the bump from them and I noticed that while it is indeed politics as you mention, the writer is with the DC Conservative Examiner. So while we expect the attacks and smears to be vicious and without restraint from the left, it’s ironic when it comes from a conservative writer active in conservative politics.

    The subject of karl’s post questioned whether or not Perry could make a comeback and I think with conservatives making false accusations against him re adultery and lumping him in with Newt (about whom we know it *is* true), it might be an even more uphill battle for Perry. I realize this is but one journalist, but if you google the matter, there are other conservatives suggesting the same moral failing.

    It’s not just his *oops* moment or his poor debating skills that he’ll have to overcome. If he does pick up in the polls, I expect more trash like the above to pushed. No wonder Mrs. Perry appears uncomfortable.

    btw, nice comment over there, happyfeet.

    Dana (4eca6e)

  101. Colonel*

    Anyways the UN says the himalyan glaciers are melting………Why do we put up with the United Nutjobs?

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  102. She seems a touch of a Nor Laup follower, enough
    to be ‘humoring a borderline ‘truther’ like Paul Craig Roberts

    narciso (87e966)

  103. Why do the left lie about pro-lifers?

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  104. True, Dana, but it’s been clear from the start that most establishment, beltway, and media Republicans don’t like fiscal conservatives like Perry. The Tea Party movement threatens Republicans almost as much as Democrats, and fiscal conservatives will have to deal with that fact for the foreseeable future.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  105. That’s classic, narciso. A Reagan official complaining that today’s Republicans talk too tough about Iran and Russia. No doubt he was one of the advisers arguing Reagan should avoid the “Evil Empire” talk.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  106. He was former Treasury, but to get around to the point, where he’s hanging at Volodya’s ‘peanut gallery, means you went off the grid.

    narciso (87e966)

  107. “The fact is that I probably do know as much about Xianity in its various forms as any well-read outsider”

    Milhouse – The kind of book learning JBS was trying to pass off as a substitute for attending a xian theological seminary?

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  108. Dana,

    It appears the author of the Examiner article you linked to in comment 18, above — that Perry has “adultery baggage” — is a 9/11 Truther. That doesn’t disqualify her from having reasonable political opinions but it’s cause for concern regarding her judgment.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  109. Here’s a True Baptist™ teaching about Romney and Mormonism.

    Like everyone in the other 49 states we’ve had our share of busting a gut over how silly the Mormons are. We even take to calling them the “Morons,” in our Religious Cult Studies courses at Landover Baptist University. My message about Mormons today is actually more for the folks out there using the internets. I want to assure this congregation that I am doing everything in my power to prevent even the stupidest Mexican who can vote from being fooled by this fruit-cake, Mitt Romney.

    You see, the Mormon religion is absolutely, hands down, one of the most hilarious made-up religions Satan ever boiled up in the Lake of Fire! But all tomfoolery aside, Mormonism should always be reckoned with as a dangerous cult — because whenever you design a cult to appeal to stupid people, you are going to wind up with a lot of members! . . .

    /parody

    Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. (a23d14)

  110. Saw Perry on the Huckabee job interview thingie on Fox. Three times he was asked what gives him the power to overturn the health care law with an executive order, and three times he responded with “Because its an executive order. Obviously.”

    Two observations: Perry saying “obviously” is like Vizzini saying “Inconceivable” and this debate did not start him on the comeback trail. Weakest of 6.

    Kevin M (563f77)

  111. Could Perry make a comeback?

    Do you have to wait until the end of a Wisconsin-MSU game to know who won?

    MD in Philly (83d172)

  112. Could Perry stage a comeback?

    No. No time. But the fact the question is even floated suggests support by folks settling on Newt is at best, soft and he may have already reached his apogee. The implosion is inevitable, but a few, flinty exchanges between Newt and Mitt could actually toughen up Romney for the general, given his recent, weak, one-on-one on Fox. No love lost between Boss Hogg and Newtie, either: “Now that he’s officially out of the race for the GOP presidential nomination in 2012, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is candidly sharing his thoughts on the field of potential candidates.During an interview with CNN Chief National Correspondent John King [May 19], Barbour said that announced candidate Newt Gingrich was “thoughtful and smart” but appeared to be a “jerk” in the press.” source: CNN.com, 5/19/11

    DCSCA (9d1bb3)

  113. Kos Kiddie Klown makes his nitwit presence known.

    Colonel Haiku (29bee7)

  114. That guy’s a Baptist minister; it’s his job to be anti-Mormon and anti-Catholic, and especially anti-apostasy

    Milhouse – Over the years I have attended Baptist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Congregational, Methodist, Episcopal, Jewish, Quaker and probably some other types of religious services I am leaving out. I have never felt unwelcome by a minister or other religious figure after introducing myself after a service because I “was doing it wrong” in my own denomination or church of choice. I have never felt any pressure to convert or change churches, although I’m sure that does occur, at most I’ve gotten a “hope to see you around more often.”

    Sure, ministers have an objective of increasing their congregations, but the concept that they are “anti” something as opposed to respectful of other beliefs is something I have not personally experienced and the pejorative way you choose to describe such attitudes based on the perspective of a well read outsider is frankly offensive.

    I am not Catholic yet go on a couple of retreats every year with the Jesuits because I view them as the intellectual rock stars of the church. I have no problem with it and the brothers don’t try to impose their beliefs on me.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  115. Perry is a non-issue I think but for his cluelessness about his prospects. What’s become clear is that Romney is held in utter contempt by a considerable percentage of Rs. He makes people sick, and this would be a considerable problem for him in a general election.

    What we have learned in this past few weeks is that Gingrich needs to be the nominee. No he wasn’t anybody’s first choice. But unlike Perry he can make the sentences and unlike Romney he doesn’t pro-actively alienate the people what do that voting thing.

    So where we find ourselves this holiday season, as a big conservative family, is in a classic make-the-best-of-it sort of situation. yes yes yes Team R really should have run better candidates and not so many gag ones but it’s too late to fix that now.

    So I ask you this… if this is all readily apparent to a wee pikachu why are the bright and stellar lights of Team R sitting on their ass? That fat jersey trash statist whore stopped stuffing his pie-hole for half a second to piss on Mr. Gingrich? Really?

    Ok, fat boy. You need a time-out.

    But where is that useless Palin hoochie? Allergic to leadership is where she is. She needs to stop carping and bibble-babbling and read the notes on her hand what tell her what the writing on the wall says. It says: Romney sucks ass and Gingrich is the last credible candidate left standing.

    And Rick Perry needs to do the same. You’re not going to be president Mr. Governor Rick why because you’re a simpleton. You’ve gone as far as you’re going to go in life, my friend, and you know what? That’s ok.

    But what of all of the Lisa Murkowski-type nasty whores what are endorsing Romney? Ann Coulter? Kelly Ayotte? The nutless Tim Pawlenty? The vaginesque John Sununu?

    These people are pansy-assed ruling class prostrate what? Whores! Every last one of them.

    Now me you and Team R have been very patient with this interminable process. But everyone has had more than enough time to come to a decision, and the one thing we have a near-consensus about is that Mitt Romney is repulsive.

    And that is where we are, as a party.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  116. Really, pikachu, how about when Newt was sticking a shiv in John Bolton, or flacking Freddie Mac, or saying we should pull out of Iraq in the dark times,
    or hanging out with Al Sharpton,

    narciso (87e966)

  117. water under the bridge

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  118. So where we find ourselves this holiday season, as a big conservative family, is in a classic make-the-best-of-it sort of situation. yes yes yes Team R really should have run better candidates and not so many gag ones but it’s too late to fix that now.

    If we could only morph a few of them into one excellent candidate. Separately, of course they each having glaring weaknesses (perhaps even deal-breaker weaknesses for some) and yet some have some significant strengths that we desperately need.

    One has to decide what they can live with and what is simply unacceptable, I suppose…or coming from the other end of the street, who is the most electable? Same as it ever was…

    Dana (4eca6e)

  119. Pat leans closer reading Happyfeet, has an unreadable expression on his face, glances at his sweet children, reaches under his desk presses the large red button, goes off to read storytime

    EricPWJohnson (719277)

  120. shorter happyfeet:

    how many fingers am I holding up, Winston?

    Kevin M (563f77)

  121. Governor Perry stands the best chance of all of our candidates of making a good President; the problem is he hasn’t been so good as a candidate.

    But Barack Obama has proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that being a good candidate carries with it absolutely no guarantees that the good candidate would make a good president.

    If Governor Perry can come back and win the nomination, his one line, repeated at every stop is, “I may not be a good debater, but the last good debater we had made a rotten president.”

    Any one of our candidates might make a good President or might make a lousy one; we can never know unil he is actually in the office, doing the job. But we do know that Barack Obama is a lousy President, and can’t do the job.

    The Dana who supports Rick Perry (f68855)

  122. Kevin

    The real question is – where was your finger previously?

    EricPWJohnson (719277)

  123. I don’t follow football, but it’s my understanding that they have one person to bring the ball to the end zone and then another person is called to kick it in. Why can’t we do the same with candidates? Have one person to be the candidate and win the election and then another to be president?

    Milhouse (ea66e3)

  124. ‘There are four lights’

    narciso (87e966)

  125. ______________________________________________

    the problem is he hasn’t been so good as a candidate.

    I don’t ever underestimate the importance of superficial and intangible qualities that make a person likeable or not.

    I’ve spoken with two generally right-leaning people and in both instances I’ve had to twist their arm so they weren’t apparently hoodwinked by the supposed charm of Obama.

    One of the two sort of bought into the notion that George W Bush was “dumb” because of his good ol’ boy style of speech—and, yea, Bush on occasion was guilty of certain gaffes, but certainly no worse than the 59-states guy now in the Oval Office or the current vice president. By contrast, I could tell that his opinion of Obama was influenced by the used-car salesman skills of the guy, as this squishy Republican didn’t come out and say anything as harsh about Obama.

    The other person who generally leans right expressed to me a surprisingly nasty reaction about Michelle Bachmann (calling her “stupid”) than he did about Obama. I had to steer the conversation back towards Obama’s reputation as the king of teleprompters and all the other signs of his miscues and screw ups. He wasn’t even aware of things like the major (and purposeful) faux pas when Obama bowed like a servant in front of Japan’s emperor and the king of Saudi Arabia.

    This person I was speaking with didn’t seem to be as inspired in slamming Obama as he was in not only shrugging off Bachmann but also saying he was underwhelmed by the other Republicans too.

    Some silly opponents of Obama have theorized he’s a weird creation of a force out to destroy this country. That he’s even the “anti-Christ.” But when I see the odd benefit of the doubt he’s received from so much of the electorate since before and after 2008, I can’t help but wonder if ridiculous theories about Obama are necessarily as laughable as they appear to be.

    I know a large percentage of people, regardless of ideology, back in the 1960s — if not even still today — fell for the superficial qualities of John F Kennedy and his so-called charisma. They fell for the camera-friendly wife and kids, and all the BS surrounding “Camelot.” So I never take lightly the superficial aspects of a person in the public spotlight and how that may help or hurt him or her.

    Mark (411533)

  126. I think Perry has to do a better job communicating or he won’t win, and frankly he shouldn’t. Communicating is an important part of a President’s job description. Perry doesn’t have to ace every debate but he has to stop making Bush-like mistakes and have answers to more questions than he’s shown up to now.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  127. Barack Obama, Junior Anti-Christ in Training.

    Damn glad to meet you.

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  128. It’s his ‘saving grace’ that he is as incompetent as ‘the Sorcerer’s Apprentice’ Mark, but that doesn’t mean that he is not dangerous, in his all his poor judgements.

    narciso (87e966)

  129. Happyfeet wears Rick Perry underoos.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  130. If, as is now being reported, Cain plans to endorse Newt, it seems the race is essentially down to Gingrich and Romney. (I refuse to acknowledge Nor Luap) I think it’s really important to keep our eye on the senate and try to get up to 60 there. At that point, with the House and Senate secure all the new president will need to do is keep his pen filled to sign legislation, restore a sane foreign policy, and when needed appoint some good judges to the bench. Either Mitt or Newt could manage that quite well I think. (I read a rough paraphrase of this somewhere recently and liked it–but I can’t remember where in order to give proper credit. Just sayin’)

    elissa (2b76d3)

  131. you know who hates hates hates Rick Perry? Herman Cain.

    What’s up with that you think?

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  132. I don’t know if Cain hates Perry but if there’s any animosity, it could be because of this.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  133. yes – that was part of the weirdness – but Cain also he couldn’t support Perry if he were the nominee

    that was a really stupid thing to say I thought to myself at the time

    stupid and mean-spirited

    it was a big part of the reason why I never could get too enthusiastic about him

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  134. Urkel is on vacation ’til the “Holidays”. Absolutely nothing is happening on the Hill. Nothing will change before IA. People are busy with their lives.

    Insiders will continue the drumbeat “Newt is the consumate insider.” And I in my kerchief rolled over for a long winter’s sleep.

    gary gulrud (d88477)

  135. Cain is the Al Sharpton of the right.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  136. Cain also *said* he couldn’t support Perry is what that should say

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  137. “Perry doesn’t have to ace every debate but he has to stop making BushObama-like mistakes”

    FIFY

    Milhouse (ea66e3)

  138. Pat leans closer reading Happyfeet, has an unreadable expression on his face, glances at his sweet children, reaches under his desk presses the large red button, goes off to read storytime
    Comment by EricPWJohnson — 12/4/2011 @ 5:55 pm

    — Gee, Eric, that was almost pithy.

    No, wait! Sorry, my lithp . . . my lisp was acting up.

    Anyway, it was something that sounded like “pithy”.

    Icy (7e0657)

  139. you know who hates hates hates Rick Perry? Herman Cain. What’s up with that you think?
    Comment by happyfeet — 12/4/2011 @ 8:06 pm

    — If there is one thing (and it would be the only thing) that EPWJ was right about, it would be that Cain thinks Perry was behind the smear campaign.

    Icy (7e0657)

  140. the important thing is that Mr. Cain will get to enjoy this magical holiday season without the fuss of running for president

    come on it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you!

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  141. no, perry will never come pack, bcuz romney will win,

    joseph smith (5807dc)

  142. Cut it out. DohBiden!

    Icy (7e0657)

  143. Cut it out, DohBiden!

    Icy (7e0657)

  144. Someone has been dipping into the eggnog.

    Icy (7e0657)

  145. feets- Newt does alienate some people right off the bat, more or less than Mitt I don’t know

    As far as dark conspiracies about Obama… I’ll just say that there is only One Person who can order the oceans around and miraculously heal people who were not healed before, and Obama the one is not the One.

    How much darker than associating with domestic terrorists does one have to get before it is serious?

    MD in Philly (83d172)

  146. I guess he does…Mr. red is one I think

    but achieving the holy grail of a not-Romney is a big deal for a little party what ran a bunch of joke candidates this year

    not nominating Romney gives the candidate we *do* nominate a certain amount of momentum right out of the gate – cause they get to dance on Romney’s sobbing carcass!

    if Romney were nominated he wouldn’t have that advantage

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  147. If Obama vetoed a salary raise on congress and senate he would be accused of being a backstabbing right-winger.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  148. Republicans have had a high tolerance for candidates who don’t “look smart” to the Coastal elites (think Palin, GWB, etc.) but Perry has by far exceeded that level and GOP voters watched those debates, and his mishaps, and fled him in droves. He was a gaffe machine.

    He’s not coming back.

    koam @wittier (3156c4)

  149. perry gaffe machine
    is the gaffiest mofo
    this side of Biden

    Colonel Haiku (fd5ca4)

  150. And I mean that GOP voters didn’t just fear that Perry would look stupid next to Obama. They thought he was actually stupid.

    koam @wittier (3156c4)

  151. Yes, he made some minor mistakes, but we’re up against the likes of those,’ who believe FDR gave a fireside chat on TV, in 1929′ and Katie Couric didn’t bat an eye, the botox didn’t let her.

    narciso (87e966)

  152. Palin and Bush are smart but thanks for playing.

    Dohbiden (ef98f0)

  153. Firing gutman is the typical “low-hanging fruit”, that a guy like Perry will play up. Of course, he should be fired. Tell us what we don’t know!

    Colonel Haiku (fd5ca4)

  154. Could this be the one thing that finally persuades Bill Clinton to climb down off the stage, shun the cameras and shut his cake-hole?

    Nahhhh!!!

    Colonel Haiku (fd5ca4)

  155. To answer the question of whether Perry can come back…look at the latest Gallup poll.

    Herman Cain pulled out. He went from 16% to 0%. His 16% had to go somewhere.

    How much of that 16% did Gov. Perry get?

    None. Perry actually lost share during the 2 weeks when a top competitor withdrew, going from 8% to 7%.

    He’s dead in the water.

    koam @wittier (777b2f)


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