GOP debate recap: Danger time for Rick Perry
If you are inclined to think someone other than Barack Obama should be president as night falls on the 20th of January 2013, and if you have seen the many opinion polls showing Rick Perry leading the Republican field, and if you watched Thursday night’s GOP debate, then some version of this scene has to be creeping in your head, and keeping you up at night:
It’s autumn 2012. The race between Obama and Perry is running neck and neck. Perry jumped out to a lead of several percentage points after finally defeating Mitt Romney for the GOP nomination, in large part because the economy is still stagnant and the Republican base is energized. But Obama has climbed back into a statistical tie and is making his challenger earn the win, because that’s what incumbent presidents do.
The two candidates are appearing in their first head-to-head, televised debate. The great middle of the American public is tuning in, only now beginning to decide who to pick: the current guy, whose performance hasn’t really wowed them and might have even ticked them off a bit, or the other guy, about whom they’ve read a few headlines but not much of substance.
The debate begins, and it hardly matters what Perry is saying — because the way he’s saying it is demanding all attention. He has a slight smirk on his face as he prepares to deliver the one-liners written down for him…which he nevertheless proceeds to stumble over. He avoids eye contact with Obama. If he doesn’t play offense well, he sure doesn’t play defense well, either — and he’s even worse at trying to change the subject. Obama seems calm and reassuring.
The great middle of the American public squirms on their couches listening to Perry. They’re not even sure what he said once the debate is over. But they just have a hard time imagining him saying anything that sounds good standing on a stage next to Vladimir Putin, or what’s-his-name from China.
The debate ends, and even Frank Luntz can’t conjure a pro-Perry response from a Fox News focus group. Oh, the poll numbers tomorrow…
***
Seriously, folks, I thought it was that bad for Perry on Thursday night. This was his third debate in three weeks, and he doesn’t seem to have gotten much better. Debating is but one skill, and it arguably isn’t one of the 20 or even 50 most important skills a president should possess. But it’s definitely one of the top couple of skills a presidential candidate must possess.
The 2012 election is one that conservatives view as absolutely vital. And they can’t stomach the prospect of picking a nominee whom Obama — a man who has campaigned for just about every losing candidate in America the last two years, and whose speeches on behalf of any given policy tend to lessen popular support for that policy — could pick apart on stage like Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense playing against a high-school defense.
As I’ve already noted, it hardly even mattered what Perry was actually saying. However, I’d note that, on the answers he gave most articulately — about illegal immigration and the HPV vaccine — he was defending positions with which a great many Republican primary voters are not going to agree. (And, in the case of the HPV answer, offering a rationale that may not be true.) He was beaten up at times by Rick Santorum, last seen getting pummeled in his Senate re-election bid. He was consistently outmatched by Romney, even though Romney managed to make one of the dumbest statements anyone could make in a debate: “There are a lot of reasons not to elect me.” (Think that won’t end up in an advertisement or 20 in the coming months?)
At one point, he talked about wanting to “mate up” Newt Gingrich and Herman Cain (in response to a question about which other contender he’d like to have as a running mate).
It was a bad night for the Texan.
Can he still win? Yes, of course. Even against Obama? Yes.
But he’ll have to give some performances that put this one well into the recesses of the minds of voters and, especially, the Republican bigwigs who, before they trust him with their donations and endorsements, will need reassurance that they won’t end up watching the aforementioned scene on a stage next autumn.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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152 comments Add your comment
Rafe Hollister
September 23rd, 2011
10:11 am
Grasshopper
What is worse? Try 5 Trillion added to the national debt for no practical purpose.
Bill
September 23rd, 2011
10:17 am
@ Junior Samples
Not sure if President Obama will be re-elected. I understand he is not the reason for 14 Trillion in debt that our nation has but the 5 Trillion in just 4 years isn’t gonna help. We’ll see how it all turns out but I highly doubt a second term.
JDW
September 23rd, 2011
10:26 am
@Grasshopper…”Brilliant! Obama should use this as his campaign slogan — Exactly What is Worse? Love it!”
What would you suggest for the Repugs…”Since that worked so well last time lets do it again” or “Stop the Progress – Vote Republican”?
Dusty
September 23rd, 2011
10:27 am
Well, I did not watch the debates last night. And I expect that millions of Americans did not watch also. But Americans know what Gov. Perry has already accomplished and that he will say exactly what on his mind. Not what somebody told him to say. Perry’s record goes without saying and that is his military record and his governship.
Ragnar has it right. Americans know there is much more than winning a debate and will support Perry in elections because they know we need a tough and determined president. They also know we do not have one NOW.
ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT
September 23rd, 2011
10:30 am
Perry is a loser with nothing more than a hee haw mentality , works perfect for the GOP base…OBAMA …2012.
JDW
September 23rd, 2011
10:32 am
@ Rafe…”What is worse? Try 5 Trillion added to the national debt for no practical purpose.”
While I would have liked to see faster action on closing the gap…it is not worse. Deficits adjusted for inflation and as a % of GDP have declined since the last year of Duhbya’s reign…
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/Historicals
UGA 1999
September 23rd, 2011
10:42 am
Any of the people on the board last night could beat Obama. Perry is fine.
Dusty
September 23rd, 2011
10:47 am
Hmm….I see that liberals here and elsewhere are going to condemn Perry on th “rube’ factor. They believe that intellectualism is the prime factor to consider for presidents. Gf course, it should be important. We all love and admire our “smarts”.
But some of you have forgotten our greatest presidents. Harry Truman completed high school and went to work. But he could study and discern and make hard reasonable decisions.
Ronald Reagan was a movie star!! An entertainer! Yet he could also speak and govern with a clear mind truthfully and the people knew it. Same with Truman.
Don’t cut Rick Perry too short. The American people recognize him as one of their own and they are a bit tired of the “intellectuals” who can’t govern or think on their own.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
September 23rd, 2011
10:47 am
“Had my fingers on the wrong keys”
———–
Isn’t it funny when folks calling others stupid can’t even get their fingers on a keyboard correctly?
The Real Fletch
September 23rd, 2011
10:48 am
Ayn Rant – do you really think that the evil repubs have the market cornered on donations for big business? You obviously don’t have a very good undertsanding of campaign finance and who is donating to which party/candidate. Sorry to break it to you but Obama is WAY more tied to donor interests than McCain was for example. Between unions, GE, Goldman, Morgan, Citi, JPM, and hundreds of others (a lot of these are pretty suspect for recieving TARP money or tax immunity) – Obama is a policy vending machine. Get your facts straight.
Rafe Hollister
September 23rd, 2011
10:51 am
JDW, we have inflation? Not according to the stats that Barry’s minions put out.
UGA 1999
September 23rd, 2011
10:53 am
stats and facts are very different within the Obama administration.
Rafe Hollister
September 23rd, 2011
10:55 am
Of course, when Obama reveals that 2012 budget that is going to cut the deficet in half by the end of his first term, we can start making progress on reducing the debt that he has enhanced.
Or, maybe that was just another throw away campaign promise from a man with no core principals, not involving social justice.
The Real Fletch
September 23rd, 2011
10:56 am
Ayn – and also cross compare the obama campaign support disclosure and the list of people with “amnesty” on Obamacare. You will find every single one of these latter showing up on the prior. Including some really big hitters. You realize that you and I are on the hook for covering their exemptions? Pay attention, seriously.
ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT
September 23rd, 2011
11:01 am
UGA , you probably voted for BUSH. …lol
UGA 1999
September 23rd, 2011
11:02 am
ITS ALL…..PROUDLY I DID!
JB
September 23rd, 2011
11:02 am
Being a southern boy and what I call center right, most would think Perry would be a slam dunk for my vote. I’m very active politically and most folks like me say if our primary were today , I would vote for Romney. The reason is the pure fact that they think he CAN beat Obama in a National race and CAN help us out of this mess.Obama could to, but his type ideology won’t allow it. This is free market, private sector driven country…and people get rich and there are winners and losers, and he is just not about all that. The battle cry in my circle of friends is ABO baby. ( anybody but Obama) but it looks like Romney is someone independents can vote for, and at the end of the day, that’s what is all about. The Jay Bookman crowd would vote Obama is it was proven today that he was a Kenyan born terrorist. Romney is the guy.
ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT
September 23rd, 2011
11:04 am
Really ?
ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT
September 23rd, 2011
11:08 am
JB , you are an idiot.
UGA 1999
September 23rd, 2011
11:11 am
African American Gains Reversed! http://www.ajc.com/news/african-american-middle-class-1186794.html
NICE JOB OBAMA!!!!
UGA 1999
September 23rd, 2011
11:11 am
ITS ALL…..Did you vote for Barack?
Uncle Jed
September 23rd, 2011
11:12 am
ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT
September 23rd, 2011
10:30 am
Perry is a loser with nothing more than a hee haw mentality
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Give that post a lot of thought, did you?
UGA 1999
September 23rd, 2011
11:14 am
ITS ALL BUSHS FAULT….
“Perry is a loser with nothing more than a hee haw mentality.”
Obama is nothing more than a political organizer with the gift to speak. (monitored only).
Stevie Ray
September 23rd, 2011
11:17 am
Way to early to tell but I sense the value of these onerous debate schedules is that whomever the GOP candidate, he will be well polished by game time. Obama easy target due to economy (although he can really only impact spending….5 trillon unfortunately)and the same base that got out to vote in 2008 will not in 2012. Perry needs to wipe that stupid smirk off his face. Unfortunately, we will once again be choosing the best of the worst…Obama “its not my fault” or Romney with his high pro-glow veneer…
Uncle Jed
September 23rd, 2011
11:18 am
I like Herman Cain more and more. I think his 9-9-9 plan is a very interesting concept. I doubt he will end up as the nominee, but I would sure like to see him in either the upcoming GOP cabinet or as one of my senators from Georgia. He is genuine; smart; and experienced.
At the end of the day, I can’t see any way that Obama is given four more years. He may quit to avoid sinking the entire democrat party, but his narcissism will need to be jettisoned and he sure is in love with himself.
JB
September 23rd, 2011
11:20 am
” JB, you are an idiot”…………Would I expect anything less from a pissed off Liberal? You either have a “mid town” view of the world, or you’re an idiot. No sir, supporting this President, and his results, would make someone an idiot.
UGA 1999
September 23rd, 2011
11:21 am
Uncle Jed…..I agree. He wont get the nomination but he has some really good ideas. He may end up in someones cabinet or running for a lesser political office.
There is a rumor that Obama is going to bow out in January. Leaving room for Hillary to run.
Stevie Ray
September 23rd, 2011
11:22 am
Uncle Jed,
I like Cain and Paul simply because they stick by their guns and use facts. Too bad neither is purdy enough to get elected. The mainstream has them painted as nuts…
Rafe Hollister
September 23rd, 2011
11:23 am
UGA 1999
Good post, but one error, gift to speak, should read, gift to read well.
UGA 1999
September 23rd, 2011
11:24 am
Rafe…..I stand corrected!
JB
September 23rd, 2011
11:29 am
UGA 1999, I keep hearing that to. The polling is getting worse and all those Senators in toss up states are treating him and anything proposes like it’s toxic. The private sector has taken a stand just to sit tight and wait him out. He knows that, thus all the spending BS to fix a bridge to try and move some job numbers. Ain’t gonna happen. He might have the Power guys in the party telling him to reconsider running. I don’t think he’ll step aside. He’s in a bubble with butt kissers advisers telling him all this isn’t true.
UGA 1999
September 23rd, 2011
11:31 am
JB…..one of my clients in is a secret service agent for the clintons. That is where I got that info.
However, I dont see Obama’s ego allowing him to step aside. I think he still believes that he is the Messiah.
Rafe Hollister
September 23rd, 2011
11:31 am
UGA
He begins almost every sentence with “I”. I saw a clip of him yesterday, trying to speak off the cuff, and he says, “I,I,I,I,I,I,I, I,I, blah, blah, blah. I forgot what followed as I got lost in the I’s. And, they think Perry is a poor speaker.
JB
September 23rd, 2011
11:36 am
I’m believing the polling is worse than it is. The way they phase the questions and who they call are making them better than they are. I do business all over the country, and other than the west coast, pacific north west and Manhattan, I’m not hearing anyone with anything good to say him. although,
to be fair, I’m not dealing with any of the 47% who don’t pay any federal income tax.
UGA 1999
September 23rd, 2011
11:37 am
JB…..Ha, amen!
dixiedemons
September 23rd, 2011
11:44 am
Kyle, you and your brethren are going to vote for the GOP nominee regardless of who it is or what they say…… You voted for Nathan Deal, Palin, Christine McDonald, David Duke—– is there a problem voting for Perry ??
UGA 1999
September 23rd, 2011
11:45 am
Dixiedemons…..your point?
UGA 1999
September 23rd, 2011
11:45 am
They are ALL better than the clown that is in office now.
THE "REAL" TRUTH
September 23rd, 2011
11:46 am
Hey, Laughing Boy, the GOP truly has got NOTHING!! I mean look at the potentials on the stage, each one trying to “out-conservative” the other. No new ideas, whatsoever. They take the cursory incumbent shot (that’s what you do), then when they respond to questions (if they respond TO the question), its something so far fetched, off the grid, somewhere in orbit, that everyone is going…”Wha’ he/she say…??!!!” This is what the Right has put up for the most important office not only in our country but in the free world.
Please tell me this was a taping for Comedy Central….
Say what you want about President Obama, Kyle, et al., but this is proof positive of what the President has had to deal with from the Right since the 2010 elections. Translated: You can’t move the country forward if the congress is bogged down with nuts from the Right. The Party of No has nowed morphed into the Party of Lunacy. What’s even more crazier is the lack of genuine intelligence to even discuss the topics that matter in this country from the Right. The American people see they have been duped by the GOP victories in 2010 and I honestly don’t think that trend will repeat itself in 2012. The GOP has become its own worst enemy and, yet, in the GOP circles they see it as opportunity for a GOP win for the Presidency….
Not so fast Bubba… You’d better look at what the citizenry is saying. They see your lunacy playing out in front of them, like some lame sitcom. But like the netorks of that lame sitcom, you see polling only through your eyes and spin. Perry is the front runner, now, I remember when Cain was the front runner for 15 seconds, Newt was too, so was Bachmann, and look where you still are, in Crazy-land.
I am a Dem, tho be sure, but as most Dems, we are interested in serious debate with a view to forward thinking ideas. GOP’ers you’re in for the tough talking soundbite. Period. Point Blank. Like a bully on the school yard. Not to bright and full of fright, but will break when challenged.
GO OBAMA!! 2012!!
Uncle Jed
September 23rd, 2011
11:48 am
UGA 1999
September 23rd, 2011
11:21 am
…There is a rumor that Obama is going to bow out…
+++++++++++++++
I have thought along those lines for several months now. My radar went up slightly when the “Obama may be clinically depressed” buzz started. I know it may sound ridiculous to many and gosh knows I am not one of the so-called “birthers”, but I am not convinced that that issue is not still on a slow simmer with a potential to hit a rolling boil within the next couple of months.
UGA 1999
September 23rd, 2011
11:49 am
The Real Truth…..Avoid facts much?
9.2% unemployment
39% approval rating.
The majorit of Americans say we are heading in the wrong direction.
Put a fork in him. HE IS DONE!
UGA 1999
September 23rd, 2011
11:50 am
Uncle Jed…..I am not sure about the birther issue but I dont think there is a chance in hell he can win.
RAMZAD
September 23rd, 2011
11:50 am
“he was defending positions with which a great many Republican primary voters are not going to agree.” Kyle, you hit pay dirt. This is why the Republican Tea Party is so dangerous- the notion
that one Republican my disagree with another.
youknowitstrue
September 23rd, 2011
11:50 am
Sorry but Perry just doesn’t do it for me. He seems like a beefed up version of George Bush. The last two debates were all I needed to see to know he wasn’t the man for the job.
The most electable candidate in my opinion is Romney. And the reason being is that he doesn’t beat around the Bush. He comes at you with the cold hard facts and reasonable solutions to problems. And he does so in a very sincere and convincing manner.
I believe Romney knows how to turn this economy around and truly has the know how and experience to make it happen. I see him as more of a business man than a politician and that’s exactly what our country needs right now.
Romney/Rubio in 2012. That would be an almost unbeatable ticket.
Rafe Hollister
September 23rd, 2011
11:51 am
Real? Truth
What new ideas has Barry O’blamer tossed out there lately, seems to me, to be more tax and spend liberal marxist ideology that has failed throughout the world.
And who is Christine McDonald? Some one needs to follow the old axiom, about if you know not of what you speak, better to keep your keyboard idle.
1961_Boomer
September 23rd, 2011
11:52 am
The more I know about Rick Perry, the less I like him. He appears ready to gut SS and Medicare, to throw the doors open to amnesty, and to usher in a new era of crony capitalism.
I don’t like the idea that he would make my 12 year old daughter have an HPV vaccine to enrich his buddies.
I don’t like the idea that he would make ME pay out of state tuition in TX, but would allow an illegal immigrant to get in-state tuition.
I don’t like the idea that he will gut Medicare and SS after I was forced by the federal government to pay in a combined $280,000 into those systems. Right now, they are a ponzi scheme. Gut those programs, it becomes outright theft of my 35 year’s worth of contributions. (old people lose nothing, young people lose nothing, but those 40-55 lose hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay for the early boomers and the (cough) “greatest generation”). We have had low to no percent interest rates on savings/CDs for 11 years. We have had two recessions in the last 10 years. We had a huge mortgage value crash that sucked every bit of equity out of my house. The stock market leaps in dives in fits of volatility, and the a”double dip recession” is almost a foregone conclusion. I make 30% less now than I did 3 years ago. There is NO WAY at this time that I can make up myself for what the government has taken from me.. in time for my retirement. If I had been able to keep that money, I would have retired rich. Ponzi scheme or not, I will retire in poverty if those programs are not there. Rick Perry gives me no comfort whatsoever.
Uncle Jed
September 23rd, 2011
11:53 am
Stevie Ray
September 23rd, 2011
11:22 am
Uncle Jed,
I like Cain and Paul simply because they stick by their guns and use facts. Too bad neither is purdy enough to get elected. The mainstream has them painted as nuts…
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Yep. The same mainstream that painted the “Boy from Illinois” as the greatest thing since fried chicken. I will have to say though, Cain is ahead of Paul for me.
RAMZAD
September 23rd, 2011
11:55 am
Rick Perry is a Bubbu in a suit. What do you expect from a buffoon who would come on national television to say that the chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank would be guilty of treason to alter
monetary policy in an election season and should be in Texas for “ugly” treatment? George W. Bush on steroids and probably crystal meth and alcohol.
Uncle Jed
September 23rd, 2011
11:56 am
JB
September 23rd, 2011
11:29 am
… He’s in a bubble with butt kissers advisers telling him all this isn’t true.
++++++++++++++++++++++=
The Emperor’s New Clothes
RAMZAD
September 23rd, 2011
12:04 pm
The Republican Tea Party is hell bent on getting us another George W. Bush for president. The rest of us don’t want it. Neo-conservatism is a failed political ideology. America needs radical solutions and people who can think outside of the box. The last time we got trickled down on it was pee from the rich who had taken their massive tax cuts to the Cayman Islands and all the jobs to China.