Rick Perry? Please, No...
A headline from Real Clear Politics yesterday afternoon caught my attention, and not in a good way: "Rick Perry Presidential Push Quietly Gains Steam." I know very little about Governor Perry, his record, or his views, aside from a certain amount of nonsense he is reported to have spouted a couple of years ago about seceding from the Union. But it seems to me that "another Texas governor" is right up there -- probably tied for first place with "another member of the Bush family" -- on the list of Things Republicans Don't Need Right Now.
The one thing in which Barack Obama has actually demonstrated a high level of competency -- the only thing in his adult life, as far as I can see -- is running a presidential campaign against George W. Bush. He did this so well in 2008 that half the electorate barely even noticed that his opponent was actually a guy named McCain. Yes, the heat of anti-Bush passion has abated somewhat since then, but Bush remains far from popular. And his record, while defensible in a way, remains easy to attack politically. The Obama campaign theme would quickly coalesce into, "Hey, I'm still tryin' to clean up the mess from the last Texas governor you sent to the White House. Don't make the same mistake twice."
This may be very unfair for Governor Perry, but it is also unfair, though probably unavoidable, that a superb public servant like Jeb Bush should also be effectively debarred from serious consideration for the Presidency for the same reason. Life is unfair.
Am I wrong on this? Does anyone think "Texas governor" would not be a serious handicap for Perry? Or that his other qualities are so compelling that he could overcome it?
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Aug '10
Re: Rick Perry? Please, No...
One of my really good friends was a classmate at A&M with Perry and remains a stout friend to Perry to this day. It is only because I trust my friend's judgment that I would entertain any Perry aspirations. Secession aside (a fine idea whose time is rapidly re-approaching), Perry would carry, probably unfairly, the same baggage that Hayley Barbour or any other Bush would carry.
Dec '10
Re: Rick Perry? Please, No...
That all may be true, but it would be wonderful to watch Perry eviscerate Obama during a debate.
Oct '10
Re: Rick Perry? Please, No...
Texas=Bush=loss. We could renominate McCain.
Jul '10
Re: Rick Perry? Please, No...
I love his secession talk. And the fact that he takes his daily jogs without an entourage of bodyguards; instead he carries a pistol. I'd love a President who packs heat.
May '10
Re: Rick Perry? Please, No...
I agree with Raycon. I agree...it ain't fair, but elections are won by the 20% of the brain-dead who don't pay attention...unfortunately...
Jun '10
Re: Rick Perry? Please, No...
Who is Perry anyway? Isn't he just the three time governor of one of the biggest States in our country, both by geography and poulation...a border state that has managed to remain successful even in these economically stressful times? Isn't he a solid conservative? But wait, he comes from the same State as GW Bush. Oh my God!, Automatic disqualification. Who was it on a Ricochet podcast that spoke of the visual image in a debate between Obama and Daniels as they met on stage for the handshake. Ouch. At least Perry would stand eye to eye.
Jun '10
Re: Rick Perry? Please, No...
I wouldn't presume that he'd be that handicapped by being Bush's successor in Texas. If this were 2008, it would have been different. Obama has a record now, and if Perry can take him on directly, no holds barred, he could probably overcome any theming the Obama campaign and media would try to push. It depends in part as to whether Perry has genuine bona fides in the things that matter to today's electorate - which I submit is not of the same mindset as it was in 2008.
I don't know enough about Perry to say for sure. But it seems to me if he can talk about 10th Amendment issues without fear, then it shouldn't be a problem for him to sidestep attempts to characterize him as another Bush.
Dec '10
Re: Rick Perry? Please, No...
Hmmm. This candidate mentions secession, but people seem to like him. And the only real reason he would be rejected out of hand is his geography. Interesting.
May '10
Re: Rick Perry? Please, No...
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the Bush crowd despise (or at least strongly dislike) Governor Perry? Did he not thump Kay Bailey Hutchinson in last year's gubernatorial primary despite her heavy backing by Bush surrogates, including Barbara Bush? And if my memory is correct on both points, remind me again why he gets tarred with Bush's deeds or misdeeds?
Jul '10
Re: Rick Perry? Please, No...
George W Bush? He weren't no Texan. Born in Connecticut, educated at Andover, Yale and Harvard. Summered in Kennebunkport.
He weren't nothin' but a New England carpetbagger. Wouldn't know an armadillo from a possum. Only Texas thang he ever did was clear brush and sign death warrants.
May '10
Re: Rick Perry? Please, No...
Kenneth, you're mixing your benighted yahoo dialects. I assume you meant to write in Texan, but the language of your post is in Hillbilly.
Apr '11
Re: Rick Perry? Please, No...
Here's a good write up on Perry if you don't know much about him. It's from 2009 but I've been interested in him since I first read the piece. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203550604574361014098225036.html I like him very much. I'd love to see him run. I don't think we should rule him out because he's the govorner of Texas.
Re: Rick Perry? Please, No...
Being Governor of the most successful state in the Union should not be a drawback. Talk about secession -- that rules him out.
Jul '10
Re: Rick Perry? Please, No...
Come on, Professor, admit it: you'd be thrilled to see California secede....
Apr '11
Re: Rick Perry? Please, No...
Does "don't let another Texas governer, just like the one that drove us into the ditch, get back behind the wheel" really have much more impact than "don't let those Slurpee swilling republicans who drove us into the ditch get back behind the wheel?" I kinda doubt it.
Mar '11
Re: Rick Perry? Please, No...
Perry, as the incoming head of the RGA, is not running for president, besides a run would not jive with his view that he has the best job in politics already and would rather have DC be as inconsequential as possible.
Jan '11
Re: Rick Perry? Please, No...
Do the contributors to the Main Feed look to see if maybe this topic has already been posted on?
Dec '10
Re: Rick Perry? Please, No...
Paul A. Rage: Talk about secession -- that rules him out.
If Obama should win the election in 2012 through some kind of cosmic mistake ... then in 2013 when Texas does secede, you know all of the other Red States will want to tag along.
Feb '11
Re: Rick Perry? Please, No...
So Mitt Romney of the Romneycare disaster is a viable candidate, but the successful governor of the nation's most prosperous state is not?
Huh?
Mar '11
Re: Rick Perry? Please, No...
Yet another example of how successful is Alinsky's Politics - Mr Obama dictates how squishy Republicans should think about a potential Presidential candidate, even before he (or she) enters the race.
I wouldn't have a problem with a Texas Governor, and can understand why he might consider leaving the USA - maybe Texas could become a Provence of Canada - it would have a stronger $, and Boeing could start a factory there without being told by the Federal Govt. that they can't...