Perry will debate after all
The Associated Press is reportinghttp://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ieDZlDOUyV-EHX7ENyrCnMqP_8hQ?docId=e04e27573140497094abd171778071e0 that Perry will attend at least five more debates after the Michigan debate on November 9. The obvious conclusion is that the Perry campaign decided that the risk of not debating exceeded the risk of debating. The story serves as a reminder that you can get away with things at the state level that you can’t get away with at the national level. Rick Santorum’s attack on Perry–that he thought Texas governors were supposed to be strong–was an indicator that Perry was going to pay a price for not debating. Nobody paid much attention when Steve Mostyn’s Back to Basics PAC ran ads in 2010 saying that Perry was a coward for not debating Bill White, but when Santorum raised the issue, Perry ran for cover.
Admonkey says:
The whole debate/no debate trial balloon was a catastrophe.
The campaign was screwed when they floated it and they’re double-screwed now that they’re pulling it back in.
They’re Texas’ own political version of Keystone Kops.
Where’s the fork?
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Robert Morrow says:
The Perrybots thought they could run for president the exact same way they ran for governor. And everytime they try something like that, they get bodyslammed into the wrestling mat.
In Texas, everybody knew the Democrat had no chance of winning, barring a gargantuan scandal. So everything got ignored – I could list a dozen things but I am too lazy. And those dozen things from HPV to crony capitalism to personal life “rumors” to living high on the hog are all issues in a presidential campaign.
Burka was right. Debates are lose/lose for him. He comes off as mentally retarded if he debates; I was at a Halloween party tonight and the guests were yucking it up about that. And if Perry does NOT debate he looks like a yellow livered coward who is too stupid to think quickly on his feet.
James Carville says Perry should just quit now for the sake of his family. I have been hearing since early Septembet from sources that a major media outlet has a “Rick Perry is gay” story. I thought it was going to run 6 weeks ago. I think almost every reporter on the national presidential beat and in Texas knows that story is out there. The NY Times reporter who called me certainly knew about it.
Well, if the Perrybots want to get bitch slapped with that story just before the Iowa caucuses, then just keep on running. Just google “Robert Morrow Stuffed Suits.com” and you will get a flavor as to the kind of stories about Rick Perry that are an inch away from revelation to a national audience. It won’t come from my Facebook wall, you will read it as a headline on Drudge.
I think that pumpkinhead Rick Perry has done a great job of discrediting himself already. He is already permanently politically damaged and something of a laughingstock. Perry will be revealed as a gargantuan liar and hypocrite as well. Remember he told all those preachers at Dr. James Leininger’s ranch that there was ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in his so-called personal life that could embarass them.
I predict that will be put to the test before the Iowa caucuses. There is no way Rick Perry is going to be given a free pass on this; he will be held accountable for his actions, words and representations as to who he really is.
By the way, a new poll out in Iowa:
Cain 23, Romney 22, Ron Paul 12, Bachmann 8, Perry 7, Santorum 5
How much worse can it get for Perry? We are going to find out.
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Robert Morrow says:
James Carville is giving some advice to the Perrybots: quit the race. It is not about the general election because Rick Perry is irrelevant to the general election.
Carville:
“I’ll be blunt with all you Perry supporters, it’s time to butter your guy because he’s toast. Every day it’s a new dumb thing. From birtherism, to convoluted tax policy, to inarticulate attacks, to woeful ignorance and even stupidity on foreign policy (Pakistani country? Please), to placing his wife under such stress that she is lashing out at everything around her.
Not only is Rick Perry utterly incapable of running for president, he can’t run his state, and in fact can’t meet the basic requirement for any politician — he can’t even run his mouth.
As if he hasn’t made a big enough fool of himself, he decides to go out and have lunch with Donald Trump and falls for the birther strategy. Good God, can this guy do anything? I guess I should be fair to him, he has shown that he can get the same people he gave contracts to as governor of Texas to contribute to his campaign. Wow, what an achievement.
To tell you the truth, it’s gotten so bad people in Louisiana are actually starting to make Texas jokes.
If this thing gets any worse the people in Mississippi will be making Texas jokes — then you’ve really hit rock bottom.”
http://articles.cnn.com/2011-10-28/opinion/opinion_carville-rick-perry_1_flat-tax-politics-john-boehner/2?_s=PM:OPINION
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anita says:
Wow, I guess this is the new Perry team in action. Another week lost allowing off-the-cuff comments to step on message. If this is the new team in action, they need to take a refresher on campaign 101. Or better yet, just lock Perry and his wife in a closet and go with paid media. Bizarre.
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Anonymous says:
All this decision means is that the new campaign team won the debate over debating. Nothing more, nothing less. But it is significant. Whether real professionals can put lipstick on the pig that is the Rick Perry campaign remains to be seen. His corporate cronies doled out enough big bucks early to at least give them something to work with. I suspect Newt Gingrich is right though, Perry himself can’t hit major league pitching.
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Anonymous says:
Could Perry’s repeated loss of debates with himself, even on the issue of debates, be the change in American politics that you were talking about?
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HD says:
Let’s see how the “where are your tax returns?” works at the national level — another example of a strategy that (unbelievably) worked at the state level that will fail totally on the big stage.
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Robert Morrow Reply:
October 30th, 2011 at 9:38 am
Bill White knew he was going to lose anyhow, so why cough up the tax returns? That is not true in a very competitive race for the GOP presidential nomination.
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I.P. Shiner says:
I guess the texas reasoning was …”Can all you mofos just drop this debate schedule so my guy Perry can get on down the road to the White House!”
It’s as if the Perry playbook falls flat on the national stage…. The brute force approach fails. It’s like watching a college football team quarterback get crushed by a pro defensive lineman.
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longleaf says:
Another lesson here is how damaging to so-called “good government” it is to have a one-party state. It is a Third World style of governance.
But if you look at history, that’s the way Texas has more or less ALWAYS been.
There was a transition period of a couple of decades during which the white Dems were gradually switching to the “winning side” after Nixon began implementing and Reagan finished off the “Southern Strategy” to drive all whites south of the Mason-Dixon Line (and even many north of the line–the so-called “Reagan Democrats’) out of the “n–ga-lovin’ ‘Democrat’ Party.
But now we are back to a one-party state for as far as the eye can see into the future. Voter suppression efforts will make sure it remains that way, along with the natural apathy of the Hispanics.
If you hate the “gubmint,” as most Texans profess to, you ought to love it. There is no way Texas can ever have anything other than a totally dysfunctional “gubmint.” It’ll only get worse from here.
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Dave says:
This is a very odd video of Perry. Maybe others have seen him being loopy like this before, but it’s not like anything I am familiar with. Adjusted his dosage maybe?
Perry’s Cornerstone Speech Highlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7M4gz97Y9W8
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Robert Morrow Reply:
October 30th, 2011 at 11:30 am
Folks, if you are a longtime Texas journalist, you have GOT to watch the highlights of Perry’s speech to the New Hampshire Cornerstone evangelical group. That is the one Dave posted above.
This is the most friendly political environment possible for Perry. Perry is acting very weird in that speech. It looks like a man in mental collapse. Perry is acting loopy, goofy, weird, distracted and on the verge of being unhinged. I diagnosis it as a mental condition called “fake euphoric happy” to cover up how terrified the man really is.
It is called cracking under severe pressure. If Perry behaves this way in a little bitty ole presidential campaign, just what would he do under REAL pressure in the White House? Lay down in the fetal position under the Oval office desk and babble incoherently?
Well, that is not really a possibility any more, thank God.
I have not reached the “I feel sorry for Rick” status yet, but I am getting closer.
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Robert Morrow says:
Politico: “Rick Perry flip-flops on debates”
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/67150.html
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Harry says:
This is now embarrassing. He simply needs to Shut. This. Down.
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I.P. Shiner says:
That new video is also on huffington post website, it’s going to be spun nationally by Miner and Sullivan as Gov.Perry just being excited and energetic, but to those in the local political circles of Austin, it’s obvious on that video that something is seriously off.
…so… Maybe paul’s theory of back pain (thus painkillers perhaps?) is correct. It’s like watching the final interviews of Judy Garland when she was heavily medicated.
I’m going to go over to redstate (rick state) and see if they’ve acknowledged that video. That will be the final curtain, the final cautionary canary in the Perry mine…redstate’s abandonm
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I.P. Shiner says:
Abandonment.
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ghostofann says:
He’s not gonna quit before the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary. To do so would cause him to lose too much face.
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Robert Morrow Reply:
October 30th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
That is a big assumption that things could not get worse for Perry just by staying in the race.
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Cow Droppings says:
Nothing like coming here to the hub of unsubstantiated rumor. As far as debates go, I don’t think it was a trial balloon or a strategy. I think he meant all along the problem was the sheer quantity, as well as the quality, of the debates. But it came out differently, and here we are six days later.
But good news is romney has a ceiling and cain is not prepared to sustain his new popularity. It remains wide open.
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Mr. Smith says:
Except for Rick Perry. When on the stage, he tried to explain giving tuition breaks to illegal aliens by explaining that you had to have heart, he lost the race, and will never come back. The Republican Primary voter is a blood thirsty lot right now, laughing at Herman Cain talking about electrified fences along the border. What the Republican Primary voter wants is someone like Rick Perry, but who wants a border fence, and has no heart for illegal aliens. It does not remain wide open. It is a filter, with Rick Perry being filtered out
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Mollie says:
Okay. But I still like his hair.
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WUSRPH says:
By the way…Who won the World Series?
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ghostofann says:
As Robert Morrow asked on an earlier thread, at this point does it even matter what Perry does or doesn’t do?
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Anonymous says:
Has Rick Perry been the second half offensive coordinator for the Aggies this year?
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donuthin says:
lol, there is some logic to that thought.
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Robert Morrow says:
Here is a good quote to remember from Slick Perry that might come in handy one day:
“If we’re telling the truth about someone, the truth is the truth – whether it hurts your feelings or not.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/67173.html#ixzz1cJekbPCI
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Julie says:
Debates or no debates, Rick Perry continues to dig holes for himself. On Fox today, Perry proposed a 50% reduction in federal funding for elementary and secondary education. He supported the billions in cuts in state funding for education in Texas. Who does Perry think should pay for schools? His approach would gut the education system in this country.
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Cow Droppings Reply:
October 30th, 2011 at 8:03 pm
that is false. He proposed a 50 percent reduction in the federal departments that run those programs. A reduction in bureaucracy is not the same as a reduction in school funding.
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Muy Simpatico Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:46 am
Sorry, but funding to run eductional programs is the same thing.
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Robert Morrow says:
Herman Cain sex harassment scandal brewing.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/67194.html
Exclusive: Two women accused Herman Cain of inappropriate behavior
I think he was probably guilty of some inappropriate sex comments and some advances on women.
I know a lot about the dark, dirty side to politicians (people). Does not surprise me and I don’t think this story is a deal breaker with the voters. Depends on how current it is, if the candidate lies about it, and and how egregious the behavior was.
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W. B. Travis Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:47 am
Well, here is one place we won’t be seeing Rick: Harassing women. Cheerleaders don’t pick on one another.
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Reminder says:
Does Glen Maxey know Herman Cain?
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Glen Maxey Reply:
October 30th, 2011 at 11:47 pm
Never met him. Don’t intend to do so.
And what the hell does your comment insinuate?
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patriotone says:
Perry’s speech in New Hampshire is simply the weirdest thing I have seen. I have literally seen nothing in politics that approaches that performance. He is off in Charlie Sheen land. That video is disturbing.
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Robert Morrow Reply:
October 30th, 2011 at 10:48 pm
Perry’s got Tiger Blood and Adonis DNA.
Polling at 4% in New Hampshire?; 5th place in Iowa?
Perry’s not just winning; he’s bi-winning!!
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rw says:
I imagine the 5 are in Michigan, the 3 in Iowa, and the Heritage / AEI debate. He had already committed to Michigan, and the other 4 were too important to skip.
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Julie says:
Cow Droppings, It is true that Perry wants to cut federal funding for secondary and elementary education by 50 percent. He proposed the cut today. His own words: “You can take the Department of Education and you can put the secondary and elementary programs together, and cut those in half…save 25 trillion right there.”
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Julie says:
Perry later corrected himself and said his proposal to cut federal federal education funding to states in half would save the federal government $25 billion. Who does Perry think should make up the funding? Local property owners with higher tax bills from school districts?
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Kenneth D. Franks says:
Perry’s G.P.A. is all we need to know about his education. His Political skills are also being questioned now.
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Kenneth D. Franks says:
As I use a free website service currently, if you want to connect to my site Google, Red Dirt & Sand, I am going to change providers if you can not go directly to the site.
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Anonymous says:
Quit reminding us over and over how long you have served as Governor….that’s not necessarily a good thing…..I’ve become very “Perry wary”
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Robert Morrow says:
Herman Cain is NOT handling the “denial” of his sexual harassment claims very well at all:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/post/herman-cain-allegations-the-evolution-of-denial/2011/10/30/gIQAXaGtXM_blog.html
Perrybots – take note, because your turn is coming soon. If you lie and deny that just raises the stakes higher for a sharper fall down.
Herman Cain has a “vague” memory of these allegations. His campaign calls it “thinly sourced.”
The best strategy is to just shut up. Or say the legal agreement says you cant talk. The worst thing you can do is talk to much or LIE… because that will eventually bite you in the ass.
I still say Cain weathers this; but he sure is handling it wrong.
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Anonymous says:
OK – I just went through the video from New Hampshire this morning. What’s going on here people? That is just scary and it is not helping Texas and Texans. I don’t want to hear explanations of the Governor just having a good time – that is manic behavior and if it wasn’t brought on by some type of chemical then even worse. Whatever this is, whatever is going on – it’s a matter for us to understand in Texas as he is our Governor.
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JohnBernardBooks says:
The liberal MSM went after the black Herman Cain alleging two sexual discrimination lawsuits in the 90s.
As previously stated democrats will not let a black republican be elected president.
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Boone Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:49 am
Yep, JBB. It’s them damn librals! Librals and their media done sinkin’ the good gov! Shucks!Now them librals be after Cain!
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Robert Morrow Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 10:53 am
JBB you are just a flack, and not a very good one, for the Republican party, not even “conservatives.” If Cain settled 2 sex harassment charges then folks need to know the details about it.
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 3:06 pm
“JBB you are just a flack”
no I just can’t stand liars, so why do you lie?
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donuthin says:
I think there is some irony in him having so much money at his disposal as without it, he would have an excuse to exit gracefully. With it, his consultants will want as much of it as they can get which means they will encourage him to hang in there. Joe Aubaugh singing on is an absolute mystery to me as I thought his judgement would have been better.
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Texian Politico says:
Burka,
When are you going to give us a post on Perry’s speech where he appears to be drunk? This is nuts!
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/10/30/perrys_bizarre_speech.html
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Mr. Deez says:
Burka points out that Perry could get away with things at the state level that he can’t get away with at the national level. I agree, but the only reason he can’t get away with certain things at the national level is that the media holds him accountable. In Texas, the media largely gave Perry a pass. Why????
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Julie Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 8:41 am
It’s not so much that Perry got a pass from Texas media. The reality is the Texas media that covers Perry has declined over the years due to budget cuts. National media have more resources and reporters who can dedicate their time to digging into Perry’s past.
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Texian Politico Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:10 am
Haven’t there been budget cuts to the media nationwide?
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Julie Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 10:22 am
True, but there about 20 national media organizations with the ability to investigate Perry compared to only about six major organizations in Texas who have the ability and interest.
Peter Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:47 am
It’s not the fault of the Texas media at all. Lexis Nexis will give you thousands of pages of stories about Perry’s corruption, incompetence, cruelty, ignorance, arrogance, and vanity … his very lack of fitness for the job.
It’s not because the media doesn’t cover these things. It’s because of two things.
The national media creates an echo chamber of print and broadcast and online operations that don’t allow stories to disappear. The state media just doesn’t have that muscle. Stories appear and then float out into the ether, to be referred to every now and again, but that’s it. There’s that, and then there’s the fact that Texas voters just don’t care about any of it. We just don’t want our taxes any higher than they are.
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Anonymous says:
Perry come home!! You are clearly not ready to be President. Come home and tend to your health, your personal life, etc. Texas needs a fair school funding formula, a transportation program, a water plan, a margins tax revision, and a redistricting map. Come back to Texas, be a leader here and help govern in these areas. Then leave office on top.
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JohnBernardBooks says:
Perry’s tax plan is so simple even Timmy Geithner could use it. Gotta love it.
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ghostofann Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:33 am
Your candidate is gay, JBB. Deal with it.
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 3:07 pm
why do democrats hate gays?
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Willie James Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 9:50 am
Geitherner can;t use it because it won’t work.
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AreYouKiddingMe says:
No, Perry, please DON’T come home! I want you to spend all of that $17 million that those idiots gave you. Make sure to go to all debates, and do lots of interviews where people ask you real questions, like on Fox Sunday yesterday. Because I want the US people to see what an idiot you are and how foolish Texas voters have been. Maybe the shame you face nationally will make you leave politics once and for all and go live in a van down by the river. Good riddance Mr. 6%.
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Mr. Deez says:
Julie, I’m not talking about his past. I’m talking about his record as Governor. You don’t need a budget to do that. Just read the bills for which he pushed and report on them.
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Julie Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 10:18 am
Perry’s past includes his record as governor and his record prior to that. There’s more to covering Perry than in tracking bills he supported and opposed.
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