Does Perry want Obama to win?
When Perry says he may run for president in 2016, the first thing that comes to mind is that the job will be not be open if Obama loses in 2012. If a Republican wins in 2012–Romney, Santorum, whoever–the job will not be available, because the Republican incumbent will presumably be running for reelection, and Perry will have to wait until 2020. In effect, when Perry says he is running for president in four years, he is essentially saying that he expects for Obama to win in 2012 and for the Republican nominee to lose. Otherwise, he would be challenging an incumbent Republican president in 2016. He’s depressing the turnout of his own party.
Watchems says:
Nailed it Paul. Folks need to remember that Perry looks out for no one but Perry. Not people, not party…just Perry.
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Robert Morrow Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Most politicians are like that. Perry is, too.
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South Texan says:
Did you mean to write, “…the job will be open only if Obama WINS in 2012″?
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Migas Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 1:47 am
Paul is correct. If Obama wins in 2012, the position will be open because he can’t run again.
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Whoa Nellie! says:
Someone needs to say, if only to play devil’s advocate, “Since when was it considered against the law to challenge a sitting president of your own party to a renomination context?” What a nation of sheep we are. As if having two national conservative parties (that effectively shut out anyone else) wasn’t enough lack of choice.
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Distinguished Gentleman says:
Perry will run for re-election as Governor in 2014 and, as much as I hate the idea, he will WIN. Texas will be stuck with Perry because he will catch yet another of so many lucky breaks. Only a week opponent will challenge him in the Republican Primery–and whoever the Democrats nominate against him will go down to defeat in the November general election. Only term limits can prevent such a scenario in Texas, just as term limits prevent Obama from being President of the United States more than twice (U.S. Constitution, Amendment #22).
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Blue Dogs Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 8:07 am
Distinguished, SHUT THE F*CK UP ABOUT TERM LIMITS.
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Migas says:
The GOP needs to rethink Rick Perry’s future. His jobs message failed, he has the debating skills of a 4th grader, and his puppetmasters will no longer give him money.
It’s time for the GOP to get a new plate of huevos rancheros with some spicy salsa that is not made in New York City.
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donuthin says:
Interesting question. Hard to believe that he would think he could be a seriously considered candidate, but then again, we are talking about Perry and I don’t think he has the intellectual capacity to realize how badly he performed. You would think those who contributed to his campaign would know though.
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paulburka Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 11:40 am
I disagree. Perry knows how badly he performed.
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JohnBernardBooks Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Obama knows how bad of President he has been, that hasn’t stopped him from seeking a second term, or the useful idiots from voting for him.
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Blue Dogs Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:54 am
Burka, two words for 2016: CHRIS CHRISTIE: he’s running for Prez in 4 years unless Romney picks him as VP this fall.
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TxWatcher says:
Perry isn’t smart enough to figure these complicated mathematical formulas out. His advisors are tired of correcting him.
At least he knows 18 year olds can vote now.
He is just winging it without thinking about what he is saying …..much like his entire POTUS campaign. I really liked GW Bush, but will always hold it against him that he gave TX Guv good-hair.
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Stevie F. says:
It is hard to gauge Perry’s ambition. It’s even harder to imagine how Perry becomes a viable candidate. I don’t think that getting reelected and living off the state for another year helps him. Nixon needed 8 years in political exile to regroup and rebuild his image (and he did better in the 1960 election than Perry ever did). There’s no good strategy for Perry and a plan than involves a a GOP loss in 2012 or a Republican administration is only a viable strategy because Perry lacks a choice.
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Blue Dogs Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 8:08 am
Stevie F., Romney will NEVER give Perry anything in a GOP administration if the former MA governor wins this fall.
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Charlie Adaway says:
All you need to know about whether Perry thinks he can win in 2016:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning–Kruger_effect
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SusieQ says:
I bet anyone here my butt is larger than yours.
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retrocon says:
Once again don’t forget the religion angle. Romney has been more than demonized by right-wing talk radio and by the likes of Perry surrogates such as the Rev. Jeffress, yet is still presumed to be in the driver’s seat for the nomination.
Perry, then, sits on the sabotage committee willing to upend Romney in the general should Romney emerge as the nominee, already looking to 2016. The very fact that Perry jumped to the heavily baggaged GINGRICH right before the critical (at the time) South Carolina vote tells us all we need to know. Remember, even at that time no one was taking Santorum seriously.
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Reagan Republican says:
The one thing a politician cannot overcome is the widely held perception that you aren’t too bright. Fair or not, Dan Quayle never recovered from that perception – neither will Perry.
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Anonymous says:
Greg Abbott would be a fool to wait in the wings for another 4 years in 2014. Greg Abbott is not a fool.
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Robert Morrow says:
Rick Perry, Jeb Bush and I all have something in common: we want Obama to beat Romney!
For different reasons. I am sick of the war mongering warvangelicals of the Republican party and who never do anything to actually cut government.
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Blue Dogs Reply:
February 27th, 2012 at 9:55 am
Morrow, if I were Romney, I would consider these options for VP:
1. Chris Christie
2. Bob McDonnell
3. Brian Sandoval
4. Mitch Daniels
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Robert Morrow Reply:
February 28th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
If Romney were smart – and I don’t think he is – he would pick Rand Paul for VP.
Otherwise he is toast. Even with Rand he is probably toast.
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