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The Spectacle Blog
Rick Perry’s campaign sent out a series of press releases tonight; here are some of the subject lines:
Setting the Record Straight on Social Security
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON JOB CREATION
Setting the Record Straight on Gov. Perry’s Tax Cuts
Setting the Record Straight on HPV Vaccine
Setting the Record Straight on Gov. Perry’s Border Security Record
and In-State Tuition
You can see the pattern: The campaign had to counterspin against attacks on their candidate, over and over. Perry did a good job defending himself on some of these and a not-so-good job on others, but overall it wasn’t a great night for him. And I think John Podhoretz is onto something:
The main problem here, though, is that [Perry] seems to think he can wing these debates by referring to what he did in Texas here and what he did in Texas there. That is insufficient not just when it comes to giving voters a chance to judge him by the policy choices he might make; it’s insufficient because it suggests he thinks he can get away without getting specific and demonstrating a command of national and international issues.
This wasn’t a make-or-break night for Perry or anyone else; there are a lot of debates scheduled in the coming months, and Perry has plenty of time to improve. But he will need to improve.
View all comments (8) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by John Tabin
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/09/12/the-perry-pile-on
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Richard| 9.12.11 @ 11:07PM
Find myself mostly in agreement with you John. And while you are correct that Perry needs to improve, I think that Romney is beginning to slip. In fact, while I don't think Romney and Perry changed positions tonight, I do think the pressure of no longer being able to skate is showing up with Romney just as much as with Perry. Those of us from Texas know that Perry is not a debater (he refused to debate White in the last gubinatorial contest), so maybe we're expecting a little less. Tomorrow he'll have been in the race for a whole month. Romney has been running since 2007. It'll smooth out some.
Chuck| 9.12.11 @ 11:27PM
I just had a de je vu. Perry's campaign is starting to sound like Dukakis’ in '88. Remember the Massachusetts miracle?
ER| 9.12.11 @ 11:33PM
Yeah, experts comment from the keyboard. But my wife and me are getting ready to talk with our feet. In a very short while we are leaving Socialist California and moving to Texas, like thousands of other Americans and American companies are doing each year (see past studies by Micheal Barone). So Podheretz may be unimpressed by "the way we do it in Texas", but I sure am impressed by the way they do it in Texas (you know, folksy Texas stuff like ZERO personal income tax, Loser pays and Medical Malpractice Tort Reform, Omnibudsman to welcome new compainies into Texas with ZERO corporate Tax, lower living costs, etc). By the way Mitt, California was handed "four aces", but they are against drilling, against business, for higher taxes, and for welfare. If only Washington were did things "more like they do there" in Texas.
Simon Templar| 9.12.11 @ 11:44PM
Mr. Tabin, Yeah, this is not a make or break night for Republican voters but why do you think these debates are taking place in a vacuum?
There were millions of dem and independent voters that watched them as well and I am sure walked away with some very deep impressions about these candidates but moreover, the GOP. I would bet they got exactly what Wolfy Blister wanted them to see.
Every frigin four years, it is the same circus with the liberal media destroying these candidates and getting them to do the work of the DNC to shred them before they are even nominated.
Simon Templar| 9.12.11 @ 11:46PM
You keep thinking that this about solely picking the right nominee for the republican ticket.
Wolfy Blister and the media that run these fiascos think otherwise.
beebop| 9.13.11 @ 5:37AM
I read that Fred Barnes thinks Romney won. I heard yesterday on Hannity's radio show from Dick Morris that "only" Romney can win. Aren't these the same people who brought us John McCain and the failure of 2008?
I heard Dick say that Romney can appeal to independents and democrats who lean conservative. Are we looking for a Democrat light? To be honest, I am looking for a CONSERVATIVE and Romney isn't that guy. Romney is the guy your mother wanted you to marry, but when you were out on a date he just made you feel clammy. I would vote for him over 0bama, but it would be a vote against 0bama and not FOR Romney.
martin j smith| 9.13.11 @ 7:19AM
beebop: FOX NEWS IS RINO NEWS. They are not the final word or the'experts" its an oppinion pure and simpple. Make up your own mind--but do not consider FOX as the bee all and end all.
Hook| 9.13.11 @ 1:07PM
It sure is a shame that Gingrich is so personally erratic because is he ever a debater.
Perry needs to get his language and his thinking outside Texas in my view.
I am fairly confident Obama will lose to either Perry or Romney because Obama's sole asset will be the media.
The Mideast is going to be way worse by then and I even have a fear that Iran will really try something while we have a weak president in power.