# Bye Bye Perry. Can't Say I'm Surprised **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 19, 2012, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009 "2012-01-19T14:43:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/21 "2012-01-19T16:48:12Z")
> [@Damuri\_Ajashi](#): > > One eyed man ion the party of the blind? We should be so lucky. That would actually imply that he’s more capable than other members of his party. It’s more like they picked the guy who was the best at being unable to see. I really, really hope **Try2B Comprehensive** is right, and we’ll be able to get him out of office in the next election. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/22 "2012-01-19T16:53:34Z")
By the way, Perry has almost three years left on his current term in Texas. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/23 "2012-01-19T17:00:01Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Of course, Santorum is making the same argument. > I don’t think he’s within 3 or 4 percent right now, but it’s well-timed for Gingrich with another debate tonight and the voting Saturday. [TPM’s polling average](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/01/newt_on_fire_1.php?ref=fpblg) for SC has Mitt at 33.4% and Newt at 29.3%. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/24 "2012-01-19T17:01:26Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Of course, Santorum is making the same argument. Yeah but the argument works better for Newt because polls indicate that he is gaining ground and within striking distance of Romney whereas Santorum has no chance whatsoever. Perry’s endorsement probably doesn’t matter that much directly in terms of his supporters moving over to Gingrich. However it’s a positive news story which cements Newt’s position as **the** conservative candidate precisely at the last serious opportunity to put a brake on Romney. And it comes right before a debate so Newt will be able to milk the endorsment to the fullest. I guess in that sense his wife’s interview comes at a really bad time since it ruins a potentially triumphant day for Newt. I have a feeling it will hurt him even if there isn’t any bombshell because it puts a face to his marital problems and reminds primary voters of the baggage he brings if he becomes the candidate. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/25 "2012-01-19T17:32:14Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > [TPM’s polling average](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/01/newt_on_fire_1.php?ref=fpblg) for SC has Mitt at 33.4% and Newt at 29.3%. And it’s [already out of date](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/01/and_gingrich_takes_the_lead.php?ref=fpblg): > [@](#): > > The TPM Poll Average for South Carolina is now Gingrich 32%, Romney 31.5%, Paul 14.6%, Santorum 11.5%. > > In truth, Gingrich’s momentum looks so overwhelming the only thing that could stop him would be a last minute tell-all interview from an ex-wife saying he wanted to have an open marriage. :snicker: ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/26 "2012-01-19T18:22:20Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Just out of curiosity, then, how did he manage to get elected **in Texas** without revealing his idiocy? Why would that be a problem? ---
**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/27 "2012-01-19T18:52:42Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Just out of curiosity, then, how did he manage to get elected **in Texas** without revealing his idiocy? As a Texas resident, let me just say that there are many of us who have been asking this question for many years. ETA: Don’t blame _me_, I voted for Kinky! ---
**Author:** ![CJJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecc23a/32.png) [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/28 "2012-01-19T19:19:38Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Just out of curiosity, then, how did he manage to get elected in Texas without revealing his idiocy? IMO Republicans have a problem grooming true national leadership because of “[epistemic closure](http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/28/books/28conserv.html)” among conservatives. Basically, nearly all conservatives have the same general set of principles and opinions, so arguments within conservatism based on clashes of ideaology are extremely rare. So, the various debates, caucuses and primaries where Republicans challenge each other for leadership roles turn more on the ability to fire up the crowd with red meat. This is why–when they venture outside the right-wing bubble to make policial arguments against Democrats–their criticisms often seem ridiculous, and when they’re actually challenged on the merit of what they’re saying–something that, again, rarely happens within their own caucus–they sound like parrots (who just repeat words they don’t understand) or bumbling stooges (unaware of the likely points where their argument or position is weak). Take a look at, say, the career of Rush Limbaugh. He hosts the most successful (by far) radio program on the AM dial, but every time he’s ventured outside the bubble of his studio and ditto-head callers (hosting for Pat Sajak, his arguments with FAIR, providing pre-game NFL commentary), he inevitably fails pretty quickly. True, Limbaugh hasn’t run for public office, but then again Rick Perry has repeatedly called Barack Obama a socialist–a charge Limbaugh makes every day on his show. If he thinks that assertion isn’t going to be met with outright laughter from the vast majority of non-conservatives in the US, he’s not very smart and has spent way too much time in the bubble. ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/29 "2012-01-19T19:31:50Z")
Santorum’s next! ---
**Author:** ![Philliam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/philliam/32/3011_2.png) [@Philliam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philliam)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/30 "2012-01-19T20:41:41Z")
> [@Kozmik](#): > > Santorum’s next! ‘May the Froth be With You’…😃 ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/31 "2012-01-19T21:04:59Z")
I appreciate the sentiment, buddy, but if one of us is going to have froth, its gonna be you. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/32 "2012-01-19T21:18:04Z")
> [@SCSimmons](#): > > As a Texas resident, let me just say that there are many of us who have been asking this question for many years. > > ETA: Don’t blame _me_, I voted for Kinky! I didn’t even realize Newt was running for Governor in Texas. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/33 "2012-01-19T21:25:49Z")
He is referring, of course, to the legendary Kinky Friedman, of Kinky Friedman and His Texas Jewboys. Released “Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in Bed”. You probably never heard of them, they aren’t very mainstream. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/34 "2012-01-19T21:45:53Z")
Hey! “The Ballad of Charles Whitman” was huge! ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/35 "2012-01-19T22:01:11Z")
What happens to Perry’s (and Huntsman’s) delegates? Are they free agents now, or yesterday’s news? ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/36 "2012-01-19T22:04:27Z")
> [@a35362](#): > > What happens to Perry’s (and Huntsman’s) delegates? Are they free agents now, or yesterday’s news? Perry never got any delegates. Huntsman got 2 in NH - I believe they go wherever he wants them to. Interestingly, Gingrich also has zero delegates at this point in time. Cite: [Republican Delegate Count - Election 2012 - NYTimes.com](http://elections.nytimes.com/2012/primaries/delegates) ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/37 "2012-01-19T22:05:58Z")
> [@a35362](#): > > What happens to Perry’s (and Huntsman’s) delegates? Are they free agents now, or yesterday’s news? If someone drops out totally, the delegates become free agents. If they “suspend their campaign”, then the delegates are still bound until the candidate releases them (hmm, that sounded a little kinkier then I intended). Most candidates suspend instead of drop out so that they can continue to use their campaign funds and so that they can have an extra fifteen minutes of fame at the convention, but I’m not sure which Huntsman actually did. ---
**Author:** ![CJJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecc23a/32.png) [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/38 "2012-01-19T22:47:05Z")
Although I think Perry would have had to drop out eventually, the more I think about the timing–with a debate tonight and two days until the election–I’m starting to think this move was prompted by cowardice. He didn’t want the humiliation of finishing last, and he was afraid of embarassing himself yet again in a debate. Seems to me most candidates at this point drop out right after a vote, not before, and it’s not like he’s saving any money by folding it up two days early. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/39 "2012-01-19T22:50:54Z")
Perry was actually saying a day or two ago that they should do more debates. I thought it was kind of hilarious. It was just about the only theoretical way he could have made up a bunch of ground, but given his past debate performance it was a goofy dream. I think he dropped out now because it’s conceivable his endorsement could mean something. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/40 "2012-01-19T23:14:32Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > Perry never got any delegates. Huntsman got 2 in NH - I believe they go wherever he wants them to. > > Interestingly, Gingrich also has zero delegates at this point in time. > > Cite: [Republican Delegate Count - Election 2012 - NYTimes.com](http://elections.nytimes.com/2012/primaries/delegates) Huh? CNN’s Election Center has different numbers than The New York Times? 😕 > **[Primaries - 2012 Election Center - Elections & Politics from CNN.com](https://www.cnn.com/election/2012/primaries.html)** > > Latest on the 2012 Primaries, headlines and video, candidates' positions on the issues, fundraising totals, States to Watch news and analysis, and a unique side-by-side visual comparison of the Republican and Democratic candidates. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009.md?page=3)