# 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:** 14\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/41 "2012-01-19T23:21:29Z")
> [@CJJ](#): > > 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. But, as **Marley23** indicates, if Newt continues the week’s trend closing the gap and maybe even wins SC, this enables Perry to claim that he had something, however little, to do with it and that he did contribute something useful to get in Mitt’s way. I recall back early in GWB’s candidacy, it was brought up by his critics that “Governor of Texas” really was not such a grand calling card as you’d think, save as it pertains to keeping the donors happy and the Political Machine well oiled; that as far as being the actual CEO goes, in Texas the gov’s job was pretty much to just be there. I don’t believe it’s quite like that, either; but Perry seems to embody that caricature. I tend to agree that he just became so accustomed to being able to sleepwalk through a campaign that his dials have rusted in the “Texas” setting. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/42 "2012-01-20T00:10:47Z")
> [@a35362](#): > > Huh? CNN’s Election Center has different numbers than The New York Times? 😕 > > [http://www.cnn.com/election/2012/primaries.html](http://www.cnn.com/election/2012/primaries.html) Hm, that’s odd. CNN seems to think that they are just divided proportionally, but that’s not how it works. If you go to the NYT [detailed page for Iowa](http://elections.nytimes.com/2012/primaries/states/iowa) you can see the description for how delegates are awarded (basically none have actually been awarded yet). NYT just got their numbers from the AP, I guess - either way it’s just a guess at this point. The numbers match for NH at the two sites (which makes sense because NH is a pretty straight-forward primary). ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/43 "2012-01-20T01:23:14Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > 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. I read a couple of Friedman’s mystery novels, and was not overly impressed. They were set in NEW YORK CITY! Haven’t heard any of his music, though. Nobody has any delegates from Iowa yet, they’ve still got a couple levels to work through. ---
**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/44 "2012-01-20T02:09:26Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > I read a couple of Friedman’s mystery novels, and was not overly impressed. They were set in NEW YORK CITY! > > Haven’t heard any of his music, though. > > Nobody has any delegates from Iowa yet, they’ve still got a couple levels to work through. Honestly, I just voted for him because his name makes me laugh. I really hope Newt doesn’t run for anything down here–I might not be able to resist. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/45 "2012-01-20T02:15:30Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > 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. Ahem. It is customary in a post like that to cite a link. [Like this.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9rbD00ef8w) Maybe Americans will finally start to realize how dumb the GOP message is and what suckers they are for voting for them. An unacceptable position if there is only one other alternative though. Which is why #occupy needs to get serious about launching a party. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/46 "2012-01-20T02:16:59Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > [Like this.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9rbD00ef8w) I still haven’t heard any of Friedman’s music. That’s the Dave Clark Five. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/47 "2012-01-20T02:22:43Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > I still haven’t heard any of Friedman’s music. That’s the Dave Clark Five. As long as I was on youtube anyway, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0ZMj5RksbE](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0ZMj5RksbE) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/48 "2012-01-20T02:23:11Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > Maybe Americans will finally start to realize how dumb the GOP message is and what suckers they are for voting for them. An unacceptable position if there is only one other alternative though. Which is why #occupy needs to get serious about launching a party. A separate occupier party would do real well too. What with all the donations they’d be getting from the Republicans. ---
**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 20, 2012, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/49 "2012-01-20T02:24:01Z")
[They Ain’t Makin’ Jews Like Jesus Anymore](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JEJNKqo70g) ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/50 "2012-01-20T03:15:59Z")
Well lots of people thought that Rick Perry would make a fine President. Employees of George Brint Ryan’s tax and accounting firm in Dallas donated $500,000+ to the cause. I question their judgment. Here are a list of people who endorsed Rick Perry. I’ll give the Texas Reps a pass, as they probably had their bread properly buttered. U.S. Senators ``` Jim Inhofe, Oklahoma[104] ``` U.S. Representatives ``` John Carter of Texas[105] Mike Coffman of Colorado[106] Mike Conaway of Texas[105] John Culberson of Texas[105] Sam Graves of Missouri[107] Jeb Hensarling of Texas[108] Mike McCaul of Texas[105] Candice Miller of Michigan[109] Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina[110] Steve Scalise of Louisiana[111] ``` Governors and state constitutional officers ``` Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana[112] Governor Brian Sandoval of Nevada[113] Governor Sam Brownback of Kansas[114] Commissioner Michael G. Strain of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry[111] ``` State legislators Arizona ``` Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio[27] California Assemblyman Daniel Logue[115] Mississippi Henry Barbour, RNC National Committeeman and nephew of Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour.[116] Florida Don Gaetz, State Senator[117] Jeff Brandes, State Representative[118] Dean Cannon, Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives[119] Matt Gaetz, State Representative[118] Carlos Lopez-Cantera, State Representative and House Majority Leader[120] Paul Senft, RNC National Committeeman.<refScott Powers (October, 3 2011). "Perry picks up Paul Senft endorsement". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2012-01-11.</ref> South Carolina Harvey Peeler, State Senator and State Senate Majority Leader[121] David Wilkins, former Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives and former Ambassador to Canada[121] ``` Other ``` Ted Cruz, former Solicitor General of Texas (2003–2008)[122] Kinky Friedman, former Independent candidate for Governor of Texas in 2006, country singer, and mystery author.[123] David Wilkins, former Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives and former Ambassador to Canada[121] Dr. James R. Leininger, entrepreneur and philanthropist[124] Dean Cain, actor known for playing Clark Kent/Superman in the TV Series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.[125] Van B. Poole, former chairman of the Florida Republican Party from 1989-1993.[126] Steve Forbes, businessman, CEO of Forbes, Inc., and 2000 Republican Presidential contender.[127] New Hampshire Right to Life President Kurt Wuelper.[128] Ruben Navarrette, columnist.[129] ``` We’ve already been ruled by one Texas chucklehead. Will there be any accountability for Jim Inhofe, Bobby Jindal, Sam Brownback, Henry Barbour, Steve Forbes or the columnist [Ruben Navarrette](http://www.postwritersgroup.com/navarrette.htm)? > **[Rick Perry 2012 presidential campaign | Endorsements](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Perry_presidential_campaign,_2012#Endorsements)** > > 1.Rick Perry for President archived official campaign site | > 2.Rick Perry on Twitter | > 3.Rick Perry collected news and commentary at The Texas Tribune | > 4. showing the hate that stopped Perry from his ultimate goal. | > 5. | > 6.Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission | > 7.Profile at Vote Smart [http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/story/2011-10-16/perry-romney-fundraising/50796252/1](http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/story/2011-10-16/perry-romney-fundraising/50796252/1) > **[Perry the Only Credible Choice for Latino Conservatives](https://pjmedia.com/blog/ruben-navarrette-jr-2/2011/10/26/perry-the-only-credible-choice-for-latino-conservatives-n10724)** > > In gauging the 2012 election, I’m watching where Latino conservatives are headed. > Maybe it’s because I’ve given up on Latino liberals who — faced with the uncomfortable but undeniable reality th... ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/51 "2012-01-20T03:58:23Z")
Superman is a Republican? I don’t believe it! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![CJJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecc23a/32.png) [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/52 "2012-01-20T06:01:10Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > We’ve already been ruled by one Texas chucklehead. Will there be any accountability for Jim Inhofe, Bobby Jindal, Sam Brownback, Henry Barbour, Steve Forbes or the columnist [Ruben Navarrette](http://www.postwritersgroup.com/navarrette.htm)? When, in the history of modern conservatism, have these clowns been held accountable for anything they do or say that turns out to be unpopular once it escapes their right-wing bubble? Terry Schiavo, privatizing social security, ending earmarks, opposition to payroll tax cuts (simply because Obama wanted them). Just add this to the list. > [@a35362](#): > > Superman is a Republican? I don’t believe it! Well, he is [kind of a dick](http://superdickery.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=28&Itemid=45)… ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/53 "2012-01-20T10:00:19Z")
The folks at the\* Texas Observer \*devoted a whole section of their website to [Reasons Perry Should Not Be President](http://www.texasobserver.org/the-perry-trail). Luckily, Perry did the convincing on his own. Now they’ve got an [Obituary](http://www.texasobserver.org/forrestforthetrees/rick-perrys-obituary) for his Presidential campaign–with some interesting links–& what the debacle might mean for Texans. > [@](#): > > “I have a real concern for our Republican party in Texas,” Senator Kevin Eltife, a Republican from Tyler, is quoted as saying in Burka’s article. “We are not solving the problems in the state. The education finance reform passed in 2006 was a disaster. It’s not working. It has not delivered the property tax cuts that were promised or properly funded public education. At [the Department of Transportation], all we have done is continue to issue bonds and go deeper into debt. This is not solving our infrastructure problems. Our party is not providing leadership. We’re running on fumes.” > > This is not an obituary for Perry’s political career in Texas. But I may keep one on hand just in case. We can only hope… ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009/54 "2012-01-21T22:47:16Z")
**Bridget Burke** , great articles. The _Observer_ links to some excellent pieces, especially Paul Begala’s evisceration of Governor Goodhair at the Daily Beast. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-perry-cant-say-im-surprised/610009.md?page=2)