# The Rick Perry for President Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 14, 2011, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720 "2011-08-14T20:51:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720/221 "2011-09-23T16:57:02Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > I guess I can not relate to those people. They applauded executions wildly. Now letting a sick person die was applauded. If those are your peeps SA ,you can have them. I find then disgusting. And now they booed a soldier on the front lines because he is gay. Kind of like booing god, because he made them that way. Yep, these are your peeps. Fight for them SA. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720/222 "2011-09-23T19:57:52Z")
Perry’s performance in the debates has been terrible and his campaign is in serious danger of flaming out. Much of the GOP punditry is lambasting him and the conservative base is unhappy with him on immigration and the HPV vaccine. ``` If Perry doesn't recover there is once again going to be a yawning space to the right of Romney waiting to be filled. And right now the general election looks wide open. Surely someone will jump into the race. But who? ``` ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720/223 "2011-09-23T20:36:09Z")
> [@Lantern](#): > > ``` > If Perry doesn't recover there is once again going to be a yawning space to the right of Romney waiting to be filled. And right now the general election looks wide open. Surely someone will jump into the race. But who? > > ``` Probably the one who has shown that he is the best at filling up space. So, Christie, of course. He can be the next Great (off)White Hope. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720/224 "2011-09-24T06:23:39Z")
The thing with Christie is that he is not really to the right of Romney. He is basically another GOP governor from a blue state. Plus he doesn’t have much experience; less than two years as governor. So basically he will be competing in the same space as Romney but the latter’s got a big head start. The open space is between Romney and Bachmann; someone who is solidly conservative but could plausibly win the general. Pawlenty had the first shot but he completely failed to gain traction. Perry had the second shot and gained massive momentum but is now struggling. I think the ideal candidate to challenge Romney would be someone similar to Perry in terms of experience and ideology but better at debating and without the crony-capitalism baggage. However I don’t know who that is. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720/225 "2011-09-24T18:28:28Z")
Romney is not right enough. He is a Mormon. That will split his party . Could he get the rightys to work his campaign? Could he get the money from the wingers? That is a problem and a big, big one. The party bosses will be looking for an alternative. Romney is a default candidate. The ones along the lines of the party are boobs. They are jokes to everyone who can hear them speak. Bachmann blew the lead when she opened her mouth. She is at best a regional candidate Perry has shown his biggest accomplishment was getting through high school. There has been a lot of discussion about how dumb he is. Then he went on stage and proved his critics were correct. Cain could not carry his family vote. I have no idea why he even tried. Paul is way out of touch with reality . He wants to return to an America that only exists in his mind. He is able to point out some of whats wrong with the government and the country. His solutions are in fantasy land. So Christie will be getting a phone call. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720/226 "2011-09-24T18:49:46Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Paul is way out of touch with reality . He wants to return to an America that only exists in his mind. He is able to point out some of whats wrong with the government and the country. His solutions are in fantasy land. Also, Paul is too much of an isolationist, wants to bring home all the troops now. That is never going to fly with the Teahadists. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720/227 "2011-09-24T18:52:51Z")
> [@Lantern](#): > > So basically he will be competing in the same space as Romney but the latter’s got a big head start. Au contraire. When it comes to big heads, Chris Christie has no rival. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720/228 "2011-09-25T03:39:18Z")
Romney had a natural head start over the other candidates. He was born into money. His dad ran a corporation, was a governor and tried to become president. Junior was born with a silver lectern in his mouth. He looks good, has lots of money and has a guaranteed opening to the press. When he speaks, they cover. Most Americans know who he is. But the party he grew up in, went away from him. He is not nuts enough to get the bulk of the rightys. He looks liberal to many. He is a Mormon . Like it or not it is a problem. The big eastern power brokers in the GOP are neutered now. The power is in the hands of southern and south western bigots. They will not believe he is a government hating, anti black, anti poor, anti immigrant, anti gay, pro capital punishment ,pro gun, type. He is a corporate stooge though. He has no problem with cutting taxes for the rich and greasing the slide of offshore jobs. But that may not be enough. That is why Christie will get a look. The party does not want Romney. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2011, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720/229 "2011-09-26T22:04:38Z")
> **[Texas Oil Refineries May Get Tax Refund Out Of Public School, Community Money](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/texas-refineries-tax-refund_n_981764)** > > Texas Oil Refineries May Get Tax Refund Out Of Public School, Community Money Texas pols show who they work for again. Who can doubt oil companies need the money more than the people? ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2011, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720/230 "2011-10-03T14:58:56Z")
So, in the 90s and 2000s Perry apparently leased a hunting camp known as “Niggerhead”. The name of the camp was painted on a rock at its entrance, and the locals generally called it that. The name was well-known enough that Perry can’t claim ignorance of it (and isn’t, as far as I know). You can read more [here](http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/rick-perry-familys-hunting-camp-still-known-to-many-by-old-racially-charged-name/2011/10/01/gIQAOhY5DL_print.html)(first few pages available without subscription) and [here](http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2011/10/03/niggerhead_u_s_a_.html). (Links to Washington Post and Slate, but both use the term 'nigger", so they may run afoul of some workplace web rules.) I’m not sure what to make of this. It’s unclear to me how much control Perry had over the name, since he leased rather than owned it. And it sounds like, even now that the name has been painted over, people still call it “Niggerhead” out of habit. So, renaming it might have been of limited effectiveness if he wanted to distance himself from the association. At the very least, though, it was kind of dumb for Perry to continue going there after he became governor. Texas, we’re told, is a big place. Couldn’t he have found some other hunting camp? In any case, it looks to be shaping up as a headache for Perry. Does this hurt him much? Will he shake it off, or will it go into his permanent record? ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2011, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720/231 "2011-10-03T15:40:04Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > Does this hurt him much? Will he shake it off, or will it go into his permanent record? I think it’s a shame that if you look at all the shit things about this guy, that this is the one that will probably sink him the rest of the way. Executing innocent people? Meh. Who cares. Writing checks to lease a place called “Niggerhead”? BURN HIM! -Joe ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2011, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720/232 "2011-10-03T15:42:05Z")
Uh, i don’t think this is going to hurt him much. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2011, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720/233 "2011-10-03T16:21:10Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > At the very least, though, it was kind of dumb for Perry to continue going there after he became governor. Texas, we’re told, is a big place. Couldn’t he have found some other hunting camp? In any case, it looks to be shaping up as a headache for Perry. In his defense, that is one of the best place in Texas for hunting Negroes. I hear that they have a big rivalry with Kamp Ku Klux Klan which is right across the lake. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720/234 "2011-10-03T17:00:24Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Also, Paul is too much of an isolationist, wants to bring home all the troops now. That is never going to fly with the Teahadists. I don’t know. My dad and his idiot wife are tea baggers, and they are very much for bringing the troops home right this second. I’m a democrat (dinners are only tolerable because we all drink a lot) and frankly I’m for that, too. I don’t know anyone who understands why we’re still over there, hemorrhaging money and accomplishing what appears to be a whole lot of nothing. I’m surprised the whole “get us out of the desert” thing hasn’t gotten him more support. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720/235 "2011-10-08T03:31:34Z")
I think the nomination is Romney’s to lose. Charlie Cook, one of the rare horse-race commentators with quantitative literacy, [believes that Rick Perry has the edge](http://www.nationaljournal.com//columns/cook-report/the-cook-report-it-s-perry-s-to-win-20111006). “If he learns from his mistakes, the Texas governor will be Barack Obama’s opponent in the fall.” > [@Charlie Cook](#): > > Perry has shown a proclivity to step on his own body parts and will undoubtedly do so again. The question is whether he learns from his mistakes. If he does, he will be the GOP nominee and stands a fair chance of beating President Obama, given the horrific economy and the public’s loss of confidence in the president. If he doesn’t and isn’t more careful about what he says and how he says it, Perry will either lose the nomination, or he will win it and then lose a general election that’s there for the taking. Simple as that. I can’t say I buy the argument, except for my respect for Cook’s judgment. I guess he doesn’t think that Perry’s attack on social security and dubious claims about the constitution in his book will matter. Then again, there’s a certain variety of Republican voter who may find Mormanism distasteful and vulgar epithets a plus. I don’t think there are many of them, but I’m also surprised that nutty claims about the unconstitutionality of social security and treasonous Federal Reserve Chairmen appointed by Republicans wouldn’t disqualify a person for national responsibilities, never mind higher office. > [@gonzomax](#): > > Romney is not right enough. He is a Mormon. That will split his party …Could he get the money from the wingers? That is a problem and a big, big one. On a narrow point, big business funds the Republican Party and will have no problem with Romney’s religious affiliation. And I doubt whether many fundamentalists would swing towards Obama in the fall due to their intolerance of Mormons. The nomination is a separate issue. This August graph of the Republican candidates’ ideological position on a 2D plane is of interest: [There's Room for More G.O.P. Candidates - The New York Times](http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/22/theres-room-for-more-g-o-p-candidates/) I guess it supports Cook’s contention: once Santorum, Bachman and Cain flame out, their supporters should naturally gravitate towards Perry. I wonder how long Gingrich will be left standing and whether Paul will control a few symbolic delegates on the floor of the Summer convention. I find it fascinating that Huntsman, the most electable candidate, polls at 2%. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2011, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720/236 "2011-10-08T05:56:18Z")
Perry has a ton of money, and it ain’t over until the fat lady stops writing checks. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2011, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720/237 "2011-10-08T11:47:01Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > This August graph of the Republican candidates’ ideological position on a 2D plane is of interest: > [There's Room for More G.O.P. Candidates - The New York Times](http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/22/theres-room-for-more-g-o-p-candidates/) I guess it supports Cook’s contention: once Santorum, Bachman and Cain flame out, their supporters should naturally gravitate towards Perry. I wonder how long Gingrich will be left standing and whether Paul will control a few symbolic delegates on the floor of the Summer convention. > > I find it fascinating that Huntsman, the most electable candidate, polls at 2%. Two things: 1. I don’t see Huntsman as even remotely electable: he’s a mediocre public speaker, his debating skills are sub-par and he’s _boring_. He has the same sort of anti-charisma that Gore and Dole had. Even if he managed to win the nomination, there’s no way he could win the national, especially against the very charismatic Obama. 2. My belief is that Gingrich isn’t in it to win. He’s there to play kingmaker and he’s there to steer the debates (he’s gone after the moderator of the Repub debates several times to good effect). He wants to be The Grand Old Man of the Republicans (and if that’s his goal, he’s doing a good job of it) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2011, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720/238 "2011-10-09T01:11:11Z")
> [@](#): > > He wants to be The Grand Old Man of the Republicans (and if that’s his goal, he’s doing a good job of it) You misspelled “Dirty”. ---
**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:** [October 9, 2011, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720/239 "2011-10-09T02:21:27Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > Two things: > > 1. I don’t see Huntsman as even remotely electable: he’s a mediocre public speaker, his debating skills are sub-par and he’s _boring_. He has the same sort of anti-charisma that Gore and Dole had. Even if he managed to win the nomination, there’s no way he could win the national, especially against the very charismatic Obama. Dole did ok against Clinton, once you control for incumbency and the election year economy. While I’m on the subject, Obama didn’t exactly cream his last opponent, a septuagenarian who has appointed an eminently unqualified VP candidate. He should have. He didn’t. I haven’t seen Huntsman speak though. But seriously, you think he’s less credible than Pawlenty was? Less charismatic than Gingrich? Romney doesn’t exactly have raw speaking skills – but he does have years of oratory experience, which counts for something. I think Huntsman is warming up for 2016. His real problem is that he’s far too sane for the Republican base: explicitly pro-science positioning is a bridge too far. > [@](#): > > 1. My belief is that Gingrich isn’t in it to win. He’s there to play kingmaker and he’s there to steer the debates (he’s gone after the moderator of the Repub debates several times to good effect). He wants to be The Grand Old Man of the Republicans (and if that’s his goal, he’s doing a good job of it) His advisers came and left _en masse_. The buzz was that he thought that he would kick himself forever if he didn’t at least try to run for Prez. He’s not especially likeable – I’d say this year is as good as any. Also, I doubt whether many Republican Presidents would take his advice seriously: he lacks _gravitas_ and his thinking is facile. GWBush certainly didn’t give him a lot of face time. Gingrich does have a bright past and future in conservative speaking and publishing circles though. And there’s always AEI. ETA: Hm. I guess Gingrich is analogous to post-Presidential Nixon. He’ll publish a lot and be listened to, outside of the White House. Less extreme case, obviously. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2011, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720/240 "2011-10-09T15:39:23Z")
> [@Renee](#): > > I don’t know. My dad and his idiot wife are tea baggers, and they are very much for bringing the troops home right this second. I’m a democrat (dinners are only tolerable because we all drink a lot) and frankly I’m for that, too. I don’t know anyone who understands why we’re still over there, hemorrhaging money and accomplishing what appears to be a whole lot of nothing. I’m surprised the whole “get us out of the desert” thing hasn’t gotten him more support. Because that would be losing. You want America to be a loser, do you girl? We real Americans don’t cotton to that round here. Of course, since nobody can actually define “winning”, we’ve already “lost”. The only question is when, exactly, we accept that. -Joe [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rick-perry-for-president-thread/592720.md?page=13)