Pawlenty drops out of race

And it appears Perry is playing pretty fast and loose with what are already fairly fast and loose campaign finance rules:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/61451.html

One of Perry's big early backers is the same lobbyist Perry pummeled Kay Bailey Hutchison about during his last primary, because the lobbyist was connected with her.

 

I would agree with you there, my problem with Perry, much like I have with Obama and have said it before, is both are really good campaigners, but then they get into office and you realize they said all the right things and can't back them up.

Perry has done this twice now in Texas. He's the kind of guy that really loves to campaign and after he wins he's completely lost in office, I felt the same way about Obama (both good-looking smooth talkers who were all sizzle and no steak)

 

Obama is brilliant.

If he has a flaw, it's that he's just too cautious for the times.

Obviously, a lot of that has to do with navigating party politics and the hand he's been dealt with the makeup of Congress.

 

This one?
http://www.economist.com/node/21525911

 

This one:

http://www.economist.com/node/21525839

 

"There's a lot of different scenarios," Perry said. "We've got a great union. There's absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people, you know, who knows what might come out of that? But Texas is a very unique place, and we're a pretty independent lot to boot."

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/04/17/0417gop.html

From the quote, Perry's saying we have a great country right now, but if Washington does things that Texas doesn't agree with, which frankly, could be anything, then Texas would look at options on seceding.

I'd think that most sane governors would say that they love their country and would never think of abandoning it. Not this governor.

 

He may be brilliant but he is trampzing through Iowa giving the exact same speech that former governor Chet Culver gave last year during his re-election campaign before he got tossed aside for a retread with no new ideas (Terry Branstad).

"Green Energy."

"Main Street. Not Wall Street."

"The rich need to pay their fair share!"

Iowa needs to hear more than this to show up for you in 2012, Mr. President.

 

When he talks in more than sound bites, he's accused of "lecturing" and "talking down" to people.

 

Texas is in a different situation that any of the other states. It's not an option for the other states. It's only a question that could be asked of Perry.

I don't think he answered it the way he should have, but comparing him to other governors on a topic that other governors would never be faced with is ignorant.

 

It's not an option for Texas, either.

 

I used to think Obama was brilliant, but the shine has definitely worn off. These speeches are nothing special. I would also like to see a little more fire and brimstone. He tried playing nice, but it didn't work.

 

Oh, he's brilliant. But that doesn't mean he's a great president. Billy Beane is brilliant. Theo Epstein is brilliant. Would you want them running your NBA franchise? A college athletic department?