[jmdickens]

I feel like he did well....his speech was great. But, with Perry officially entering, all the Bush supporters will go full force. Im hoping that a real debate will happen in the future with the candidates, but not likely

[thepostman]

Well that's many people who don't like Bachmann on here.

Just a question... what do you not like about her so much?

Not trying to argue, just wanting to listen as to why.

she just seems like much of the same and tries to use her Christianity to win votes...

also how can you be late coming back from a break?? That just kind of summed it all up to me

I don't really dislike her because I know too little to dislike her. I just am confused to who does like her, because I have yet to meet or hear of anybody liking her

[jbock13]

Fair points, postman.

I do like Rick Perry. It seems everyone has so pet peeve issue they disagree with him, but is there a perfect candidate? Just hold your fire. We will have our candidate. Even Romney has moved far right all the sudden. Let that be confidence in our system (and no, Romney is no conservative).

[thepostman]

If Romney is who they put out there I will be so disappointed.

I don't think he will be...but who knows

[jbock13]

It's an open field at this point.

Will Romney fade as the frontrunner?
Will Ron Paul be able to win enough Tea Partiers?
Will Michele Bachmann continue to gain experience?
Can Rick Perry win conservatives while being lax of illegal immigration?

These are just a few of the questions we have. The fun part will be to see how it all shakes out.

[Hold My Own]

At least someone's having fun with all of this

[Purple Haize]

Dickens - the Bush camp HATES Rick Perry. Karl Rove will set out to destroy him like he did the Tea Party Candidates in Mass NV and Calif in 2010. (ok so I can't remember their names and they were a bit flaky)
I can easily see a Romney - Bachmann ticket. Not sure about a Perry Bachman ticket.
Ron Paul will continue to get air time because he is interesting. I can also see him being built up to the point where he tries a 3rd party run and we get what we had in 92.
Has ant one heard Chris Matthews use the phrase "with a Perry on top". My gosh I was listening to his show the last couple of days and it's like he will continue to use it until someone tells him how clever it is.

[jbock13]

Just an addition here Haize, Ron Paul can't run as an independent after losing the nomination. I will double check that but I'm pretty sure that's the case.

[jbock13]

My gosh I was listening to his show the last couple of days and it's like he will continue to use it until someone tells him how clever it is.

You watched MSNBC? So you're the one!

[jmdickens]

i guess I should have prefaced it this way, TEXAS will support Perry. With that, so will GOP.

[jbock13]

i guess I should have prefaced it this way, TEXAS will support Perry. With that, so will GOP.

I disagree. Everyone I know from Texas hates Rick Perry. I listen to plenty of conversative talk shows and every call from Texas has been about how terrible Perry is (although none have made much of a convincing argument as to why).

Perhaps Sly could share his thoughts as a Texan

[jmdickens]

You do realize I was living in Texas until this time last year, right?

I can tell you that this will happen. I called him running when I attended the republican convention in 2008 and no one believed me. The general consensus was that he wouldnt run. There might not be too much substance coming from Perry, but remember that they like their cowboy politicians.

[flamehunter]

Well that's many people who don't like Bachmann on here.

Just a question... what do you not like about her so much?

Not trying to argue, just wanting to listen as to why.

she just seems like much of the same and tries to use her Christianity to win votes...

also how can you be late coming back from a break?? That just kind of summed it all up to me
I don't really dislike her because I know too little to dislike her. I just am confused to who does like her, because I have yet to meet or hear of anybody liking her

Everyone knows the line is always longer at the women's bathroom.

[flamehunter]

I watched most of it wanting to learn more about and actually try to like Ron Paul. He did not do it for me. I like a lot of his ideas though, and will still consider him. But my point is that a lot of people like me who don't know much about him will base their opinion on what they see in debates and TV sound bites alone. I don't think he really comes across as being the dynamic leader many people want. He's got a tough row to hoe to get support, IMHO.

[RubberMallet]

you want slogan's, retoric, taglines, and impossible to act on promises then? thats the leadership you are looking for?

long live america!

[jbock13]

You do realize I was living in Texas until this time last year, right?

I can tell you that this will happen. I called him running when I attended the republican convention in 2008 and no one believed me. The general consensus was that he wouldnt run. There might not be too much substance coming from Perry, but remember that they like their cowboy politicians.

I'm just telling you what I've heard. But look at Texas' economy. That's one strong argument for Perry.

[flamehunter]

you want slogan's, retoric, taglines, and impossible to act on promises then? thats the leadership you are looking for?

long live america!

Read ALL of what I said. I will not base my opinion of him or any candidate solely on what I see in debates and soundbites. BUT, a lot of people do and that will make it hard for him to get a lot of support. He did not come across as a great communicator in the debate and that is all I was saying. That is not the only qualification for the job. I WILL still consider him for my vote. Sorry if I offended you by saying something negative about your guy!

[RubberMallet]

no offense taken. just find the "he's not a leader" comments hilarious considering the total rubes both sides have been marching out there for the past 20 years. all guys who were probably touted as great "leaders"

[jbock13]

I'll say this much... Perry driving Christ Matthews absolutely crazy can't hurt any

[Sly Fox]

I'll be honest and admit that I have never been a big Rick Perry fan. First off, he's an Aggy. So there's that baggage he has to carry. And back int he day when I was hanging around the Capitol in Austin, my interaction with him always gave me an uneasy feeling. And there were some other issues that I don't care to dive into on a public forum. Suffice it to say that he was very much a politician.

All of that said, I have to admit that I have liked what I have heard from him the past 18 months in state and beyond. And the Texan aspect of him stating what is on his mind and dealing with the consequences earns rep points with yours truly.

It is true that Bush & Perry were never buddy-buddy even as running mates in state elections. Believe it or not, Bush was a populist guy in Texas who was always looking to create consensus to push a state agenda. Obviously that changed once he arrived in DC. Perry has always enjoyed pushing himself to a polarizing position dating back to his days as a Democrat. He likes to appear as an anti-establishment proponent even though he has spent the majority of his life as a politico.

He will very easily carry the State of Texas. Paul is not particularly popular from a statewide perspective and not anymore known across the Lone Star State that the rest of the nation since he has never run for statewide office. Paul's district is a primarily rural district that doesn't get much media attention.

Perry is pushing all the right buttons to raise the ire of the Far Left which earns him respect from the Far Right. Whether or not he can parlay the Tea Party support (for which he has positioned himself since the movement began) into acceptance by moderates needed to beat Obama is a major question that remains unanswered.

[jmdickens]

thank you Sly.