If you heard audible sounds of disappointment coming from various GOP presidential hopefuls over the weekend, there is a simple explanation — Rick Perry has become a candidate.
During a Saturday afternoon rally in Charleston, South Carolina, the Texas governor made his presidential plans official and gave hope to the many Republicans who have so far been underwhelmed with the current roster.
Perry, who has never lost a political race during his 25 year political career in Texas, has now emerged as the prime challenger to perceived GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney. Republicans are giddy over Perry for some very convincing reasons: Texas has been a national success story in job creation; Perry is well known among conservatives due to his “red meat” criticism of President Obama; and Perry is the only southerner in the race, as the South is considered an important Republican stronghold. His announcement speech was powerful and covered all the talking points Republicans have been dying to hear, which should certainly catapult Perry directly and immediately to the front of the class.
Perry’s entrance into the fray pretty much makes this a 2 horse race, between himself and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. His entry may also give Sarah Palin pause to even consider putting her hat into the ring for fear of failing. Former RNC chair and current Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour expects Perry’s presence to soon begin to thin the ranks, as money for the lesser candidates will begin to dry up, supporters will jump ship, and the writing will be on the wall for some to simply drop out.
<span><span>CNN Excerpt: Many of the positions that have been created are on the lower end of the pay scale. Some 550,000 workers last year were paid at or below the federal minimum wage of $7.25, more than double the number making those wages in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's 9.5% of Texas' hourly workforce, which gives it the highest percentage of minimum-wage hourly workers in the nation — a dubious title it shares with Mississippi. "We have created jobs, but they are not jobs with good wages and benefits," said F. Scott McCown, executive director, Center for Public Policy Priorities, which advocates for low-income residents. Going forward, the Lone Star State will have to work even harder to create jobs. That's because Perry signed a budget in May that slashes $15 billion in government spending over the next two years. Also, the federal stimulus funds that poured into the state since 2009 have largely dried up. […] </span></span><span><span>It'll be interesting watching as Perry's "jobs creation success story" comes under in-depth scrutiny, under the hot lights of a global stage. I admit, I don't want him to implode too quickly. The longer he's in the race (and Bachmann too for that matter) the more problems it causes Mitt, forcing him to move further and further to the right. The President should be very grateful that it's Aug. 2011 and NOT Aug. 2012. He should be grateful for WHOEVER convinced Bachmann AND Perry to jump in the race. But the President can't take anything for granted. It's not about underestimating Perry. You couldn't possibly UNderestimate Perry. He's an idiot right-wing christianist. End of story. But the ability of most Americans to show "intelligent judgment" can be OVERestimated. IMO, most Americans are reactionary. 9/11 proved that most Americans spook easy and will lurch RECKLESSLY any which way the mob-winds blow WITHOUT thought of the RISKS or Consequences. A lot of Americans are scared AND angry right now. They feel this country (Our country, way of life. Hopes, dreams and future), slipping away. Desperate and frightened people do desperate and frightening things. Can you say President Perry!?! If Pres. Obama is serious about being re-elected he'd better get darn busy taking control of his own narrative and destiny. LEAD</span></span>