CPAC 2019 - Sec Elaine L Chao & Sec Rick Perry

Franken, Perry find common ground in comedy

This common ground of levity from two very different political views; Al Franken and Rick Perry at Perry's confirmation hearing. If these two can find laughter in this particular moment, there's hope for America's political divide. Well done on both sides gentlemen.

And then there were 16.

Rick Perry, who never got any momentum for his presidential bid this time around, has ended his bid for the presidency.

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Friday announced that he was suspending his presidential campaign, becoming the first Republican to drop out of the race and kicking off the winnowing stage of the crowded GOP contest.

"We have a tremendous field—the best in a generation—so I step aside knowing our party is in good hands," Perry said at a conservative conference in St. Louis.

Not a big surprise given his inability to gain traction and his loss of key staffers along the way for that very reason.  This was probably inevitable.  

Where it leaves Perry's political career is a matter for speculation.  A cabinet position in a Republican administration might revive his future opportunities to run again in the future.  But what the chances are of that happening is anybody's guess.

On the campaign trail today (2nd edition)

Some more observations from on the campaign trail today. Snark is free.  You're welcome.

While the Washington Post is aghast, (aghast I tell you!),  that a Rasmussen Reports poll indicates conservatives feel Hillary Clinton should suspend her campaign, apparently New Hampshire Democrats might agree.  Bernie Sanders has overtaken her lead in a poll in that state. Actually, it's the second poll to suggest that. Chris Cillizza, you're raising the kind of objections conservatives were raising about polls showing Obama ahead in 2012. Worded badly.  Sampled badly. Not fair. Automated. We complained about Rasmussen for some of the same reasons in 2012 Chris, when it showed Obama leading.  News flash Chris, the poll's probably right, and you're probably wrong. Oh, and Bernie's contending.

Joe Biden, most assuredly, is in. As the band Foster the People sing, "Call It What You Want".  I call it a wonderful future gaffepalooza.  But please, not until you've derailed Hillary, Joe.

Rick Perry soon to be  0 for 2?  With staffers jumping ship in favor of the S.S. Trump, or even a life raft, Perry's political fortunes may be, well - over.  Two disastrous runs in a row should spell the end of a career.  But let's face it, this is the GOP we're talking about here.  It may be his turn in 2020 or 2024.

Newt Gingrich's run meanwhile, ended somewhere in 2012. So Rick Perry should take heart.  And by that I mean heart medication.  Couldn't hurt at this point.

Rand Paul has taken a shrewd strategy, bypassing unimportant early states like Iowa and New Hampshire and headed straight for the delegate rich game-changer state of...Alaska?  Maybe he's seeking the all important Palin endorsement.

Chris Christie is meanwhile busy fighting corporate polluters in New Jersey.  You know, governing.  It should serve him well - in New Jersey, which sadly does not provide him enough delegates to win the Republican nomination. Oh well.

Donald Trump has turned anger into hipness. I don't think he'll do the same for spurring on racial division. Crossing the line from questioning to pure antagonism - heck, maybe he still is a Democrat. Oh, by the way, anchor babies.

On the campaign trail today

Overpriced snark.

Some notes from the campaign trail today, with an appropriate amount of snark. It's early, there are a lot of contenders and it turns out, snark and cynicism are easy. And a bit fun.  There's plenty of snark to go around. I haven't decided on a horse to back, so don't take it personally if I offend your candidate of choice. There aren't enough Democrats in the race so I'm a little short on snark there. Not my fault - Hillary has frightened almost all comers away. Besides, my snark is Canadian snark - so snark light.

Bobby Jindal sounded off on Scott Walker's health care plan. Because, that's big news. Nothing like hitting someone at the bottom of the top tier to grab some headlines. Right?

On the lighter side, there was Marco Rubio's day, could a perfect spiral become a downward spiral? It's not a big deal, but it's not going to help him. Unless he wants to play for the Redskins Native Americans.

The Washington Post held  a pity party for Bernie Sanders and his run against big media outlets. Like..the...Washington...Post?

Is Rand Paul souring on Rand Paul? At least, is Rand Paul souring on Rand Paul for president? "Rand Paul endorses Rand Paul!" Rand Paul, Rand Paul, Rand Paul. Did I say Rand Paul enough? Somebody has to do it.

Rick Perry shared his true feelings on the band Metallica. It's about time he stopped ducking the issue.

Hillary Clinton doesn't think Black Lives Matter, changing hearts doesn't matter, only regulation matters. Stand back, there's an implosion in progress.

Jeb Bush feels America has under-empowered the NSA. No wonder Clinton wants to face him.

Mike Huckabee declared the West Bank is part of Israel. That solves that.

Rick Santorum...wait you're still reading?  Alright, he attacked Ben Carson's medical research.

Ben Carson looks like he might win (Arizona).

Democrat Martin O'Malley poised to debate himself.  He stands a good chance of winning too.

Donald Trump, the New York Times has officially declared him the devil. And Heidi Klum, declares him an idiot. Seems like a smart marketing ploy except if it were it would be obvious and therefore, not smart.

Carly Fiorina slipped up and praised some Muslims.  Back in 2001. Is Michele Bachmann just jealous?

GOP Candidate Info - Rick Perry Edition

Governor Rick Perry on race relations, and military exercises.

Just keeping Perry out of the 2014 fray?

When even Democrat operative like David Axelrod are saying how trumped-up the felony charges against Rick Perry are, you know that it's just a matter of revenge or mischief that have brought this inane process forward.  I think it might be more of the latter.  I wrote previously that it's likely to stop him from running in 2016, but with Mitt Romney and others out there stumping effectively for local candidates, perhaps the point is just to keep Perry out of making a difference in Texas, a state which some calculating Democrats seem to think is viable for them in the future. Hurt him now, hurt the GOP now and you're set up better to win Texas in 2016.  Right Hillary?

Yeah right.  But the notion of political mischief is still food for thought.

One by one by one

The non-controversy surrounding Texas governor Rick Perry is the latest in a string of calculated Democrat mud-slinging efforts to tar every possible Republican presidential contender prior to 2016.  Chris Christie and Scott Walker have already felt the bite of unjust charges leveled against them.  The intention is not to bring down the candidate, but to bring down his (or her popularity).  My guess is that next on the list will either be another run at Mitt Romney or perhaps Jeb Bush.

The end goal is perhaps to be able to broad-brush all Republican as corrupt. But even if that doesn't stick, the notion that each contender is corrupt or sinister, makes 2016 easier for Democrats.

There is no other reason for the charges against Perry to have been brought.  They won't stick.

Chris Christie's conservatism - chicken and egg

Chris Christie looks to be becoming the Republican juggernaut candidate the left would like him to be.  The sense of his impending primary victory has become as palpable in the media as the impending Hillary Clinton presidency.  Maybe on paper that's how it looks, but as Politico points out in a discussion with Gov. Rick Perry, there will be a discussion about Christie's conservatism when the time comes.

Rick Perry's Stealth Announcement of his Run for President 2016

It looks like Rick Perry has beaten Hillary Clinton to the starting gate by announcing that he will be running for president in 2016.  Of course it was a stealth announcement because all he really announced was that he would not seek another term as governor.

This was not unpredictable. Perry postponed the announcement to work on the Texas abortion debate. That delay signaled that his remaining work to do on that issue was kind of a finishing up effort. He didn't want his retirement announcement to interfere with his efforts on that front. It was clear at that point that he was planning to announce his ending of his role as governor of Texas. And as I said that was a stealth announcement of his plans to run for president in 2016.

I guess it isn't really all that stealthy then, is it?

GOP moving parts almost stop moving. Let's predict.

Oh really now?

With Sarah Palin and Chris Christie bowing out of the race, the nominees are pretty much locked.  With states moving up their caucuses and primaries, the dates are locking in and coming soon.  The moving parts are stopping their moving and locking in for the GOP nomination process.  With things locking down predictions about what is likely to happen are somewhat easier, though by no means have they become a simple task.  The ubiquitous "a lot can happen between now and..." still applies.

Just ask the guy on the left.

Things change, and we can't wait for the next one.  The question is, who will it be to replace America's significant O?

First thoughts on the GOP candidates' debate

Some quick thoughts on the GOP presidential primary debate tonight.

Vacuum drawing in GOP potential?

It's been said natures abhors a vacuum.  Apparently, despite the surge by Michele Bachmann, there's still a vacuum at the top of the GOP primary contenders list.  The vacuum exists in all the space that belongs to Not Romney.  With that in mind, Texas Governor Rick Perry is looking seriously at running, and Sarah Palin knows whether she's running and will announce late in the summer.  And now, the one everyone seems to be pining for, Chris Christie looks like he's headed to Iowa.