Quick impressions of Perry’s RPV speech
By Norman Leahy | Wednesday, September 14th, 2011 | Politics, VirginiaA few items that caught my eye from the speech Texas Governor (and GOP presidential frontrunner) Rick Perry gave at the RPV fundraiser today in Richmond:
* It’s obvious Gov. Bob McDonnell, whose remarks preceded Perry’s has a warm relationship with the Texas Governor. McDonnell mentioned that both his mother and Perry are Texas A&M grads…that they talk frequently (usually about job creation…or so goes the spin) and Perry reciprocated the feeling, calling McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, “dear friends.”
* McDonnell made it clear that he’s chosen to endorse no presidential candidate just yet, but that he strongly prefers a governor in that role.
* The crowd was quite taken with Perry, giving him a rather spirited standing ovation when he was introduced. I even spotted a hand-made sign or two in the crowd, which at roughly 1100, was about four times the number of attendees the RPV had originally expected.
* Perry took oblique swings at his rivals for the GOP nomination, believing that he offered the clearest distinction with President Obama.
The real fun came afterwards, as the assembled pressies crowded around Perry to ask the burning questions…will you consider Bob McDonnell as a vice presidential pick (answer: way too early for that). What about the heat you’ve taken on immigration (he wants secure borders like everyone else — and jobs for folks, too, regardless of their color or the sound of their name). How about Michele Bachmann’s bizarre anti-vaccination jag? (he thought her stance was wrong, and his greatest concern in making that executive order was fighting cancer).
Twice Perry was asked about Eric Cantor’s remarks regarding budget offsets for budget relief. Perry remarked that the government does have a role to play and that with the size and scope of the budget, it ought not to be hard to find the funds to do those necessary things.
Overall, Perry was comfortable, confident and the crowd was enthusiastic. After chided the President for failing to spur economic growth, employment and saddling the economy with regulations it cannot afford, he did a rather nice pivot into the rhetorical arena too few politicians visit these days: optimism. He suggested that our best days are ahead and that Americans are willing to fight for freedom (the one word he says describes his entire campaign).
A good, solid speech that ends on an up note. No drama (aside from a possible security breach that was quickly taken care of before the main event) and no missteps.
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About the author
Norm Leahy has written about Virginia and national politics online since 2002, beginning with One Man's Trash (OMT), and continuing through Bacon's Rebellion (both the blog and the e-zine), Sic Semper Tyrannis, NBC12's Decision Virginia, Richmond.com and Tertium Quids. He is the chief blogger at "The Score" and a producer of "The Score" radio show as well as being a Washington Post contributor.
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21 Responses to "Quick impressions of Perry’s RPV speech"
Please, enlighten me, why it is bizarre to be against forced innoculation? I can’t fathom it. Maybe it was bizarre that she brought up a personal story, but his arrogance on this does not do him any favors.
I guess when you ask a Governor of a state that is on fire whether the Feds ought to help, you would expect him to stand up for his citizens. Cantor is the one thaqt should be on the hot seat. Someone ought to ask him why hedge fund managers should not be required to pay taxes on their income like the rest of us; that would certainly fund disaster relief.
“Perry remarked that the government does have a role to play and that with the size and scope of the budget, it ought not to be hard to find the funds to do those necessary things.”
Lollercoaster. “We have money to do necessary things.” Where? Where is the money, Rick? Did you guys let him get away with that so easily? If you did, that means you WANT to believe him and you have already suspended critical thinking. Maybe he believes people will continue to tolerate $1.5 Trillion annual deficits for as far as the eye can see? Where will the money come from, printing at the Fed, after his comments about the Fed?
Someone, maybe one of you true believers, close this loop, please?
I agree with Perry the HPV issue was badly handled but to be fair, to his credit, he took full responsibility for it and has not backed down. That, like it or not mike, is leadership. Mistakes are made and you deal with them. You make mistakes, I make mistakes.. Next question..
Josh,
Happy to oblige. What was “bizarre” about Bachmann’s attack on Perry over HPV was her anecdotal contention that the vaccine can cause mental retardation. She can spin that all she wants, but she ended that statement by saying, “this vaccine is very dangerous!” That contention has since been roundly refuted by everyone from the CDC to the NIH. Even more bizarre is the fact that Minnesota apparently passed a law requiring forced inoculations for Hepatitis B while Bachmann was in the state legislature and Bachmann reportedly had no objections.
But don’t worry–today’s fading Michele Bachmann is next month’s fading Rick Perry. Like Bachmann, the more Republicans get to know him, the less they are going to like him. For those who say that this is Perry’s race to lose, he will.
HisRoc,
Agree completely. Her initial criticism was fair enough. However throwing in a totally unsubstantiated rumor just because someone came up to her and said it was true not only was wrong but highly risky. What if it were a Democratic plant who came up? She had no idea who this person was did she?. Her other poorly researched comments could be blamed on sloppy staff work but this cannot. And I say that as someone who respects Bachmann’s role in the fight against Obamacare.
As for Perry, I agree he has to improve his performance a lot, but Romney is not helping himself either attacking Perry in the manner of Chuck Schumer. It’s still too early to make any predictions on how their fight will turn out. Does someone know the number for Chris Christie!
It was mandated with an opt out forcing health insurance companies to pay for it. Why did he not take the high road and use an opt in?
Oh, forgot to link this. http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/health/gop-debate-puts-questions-over-hpv-vaccine-back-in-the-spotlight
Don’t ya just love the internets..
Oh my, there is more.. http://truthaboutgardasil.org/ Love your daughters and read this if you dare unless of course you prefer not to question the authorities.
turbo,
“the internets..” Is that anything like a bunch of tubes?
Seriously, we have an inoculation crisis in this country that represents a severe health risk to our children. Politicians who know nothing about the medical implications of parents refusing childhood vaccinations are reckless and not deserving of a leadership role in our community. Worse, there is every indication that Frau Bachmann has no problems with mandatory vaccinations but is using the HPV issue in a vain attempt to gain ground on Perry. Shame on her. [deleted by J.R.]
Gods name in vain?.. Thats way too over the top Hisroc..
turbo,
Sometimes you have to rise to the occasion.
[deleted by J.R.]
She is a curse to public health, a pox on conservatives, and a self-seeking ignoramus who is an embarrassment to anyone who opposes the liberal excesses of the Democrats.
HisRoc, what, exactly, are you contributing to the conversation when you go down that road?
I’ve edited your comments.
Sorry, Jim. I didn’t realize that Bearing Drift was governed by sharia law. My apologies.
My contribution was intended to posit my believe that politicians who place personal gain above the greater public welfare will, hopefully, suffer the consequences when they come to eternal judgement. Too bad if my shorthand was offensive; the terminology is timeless and well understood.
Zero people were vaccinated in any manner by Perry’s executive order. It’s misleading for his opponent’s to make assertions that people were somehow forced into a program that never truly mobilized, and it’s extremely misleading for Governor Perry to talk about Cancer prevention and point to a program that never prevented cancer.
http://www.redstate.com/erick/2011/09/13/no-girls-were-harmed-during-the-production-of-this-executive-order/
It’s very interesting to see what garners the greatest attention in a given post. That Virginians are up in arms over it, while the state maintains its own HPV mandate is even more intriguing — see here: http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=14381
It didn’t come up at yesterday’s event, but given the news over the federal government’s involvement in the failed Solyndra venture, I think Mr. Perry’s own Texas Emerging Technology Fund and its high-profile bankruptcies may become more of a story — see the WSJ story here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304760604576428262897285614.html
Turbo, there are risks from any medication, not just vaccines. Bachmann has lost a lot of credibility in my eyes from this. My children and grandchildren have all received the MANDATED vaccines to attend school and the insurance paid for it, (along with my copay) because it was mandated.
This vaccine means every girl, regardless of her socio-economic status, could be protected. Her fertility protected. Not just the years under Mom & Dad’s roof – but the 60 or 70 years AFTER she leaves there. Being anti-Gardasil is being pro-cancer. You want to opt-out? Go right ahead. This is a lot of hulaballo over nothing.
So here we have the field; Bachman is beyond comprehension and Perry denies climate change as half his state is buring due to its effects. Makes one wonder why the republican party has become the party of ignorance instead.
MB-Perry’s position on climate change will have exactly no effect on his electoral chances.
However, his opposition to Social Security…forget the “Ponzi scheme” statemnts, the important statement in his book are that he thinks Social Secrurity is “unconstitutional” and a “a failure”….make him unelectable in a general election.
Republicans are going to need a new “White Knight” to get into the race and save them now.. Chris Christie? The odd thing is that if they could get together behind Romney, I think he’d be the favorite to beat Obama at this point. But it’s hard to see how he could win the nomination.
Yes, my frustration is simply that a Party that has turned to the right such that it tolerates flakes and conjurers and raises them up as possible candidates for President is absolutely disturbing to me, and should be of great concern to every american, no matter their party affiliation.
AttackWatch version of Mike’s comment: “Yes, my frustration is simply that a Party that has turned (so far to the left) such that it tolerates (the current flake and conjurer) and (continues to raise him up as the candidate) for President is absolutely disturbing to me, and should be of great concern to every american, no matter their party affiliation.”
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