Are you looking for a strong conservative candidate? While he has only been running for office for one day, here are some things that Rick Perry is doing well.
Be Positive:
For those of you who know me well, you’ll know that I worked for Governor Tim Pawlenty back in Minnesota and have the utmost respect for the man. Today, he dropped out of the race because his team did not see a path to victory. I personally believe the number one reason people did not rally around him is because he focused on the now instead of painting a bright picture.
Pawlenty often told the truth about the crisis we are in and instead of rallying people, it just kind of depressed people. Mitt Romney and Michelle Bachmann have excited people by talking about how much they dislike Obama and how they are going to get him out of office. This excites the kind of person who goes to the caucuses, but not the average Joe.
In 2004, John Kerry tried to rally the democrats by saying how bad George W. Bush was and he lost. Instead of running on how great the world is going to be when he is president, he focused on the negatives of Bush. Obama on the other hand, talked about how glorious the future would be if he were president and people ate it up. People actually believed that he’d get rid of politics in Washington D.C.!
The fact remains that being positive leadership motivates people and Perry’s belief in the American dream and the way he talks about how our country’s brightest days are in front of us will catch on with Republicans and Independents.
Results:
Although it is not mandatory to have past results to win a presidential election (see Barack Obama), having the right results in the area that people care about matter. Since the beginning of our economic “recovery,” Texas has produced roughly 40% of the jobs in this country, all under Governor Perry’s belt. The general population does not care about the debt limit as much as they do jobs and he has a good story to tell. Further, Perry has over 10 years experience as governor of one of the largest states.
On the other hand, Barack Obama cannot talk talk about hope and change, because people are tired of waiting. Unemployment is up, the market is unsteady, consumer confidence is down, and the polls indicate that people do not feel we are going in the right direction. He does not have any results.
Likability:
At the end of the day, people often vote for who they like. Perry’s positive demeanor is much more likable than some of the other candidates. Simple question: when is the last time you saw Romney, Bachmann, or Obama smile? All of Perry’s competition seems bitter and upset.
Perry is the only Republican candidate that is liked by the Tea Party, the social conservatives, and fiscal conservatives.
Competition:
Mitt Romney’s record as Governor is not amazing. His signature legislation is Romneycare, which has been a travesty. Additionally, he is vulnerable in my mind because he was better at creating wealth than creating jobs. Most of his experience was buying out companies, splitting them up, and making a profit off the parts of the company that had value. He will be portrayed as a rich Republican that does not care about anyone.
Bachmann has no real accomplishments. She has not authored any key legislation; she has pretty much just voted “No” on everything.
President Obama’s approval rating today posted at an all-time low of 39% today (with 54% disapproving), according to a gallup poll. He has not taken a leadership role in many tough situations and his policies have simply not worked. The economy is in trouble and the electorate are skeptical of Obama’s plans for the future.
A lot can happen between now and November 2012, but I think Perry will most likely win. I am not officially endorsing Perry yet, but logically looking at it, Perry, who has never lost an election, seems to be the likely candidate!
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