…contrary to all the rumors and such. Well, we have to appreciate Paul’s decision not to let the speculation drag on. Being endorsed by Pistol Pete just wasn’t enough. Meanwhile, Pataki, Palin, and Giuliani are all rumored to be on the cusp… I hope I don’t have to explain why none of them is the ticket. The vetting of Rick Perry isn’t going all that well, although the fundamentals of the Texas economy really do look relatively sound. Yet the economy is getting worse, Obama’s ratings continue to slip (because he seems so clueless), and it seems like a plausibly presidential Republican might well win. Does that point to Romney? Or is it true that someone who can’t rouse up any enthusiasm worth mentioning can’t win, even if he would undeniably be a real improvement?
Monday, August 22, 2011, 4:11 PM
August 22nd, 2011 | 4:31 pm
My reaction to Ryan to running was disappointment just barely prevailing over relief. I wonder if Republican are going to lose what appears to be winnable election or win what might become an almost unloseable. Then there will be the problems of governing. My initial read is that Perry is a subtler politician than you would think from reading just his wilder statements. I wonder how much swing voters would discount his hot air about moving to a state government-run Social Security system if he moves to a different position.
Romney seems determined to run as a generic Republican. That sounds like a good idea right now, but his very blankness and inauthenticity will make it easier define him. Perry might be a bit too much of a caricature of low taxes, low regulation government to win what would otherwise be a close election.