The Brief: Top Texas News for Jan. 5, 2012
The Big Conversation:
One question has sprung from many minds since Rick Perry's stunning reversal on Wednesday: What's the governor thinking?
After announcing on Tuesday night, following his dismal fifth-place finish in the Iowa caucuses, that he'd return to Texas to reassess his candidacy, Perry shocked onlookers — and even some of his own staff members — when he announced on Twitter (with jogging picture in tow) that he'd stay in the presidential race.
"We are all scrambling," one Perry staffer wrote in a text message to the Tribune. Perry spokesman Mark Miner was overheard saying, "He tweeted ...
Comments (16)
Scott Chase via Texas Tribune on Facebook
What an idiot. Of course, if the caucuses had required voter ID, maybe the real Rs would have voted.
Gary Skaggs via Texas Tribune on Facebook
So if the Republicans in Iowa are not real, then they must be "irrational".
Curtis McMinn via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Well, consider that state lost if he's the nominee. "What I meant to say is that you are real."
Jack Morgan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Odd how he spoke SO HIGHLY of Iowans in his concession speech, and how real they were...only now to point out now how UNreal they were. Perhaps it's the weight of all that hair on his skull that's causing his bizarre thought process...
Maité Landa via Texas Tribune on Facebook
yes, this democratic process can be quirky and tricky....hahahaha!!!!
Cyn Colpaart via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Thinking? Thinking? Respectfully, don't you need to have a mind/brain in order to carry out such a task?
Jimmie Randall via Texas Tribune on Facebook
If he's not goong be living in our $10,000 per month house can we get out of the lease?
I hope stays in for entire year, gives him less time to screw things up here.
Anti-Claire Fletcher via Texas Tribune on Facebook
You just keep rationalizing how come you couldn't buy those Iowa votes, Governor. We know how hard you'll be preaching in SC but that still won't make you Presidential material. Dude, go back to the rental, you've shamed us enough.
Jason Stradtner via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I think he may be getting at the idea that independents and dems could vote in IA. Unfortunately for him, the same applies in NH and even moreso in SC. He's a damn idiot. And Texas elected him gov how many times? What does that make our state?
Catherine Hardy via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It is kinda quirky, but that's their system, and candidates have to deal. Democrats and Independents can vote in the GOP Iowa Caucus, as long as they register to vote and do so as Republicans when they check in on caucus night. Each of the 1700+ precincts can follow their own rules, none of the 28 delegates are bound on their votes for the convention (takes place this August), even for the 1st round of voting like other caucus states. Any delegate can change their vote come August since nothing is binding. The Iowa Caucus is basically just a straw poll. Caucus goers are hardly representative demographically of the nation as a whole. They are more evangelical, more rural, more Caucasian, and older. It's just not very telling, nor is it that important, as Iowa awards 1% of the total delegates, unbound, and awarded proportionally. Even so, candidates spend a great deal of $ here and they need to be prepared and organized for this type of caucus.
Catherine Hardy via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Additionally, two of the top 3 candidates have experience with the Iowa caucus, and they've basically been running for president for 4+ years. The 3rd has spent virtually every second in Iowa in lieu of other states, and he still didn't win. Also turnout is extremely low in the Iowa Republican caucus.
David Huang via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I hope he at least stays in the race until the Texas primaries. It'll be interesting to see how those votes go.
Cynthia Tannehill Faulk Ryland via Texas Tribune on Facebook
He's not. At all.
sssdddd
Go Santorum
Dale Curry
Typical Rick Perry. He monumentally screws up the debates, acts intoxicated at one press conference, accuses the FED chairman of being a traitor and a host of other stupid comments (e.g. Social Security is a Ponzi scheme) and it's the democrats that are responsible for his poor showing. Typical cognitive dissonance from our Conservative Republican Governor who argues against any "social safety net" on the grounds of personal responsibility. Then when you get your a** handed to you, you blame the democrats. Frankly Governor, you know it's pretty bad when the likes of Santorum and Gingrich defeat you.
Lily Valetta
So why hasn't any source projected what the performance of this fool on the national stage might do to his gubernatorial ambitions in the next election? I project that this is the end for him.