For those hoping that three weeks of practice could make Texas Gov. Rick Perry a better debater, last night was a huge disappointment. Perry rarely spoke, let the other candidates dominate the forum, and when he did speak, he either issued useless generalities about increased energy production, or endorsed state-level crony capitalist projects like Obama’s Solyndra disaster.
But when the debate finally ended, things only got worse. Someone in the Perry campaign thought it would be a good idea for Perry to head over to the Beta Pheta Pi fraternity debate-watch party and take questions. Responding to a woman’s question about state’s rights, Perry said that one of the “reasons we fought the revolution in the 16th century was to get away from that kind of onerous crown.” Our revolutionary war was fought in the second half of the 18th century. During the same Q&A, Perry admitted that he is not a good debater. “I just try to get up every day and do my job, and debates are not my strong suit,” Perry said.
Perry has performed poorly in all four of the GOP debates in which he has participated. Even the candidate himself seems to acknowledge that debates can only hurt his campaign. So why show up? The Perry campaign is telling every reporter who will listen that debates don’t matter. OK. If they really believe that, then why have Perry show up at all? Why not just work crowds, raise money, and run TV and web ads? We know Perry can’t debate, so let the headlines be about what he CAN do.
GOP Debate:
The Examiner‘s Michael Barone: “If the goal of a candidate in a debate is to sound presidential, Romney achieved that at Dartmouth.”
The Examiner‘s Phil Klein: “Texas Gov. Rick Perry reinforced the doubts about the viability of his candidacy. It’s one thing if he had an off night or two, but he’s now turned in four straight weak debate performances, so it’s hard to believe he has it within him to do much better.”
The Washington Post‘s Jennifer Rubin: “Certainly, Mitt Romney has to be very pleased. He was smooth as silk, deflecting a question on RomneyCare, explaining the problems of community banks, and driving home the key message: He is the only candidate ready for prime time.”
Power Line‘s John Hinderaker: “Mitt Romney did very well again. He comes across as strong, reassuring, articulate, experienced, knowledgeable. … I don’t know whether the pundits who say this was make or break for Perry are right, but it certainly was not a strong night for him.”
Michelle Malkin: “Rick Perry once again failed to deliver. He was languid. Passive. Half-hearted. Listless.”
RedState‘s Erick Erickson: “Rick Perry was largely a no show in the first half. The forgotten man who once dominated, he’s rapidly becoming the Fred Thompson of the campaign season.”
Around the Bigs
The Washington Examiner, Obama blames Senate GOP for killing jobs plan: President Obama’s second stimulus died in the Senate last night after only 51 Democrats voted to end debate on the bill. Even if Obama had gotten 60 votes to end debate, he would not have gotten a majority of 51 on the final vote. Sens. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., and Jon Tester, D-Mont., both both voted against ending debate and Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., said he would have voted against the bill on final passage.
The Wall Street Journal, Lawmakers Pass Bill Targeting China Yuan Policy: By a vote of 63 to 35, the Senate passed a bill that would make it easier for the Treasury Secretary to raise tariffs on China if he first labels them as a currency manipulator. House Majority Whip Eric Cantor said yesterday that the House will not vote on the bill until the Obama administration takes a position on the legislation.
The Wall Street Journal, Red Flags for Green Energy: Solyndra is not the only failed Obama stimulus clean energy program. Despite $35.2 billion in Energy Department stimulus spending, the clean energy sector has added jobs at a slower pace than the rest of the economy.
The Washington Post, D.C. Council members supports right of Stop the Machine and Occupy DC to protest: D.C. Council members reached for comment by The Post said they have no problem with the National Park Service allowing protesters to camp out overnight in Freedom Plaza and McPhereson Square.
Campaign 2012
Romney: The Examiner‘s Byron York has a behind the scenes look at New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s endorsement of Mitt Romney: “Before Romney’s announcement, most of the talk here in Hanover had been about Rick Perry. After two weak debate performances, would the Dartmouth debate be a make-or-break test for the Texas governor? After Romney’s announcement, all the talk was of the Christie endorsement. Romney turned the press narrative around in an instant.”
Righty Playbook
At The Corner, The Heritage Foundation’s Hans von Spakovsky notes that the Obama Justice Department requires attendees to show photo ID to confirm their reservation at a discrimination conference, but does not allow states such as Alabama, South Carolina, and Texas to require photo ID to vote.”
The Heritage Foundation posts a video showing how Obama’s offshore drilling moratorium is increasing the national debt.
The Weekly Standard‘s Mark Hemingway notes that the most transparent administration in our nation’s history refuses to give out the names and phone numbers of the federal employees who’s specific job is answering questions from the press and the public.
Lefty Playbook
Talking Points Memo‘s Brian Beutler explains why Democrats think their failure to pass Obama’s second stimulus is really a victory: “The point of Tuesdays vote was to allow Dems take a message to voters: With unemployment over 9 percent, Republicans unanimously snuffed out the the only bill on the docket that promises to significantly boost the economy — without even allowing a debate on it.”
Mother Jones‘ Kevin Drum calls Democrats who didn’t want to vote for Obama’s second stimulus “a bunch of morons.”
The Washington Monthly‘s Steve Benen notes that even before Obama’s second stimulus died in the Senate, Obama 2012 campaign manage Jim Messina had sent an email out explicitly accusing Republicans of sabotaging the economy to increase their chances of winning the next election.
