It was not a good weekend for Texas Gov. Rick Perry. After going all out to win the Florida President 5 straw poll, Perry lost by more than 20-points to Herman Cain. Then, without even showing up, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney won the Mackinaw Island straw poll in Michigan by more than 30-points.
Perry’s dismal performance in Thursday’s debate clearly cost him what should have been a slam dunk win in Florida. “I came in leaning towards Perry, but I really liked Cain,” CPAC voter Kelly Rainer told National Review. “I want him to be stronger,” Rainer said of Perry. “I just want to see it. I don’t feel he has as great a command of what he’s talking about. Maybe just he hasn’t been in the race as long as the other guys. I feel like every debate they pick something out to hit him at, and I haven’t felt him respond the way I want to hear. I’m waiting, though.”
The Kelly Rainer’s of the world are only going to wait so long. The next Republican debate is October 11th in New Hampshire. Between now and then Perry is going to have to do something (speeches, policy papers, press conference, something) to show that he can “be stronger” and have a “great command” of the issues. If he doesn’t, and if he turns in another middling performance October 11th, his candidacy will no survive to see 2012.
Around the Bigs
The Washington Post, Shutdown looms: Spotlight now on Senate after Boehner wrangled House GOP votes: After tabling the House Republican measure to avoid a Tuesday-FEMA shutdown, Majority Leader Harry Reid, R-Nev., will try and pass his own temporary funding bill without spending cuts to green energy loan programs.
The Washington Times, California Democratic Party among Solyndra’s creditors: Bankruptcy papers filed by Obama stimulus backed Solyndra, claim the California Democratic Party as a creditor. While the state party acknowledges that Solyndra gave them $7,500, a spokesman says he is unclear why Democrats are listed as as a creditor in the filing.
The Wall Street Journal, Price of Reclassifying Workers: An Internal Revenue Service crackdown on employers who improperly use independent contractors will force many small businesses to choose between raising operating costs or risking an audit and penalties.
The New York Times, Worried Greeks Fear Collapse of Middle Class Welfare State: Greeks are revolting against tax increases being used to pay for a bloated public sector that employs one in five Greeks.
Gallup, Americans Express Historic Negativity Toward U.S. Government: According to Gallup, a record-high 81 percent of Americans are dissatisfied with the way the country is being governed.
The New York Times, A Campaign Finance Ruling Turned to Labor’s Advantage: Despite originally decrying the Supreme Court’s Citizen United decision, big labor is now planning to use the ruling to spend millions telling non-union households to vote for Democrats.
Righty Playbook
In The Wall Street Journal, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, says “the economy needs a regulation time-out.”
Red State‘s Daniel Horowitz urges Republicans to Hold the Line Against Venture Eco-Socialism in the Continuing Resolution.
The American Spectator‘s Quin Hillyer is does not want to see Chris Christie get into the race: “Christie has a heck of a future. Let’s let him earn that future by continued performance in office. The man says he isn’t ready. Give him the respect he deserves by taking him at his word.”
Lefty Playbook
The Washington Monthly‘s Steve Benen is encouaged by news that the Democratic National Committee is putting $3.5 million into a television ad touting Obama’s new jobs plan.
The New Republic’s Jonathan Cohn tries to explain why voters don’t vote for Democrats despite telling pollsters they like parts of their awesome policies.
Former Chief Economist and Economic Adviser to Vice President Joe Biden Jared Bernstein tries to explain why voters tune Democrats out.
