Romney Lives

The media rush to anoint Rick Perry stalled as a surprisingly feisty Mitt Romney crashed the Texas governor's first GOP presidential debate.

It wasn't just that Romney firmly countered Perry's ill-advised attacks on Social Security as a "Ponzi scheme" and a "monstrous lie" -- perhaps the dumbest thing I've ever heard said in a presidential debate (which is saying a lot!). Romney smoothly dominated Perry on several occasions.

While his chief rival is a fifth-generation Texan, Romney was the one who came across as having been to the rodeo.

For instance, when Perry lamely tried to score with an obviously rehearsed line about how Romney's predecessor as Massachusetts governor, Michael Dukakis, created more jobs than he did, Romney instantly shot back by claiming that George W. Bush as governor produced more jobs than Perry. He got the audience laugh and won the moment.

That was a childish exchange, for sure, but made Perry look worse because he started it -- which was weird, because given Perry's fledgling frontrunner status he didn't stand to benefit by attacking anyone.

Anyway, it's early and all things are possible. Although Perry did nothing to ruin his status, Romney managed to show some stuff that avoided a media narrative that he was fading away.

The result is that the new narrative holds that the Republican race is a Romney-Perry showdown instead of the Perry romp that it might have been.

And who knows, we might be looking at party's likeliest ticket, in whatever order.

 

 

 

Follow Craig Crawford on Twitter: www.twitter.com/craig_crawford

Comments

[Eraser]

10:21 AM on 09/08/2011

Perry says Michael Dukakis created more jobs than Mitt Romney as governer.

Perry has just admitted that liberal democratic policies create more jobs than conservative republican policies.

[RealistBC]

10:08 AM on 09/08/2011

Romney represents Wall Streeters disaffected by Obama, and Perry Represents the energy sector of the economy. Neither set of supporters likes the other enough to settle for second place on the GOP ticket, so I see Craig's conclusion to be inoperative.

[demisfine]

10:07 AM on 09/08/2011

GOP 2012 ticket - Romney/Rubio.

[Sherman Yellen]

09:21 AM on 09/08/2011

Perry? As dangerous as a Texas wildfire, difficult to contain and wreaking havoc and destruction in his path. His would be a scorched earth policy, destroying Social Security, Medicare, and whatever allows the middle class to survive in a difficult economy like a minimum wage. His stance on speedy executions for the convicted is part of the macho props that he appears to need to convince himself that he is a tough guy - so screw justice - let alone mercy. Although Romney is an uber-opportunist, he comes off as sane compared to Tricky Ricky. If elected we can only hope that Romney's natural hypocrisy would come to the fore, and that he would return to sane, middle-of-the road, government as he did in Mass. But there's no guarantee on that happening. More likely the American people - rather than the Romney family dog - would be riding atop his station wagon perilously holding on for dear life for the next four years if he is elected.

[noaxe397]

08:26 AM on 09/08/2011

As long as Romney remains true to what he believes, then he will win the nomination. If Romney tries to act "tea party" or to try to out-macho Perry, then he will be seen as a flip flopper. He WAS painted as a flip flopper four yeats ago but he has been able to stanch that criticism because he no longer tries to run from his past record, but rather explain and embrace it. Note: These comments are about tactics, not merits.

[gypsynomad]

07:54 AM on 09/08/2011

Yes I watched the debate, I cam to this conclusion Perry is a lot fuzzy in his grey areas, that makes him a dangerous man and he may not be elected.

[Laura Hammer]

06:53 AM on 09/08/2011

ok

[Osmona]

06:19 AM on 09/08/2011

I heard Romney say "Bush and his PREDECESSOR (Obama) created more jobs than Perry. Go to the video tape.

[knapstellar]

10:00 AM on 09/08/2011

If true, then it could mean Bush and his predecessor - Ann Richardson.

[jojojo]

11:15 AM on 09/08/2011

Actually, Bush's presidential predecessor was Clinton. More likely he was referring to Richardson.

As Prez, Bush was Losing 740,000 jobs every MONTH at the end of his term.

[ekstatik]

03:03 AM on 09/08/2011

Having Perry anywhere near the presidency is a scary thought.

[Syllogizer]

12:29 AM on 09/08/2011

That laugh from the audience was only the beginning of Perry's undoing: as you say, later in the debate he hoist himself by his own petard attacking Social Security so very recklessly.

What was he thinking? Did he forget how many people in his voting bloc are retired or nearing retirement? Or is he too stupid to take that into account?

Perry might not go away immediately after this debacle, but his goose is cooked: he has no chance now.

[Querent]

01:33 AM on 09/08/2011

Perry's counting on the stupidity of conservatives when he bashes the Social Security many of them are collecting. Any bet on the stupidity of conservatives is a guaranteed winner.

[surfcityart]

08:45 AM on 09/08/2011

Your right. With the Republicans you to just have to beat your opponents, then they will fall behind you. That is why Perry has a chance. Which is scary.