First Thoughts: Did Perry go too far?

[liberal N proud]

By NBC’s Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Brooke Brower

Did Perry go too far? A day after appearing to outshine Michele Bachmann on her home turf in Waterloo, albeit with some tough rhetoric aimed at President Obama, Rick Perry might have gone a bit too far in criticizing Obama and even the Federal Reserve while campaigning in Iowa yesterday. For Texans, this is typical Perry. But for Americans who do not know him, it's eyebrow-raising rhetoric. In fact, he sounded more like Trump or Gingrich. "I think the greatest threat to our country right now is this president trying to spend his way out of this debt," Perry said last night in Cedar Rapids, per NBC’s Carrie Dann. (A greater threat than international terrorism?) When reporters asked if he believes Obama doesn’t love America, Perry responded: “You need to ask him.” And then he upped the ante in remarks directed at the Fed. "Printing more money to play politics at this particular time in American history is almost treacherous or treasonous in my opinion," Perry said, per Dann. He went on to say that promoters of such an idea -- hinting but not naming Ben Bernanke specifically -- would get an "ugly" treatment in his home state of Texas.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/16/7386242-first-thoughts-did-perry-go-too-far

[BumRushDaShow]

1. "He sounded more like Trump or Gingrich"

Hey Scmuck Todd - they're all cut from the same looney bin cloth yet you keep trying to legitimize them. :shrug:

[SteveM]

2. My thoughts on Perry's strategy:

I think he will make a strong run for the GOP nomination, and may actually win it. He must then count on liberal disaffection; even a 3rd party/candidate competition (Nader, Perot, Paul, kind of phenomenon) in some states. (Believe it or not, his operatives donated considerable cash and expertise to the Green Party in Texas; they know what they are doing.) In this manner, he could beat Obama. If he does not succeed, he will try again for 2016 at which time he could have a much greater chance of winning.

He is very intelligent, sublimely aggressive, extremist, and fairly contemptuous of any opposition. This is the winning combination for the GOP.

In all of this, it is good to keep in mind that there is not much left of the "Left." They have no home or party.

[Mojambo]

4. I think he's shrewd and well advised. He's not intelligent. n/t

[SteveM]

7. Maybe we are splitting hairs, but libs and progs rarely cede "intelligence"

to the other side; that being a style thing. He is intelligent, and his political instincts are strong.

[Mojambo]

10. I'm entirely willing to cede "intelligence" to the other side

Mitt Romney is intelligent. Newt Gingrich is no dummy. Eric Cantor (although an incredible prick) is reasonably intelligent.

Perry is a dolt.

[FrenchieCat]

5. I'm sure whatever is left of the "Left", President Perry will destroy completely !

Ironically, those on the Left who bash this President 24/7 while claiming to be sooo against the Republican alternative have got to realize that bashing non stop has its consequences.

I'm wondering if those who have practiced rehearsed unhappiness since
shortly after inauguration about everything that the current President does and say
secretly know that they are actively bringing about their own demise?

They are not naive, so they must have connected the political dots by now! :shrug:

I guess it is possible that they simply cannot help themselves, or else,
perhaps they simply have a very short and narrow view of the future,
and would rather bash whats easy than to think about the long term
consequences of their action as they play out in a nation where United Citizen
is the law, and Media bias for Republicans is the norm!

[Armstead]

6. If you dislike "rehersed unhappiness" you might cease indulging in it yourself

Your rehearsed unhappiness is directed 24/7 at anyone who is even slightly critical of President Obama, and you make it personal.

If you really want to encourage a more unified front in support of Obama and against the GOP, it might be a more constructive use of your time to focus on the GOP yourself, instead of always dragging your "Oh some bad Democrats and leftists are saying mean things about my president" into every discussion.

[FrenchieCat]

11. If making it personal means calling out "folks"......

then yes, I'm guilty.

If you aren't one who does 24/7 presidential bashing and not much more,
why would you take it personally? :shrug:

As for my unhappiness......I'm actually quite happy considering,
but thank you for deciding for me what I am. :hi:

[Armstead]

13. I'm glad you're happy. So am I personally....most days.

But not necessarily happy about our political/economic situation.

Just sayin' if you'd accept that most of us on DU (except the right-wing trolls, of course) want to be able to support Obama and the Democrats, even if we are critical about them, it'd be more conducive to developing a more united front against the awfulness of a Perry or Romney next year.

Many are simply offering what they (we) believe is constructive criticism BECAUSE we want Obama and the Democrats to win. The advice may or may not be ignored, but at least we are offering it, and hoping it will be taken in the spirit in which it is given. (Or is sometimes simply venting in frustration, which is also a valid activity ion a discussion board.)

[SteveM]

8. If Perry can destroy the "Left," then the left at worth defending...

I see your point, however. I'm just reporting what I think Perry is up to. About MSM: They will always look for L v R, balance, "the swinging pendulum," and other such nonsense. If they can't find it, they will grab the nearest frame, which the RW WILL provide. MSM's answer to bias is: "If you cannot defend yourself, why should I?"

It's not right, it's not their job, but things have change over the last 40 yrs.

[Armstead]

9. The Democratic Party should be the natural home of "the left"

That is one way the plans of GOP bullies like Perry can be defeated.

[SteveM]

16. Should be. But it is manifest we are out on the lawn.

[BumRushDaShow]

12. Rick Perry + Al Gore history will sink him with the teabaggers. n/t

[SteveM]

17. Hope so.

[AtomicKitten]

3. I predict Perry's campaign will be a trainwreck and Romney remains their default candidate.

MotherJones: Molly Ivins on Gov Goodhair:
http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/08/rick-perry-molly-ivins

[treestar]

15. That was interesting

Molly Ivins was so funny!

[DesertRat]

20. Thanks for the link

I miss Molly Ivins.

[lunatica]

14. Ya know that big talk about big bad Texans isn't making you friends

It's a turnoff when any person running for President does it about any state. It's rude, in your face and infantile. We didn't have enough of a bruising with Bush. Now we have another stomping Texan who does his state no service.

[TwilightGardener]

18. Just sounds like an obnoxious drunk in a bar, trying to sound tough.

I've seen this movie, don't want to see it again.

[ClarkUSA]

19. I can't wait for the next Republican debate.