Who cares? He is just another Texas guv who big business wants in the White House. We've seen all this before.
Perry Bacon Jr. :
Interesting comment. In the broadest sense, Rick Perry is a pro-business conservative Republican, just like Bush. But I think the contrasts between them are interesting and worth exploring.
– August 29, 2011 12:58 PM
Do you mean to say he's worse than George W. Bush?
Perry Bacon Jr. :
I think you could read the story to say he is more conservative than George Bush.
– August 29, 2011 12:59 PM
Will Perry hold a similar position to Bush on tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans?
Perry Bacon Jr. :
Yes. He has said he is opposed to tax increases. His annoucement speech repeatedly attacked Obama on this issue in fact.
– August 29, 2011 12:59 PM
I understand Perry was Gore's Campaign Manager in a prior life. Was Bush ever on the Dem side like Perry? Also, did Perry espouse and promote Democratic policies in those days that are against what he stands for now? Did Bush flip flop much from former days when he ran for president? Thanks.
Perry Bacon Jr. :
Perry was Texas campaign chairman for Gore in 1988. I don't have a list of all of Perry's views then, but the Democrats in Texas at that time were much more conservative than Democrats nationally today.
– August 29, 2011 1:05 PM
I am leery of Perry because of how he sounds. The Texan bravado seems awfully familiar to George W. Bush. I am concerned Perry will only solidify our nations cowboy image abroad. If anything, Perry seems like G.W's bigger, meaner brother.
The rest of the Nation is not Texas. How will Perry convince the rest of the world of this fact?
Perry Bacon Jr. :
My guess is Rick Perry for now is working on winning the Republican nomination, not convincing the world of anything right now.
– August 29, 2011 1:09 PM
What has been their respective records of high-level appointments as governor, in terms of gender, racial and ethnic diversity?
Perry Bacon Jr. :
I do not know the answer this question. But I"m curious and will be looking into these kinds of questions.
– August 29, 2011 1:17 PM
Why would the GoP let Mr Perry get anywhere near the nomination, knowing full well that the people would instinctively a see him as G. W. Bush 2.0, the man who almost singlehandedly destroyed the Republican party?
Perry Bacon Jr. :
I think these electablility questions are always hard to answer. And ultimately, voters tend to pick candidates they like. Democrats I don't think picked Obama based on electability
– August 29, 2011 1:21 PM
I believe George W. Bush tended to trust certain advisors too much (Dick Cheney, for example). Who does Rick Perry trust for advice?
Perry Bacon Jr. :
He has a team of longtime advisers, but I think this will change as he moves to the national level. The issues are just so much more complicated, and governors have very little to do with national security.
– August 29, 2011 1:23 PM
With all the reporting of Perry's stance that SS and Medicare are uncosntitional and that SS is a ponzi scheme and should be dismantled, how can polls be coming out in Fla showing Perry tied or beating Obama? Are American's just too complacent and unbelieiving that the republicans mean what they say and want to dismantle ths social safety net. Is this a case of crying wolfe too many times or is it afialing of the media who too often set up false equivalencies and now are less believed then the politions themselves?
Perry Bacon Jr. :
Well, I would start with lots of Republicans 1. aren't big fans of Medicare and Social Security 2. aren't following every statement Perry makes. I think these views will be vetted more carefully in next month's debates.
– August 29, 2011 1:23 PM
Isn't Rick perry really the only GOP candidate who can raise enough money to compete w/ Obama's $1 billion re-election campaign? And, who do you think the White House fears most for 2012?
Perry Bacon Jr. :
If I were the White House, I would fear Romney, who is more moderate and might be a stronger general election candidate. I tend to think the money won't matter that much; the Republican Party and outside groups will make up the difference.
– August 29, 2011 1:31 PM
Funny, I don't recall a story on why Barack Obama wasn't Carol Mosley Braun or a Daly or another anything. Texas has a population of almost 25 million, or more than the entire countries of Australia, Romania, Ivory Coast, Syria, Ghana, Chile, and others. Is it too much to expect that just because they are from the same party and from the same state that we don't need to be told they aren't the same person?
Perry Bacon Jr. :
I think in 2008 we did stories comparing the policy views of Bill Clinton to Hillary Clinton and Obama. I think the comparison is important.
– August 29, 2011 1:31 PM
How will his book Fed Up affect his run? I live in Texas and consider Perry part of the GOP fringe and not a serious candidate, so I have been surprised at how quickly he has risen in the polls. I think when the voters get a closere look he will fade as Bachman has. Now he is the shiney new object. I am not complaining about the press coverage of Perry. It is the job and duty of the press to vet the candidates. Thank you.
Perry Bacon Jr. :
I think Perry, because of his record as governor, will get a longer look from establishment Republicans than Bachmann and that will help him go the distance in this race. I do think the debates are critical for him to show the depth of his views.
– August 29, 2011 1:33 PM
Why does the press continually present Perry, Bachmann, Palin et al as mainstream politicians ? They never question on their outright lies or extremist statements, or analyze the implications.
Perry Bacon Jr. :
I think my story and others in the Post have looked in detail the implications of these politicians views. And you saw the New Yorker piece on Bachmann. Palin is not running, so a little less important to evaluate her views.
– August 29, 2011 1:34 PM
As we have seen with Obama , total lock-step continuation of Bush policies on everything from Guantanamo Bay to Tax Cuts, can there honestly be a meaningful distinction between *any* two establishment candidates?
Perry Bacon Jr. :
Well, I think there's a big difference betweent Obama and Romney or Perry on a host of issues, starting with health care and the economy.
– August 29, 2011 1:35 PM
How IS Rick Perry George Bush?
Perry Bacon Jr. :
Perry and Bush both back lower taxes on individuals and businesses, making it harder to sue companies and doctors, health care reform that favors approaches like health savings accounts, etc. They have a ton in common.
– August 29, 2011 1:37 PM
What was George W. Bush's brand of conservatism? and while all Candidates strive to be a Candidate of all constituents is Rick Perry doing a good enough job of not alienating Non-Conservative Christians and Non-Christians in general.
Perry Bacon Jr. :
Bush's brand of conservatism had a big emphasis on the "compassion" side, trying to use conservative means (tax incentives, etc. ) to take on problems generally viewed as more Democratic issues (say education)
Everyone Perry is trying to win right now is a conservative or a Christian. I think he is looking to win the primary now, general election later.
– August 29, 2011 1:39 PM
I've often thought that George W. Bush had some very liberal leanings, especially in the area of nation building, and ballooning the government. Are these some of the differences you are discussing? Governor Perry seems to be much more decisively conservative fiscally and socially.
Perry Bacon Jr. :
I think this is broadly correct. Bush, to be sure, was a conservative on a number of issues, but Perry might be even more so.
– August 29, 2011 1:43 PM
Why are journalists not writing and researching more about Perry's real record in Texas, looking at the just completed legislative session, and his appointments?
Perry Bacon Jr. :
The Post has written extensively on all of these subjects, as has the New York Times.
– August 29, 2011 1:43 PM
How will Cheney's book affect the race or is he so yesterday?
Perry Bacon Jr. :
– August 29, 2011 1:45 PM
Is Perry likely to appoint supreme court justices who respect the constitution literally, or those who adapt it to meet their own policy goals, i.e. Sotomayor/Thomas?
Perry Bacon Jr. :
Well, without ascribing to your descriptions of judges, I would assume Scalia/Thomas. Romney would approach this the same way.
– August 29, 2011 1:46 PM
All that matters, in the event Perry is the nominee, is whether the Dems can convince the electorate that he's George W Perry. If they can, Obama wins a second term.
You have to admit there's a lot of ammo for that fight.
Perry Bacon Jr. :
From a pure political standpoint, yes, you are right. Dems will try to make Perry or Romney the next version of George W. Bush.
– August 29, 2011 1:47 PM
Because he finished his military service.
Perry Bacon Jr. :
– August 29, 2011 1:47 PM
We hear so much about how this phase of running GOP candidates is more about arousing their base and not addressed to mainstream independents and fall-away Democrats.
At what point does the base not matter any more and we will presumably see some serious talk about our country's problems?
Perry Bacon Jr. :
I think the Republicans will start laying out more detailed plans in the next few weeks. Romney is giving his jobs agenda later this month. One thing: Republicans are the party that believes in less government. They won't have a nine-part plan on every issue.
– August 29, 2011 1:48 PM
I hope Rick Perry is the republican choice for President, I will vote for him in a heart beat. My question is, what is there not to like about Rick Perry, is is perfect candidate.
Perry Bacon Jr. :
And a very pro-Perry comment.
I will end with that. Thanks for the questions everyone.
– August 29, 2011 1:52 PM
