Perry's got that swag, he's going to win.

[Jacobtm]

Just look at his swag, he's gonna cut romney up and Bachman will eventually fizzle out for being too bonkers.

He'll get the nom, and he knows it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTJVlJ25S8c&ob=av3e

Obama will knock him out though.

[NVGonzalez]

I agree there but please do not post Soulja Boy here again

[redcommander]

A Texan isn't winning the White House anytime soon. I don't even see Republicans nominating him even in the best scenario for him where the Tea Party hijacks primaries, because there are much more conservative alternatives to him.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

I think he has a shot at the primary.  He's taking Pawlenty's place as the "anti-Romney".  Will he do well in the general election?  After the prayer rally fiasco, probably not.

[nhmagic]

I think he has a shot at the primary.  He's taking Pawlenty's place as the "anti-Romney".  Will he do well in the general election?  After the prayer rally fiasco, probably not.

Prayer rallies dont bother the general populace and the base as much as it does the hard left.  It will have no effect on his performance in the primary or general (should he win the primary).  If we're going to start talking about the wackiness of candidates' religions or religious views, then that will reopen the door to a discussion about Reverend Wright, and about the policies Obama has pursued in light of those beliefs.  I actually think Obama himself would prefer not to bring back the good reverend.

[Keystone Phil]

Don't be so sure of that "Obama will knock him out though" part.

He certainly does have a swagger to him. A year and a half ago, people would have laughed at you if you said he would be re-nominated and re-elected as Governor. People wouldn't have even bothered to respond if you suggested that he would run for President and be a frontrunner for the nomination. You can't blame him carrying himself the way that he does.

[nhmagic]

Prayer rallies dont bother the general populace and the base as much as it does the hard left.

I am definitely not hard left and the prayer rallies really rub me the wrong way.  I don't have a problem with going to church.  I did it every week as a kid.  But when I ask you a straight forward question about foreign policy or the economy I don't want a bunch of God spoke to me mumbo jumbo.

Putin has a good soul?  C'mon.  Just talk to me like an adult and give it to me straight.

It wasn't considered a negative until recently for our presidents to seek guidance from God to determine the correct course of action.  There is, however, a difference between saying that you heard from God to do this or that, in order to bolster your own political prospects and telling people truthfully that you heard from God on some matter.  That difference is harder to sort especially among pols.  More likely you will pray about an action but not talk about what you heard if you are genuine.  Time has only shown us that Bush probably didn't hear from God to start a war in Iraq, nor did Obama hear from God to pass any of his entitlement programs.  You follow politics more closely than the general populace, regardless of whether you are hard left or not.  That alone makes you more skeptical (as am I) about these sorts of things, but again, I don't think it will really make a difference to most voters.  I haven't seen the Perry prayer rally though, so fill me in on what happened.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

I think he has a shot at the primary.  He's taking Pawlenty's place as the "anti-Romney".  Will he do well in the general election?  After the prayer rally fiasco, probably not.

Prayer rallies dont bother the general populace and the base as much as it does the hard left.  It will have no effect on his performance in the primary or general (should he win the primary).  If we're going to start talking about the wackiness of candidates' religions or religious views, then that will reopen the door to a discussion about Reverend Wright, and about the policies Obama has pursued in light of those beliefs.  I actually think Obama himself would prefer not to bring back the good reverend.

I think the rally will turn off Independents.  Remember, it's not only the fact that he had a prayer rally, it's the fact that he invited so many controversial guests who have said things far worse than anything Reverend Wright said.  And no, this isn't to say that Wright was any "more reasonable" with his remarks, but in comparison, it looks very bad.  Also, Obama denounced Wright for his remarks.

The fact that a prayer rally was held by the governor makes him look like a fundamentalist, extreme conservative, which will turn off Independents.  To them, he'll be another George Bush.  And the fact that we had a Republican governor from Texas a few years ago doesn't help, either, especially since Perry worked in Bush's cabinet when he was Governor.

I really don't see Perry winning at a national level.  He has too much baggage, and I think more will come up as time goes on, especially if he goes on to win the primary.

On a personal note, I believe in prayer, but I don't think politicians should be making a huge show for their religious beliefs.  That would turn me off if I saw a Democrat doing that.

[The Vorlon]

I think he has a shot at the primary.  He's taking Pawlenty's place as the "anti-Romney".  Will he do well in the general election?  After the prayer rally fiasco, probably not.

"Pray for America" vs "God damn America"

If I am Rick Perry I'll take dualing ads on that topic anyday.

Unlike liberals and media talking heads, most Americans (you know, the ones clinging  to their bibles and guns) are actually not offended by people who pray and seek to help the nation.

[mondale84]

Unlike liberals and media talking heads, most Americans (you know, the ones clinging  to their bibles and guns) are actually not offended by people who pray and seek to help the nation.

They may not be offended...but the thousand people mega-churches creek the f**k out of people. And I am talking about most Americans, those living in the suburbs and cities...they may not be "most voters" but they're most Americans.

[Tender Branson]

"Pray for America" vs "God damn America"

If I am Rick Perry I'll take dualing ads on that topic anyday.

This ad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qyh-gGsib0w

certainly helped McCain a lot in Pennsylvania ...

[Keystone Phil]

"Pray for America" vs "God damn America"

If I am Rick Perry I'll take dualing ads on that topic anyday.

This ad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qyh-gGsib0w

certainly helped McCain a lot in Pennsylvania ...

He's saying that if there was a battle between the two, the attacks on Obama's religious alliances would win out. There wasn't a battle between Obama and McCain's religious alliances in 2008. Plus, we had a little thing known as an economic collapse that overshadowed all of this.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

I think he has a shot at the primary.  He's taking Pawlenty's place as the "anti-Romney".  Will he do well in the general election?  After the prayer rally fiasco, probably not.

"Pray for America" vs "God damn America"

If I am Rick Perry I'll take dualing ads on that topic anyday.

Unlike liberals and media talking heads, most Americans (you know, the ones clinging  to their bibles and guns) are actually not offended by people who pray and seek to help the nation.

Ooh, way to be condescending.

The point is, Obama wasn't even the one who said "God damn America".  After Wright made those comments, Obama condemned them and distanced himself from them.  Perry held a rally and invited folks like John Hagee, Mike Bickle, Alice Patterson, and John Benefiel, all of whom have made very controversial statements.  Also, the event was sponsored by the American Family Association, whose president told the media that Jews and Muslims who don't take Jesus Christ as their savior will go to hell.

Independent voters who support separation of Church and State won't care for it, especially in swing states.  And as I've mentioned, it's one thing to pray and acknowledge God, but another thing to hold a rally for you to showcase your religion.

[The Vorlon]

I think he has a shot at the primary.  He's taking Pawlenty's place as the "anti-Romney".  Will he do well in the general election?  After the prayer rally fiasco, probably not.

"Pray for America" vs "God damn America"

If I am Rick Perry I'll take dualing ads on that topic anyday.

Unlike liberals and media talking heads, most Americans (you know, the ones clinging  to their bibles and guns) are actually not offended by people who pray and seek to help the nation.

Ooh, way to be condescending.

The point is, Obama wasn't even the one who said "God damn America".  After Wright made those comments, Obama condemned them and distanced himself from them.  Perry held a rally and invited folks like John Hagee, Mike Bickle, Alice Patterson, and John Benefiel, all of whom have made very controversial statements.  Also, the event was sponsored by the American Family Association, whose president told the media that Jews and Muslims who don't take Jesus Christ as their savior will go to hell.

Independent voters who support separation of Church and State won't care for it, especially in swing states.  And as I've mentioned, it's one thing to pray and acknowledge God, but another thing to hold a rally for you to showcase your religion.

"Clinging to their bibles and their guns" in not a phrase I personally coined.....BTW

The whole "guilt by association" thing is not something I am sure will work.... Mr. Obama has had a few less than squeaky clean associations in the past as well as I recall.

I took a quick peek at Perry's speech at the religious rally on YouTube and it was basically "God, the nation is in trouble, we would like a little help here.  Please bless America, Please Bless president Obama, and give us a hand here..."

Saying a prayer for the President hardly constitutes a threat to national security and is something I think it will be hard to turn against him in the court of pubic opinion.

I think it's good tactics by Perry actually, locks in part of his base, and then prompts the opposition to taunt and make fun of his base... sounds like a good turnout formula to me.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

I think he has a shot at the primary.  He's taking Pawlenty's place as the "anti-Romney".  Will he do well in the general election?  After the prayer rally fiasco, probably not.

"Pray for America" vs "God damn America"

If I am Rick Perry I'll take dualing ads on that topic anyday.

Unlike liberals and media talking heads, most Americans (you know, the ones clinging  to their bibles and guns) are actually not offended by people who pray and seek to help the nation.

Ooh, way to be condescending.

The point is, Obama wasn't even the one who said "God damn America".  After Wright made those comments, Obama condemned them and distanced himself from them.  Perry held a rally and invited folks like John Hagee, Mike Bickle, Alice Patterson, and John Benefiel, all of whom have made very controversial statements.  Also, the event was sponsored by the American Family Association, whose president told the media that Jews and Muslims who don't take Jesus Christ as their savior will go to hell.

Independent voters who support separation of Church and State won't care for it, especially in swing states.  And as I've mentioned, it's one thing to pray and acknowledge God, but another thing to hold a rally for you to showcase your religion.

"Clinging to their bibles and their guns" in not a phrase I personally coined.....BTW

The whole "guilt by association" thing is not something I am sure will work.... Mr. Obama has had a few less than squeaky clean associations in the past as well as I recall.

I took a quick peek at Perry's speech at the religious rally on YouTube and it was basically "God, the nation is in trouble, we would like a little help here.  Please bless America, Please Bless president Obama, and give us a hand here..."

Saying a prayer for the President hardly constitutes a threat to national security and is something I think it will be hard to turn against him in the court of pubic opinion.

I think it's good tactics by Perry actually, locks in part of his base, and then prompts the opposition to taunt and make fun of his base... sounds like a good turnout formula to me.

Yes, Obama has associated with people who have bad pasts.  However, he justified them and condemned any negative behavior.  That is why his associations didn't hurt him so much.  But having a prayer rally sponsored by a group whose president thinks that non-Christians are going to hell certainly won't improve Perry's chances, by any means.  He did not condemn or justify what his speakers had said.  One of the invited guests, John Hagee, said that Hitler was fulfilling God's will.  Hagee endorsed McCain in 2008, but his endorsement was later rejected after negative things came out about him.  He didn't help McCain, and he won't help Perry.

Perry just doesn't look like a candidate who supports unity and represents all Americans- just the ones on the Christian right.  And no, locking in your base and prompting the opposition to taunt you is not a good tactic.  Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann are doing it.  Would they stand much of a chance against Obama, nationally?  Probably not.  Obama won by a substantial margin in 2008 by reaching out to all voters, not just the ones who agree with him all the time.

[Lincoln Republican]

More than a swag it will take

A President to make