Perry in 2012?

[kimmy]

I can't remember where I read this, but one commentator was suggesting that Perry and Palin have both failed for the same reason. This writer argued that it was their lack of experience that made them look like idiots. The number of topics that a presidential candidate needs to discuss at length is actually quite staggering when you stop and think about it. Many people can't even put together an opinion on all of them, let alone argue about them in a debate. Mitt Romney has been discussing these topics for many, many years. He has discussed and debate these ideas thousands of times. Palin and Perry on the otherhand have (had in Palin's case) very little experience. It's not enough to debate these things for 6 months or a year. You need to talk about them on a regular basis for many years before it becomes second-nature. I really wish I could remember who wrote the article, but he/she gave the example of a teacher. In the first couple years, teachers sometimes have blunders when giving their lessons. It takes a few years before their presentations run seamlessly without any hitches. I think this problem makes sense for Perry and Palin both. It's not that they're stupid. The problem is that it's a public performance that they're inexperienced in giving.

Well, Palin was never in the situation Perry is in. She was selected; she never had to compete against better candidates for the job. Had she had to go through a year long campaign and endless series of debates to earn the job, it would have been clear that she didn't stack up to other candidates.

But she also never laid an egg like that. She said some dumb things and gave some bad responses, but she never stood there like a deer in the headlights while people laughed.

-k

[Shady]

But she also never laid an egg like that. She said some dumb things and gave some bad responses, but she never stood there like a deer in the headlights while people laughed.

-k

Exactly. And her debate with Joe Biden in '08 was a very good one.

[Guest American Woman]

But she also never laid an egg like that. She said some dumb things and gave some bad responses, but she never stood there like a deer in the headlights while people laughed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze1dQBluxiA

[kimmy]

Bad, but in the same league as Perry's. Not even in the same solar system.

-k

[Guest American Woman]

Bad, but in the same league as Perry's. Not even in the same solar system.

That's definitely a matter of opinion. I could cite several of her responses that were just as bad. Every bit as bad.

I know I'm still laughing.

[cybercoma]

I didn't really want to compare Palin and Perry, although it's easy to read that into my post. What I found to be interesting about the person's argument is that many people are criticizing both of these politicians as being complete idiots. It was more insidious with Palin because she's a woman, but that's a whole different argument. Anyway, they're painted as being morons, when the fact is that one has to be incredibly intelligent to talk about the wide range of things that they have to talk about in depth. I think there's some truth to the notion that their actual problem is inexperience in communicating their knowledge.

[kimmy]

I didn't really want to compare Palin and Perry, although it's easy to read that into my post. What I found to be interesting about the person's argument is that many people are criticizing both of these politicians as being complete idiots. It was more insidious with Palin because she's a woman, but that's a whole different argument. Anyway, they're painted as being morons, when the fact is that one has to be incredibly intelligent to talk about the wide range of things that they have to talk about in depth. I think there's some truth to the notion that their actual problem is inexperience in communicating their knowledge.

Isn't Herman Cain a business exec? Why would a business exec be any better prepared for this sort of thing than the governor of one of the biggest states in America? Yet, clearly Cain is doing well and Perry simply isn't. I don't think the issue is really intelligence or experience... it's not that Perry was asked a question that was academically difficult or obscure or anything. It wasn't a "gotcha" type question, they asked him to articulate his own views. He just had brain-lock. He panicked, he froze.

-k

[Michael Hardner]

Isn't Herman Cain a business exec? Why would a business exec be any better prepared for this sort of thing than the governor of one of the biggest states in America? Yet, clearly Cain is doing well and Perry simply isn't.

Cain is doing better in the polls, but his campaign suffers from the same kind of problems as the other newbie candidates. That video with Mark Block promoting Cain was just ridiculous, and his offhand remarks have been stupid at times.

I can only assume that it takes a lot of experience to realize that every movement that you make in public, every comment is so closely watched.

[kimmy]

Cain is doing better in the polls, but his campaign suffers from the same kind of problems as the other newbie candidates. That video with Mark Block promoting Cain was just ridiculous, and his offhand remarks have been stupid at times.

I can only assume that it takes a lot of experience to realize that every movement that you make in public, every comment is so closely watched.

I don't think those things are really comparable. Cain released a bad commercial... he's made some off-the-cuff remarks that were not well thought out. Perry had total brain-lock in response to a pretty straightforward question that he really ought to have been prepared for.

-k

[Jack Weber]

Well, Palin was never in the situation Perry is in. She was selected; she never had to compete against better candidates for the job. Had she had to go through a year long campaign and endless series of debates to earn the job, it would have been clear that she didn't stack up to other candidates.

But she also never laid an egg like that. She said some dumb things and gave some bad responses, but she never stood there like a deer in the headlights while people laughed.

-k

Erm...The interview on ABC was definately "An Egg"...

In fact,it was a Golden Egg four years ago....

Edited November 12, 2011 by Jack Weber

[Shady]

The discussion is pretty much moot, because Perry isn't going to win the nomination. He's polling in single digits.

[Michael Hardner]

I don't think those things are really comparable. Cain released a bad commercial... he's made some off-the-cuff remarks that were not well thought out. Perry had total brain-lock in response to a pretty straightforward question that he really ought to have been prepared for.

-k

They're not comparable, in that they're different types of gaffes - but as was pointed out, it's all about the experience, or lack thereof, in running for president.

I'm kind of surprised that a governor or CEO wouldn't already have the basics to do this, but on the other hand the evidence is pretty convincing.

[cybercoma]

My apologies. I just searched for a good 15 minutes for that article and can't seem to dig it up. If I happen to come across it again, I'll post it.

[blueblood]

They're not comparable, in that they're different types of gaffes - but as was pointed out, it's all about the experience, or lack thereof, in running for president.

I'm kind of surprised that a governor or CEO wouldn't already have the basics to do this, but on the other hand the evidence is pretty convincing.

Especially a governor and CEO doing this since the 80s. Board meetings and Texas debates should require someone to think on their feet.

I'd like Romney a lot more if he was able to communicate a plan for what he'd do in a quick soundbite. I think that's what's holding him back more an anything. You gotta be more than the anti-candidate.

[jbg]

I'd like Romney a lot more if he was able to communicate a plan for what he'd do in a quick soundbite. I think that's what's holding him back more an anything. You gotta be more than the anti-candidate.

Normally that would be right. However, given the fact that he's up against unelectable wingnuts his best game is slow and steady, not to say much of anything until the nomination is locked up.

[Guest Derek L]

Normally that would be right. However, given the fact that he's up against unelectable wingnuts his best game is slow and steady, not to say much of anything until the nomination is locked up.

Well, "Uncle" Newt is gaining ground, and in a poll on FNS, they have him in second behind Romney and now ahead of Cain.....

[Michael Hardner]

I'd like Romney a lot more if he was able to communicate a plan for what he'd do in a quick soundbite. I think that's what's holding him back more an anything.

This amounts to voting for a candidate because they have the campaign most likely to succeed than the one with the best plan.

[blueblood]

This amounts to voting for a candidate because they have the campaign most likely to succeed than the one with the best plan.

That's true, however, someone should have good communication skills to sell what their vision for the country is. They have to project themselves as a leader. I don't agree with Obama, however he was very good at doing that, and very good at getting his vision across to the people and getting people to buy into his plan. I don't like his plan, but he had one and successfully sold it.

A good plan is as important as the ability to convince people you have a good plan.

[Guest American Woman]

That's true, however, someone should have good communication skills to sell what their vision for the country is. They have to project themselves as a leader. I don't agree with Obama, however he was very good at doing that, and very good at getting his vision across to the people and getting people to buy into his plan. I don't like his plan, but he had one and successfully sold it.

A good plan is as important as the ability to convince people you have a good plan.

Regarding Obama, I always felt that he was a good orator, good at presenting a plan, but that didn't give me any confidence that he'd be able to carry it out. In other words, I had real doubts if his skills went much beyond being a good orator. He was not my choice for the Democratic ticket.

[jbg]

Well, "Uncle" Newt is gaining ground, and in a poll on FNS, they have him in second behind Romney and now ahead of Cain.....

Newt is the non-Romney "flavor of the day". He has no money and little traction.

[bush_cheney2004]

Regarding Obama, I always felt that he was a good orator, good at presenting a plan, but that didn't give me any confidence that he'd be able to carry it out. In other words, I had real doubts if his skills went much beyond being a good orator. He was not my choice for the Democratic ticket.

Nope....many others wish it had been Hillary Clinton instead.

[Shady]

Anybody see this video yet? It's pretty funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C763F624QSs

[BubberMiley]

The discussion is pretty much moot, because Perry isn't going to win the nomination. He's polling in single digits.

Nice to see you coming around to my "this discussion is moot" perspective.

[dre]

Regarding Obama, I always felt that he was a good orator, good at presenting a plan, but that didn't give me any confidence that he'd be able to carry it out. In other words, I had real doubts if his skills went much beyond being a good orator. He was not my choice for the Democratic ticket.

I dunno. I dont really see any skills Obama COULD have had that would have made much of a difference. I think you will find that the near 50:50 partisan divide makes it impossible for ANYONE to really accomplish much in that position.

Americans and their political parties have some really large philosophical differences right now, and theres a lot of uncompromising lines being drawn in the sand, and a lot of people putting party over country. Its a tough environment to really accomplish anything in.

Having said that... Obama comes across to me a chicken shit that lacks the courage to make a stand for what he believes in. Good intentions... some good ideas... But no balls.

[jbg]

I dunno. I dont really see any skills Obama COULD have had that would have made much of a difference.

He could have used his bully pulpit towards the various ethnic minorities to convince them to join America. Stop having babies out of wedlock. Get jobs. Learn f***** English. Stop dropping out. I.e. the way he got ahead.

But he didn't, and won't.