As Perry Rises, G.O.P. Elite Look Toward Romney

[alp227]

Source: The New York Times

TAMPA, Fla. — The rising presidential candidacy of Gov. Rick Perry of Texas is stirring excitement for many Republican voters but is creating unease in some quarters of the party’s establishment, particularly over his views of Social Security, which are at the root of an intensifying competition with Mitt Romney.

The decision on Monday by Tim Pawlenty, a former Republican presidential rival, to support Mr. Romney’s campaign signals the beginning of an effort by some party leaders to try to slow the ascent of Mr. Perry — or to push him to explain positions that are considered provocative.

In announcing his endorsement on Monday, Mr. Pawlenty said he believed Mr. Romney was the only candidate with the “unique qualifications to confront and master our severe economic predicament.” The judgment of Mr. Pawlenty, who dropped out of the presidential race last month, was carefully watched by some Republicans because he knows both men well.

The endorsement was a visible marker in a quietly continuing battle for the soul and direction of the Republican Party between traditional party leaders and grass-roots conservatives. To some degree it is a clash of styles and of principle versus pragmatism, but it also encompasses foreign and domestic policy differences, some of which have surfaced as the presidential campaign has intensified.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/13/us/politics/13repubs.html?pagewanted=all

[ingac70]

1. The GOP elite are SOL....

they pandered to the crazies, now the lunatics have taken over the asylum.

:rofl:

[Skittles]

3. CORRECT

[Bluebear]

13. Truer words never spoken

[roguevalley]

16. idiots nursed a viper to their bosom. can't complain when they

get bit.

[lindysalsagal]

17. They screwed the pooch in 2000 when they put up the frat boy and he took us all

over a cliff.

[RZM]

2. Just wait until the ad buying begins in earnest

You won't be able to turn on the TV without seeing an anti-Perry ad.

[No Elephants]

4. Crime families have "elites?" Who knew?

[Hardrada]

5. Hey, somebody's gotta be the Capo di Tutti Capi!

[Kennah]

7. Perry is definitely Luca Brasi

[Loudmxr]

6. Of course. Romney is prettier than Perry. And he doesn't wear lifts.

[elleng]

8. Waiting for Jeb.

[rocktivity]

9. Candidate for this year's "You Call This NEWS?" Award

I raised that question weeks ago.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=1841366&mesg_id=1841832

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1844007

:headbang:
rocktivity

[AndyTiedye]

10. Bush Ran the Country into the Bushes. Perry Would Wreck it Beyond Repair, EEEEEE!

[dimbear]

11. a quietly continuing battle for the soul of the Republican Party?

Best chance to get it back: ask Lucifer if He's interested in a ransom.

[JCMach1]

14. I think you have to have a soul to fight for for that metaphor to work

:)

[lindysalsagal]

18. "soul of the GOP"? Little presumptuous, dontcha think?

Since when do snails have souls?

[cppuddy]

12. If the tea party

is so powerful,why doesn't these elites break away, and form their own party? Just saying you could instantly marginalize the tea party instantly; as a third party crazy group.

[pampango]

15. Ahhh, the GOP elite against the GOP "populists". Fight on, GOP!

The real issue is whether the elites will be able to harness the "populists" like they did in 2010. The elites know which candidate they want but they need the "populists'" votes and their energy for the campaign.

Do they go with Mitt after making him superficially more acceptable to the "populists" (his attacks on immigration are a good start) or with Rick after making sure that he is "winking" when he constantly throws red meat to the base?

[lindysalsagal]

19. It took 3 groups to choose George: Religious, Moneyed, and Neo Cons.

Now, the moneyed want the guy with the magic underwear, but the religious don't trust him. The neocons are probably bankrollling Bachman.

Sucks to be them.