E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSMASON CITY, Iowa -- Rick Perry made a positive impression on undecided voters gathered here at this modest country club amid farmlands and an industrial railroad across the street.
First Read spoke with more than half a dozen of the 50 people here for dinner and a county GOP fundraiser. None of those half a dozen or so were decided -- and it could be shaping up to be a race for third place In Iowa between Perry and Rick Santorum.
“I was principally Santorum before tonight,” said Martha Pauley, of Clear Lake, here with her husband, Don. She said it was the first time she’d heard Perry and likes him. “I’m going to take a close look at him.”
Bev Lunsman, of Mason City, who was seated at the Pauleys’ dinner table, said it’s between Santorum and Perry for her also. “Both are really solid conservatives,” she said.
Don Pauley, who was wearing a Perry sticker – one given out on the way in -- said he’s undecided, but now “would consider him” [Perry] after his speech tonight. The speech was unremarkable for a Perry speech, hitting on many of the same notes he normally does.
But Lunsman, for example, said she was impressed with his tone. “He’s a straight talker,” she said. (All three said they liked Herman Cain. “Herman Cain is everything Obama’s not,” Lunsman said.)
“I like his values,” Don said.
The Pauleys said they caucused in 2008 for Michele Bachmann, despite her not running that year and Mike Huckabee, who won the state and this county, Cerro Gordo (translated, it mean colloquially "big shot" and literally "fat hill or mountain"), that year.
But this year, they’re not voting for Bachmann because they don’t see her as presidential. Bachmann likes to compare herself to Margaret Thatcher, but Don and Martha disagreed, saying she hadn’t won statewide and didn’t have the experience.
Don was blunter: “She’s not old enough. Give her 10 years.”
(Bachmann is 55. Santorum is younger. He’s 53.)
Another couple, Burt and Barbara Tekippe, both of Mason City, said coming in, they were undecided between Gingrich, Romney, and Perry – though they were leaning toward crossing Gingrich off their list. After tonight, though, Gingrich was eliminated in their minds. And Barbara was sold: “I’ve made up my mind,” she said affirmatively, saying the final decision for her was about abortion and a moment that highlighted that tonight.
A woman stood up and said she had an abortion when she was 18 before she “found the Lord.” She said she regretted it after having a child years later. She endorsed Perry, who gave her a hug after she spoke.
“That was it for me,” Barbara said.
For his part, Burt was still torn between Romney and Perry. He said he likes Romney’s business experience, but worries he’s not conservative enough. But he said he thought Perry had spent too much time in government.
“I like what he did in Texas,” Barbara interjected, directing her comment to her husband, who smiled.
Each Iowan said they would decide in the next couple of days – and maybe even on caucus night.
With a notepad full of notes she’d taken from various candidates she’d heard, Jodee Jones, of Mason City, said, she’ll listen to those that speak for the candidates on caucus night and is open to being convinced.
“Someone might say something that makes you think, ‘Well, I didn’t think of that,’” she said.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this post had the incorrect translation of "Cerro Gordo.")
Leave a Comment:
Ah, retail politics at its finest. I loved the interviews with real religious conservatives in Iowa.
Barbara and Burt, their reponses to you Domenico were like the pickle judges at the state fair. They want to weigh all the different aspects, pros and cons of the sample before them. Barbara found her prize. Old Burt, I think is a harder sell.
In the end, Romeny will win because the religious vote will be split among the "gerkins, dill, and the sweet bread and butter slices".
This is ok, they are still kicking the tires, the last PPP poll says the great grandparents age group is solidly in Mitts corner like 5-1, the rest are solidly in Paul's corner at least 3-1.
Perry, comes in a pretty slow 1-3
He may be a straight talker, but that doesn't mean he has a clue about what he is talking about. We've already had one low C average president, and look where that got us.
Funny, there are a whole lot of people in Texas who don't. Just ask those that have seen their wages reduced because of his policies, or the people, especially the children, who have lost their health care because of his policies, or the people who were thrown into poverty because of his policies, maybe the state workers (teachers, firefighters, police) who are now losing their jobs because of his policies, etc.
Now there's some real deep thinking, and logic at work, yessiree.
That makes sense, pick who you want to be the leader of the free world, and, arguably, the most powerful person on earth, based on their stance on abortion. Never mind the man can't remember the name of the Supreme Court Justice that was just appointed despite vitriolic Republican/TP Inc. party opposition, or which three departments of the government he wants to eliminate. Has anyone asked him a geography question? Wanna bet he'll say he can see Mexico from the Texas governor's mansion?
What a choice! It's between the Tin Man, or the Scarecrow, one without a heart, the other without a brain.
Matthew,
Tisk, tisk....you are so predictable. I suppose you would tell us that the "brain" in the white house is doing a fantastic job? By the way....I wonder why he never released his school records?
The problem with all these ivy league educated morons is they don't have an ounce of common sense.
Great post Matthew. There are millions of us here in this country who do not believe that abortion is a priority when voting for the President of the United States. It's why we fight so hard. If it's an issue, fine. But it shouldn't be the only issue when voting.
There are so many things to take into consideration when voting. Thinking about having an abortion is a sad circumstance to be in I should think and is none of our business what people decide. We need to mind our own business when it comes to personal decisions by people we don't even know. It's a tough enough decision without strangers giving their two cents.
btw, Mitt was pro-choice. Now he's pro-life. He couldn't win in MA if he wasn't pro-choice. He admitted as much. He flip flopped.
Spazzin,
I often hear similar sentiments and it is the damn dumbest thing I have ever heard. How did that elect the stupid guy work out with Bush II and wasn't Palin a wonderful choice. This strain of anti intellectualism has been oft echoed by conservatives throughout history. It's usually accompanied by book burnings, the occasional witch burning, inquisitions, loyalty oaths, truth tests and destruction of civil liberties. Oh the other thing is it precipitates the fall of a society. Common sense is the refuge of those unable to think uncommonly, great leaps forward were made by brilliant men and women with extrordinary ideas. Conservatism is now and has always been a desire to maintain a past which never really existed.
jkh
Well said, Jim. I often find that the people who express the sentiment Spazzin expressed above, do not have the education to comprehend the absurdity of the sentiment he posted.
'Common sense' isn't always that 'common', and does not always make 'sense'. - (I'm sure somebody famous said that, but I do not know, or remember who to provide the appropriate citation)
Poor Matthew. Second largest economy in the US, the majority of US jobs in the last 5 years, leading in exports for the last 10, 8th lowest CoL in the nation, second lowest tax per capita, tort AND Medicaid reform resulting in insurance premiums lower than average and far lower than Mass - I can't imagine for the life of me why you're still there. Why ARE you there? It really does sound like hell on earth. You should move to the great state of CA - I understand their state leg has and will raise taxes to cover anything. Over, and over, and over again.
And as for all those uninsured starving in the streets of Houston, one of the most successful cities in the US...it's fortunate that TX is the only state in the nation to provide extensive free care system with a state requirement that cities and counties provide indigent care outside of Medicaid.
My .02 on abortion btw? I won't look the other way. It isn't the only issue but it's certainly one of them, just as it is with liberals. I too was once pro-choice, back when I thought it would be a rare occurence. It's not. The same people that raise hell about inhumane animal slaughter are willing to look the other way on abortion and bury solid evidence of fetal pain while they tear them to pieces in the womb. 54% of the women getting abortions didn't use contraception often enough to avoid pregnancy (obviously), and the other 46% didn't use it at all. And that information is directly from Guttmacher. We have state laws that deliberately cut *the parents* that could assist a child in raising a baby out of the equation and schools that will transport her to an abortion clinic without our knowledge - but require a signed form from the doctor for those same parents to provide her with an aspirin on school grounds. Apparently we can't be trusted with these life and death decisions like the state can.
I don't feel any need to look the other way to assuage someones hurt feelings. The intent has nothing to do with anyones hurt feelings because I and others disagree with your actions - it's to stop killing over a million babies per year in the US alone. 1.2 MILLION babies, people. How can you support, much less defend, that? I realize accountability is anathema, but nevertheless - if it's that great a hardship, I suggest you use the bc available in EVERY store or don't have sex.
Matthew,
I totally agree with you. The religious voters who vote only based on social issues don't care about anything but the abortion issue and defence of marriage between a man and woman.
In the Iowa caucus they really turn out , that's why Huckabee won last time.
You're right, NorthstarDFL, and I know quite a few people who do exactly that. Unfortunately, a couple of them are even in my own family. Interestingly, it is the ones who do not have college educations . . . hmmmm.
Legal abortion is here to stay, republicans had control of the White House and Congress plenty of times in the last 35 years to try and change the law if they really wanted to. It is simply a wedge issue they bring up, but they have no intention of ever changing the law at the federal level, because this nation wants legalized abortions and they know it. I can make the case that as a nation we are more concerned about our beer than abortion. Prohibition lasted less than 5 years, we have had legalized abortion for over 35 years. That's right, we amended the precious Constitution to prohibit alcohol and then repealed that amendment inside of 5 years, if this country did not want abortion we would have changed the law by now.
Yup, abortion is too valuable to the GOP as a wedge issue for them to actually do something dramatic about it. Besides, being sneaky little buggers they'd rather chip away at the rights of Americans a little at a time.
You are right! I remember Regan after his landslide victory addressing a crowd of ani-abortion protesters in front of the White House. He assured them that with the Republican controled congress he would outlaw abortion ? (still waiting)
Not going to comment on who is voting for Perry - just an observation. He is known to be very good at "retail" politics, this is supposedly how he wins in Texas.
Forrest,
Great observation. Republicans love the wedge issues. it brings out their base of religious fundamentalists. When they can't live by their fiscal conservative ideals, they change the subject to social issues.
Phine,
I am a little slow on the uptake this evening. "retail" politics for Perry is...?
One on one with people (like in a coffee shop, etc.) In all his races in Texas he only debated twice. Most of the time was "glad handing" with voters - one on one. (And lots of ads)
So reminiscent of 2008. Nobody really liked McCain, but he won the nomination because the passionate voters divided up among numerous "others." GOP passion was so absent for McCain he had to stoop to Palin's level to generate any excitement. Nobody really likes Romney, but they are playing right into his hands. If he comes out of Iowa w/ Paul, Santorum, Gingrich as opponents, its over. Paul is now at his ceiling and trying to convince the huge number who find him absolutely unacceptable, Gingrich lacks money and has a growing "unacceptable". Santorum is dead ass broke and in his last race lost his own state by 18 points. Rick Perry is conservative, evangelical, and most importantly has the money (can get plenty more albeit a bit "oily") to compete and test Romney at least thru So Carolina and Fla. Just has to stay away from debates.
thanks Phine,
I am drinking my second glass of wine right now.:0)
I think Perry will live to campaign another day no matter what percentage he receives.
He has a couple of super PACS to run some more ads for him.
He wants to hang on until South Carolina. It is the southern thing that he hopes will work for him. Funny thing, that's what Newt is planning on!
Abortion is a hell of a thing, and I really don't know where I stand on it right now. I guess I'm still for for choice, like the choice I made years ago, but it can haunt you, believe me. One of the things that happens is if you are lucky enough to have a child some day, you look at him/her...and...you think...well, I'm not going to finish that thought but I think you know where I was headed. My only caution to people is to really think it through, and whatever your decision I hope it's the right decision for you and you are at peace with it.
Good advice Tim, and it is a hell of a thing, but there are times and circumstances where it is warranted, such as rape and risk to the mother, and there are times when a women gets pregnant and she has absolutely no prospect of properly feeding clothing and educating a child. The thing that bewilders me is that these Christian organizations that rail against it put very little resources toward providing prenatal medical treatment and delivery services and then orphanages where these babies could be adopted by couples. I know three couples that have adopted and they all had to go out of the country and spend $80,000 or more to adopt a nearly newborn baby. The Catholic church owns some of the best hospitals in every major city in the US, they spent billions defending, and paying settlements for pedophiles, but I don't see them putting their money where their mouth is on preventing some abortions through charitable acts through their hospital systems. How many major cities have Catholic schools, hospitals, a University, a cathedral, an archbishop, but no orphanage. BTW I am Catholic so I am calling out my own church, before anybody jumps me for picking on Catholics, I say these things because I think they have the resources and the talent at their disposal to do more than preach about it. They could offer and facilitate a less heart and mind wrenching choice for some women and deliver a bundle of joy to couples who desperately want a newborn baby.
Trying to close the deal, Perry leaves a good impression===Actually it was the first impression (in the debate) that exposed him as a bumbling dumbazz.
Agreed, he firmly entrenched himself in voters minds as another Texas dumbass, with his public performances. Imagine that dimwit in front of an International body.
Emil
So the Tea Baggers are making it back to Rick? Bachman should take heart- the Tea Bag pendulum may swing back her way !! Perry wants to make English the official language ? Maybe he had better stop speaking Texas Hillbilly!
The obvious is that Rick Perry's IQ is way below average
I can see why he switched party lines....from Democrat to Republican
Like Bushy he can't speak English, can't think on his feet and has NO clear agenda
Just another TexAzz Mental Midget
I just don't get it. Rick Perry is as dumb as a bag of rocks. There is no chance the Republicans are dumb enough themselves to nominate him. I know they admire the dim bulbs among us, witness Ronald Reagan, but Perry is a joke. OK, well, so was Ronald Reagan. Admittedly he accomplished things, like walking all over the Constitution with Iran-Contra, running up record deficits, and inventing voodoo trickle down economics (even the guy who cooked it up with him later admitted it was totally bogus and they knew it), but somehow he had the panche to do all that and be revered by the right wing. I don't think Perry does.
And we've had some great presidents come out of Texas; Johnson, Bush 1 (sort of), Bush 2. Some of the most disastrous presidencies in recent history are courtesy of Texas politics. I think I'll pass on the next opportunity. Including Ron Paul, who I have always defended until his newsletter fiasco. Both his actions and his lies in regard to them have convinced me he's just another lying politician.
I hope Iowans will seriously consider voting for him. . This Country needs someone to step up and take charge of our Country once again. The only one with a resume to do this is Gov. Perry who is not only conservative but talks the talk AND walks the walk. If Congress is the problem then why elect someone from Congress as POTUS? The Dems DO NOT want to run against Rick Perry (witness what the WH has been doing to TX). How could they possibly put his record up against Obama's? No debates needed – facts are facts. There are no videos out there of Perry changing positions over and over, ......need I say more? Perry has now recovered and is proving to be the excellent retail campaigner he was reputed to be. It's time to put the "stupid" and "can't debate" labels aside and realize he's the best alternative to Romney of those we have to choose from, and after all, that's what this is really all about.