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WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- With a sense of history on the biggest political day -- to date -- of the 2012 cycle, Texas Gov. Rick Perry today compared the GOP's quest to defeat President Barack Obama to one of the deadliest battles of the D-Day landings in Normandy in 1944.
"This election is about stopping a president of the United States and his administration that is abusing the Constitution of this country, that is putting America on a track to bankruptcy," Perry told a hotel ballroom packed with more than 200 volunteers.
"It is a powerful moment in Americans' history, and you are on the front lines," he added. "This is Concord. This is Omaha Beach. This is going up the hill realizing that the battle is worth winning."
Those supporters, who represent 32 states, descended on the Perry team's nerve center at the West Des Moines Sheraton after the Christmas holiday. About 500 of them will fan out to caucus sites today across the state to advocate for the Texas governor.
Introducing her husband, an emotional Anita Perry thanked supporters for their loyalty in a campaign most recently scarred by a Politico article rife with quotes from anonymous staff members who savaged their colleagues for the team's early disorganization.
While Perry has gained few endorsements since his famously devastating debate performance in Michigan back in November, several of his early backers have made the journey to frigid Iowa for the governor's final push.
South Carolina Rep. Mick Mulvaney, Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal are among the allies on hand.
And they remain loyal -- and on message.
"I will leave it to the pundits to look at polls and campaign staff," Jindal told NBC News. "To be honest with you, I didn't endorse Rick because of the polls. I didn't endorse Rick because of his campaign organization. I endorsed him because of his executive experience and his fiscal conservatism."
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JUST SAY NO TO PERRY! He spent $1.3 million dollars of Texas taxpayer's funds on his private jet expenses. No other head of state has ever spent that kind of funds, let alone on private jet services. What a putz.
Obama vacation just cost us $4 million and I don't even want to know what all his vacations add up to. Obama could have stayed in D.C. the last 3 years, not vacationed, and payed down our national debt !!
LEONA-2986819, How about you work at the hardest job in America and not ever take a vacation!!! How about you live and work at the same place for three years and then have some ungrateful person gripe about you taking a vacation!!
"could have stayed in D.C. the last 3 years, not vacationed, and payed down our national debt !!"
And I'll bet you wouldn't hold up 15 minutes to the BS that goes on up there. You sit back in your chair and you don't have a friggin clue how the world spins.
Get some professional help and wean yourself off Faux News.
blue & Mark,
I realize you are pro-Obama but his policies are not working.
Because of Obamanomics, many of us cant afford a vacation !
How's 8.6 % unemployment (17% real unemployment) and $15 trillion debt working for you ??
Put down the kool aid and get a real clear picture of what's going on.
What a collection of candidates the teatards have:
Perry --- the biggest moron ever to run for president.
Bachmann -- the craziest person to ever run for president.
Gingrich -- the biggest con-man, hypocrite, liar and all around dirt-ball to ever run for president.
Santorum -- the biggest religious fanatic ever to run for president.
Romney -- then biggest flip-flopper to ever run for preaident.
Charlie, stop the lies. It makes us wonder what you're drinking.
Perry - creating jobs in Texas. Texas is a haven for California residents who can't survive that Democrat state's bankrupt situation.
Bachmann- Federal tax attorney, Congresswoman
Gingrich- worked with Clinton and Clinton said together they accomplished a lot.
Santorum- he practices his religion which doesn't make him a "fanatic". That's more than Obama does.
Romney- if he's a "flip flopper", than Obama is the MASTER FLIP FLOPPER.
Charlie, I have one little quibble with your post. I don't believe that Perry is the biggest moron to ever run for president. I believe that honor goes to George W. Bush. Perry is certainly a contender, possibly runner-up, though I'm not sure how his level of moronhood compares to, say, Calvin Coolidge.
Leona -
WoW! Now THAT is some KOOLAID!
So Perry is indirectly comparing Obama to Hitler now. I declare a flagrant Godwin and penalize Rick Perry his monthly dose of Rogaine.
gee, this is going to be a great election year...between joe biden saying we are going to be raped...to nancy pelosi calling the tea party "nazis"...and then calling ows "true americans"
yeah.
i just hope afterwards we can still be friends, lol
Just like a kid trying to ride a bicycle for the first time, I would love to be able run next to Perry as he tries his ride his methods to "SAVE" this country. I don't care is he falls, which I am sure he would since he can't even recall what he wants to change in this country! I just don't want him to fall on the rest of us.
I hate to pick on Texas, but when I see Rick Perry speak or recall any memories of George W, I can't help but wonder how these guys are the best Texas can put forward? They love these guys there in Texas too! What do they put in the water down there in Texas? Here's a great marketing scheme: If you want to believe George W Bush or Rick Perry are great leaders, drink Texas water! You must be 21 to buy this water, or is it 18? Oops!
Hold on there, Dusty! For the record: I live in Texas. I never voted for either Bush or Perry - nor would I ever. And I sure as hell don't 'love these guys'. Both of them ought to be run out of town on a freight train. ..No...wait...no point in discrediting an other-wise perfect train.....it actually does something
As for the water...you may be on to something. At the very least, it would explain away how these two idiots got enough votes to ever set foot inside the governor's place.
For once it would be nice to hear something from republicans other then name calling towards Obama. What are their ideas to help the middle class. All I hear is cut this and deregulate that. I would like Perry to complete a coherent English sentence before he says anything else about the president. Or he could do one better. Destroy that rock in front of one of your families properties.
Let's give him some credit....He probably thought he was in Nebraska.
LEONA-2986819 - You must be drinking something, and something strong! Stay away from the Moonshine! From your comments, you are already blind. I know when you drink too much of that stuff, you can get very out of touch with reality!
Dusty,
First of all, I have lived in N.Y. my whole life. So, your "moonshine" reference sounds very ignorant to me.
We here in N.Y. pay the highest taxes and still the state is broke. The state is broke because the tax/spend Democrats like Chuckie Schumer are causing bankruptcy. The politicians here are in the pocket of the Union thugs. That's why people and businesses are moving out of N.Y. in droves.
I think you should get "in touch with reality."
Mr. Perry,
How can you or anyone compare an election of any kind to the horrors the many brave and courageous men experienced that day on Omaha beach?
In one statement you have dishonored their memories and what they did for our country as well as the world.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
lots of americans feel this way about this years election....i do, this is the most important election in history.
we need to get it right. and we will.
In history? Really?
what you dont think this is the most important election in american history ?
You tell me......why is it the most important? Give me facts. Give me solid reasons. Aside from your obvious racism.
obama has failed repeatedly with his economic plans
obama has not brought the country together...but we hate each other, as you just accused me of being a racist...even though i am of mixed race.
obama cant work with congress, he cant even work with his own party in congress to get things done.
i dont even consider him my president...he's your president, and you think he walks on water.
obama spent stimulus money on green jobs, unions, campaign donors, and special interest groups....when that money was supposed to create "shovel ready" jobs for the middle class.
obama criticized president bush on everything from the patriot act to targeted assassinations to gitmo, and he's reversed himself on all of those issues.
obama is a really nice guy, likable, funny....but a horrible leader.
....i guess pointing out facts makes one a racist.
-obama has failed economic policies --they ain't perfect, but things are getting better despite the republicans block everything--record # of filibusters.
-not brought the country together-- the whole purpose of the republicans from day one was to get him out of office. It is the republicans who have opposed everything. It is the republicans who fill the media with anti-democratic rhetoric. They are the ones dividing america.
--can't work with congress--see above re: record filibusters. explain how filibustering contributes to the political process.
--don't consider him my president--i guess you don't believe in democracy then. why don't you move to saudi arabia where the republican presidents have friends?
--plenty of stimulus $ went to main street. look it up. And since when were union jobs not jobs?
--he reversed his position on many things, i agree, but many reversals were to appease the republicans.
--you are a really nice guy, too, but a horrible logician.
-
didnt the democrats control the house and the senate for the first two years of obamas term ?
what did they do ? what budget was passed ? why didnt they focus on jobs ? why did they focus on their own personal agenda instead of helping the middle class ?
the american people are not stupid....and they wont be fooled by obama a second time.
Well - based on the current offering of Repub presidential nominees - I won't be fooled the first time.
What a F*****G joke this guy is. How many med died on D-Day on Omaha Beach and this loser hick actually compares beating the President in elections to all the bloodshed, death and carnage? Dear god, this guy should have his ass kicked from coast to coast by every living veteran from that day in France.
Perry is an embarrassment not only to Texas, but to his whack job party, to the country and to every single war veteran past and present.
perry is going to come back. the left is scared of this.
i would be too if i was an obama supporter. but then the typical obama supporter thinks things are just fine in america today.
the hate for rick perry is out there, and its expected.
Hey Keck......you are the true definition of insane. I pray that Perry goes against Obama......there's no way in hell that Perry wins anything. He's a crazy inbred Texan who has no grasp of history, the economy, foreign affairs or what's going on in the U.S. Please oh please let Perry be the GOP nominee...........
"inbred texan"
...sound like you got some racism there brian.
JR Perry needs to take the money and go home or to Brokeback Mountain
lucifer perry truly has either lost it..., or suffers from the complete reversal of the locations of his head and backside.
LOL....Lucifer.....LOL......I love it.
I was to young to be in service in WWII, but I remember D-Day. There were no relatives on the ground there, but one was an airman in action. There were 5 from our extended family in action in WWII, two were pows. If Mr perry does not know, any of my relatives could have told him it was nothing like any political campaign.
your relatives have something in common with perry, he was an air force pilot.
keck, Perry may have flown a plane. However, not during any battles. Not in the middle of any fight. Just like your disgusting fake War hero W. Bush who tried to play the part of a Viet Nam war era FIGHTER PILOT! How obsurd you people are. How dare you compare a paper tiger to a real one! Two of my uncles on my dad's side were wounded in WWII, one at Normandy and one in Germany. One of my mom's brothers was seriously wounded in The Battle of the Bulge. They NEVER mentioned this. They didn't sit around bragging. I learned of their heroism AFTER they passed away when I was given the newspaper articles about them and their medals by my mom. My first husband has a Purple Heart from Viet Nam. ALL OF THEM WERE AND ARE DEMOCRATS. John Kerry was a real true Decorated Viet Nam war hero. Your party of sissies lied and tried to shame him calling him a fake who didn't earn his medal. When that didn't work your party put him down for asserting his right to protest the war he'd fought in to assure everyone of us had that right.
Show respect where it's due for once. I'm sick to my stomach with your kind. You talk as if you actually know what it takes to be a real soldier. Hah! What's really sick is that you are implying Perry should be considered in the same company as our real true military "heroes", men and women who went into battle and faced the horrors of that! W.Bush and now Perry? !!! Damn!
john kerry was an anti-war activist who threw his medals in the garbage standing next to hanoi jane. john kerry spent three months in vietnam....my father spent three years in vietnam, and won a bronze star, for his actions. my grandfather was a POW made to march to battan, my brother in law was in the first gulf war, i served in saudi arabia and somalia under the draft dodger clintons orders.
you make me just as sick, you probably never served in the military. well, how convenient for you who never put their life on the line. yet you dishonor those who do...president bush served, governor perry served as well....yet you sh!t on them....because you are a leftist who wouldnt survive the first week of training.
enjoy your freedom that others have paid the ultimate price for.....but dont you ever slur those of us who did.
i feel sorry for you, you will never know the kinship and brotherhood of serving our great nation. i look down on you, ungrateful american. remember that for the rest of your life.
So what? Kerry hated that war like many, many other vets! They were his medals. He had a right to throw them away. He was angry. Also like many other returning Viet Nam vets having seen that the war was useless and wasting so many lives, their freinds and fellow fighters. And once again you dare to put Perry and Bush among the men like my first husband and my uncles and John Kerry who really fought there??? My husband came back a different person. A very ANGRY person. He HATED that war. Just like Kerry and thousands of others. That proves Kerry was a real combat soldier as far as I'm concerned!
YOU are a liar. You never served in any war. If you had you would feel the brotherhood and kinship you so falsely speak of, for ALL veterans who actually FOUGHT IN A BATTLE OR WAR. Oh, by the way, I understand that in every war there are those who are placed in the safest of positions in order to do their specific job. I had a cousin who loved Viet Nam for all the whoring, drinking and pot smoking he got to do while my 1st husband and his fellows got to cut off the heads of poisonous snakes, split giant centipedes in half to keep from getting bitten while hiding in a ditch in the stinking jungle with fungus growing all over his feet, legs and crotch from the wetness of that horrible place. I suppose my cousin would be considered a hero to you because he loved it there so much he signed up for a second tour. He had a desk job. How bout you big tough guy? Also, in that war, most of the boys who went there were DRAFTED. I couldn't have been drafted because they didn't even allow women to fight. I wasn't a doctor or a nurse. I was too young.
As one of the women waiting at home for husband and friends I grew up with to come home, hopefully in one piece, I know more about that thing you call kinship than you possibly could.
And I give respect to those who deserve it. Any man who PRETENDS TO BE A BRAVE FIGHTING SOLDIER who has never seen combat, does NOT deserve my respect. Do you really believe that someone, like Bush, who served safe and sound at home playing fly boy games and having a blast using our country's million dollar fighter jets as a toy while so many of our young man, mostly poor kids, were over there being shot at, maimed, killed and traumatized deserve equal respect??? And then you also dare to call Clinton a DRAFT DODGER because he was so smart and intelligent he was able to attend college. Do you even know what you are talking about?? Do you actually know how many young American men went to college back then? The only ones that count as draft dodgers are the rich ones with parents sending them off to be safe, allowing the lowly poor boys to die instead. Clinton was not one of those rich boys! He was just super smart!
I have no respect for people like you so do you really believe that because you "look down on" me I would feel ashamed or hurt. Hahahha!
OK Mr 10%,...whatever you say.
You are UNELECTABLE. It just isn't going to happen.
Throw your tantrum in vain.
We are laughing,....hard !!
Why the visceral HATRED for Obama on the part of the political right? Why, again, is a Republican politician (Perry) making a veiled comparison between Obama and one of America's arch-enemies, in this case Nazi Germany and Hitler? Why the longstanding suspicion by "birthers" that Obama was not actually born in the United States? Why the snide references to Obama by Tea-Partiers and their fellow-travelers as Barak "Hussein" Obama, with deliberate emphasis placed on his middle name?
I think the answers to these questions are clear: racism.
Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton were disliked by the political right, but they were not HATED. They were not constantly compared to totalitarians and socialists, and they were not portrayed as literally wanting to destroy America.
In fact, I've seen no evidence that Obama is substantially to the left of Bill Clinton. In fact, I think they're probably about equally moderate liberals. However, while Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton might have been disliked by the right-wing, they were, in their (probably subconscious) view, still at least white males, so they were not HATED.
True HATRED among the political right-wing seems to typically be reserved for Democrats who are either not white (like Obama) or not male (like Hillary Clinton, who has always irked the right-wing more than her husband has).
funny, it was hillary clinton who first said she didnt even know if obama was born here
i guess she is a racist.
and the liberals hated george w bush....so that would make liberals racists.
okay...got it.
Liberals were bitterly opposed to George W. Bushes' policies, like leading our nation into a war against Iraq under the false pretences of weapons of mass destruction. Liberals did not constantly launch false PERSONAL attacks against George W. Bush. You didn't see liberals claiming, en masse, that George W. Bush was somehow unAmerican, or not a real American, or that he was secretly bent on intentionally destroying America's way of life.
Have you noticed that the right-wing actually thinks that Obama is somehow unAmerican, or is a lesser American, and doesn't really deserve to be respected like other presidents have been? They talk as if Obama is some kind of cancer that needs to be surgically removed. No other president--not George W. Bush, not Bill Clinton, not Ronald Reagan--no one, was viewed this way.
Yet, the right-wing rarely cites specific components of Obama's policies to justify its hatred for him. For example, if anyone could please articulate what, precisely, about the healthcare legislation is so insidious, I'd appreciate hearing it. The right-wing just calls it "Obamacare" and says it's "socialism," and that's pretty much the end of the discussion from their standpoint.
In sum, whereas liberals believed that George Bush was blatantly incompetent, the right-wing, conversely, attacks Obama as a person, with all of their rhetoric essentially boiling down to the underlying view that he's not a "real American." This, imho, is racism and fear of someone who doesn't fit into their view of what the most powerful person in our nation should look like.
No Gov. Perry. Omaha Beach was a real battle in a real war with the freedom of half the world at stake. It was planned, led and conducted by real heros and true patriots.
You and your ilk are just playing with corporate money to get a few votes in a stupid caucus 10 months before a routine scheduled national election in accordance with the Constitution of the United States.
Get a grip. (And Michelle Bachmann isn't Margaret Thatcher either - jeez you people are full of yourselves!)
I had uncles involved in the D-Day invasion - don't you dare compare yourself or your campaign to them.
Perry: 'This is Omaha Beach'
Apparently, Rick--not Newt--is the historian.
Sure, Rick. Now, WHEN were you in the armed forces, and WHEN did you see combat, again? I can't seem to remember, but plainly you MUST HAVE BEEN in combat to liken this election to being on Omaha Beach. Oh, right... you're a Hyper-Con Right-Winger, which means, you like to TALK ABOUT war and combat and glory and grave danger, and you like to SEND OTHER PEOPLES' KIDS into combat, while you safely make policy pronouncements at home.
The only thing that has battered the American Middle Class is Supply Side Economics and the rise of False Conservatism.
Once again, The Texan is off the mark.
Rick Perry: "This is Omaha Beach!"
DAMN!!!! Looking at the exit polls, it looks like you got your ass greased getting off the transport, didn't you, Governor Perry?
As you fly back to Texas while licking your wounds, think long and hard about your next move-HOPEFULLY, to hang it up FOR GOOD!!!!!
Well after the Iowa showdown it's time to say good riddance to Perry, Bachman and Huntsman. "Good riddance all! Thanks for the many months of entertainment." Perry can go home and have a BBQ. Bachman can go home, dance wildly with her hubby and start working on fixing some gay people again. That's her true calling anyway. Gay fixing that is. She dances...not so good.
I bet we still have some fun coming from Gingrich.
Come on everybody, lay off the man. We've all said things we didn't mean when we were drunk!
See, if Mr. Perry actually knew the meaning of the word IRONY, which I'm sure being the absolute MORON that he is, he does not....then he would realize just how poetic his ill-chosen words are. They are a metaphor for his entire campaign.
What an insult to the people who died for this country. Someone should punch him in his big, ugly head.
Perry who is so dim he can't remember a key government agency he "wants to get rid of" has the audacity to compare his pathetic presidential campaign to "Omaha Beach" in Normandy, France. Its time for you Governor Perry to visit Omaha Beach and the nearby American Cemetery to witness first hand the huge number of crosses and Stars of David for the brave men who gave their lives to take control of Omaha Beach from the Germans. Go back to Texas where an idiot or two can govern a state that has a "weak governor" system.
As a longtime tried and true Texan it makes me proud to say: "hahahahahahahahahahaha" God has spoken Jimmy Rick Bob Joe Jack Perry. Anita, just double your Xanax and you'll be fine.