By Gregory W. Wallace (gww@primaryinsider.com)
GREENLAND, N.H.—Rick Perry was led to the third rail of politics tonight, but gracefully avoided its danger.
Mr. Perry, the Republican governor of Texas, was apparently asked about the future of Social Secuity—though the question was inaudible on the media bleachers—which he described as a “Ponzi scheme.”
All this whilst deftly plugging his book.
Social Security, if left unchanged, will cease to exist, he said, and politicians have shied from finding solutions because they lacked the will.
“If you read my book Fed Up you hear me call it a Ponzi scheme,” Mr. Perry said, “and that’s the truth. There’s no getting around that. And having courage to call it a Ponzi scheme is I think the first step in us having a national conversation about how do we deal with these entitlements so that they don’t bankrupt the country and frankly so they’re still in place in some form or fashion.”
He is “not afraid of having that conversation,” but Mr. Perry said he does not yet have a proposal of his own.
“Do I have a plan to lay out yet and say, ‘Here it is in black and white?’ ” he asked rhetorically. “I don’t, but I can promise you, as I said in my remarks these challenges are not overcomable at all. We are Americans and we will find the way to do it.”
For more, visit us on twitter.com/primaryinsider.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Perry Introduces Himself to New Hampshire Voters
By Gregory W. Wallace (gww@primaryinsider.com)
GREENLAND, N.H.—Rick Perry swept into New Hampshire on Friday on a wave of anticipation as most of his competitors in the presidential race awaited results from the Iowa Straw Poll.
“I feel right at home amongst people whose motto is ‘Live free or die,’ ” he told the 200 invited attendees—who reinforced his remarks with several rounds of applause—packing the rural backyard of a state representative.
Mr. Perry spoke briefly, introducing himself to New Hampshire in nine minutes before taking questions, and focused his remarks almost exclusively on the economy. He tied unemployment, debt, and the slow recovery back to the impact on individuals, building his rhetoric around that Granite State motto.
“You can’t live free if you have a federal government that takes over one sixth of our economy like they’re trying to do with our health care,” Mr. Perry said. “You can’t live free knowing your children are going to inherit a mountain of debt. You can’t live free if you don’t have the dignity of having a job or the income to take care of your family.”
Mr. Perry continued by leveling his charge against President Barack Obama.
“And of course we’re being told that that we're in a recovery right now,” he said, “but it sure doesn’t feel like a recovery to those people who are out of work. . . . Recovery is a meaningless word if the bank is foreclosed on your house; if you’re upside down on your mortgage; if your credit card debt is completely maxed out. . . .
“I look right into those cameras and I say, ‘Mr. President, you can’t win the future by selling it off to foreign creditors,” he said to applause.
He countered with his record of accomplishment in Texas. “Since June of 2009,” he said, “Texas was responsible for 40 percent of all the new jobs created in America. And think about that for a minute—we’re about 8 to 9 percent of the total population of America but 40 percent of all the jobs created were in the state of Texas.”
Mr. Perry attributes his success to his four-part plan: rein in government spending, lower taxes, regulatory reform, and reform of the legal system, including tort reform.
Mr. Perry suggested the solution to solving the country's debt crisis lies not with the so-called "super committee," but rather with leadership from a new chief executive.
"You've got to free this country from the massive debt which is hanging over this country like a dark cloud," he said, "and you start that by understanding that we're not going to spend all of the money. . . .
"We will stop spending the money unless I run out of ink in a veto pen," Mr. Perry continued.
He answered the question perhaps more likely to be on Iowan voters minds', miffed that he was visiting New Hampshire on the day of their straw poll.
"I intend to compete for every vote in every state," he said. "This isn't just a strategy to compete for a few votes in a few places."
As the sun set on the swimming pool which separated reporters from Mr. Perry's podium, he took to the lawn to shake hands and pose for photos with local supporters.
Mr. Perry is in New Hampshire tomorrow at an event in Manchester.
For more, visit us on twitter.com/primaryinsider.
2nd LD-Writethru
GREENLAND, N.H.—Rick Perry swept into New Hampshire on Friday on a wave of anticipation as most of his competitors in the presidential race awaited results from the Iowa Straw Poll.
“I feel right at home amongst people whose motto is ‘Live free or die,’ ” he told the 200 invited attendees—who reinforced his remarks with several rounds of applause—packing the rural backyard of a state representative.
Mr. Perry spoke briefly, introducing himself to New Hampshire in nine minutes before taking questions, and focused his remarks almost exclusively on the economy. He tied unemployment, debt, and the slow recovery back to the impact on individuals, building his rhetoric around that Granite State motto.
“You can’t live free if you have a federal government that takes over one sixth of our economy like they’re trying to do with our health care,” Mr. Perry said. “You can’t live free knowing your children are going to inherit a mountain of debt. You can’t live free if you don’t have the dignity of having a job or the income to take care of your family.”
Mr. Perry continued by leveling his charge against President Barack Obama.
“And of course we’re being told that that we're in a recovery right now,” he said, “but it sure doesn’t feel like a recovery to those people who are out of work. . . . Recovery is a meaningless word if the bank is foreclosed on your house; if you’re upside down on your mortgage; if your credit card debt is completely maxed out. . . .
“I look right into those cameras and I say, ‘Mr. President, you can’t win the future by selling it off to foreign creditors,” he said to applause.
He countered with his record of accomplishment in Texas. “Since June of 2009,” he said, “Texas was responsible for 40 percent of all the new jobs created in America. And think about that for a minute—we’re about 8 to 9 percent of the total population of America but 40 percent of all the jobs created were in the state of Texas.”
Mr. Perry attributes his success to his four-part plan: rein in government spending, lower taxes, regulatory reform, and reform of the legal system, including tort reform.
Mr. Perry suggested the solution to solving the country's debt crisis lies not with the so-called "super committee," but rather with leadership from a new chief executive.
"You've got to free this country from the massive debt which is hanging over this country like a dark cloud," he said, "and you start that by understanding that we're not going to spend all of the money. . . .
"We will stop spending the money unless I run out of ink in a veto pen," Mr. Perry continued.
He answered the question perhaps more likely to be on Iowan voters minds', miffed that he was visiting New Hampshire on the day of their straw poll.
"I intend to compete for every vote in every state," he said. "This isn't just a strategy to compete for a few votes in a few places."
As the sun set on the swimming pool which separated reporters from Mr. Perry's podium, he took to the lawn to shake hands and pose for photos with local supporters.
Mr. Perry is in New Hampshire tomorrow at an event in Manchester.
For more, visit us on twitter.com/primaryinsider.
2nd LD-Writethru
Huntsman Has New Hampshire to Himself, Almost
By Gregory W. Wallace (gww@primaryinsider.com)
UPDATED | DOVER, N.H.—While the other candidates campaigned in Iowa in on the day of the influential straw poll, Jon M. Huntsman Jr. had New Hampshire to himself.
Well, almost to himself.
As Mr. Huntsman, the former Utah governor, pitched his platform at a Dover pizza parlor, Rick Perry was announcing his presidential bid in South Carolina.
The Texas governor, whose candidacy has been the subject of months’-long speculation, attends a house party in Greenland tonight and a fair in Manchester tomorrow.
Mr. Huntsman’s campaign stopped at La Festa Brick and Brew to meet supporters and continue introducing himself to Granite State voters. Local Republicans there asked the governor about his plan for the economy.
“I think it’s the will of the people to clean up our act financially, there’s no question about it,” Mr. Huntsman told a table of voters. “Right now, we don’t have leadership and we don’t have a plan, and Congress is kind of dealing in that relatively amorphous environment. 2012 I think is going to result in a solid view of what the people of this nation want done.
“They want rebalancing of the books, clearing out of the debt, bring us to economic health, and clean up our pace in the world,” he continued. “So if we can combine a balanced budget amendment and I think there will be some loud voices in 2012 demanding that.”
After shaking a few more hands, then sampling a slice of cheese pizza, Mr. Huntsman visited the hardware store next door, the proprietor told him that the economic downturn has directly impacted his business.
Mr. Huntsman hits New Hampshire—and Mr. Perry announces—as political eyes are trained on Iowa, where Republicans today cast their votes in a poll which could make or break the campaigns of Tim Pawlenty and Rick Santorum, among others. Mr. Huntsman chose not to actively campaign in Iowa, although he did take the stage in the Iowa G.O.P. debate this week.
For more, visit us on twitter.com/primaryinsider.
UPDATED | DOVER, N.H.—While the other candidates campaigned in Iowa in on the day of the influential straw poll, Jon M. Huntsman Jr. had New Hampshire to himself.
Well, almost to himself.
As Mr. Huntsman, the former Utah governor, pitched his platform at a Dover pizza parlor, Rick Perry was announcing his presidential bid in South Carolina.
The Texas governor, whose candidacy has been the subject of months’-long speculation, attends a house party in Greenland tonight and a fair in Manchester tomorrow.
Mr. Huntsman’s campaign stopped at La Festa Brick and Brew to meet supporters and continue introducing himself to Granite State voters. Local Republicans there asked the governor about his plan for the economy.
“I think it’s the will of the people to clean up our act financially, there’s no question about it,” Mr. Huntsman told a table of voters. “Right now, we don’t have leadership and we don’t have a plan, and Congress is kind of dealing in that relatively amorphous environment. 2012 I think is going to result in a solid view of what the people of this nation want done.
“They want rebalancing of the books, clearing out of the debt, bring us to economic health, and clean up our pace in the world,” he continued. “So if we can combine a balanced budget amendment and I think there will be some loud voices in 2012 demanding that.”
After shaking a few more hands, then sampling a slice of cheese pizza, Mr. Huntsman visited the hardware store next door, the proprietor told him that the economic downturn has directly impacted his business.
Mr. Huntsman hits New Hampshire—and Mr. Perry announces—as political eyes are trained on Iowa, where Republicans today cast their votes in a poll which could make or break the campaigns of Tim Pawlenty and Rick Santorum, among others. Mr. Huntsman chose not to actively campaign in Iowa, although he did take the stage in the Iowa G.O.P. debate this week.
For more, visit us on twitter.com/primaryinsider.
Huntsman Plays Keys in Newmarket
By Gregory W. Wallace (gww@primaryinsider.com)
NEWMARKET, N.H.—Jon M. Huntsman Jr., the former New Mexico governor, took to the bandstand in New Market this afternoon, tapping out Johnny B. Goode on the keyboard.
Mr. Huntsman mounted the stage to perform with Chippy and the Yayas, the weekend’s featured entertainment.
Mr. Huntsman has been known to play a few bars on the campaign trail; recently in Manchester, he stopped in to a musical instruments store and played the "Peanuts" theme.
Huntsman Evokes Reagan Before Nashua Legion
By Gregory W. Wallace (gww@primaryinsider.com)
NASHUA— Jon M. Huntsman Jr., the former Utah governor, weaves into his New Hampshire stump speech President Ronald Reagan’s image of the shining city on the hill in his own picture of America’s future.
“I’m here to tell you that we are a solutions driven people,” Mr. Huntsman said, “we are a blue sky people.”
Speaking at the Nashua American Legion, the candidate who announced in the same location as former President Reagan’s announcement renewed his call for a balanced budget amendment, regulation reform, and a departure from reliance on foreign oil.
“Our core is broken and we need to be fixed,” Mr. Huntsman said. “We are of no value to the world if we do not project that strength. . . . ”
The candidate was introduced by his wife, Mary Kaye, who likened her husband’s road to the White House to a swimming pool, where her husband was doing laps while others raced to the finish.
While other candidates are at the Iowa Straw Poll this weekend, Mr. Huntsman, who has said he will not compete in the Hawkeye state, said continues to introduce himself to New Hampshire voters.
State-level polling of New Hampshire has not been released since early July, but his name recognition was still low and analysts cite familiarity as one of his key hurdles here.
“Now I don’t want anyone leaving this room not knowing why we’re running around for president,” the candidate who was joined by three of his daughters and his wife said, “why I’m dragging my family around with me.”
For more, visit us on twitter.com/primaryinsider.
NASHUA— Jon M. Huntsman Jr., the former Utah governor, weaves into his New Hampshire stump speech President Ronald Reagan’s image of the shining city on the hill in his own picture of America’s future.
“I’m here to tell you that we are a solutions driven people,” Mr. Huntsman said, “we are a blue sky people.”
Speaking at the Nashua American Legion, the candidate who announced in the same location as former President Reagan’s announcement renewed his call for a balanced budget amendment, regulation reform, and a departure from reliance on foreign oil.
“Our core is broken and we need to be fixed,” Mr. Huntsman said. “We are of no value to the world if we do not project that strength. . . . ”
The candidate was introduced by his wife, Mary Kaye, who likened her husband’s road to the White House to a swimming pool, where her husband was doing laps while others raced to the finish.
While other candidates are at the Iowa Straw Poll this weekend, Mr. Huntsman, who has said he will not compete in the Hawkeye state, said continues to introduce himself to New Hampshire voters.
State-level polling of New Hampshire has not been released since early July, but his name recognition was still low and analysts cite familiarity as one of his key hurdles here.
“Now I don’t want anyone leaving this room not knowing why we’re running around for president,” the candidate who was joined by three of his daughters and his wife said, “why I’m dragging my family around with me.”
For more, visit us on twitter.com/primaryinsider.
Huntsman Has Kind Words On Perry Entrance
By Gregory W. Wallace (gww@primaryinsider.com)
Jon M. Huntsman Jr., the former Utah governor, on his Texas counterpart, Rick Perry, per CNN's Rachel Streitfeld in Concord yesterday:
"He brings some real successes to the race as governor," Huntsman said. "Rick has done a nice job, and I think he'll be a forceful addition to the race."
The two will campaign in New Hampshire today, while the rest of the race -- and media -- is focused on Iowa.
For more, visit us on twitter.com/primaryinsider.
Jon M. Huntsman Jr., the former Utah governor, on his Texas counterpart, Rick Perry, per CNN's Rachel Streitfeld in Concord yesterday:
"He brings some real successes to the race as governor," Huntsman said. "Rick has done a nice job, and I think he'll be a forceful addition to the race."
The two will campaign in New Hampshire today, while the rest of the race -- and media -- is focused on Iowa.
For more, visit us on twitter.com/primaryinsider.
Ann Encouraged Mitt to Run
By Gregory W. Wallace (gww@primaryinsider.com)
The Boston Globe's Shira Schoenberg explains why Ann Romney, wife of presidential hopeful Mitt, encouraged her husband to run again: "After promising never to endure another presidential campaign, Ann Romney said she was inspired to encourage her husband, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, to run again by President Obama’s record in office and Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown’s election."
For more, visit us on twitter.com/primaryinsider.
The Boston Globe's Shira Schoenberg explains why Ann Romney, wife of presidential hopeful Mitt, encouraged her husband to run again: "After promising never to endure another presidential campaign, Ann Romney said she was inspired to encourage her husband, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, to run again by President Obama’s record in office and Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown’s election."
For more, visit us on twitter.com/primaryinsider.
Perry Arrives to Join Huntsman, Roemer
By Gregory W. Wallace (gww@primaryinsider.com)
Rick Perry comes to join Jon M. Huntsman Jr. and Charles "Buddy" Roemer in stumping for votes in New Hampshire on Saturday.
Governor Perry, Republican of Texas, is expected to announce his presidential candidacy on Saturday afternoon in Charlestown, S.C., then fly to New Hampshire, where he has a 5:30 pm house party. Mr. Perry's host is State Representative Pamela Tucker, Republican of Greenland, who met with him recently in Texas.
Mr. Huntsman, the former Utah governor, appears on the Ames, Iowa, Straw Poll ballot but announced he would not compete in the state. Instead, he is spending the weekend in New Hampshire, and today hosts events in Nashua, Derry, Dover, Newmarket, and Hampton Falls.
He begins in Nashua at 9 am with a speech to the American Legion Post 3. He is in Derry at 11 am for a meet and greet, then in Dover at 1 pm and Newmarket at 2 pm. Mr. Huntsman has a house party at 4:30 pm in Hampton Falls.
Mr. Roemer, the former Louisiana governor, is the guest at the Hillsborough County Republican Committee monthly meeting this morning.
For more, visit us on twitter.com/primaryinsider.
1st LD-Writethru
Rick Perry comes to join Jon M. Huntsman Jr. and Charles "Buddy" Roemer in stumping for votes in New Hampshire on Saturday.
Governor Perry, Republican of Texas, is expected to announce his presidential candidacy on Saturday afternoon in Charlestown, S.C., then fly to New Hampshire, where he has a 5:30 pm house party. Mr. Perry's host is State Representative Pamela Tucker, Republican of Greenland, who met with him recently in Texas.
Mr. Huntsman, the former Utah governor, appears on the Ames, Iowa, Straw Poll ballot but announced he would not compete in the state. Instead, he is spending the weekend in New Hampshire, and today hosts events in Nashua, Derry, Dover, Newmarket, and Hampton Falls.
He begins in Nashua at 9 am with a speech to the American Legion Post 3. He is in Derry at 11 am for a meet and greet, then in Dover at 1 pm and Newmarket at 2 pm. Mr. Huntsman has a house party at 4:30 pm in Hampton Falls.
Mr. Roemer, the former Louisiana governor, is the guest at the Hillsborough County Republican Committee monthly meeting this morning.
For more, visit us on twitter.com/primaryinsider.
1st LD-Writethru
Huntsman, In Op-Ed, Supports Right-To-Work
By Gregory W. Wallace (gww@primaryinsider.com)
From an op-ed by Jon M. Huntsman Jr., the former Governor of Utah, in today's Union Leader:
For more, visit us on twitter.com/primaryinsider.
From an op-ed by Jon M. Huntsman Jr., the former Governor of Utah, in today's Union Leader:
Certainly, one of the rights government ought to protect is the right of every person to work and make a living without being forced to join a union — a position grounded in individual freedoms.
That is why I was discouraged to hear that Gov. John Lynch had vetoed House Bill 474, the right-to-work law that the Legislature passed earlier this year.
My campaign recently met with Speaker William O’Brien to see how we can help him and other advocates for individual liberty revive right-to-work legislation to benefit New Hampshire workers and jobs. I look forward to fighting alongside him and other Granite Staters in the coming year.
Mr. Huntsman campaigns today and Sunday in New Hampshire.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)