Only the WSJ could suggest that Bachmann
had caved to liberal pressure (Reuters)
The Wall Street Journal editorial board,
not thrilled with Michele Bachmann:
Mrs. Bachmann has a record of errant statements (see Battle of Lexington and Concord, history of) that are forgiven by Fox Nation but won't be if she makes them as a GOP standard-bearer.
More substantively, her attempt to position herself at all times as the anti-establishment outsider has made her seem on occasion less principled than opportunistic. She quickly distanced herself from Paul Ryan's Medicare reform when it came under liberal fire, even as she purports to be the scourge of uncontrolled spending.
Okay, so Bachmann is an ignorant liberal opportunist loved by the Fox Nation. Got it? Okay. What about Mitt Romney?
Mitt Romney is a weak front-runner who has money and campaign experience and looks Presidential. But he gives little evidence that he has convictions beyond faith in his own technocratic expertise. Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman is likewise running on his resume more than a philosophy of government. We would have thought that John McCain proved you can't beat Mr. Obama on biography.
Yikes. Sounds like they think Mitt Romney is Mike Dukakis in an elephant suit. But they need a savior, do they not?
Mr. Perry enters the race with a far more substantial record, notably 11 years leading one of America's most economically successful states. As a conservative Governor, he is bidding to fill the vacuum in the race left when Indiana's Mitch Daniels and Mississippi's Haley Barbour declined to run, and by the failure of Mr. Pawlenty to gain traction.
Except the Texas economic miracle is a myth, especially when you discount the impact of oil prices and military spending. And let's not forget that he's the same guy who floated secession as a legitimate response to the Obama presidency and called for a statewide day of prayer for rain in April.
But Rick Perry has one important advantage over Michele Bachmann as they vie for the title of "Who gets to beat Mitt Romney?": Beltway Republicans take him seriously, which means he'll be the next Republican nominee for President. Just ask Christine O'Donnell!