When will the pundits get that this is not a race for the presidency of Pundit-town? The media, you're thinking about this with the wrong part of your brain: the brain part.
They were sure that Perry made a devastating conceptual error, based on an ill-chosen framing of a popular entitlement program, and that the audience would rebuke him for his gaffe. Well, guess what? (in Southern accent) The Reagan Library, it ain't a readin' library.
BRIAN WILLIAMS: Governor Perry, question about Texas. Your state has executed 234 death row inmates, more than any other Governor in modern times, have you... (interrupted by wild GOP audience applause)
The biggest applause line of the night was the mere mention that Rick Perry had executed 234 people. Holy fuckballs!
And by the way, some of them may be innocent, but look at this crowd.
They're not yahoos. This is not your torch-and-pitchfork angry villager. These are people with firm opinions on which is the best brand of riding mower. The audience at this debate were the people that give out raisins on Halloween. They own The Blind Side on DVD. And yet, and yet, and yet... (lowers voice menacingly) they thirst for blood.
Video and transcript below the fold.
As you know, last night's Republican debate was Rick Perry v. Mitt Romney. And as you know, when there is conflict, there is a winner and a loser.
LAWRENCE O'DONNELL (9/7/2011): The real headline tonight is "Romney Lives", because Perry failed.
DAVID GERGEN (9/7/2011): Intellectually, Mitt Romney got the better of him.
UNKNOWN MALE ON MSNBC (9/8/2011): ... Romney kept his cool ...
MICHAEL SMERCONISH (9/8/2011): ... Romney looked more presidential ...
BRAD BLAKEMAN (9/8/2011): ... Romney was certainly more statesmanlike ...
ANDREA MITCHELL (9/8/2011): Rick Perry is really, you know, asking for trouble when he talks about Social Security the way he did.
LAWRENCE O'DONNELL (9/7/2011): By embracing the Ponzi idea, he destroyed his candidacy.
CHRIS MATTHEWS (9/7/2011): ... calling Social Security a Ponzi scheme, using other words. I think that's the lead in the New York Times tomorrow, I would bet.
(in liberal elite voice) Ooooh, the New York Times! My guess is Rick Perry will be furious with their editorial board as he peruses it over croissantsembargliardlo.
Yes, Rick Perry definitely destroyed his candidacy with that Ponzi scheme comment, in the part of his answer where he said Social Security's broken and must be fixed. Even though I would guess most people voting in the Republican primary agree with him. When will the pundits get that this is not a race for the presidency of Pundit-town? The media, you're thinking about this with the wrong part of your brain: the brain part.
They were sure that Perry made a devastating conceptual error, based on an ill-chosen framing of a popular entitlement program, and that the audience would rebuke him for his gaffe. Well, guess what? (in Southern accent) The Reagan Library, it ain't a readin' library.
BRIAN WILLIAMS: Governor Perry, question about Texas. Your state has executed 234 death row inmates, more than any other Governor in modern times, have you... (interrupted by wild GOP audience applause)
The biggest applause line of the night was the mere mention that Rick Perry had executed 234 people. Holy fuckballs!
And by the way, some of them may be innocent, but look at this crowd.
They're not yahoos. This is not your torch-and-pitchfork angry villager. These are people with firm opinions on which is the best brand of riding mower. The audience at this debate were the people that give out raisins on Halloween. They own The Blind Side on DVD. And yet, and yet, and yet... (lowers voice menacingly) they thirst for blood.
Williams doesn't even know what to do with this!
BRIAN WILLIAMS: What do you make of that dynamic that just happened here, the mention of the execution of 234 people drew applause?
...
RICK PERRY: In the state of Texas, our citizens have made that decision, and they made it clear, and they don't want you to commit those crimes against our citizens. And if you do, you will face the ultimate justice.
I'm from Jersey, we don't want people killing us either! But we don't kill everybody who might!
(in Rick Perry voice) "In fact, Brian, I have the words "ultimate" and "justice" tattooed across my knuckles.
Sure, I had to double up on some of the letters, 'cuz the knuckle-to-letter ratio doesn't... it doesn't work out real perfect. I can't promise you that "justice" is spelled 100% correctly. I stand by the sentiment."
Yes, the sophisticated and presidential Romney has no idea how to connect with these people.
MITT ROMNEY: I don't think you carry cards in the Tea Party. I believe in a lot of what the Tea Party believes in. ... So I put together a plan with a whole series of points of how we can get America's economy going again. Tea Party people like that.
(nerdish laughter)
Now, here's Perry.
RICK PERRY: I hate cancer.
Oh shit! "I hate cancer." Romney, you just got Rick-rolled, motherfucker! There you have it! This is why this man is formidable. Republicans have a choice between a guy with a multi-point fact-based plan that he thinks can get the economy going, or a guy who will punch cancer in the fucking face!
All due respect to both Romney and the citizens of TalkingHead-sylvania, but you're up against something you are too smart to understand. Let me break it down, and I'll use big words so you can get it.
In the presence of Republican voters, Rick Perry actuates a neuroendocrine reaction that re-routes any analytic frontal cortex activity as a hot wave of electrochemical impulses, stimulating their proto-reptilian limbic system. You don't get Rick Perry here. (points at brain) You get him here. (grabs crotch)
(wild audience applause)
Wow... I gotta do that more often during the show. That's quite pleasant.
Mitt Romney is Ralph Lauren Polo Eau de toilette. Rick Perry is the resin form of the pheromone found in Sri Lankan tiger semen.
So get ready, Democrats! 'Cause right there is the hombre you're up against. I hope you got a good strategy cookin'.
AL SHARPTON (9/7/2011): And I think the DNC should take the Social Security line of Mr. Perry, and the attack on Social Security and the Ponzi scheme, and put out bumper stickers saying, "It's not about Obama, it's about your mama." And we'll win.
(wild audience laughter)
Thus, we conclude our second installment of, Oh My God, Rick Perry Is Going To Be Our Next President.
RICK PERRY GRAPHIC: Franks and beans!
We'll be right back.
about Social Security being a Ponzi scheme.