Gov. Rick Perry Wins over Voters in Iowa: “He Looked Like the Real Deal to Me”

Interesting. Gov. Rick Perry is apparently making progress with voters in Iowa, particularly when he has the chance to meet them, shake their hand, and talk to them face to face. He may have the intangible charisma factor that is difficult to measure, but that can make or break a Presidential Candidate:

WASHINGTON POST: There are only a few things voters here say they know about Rick Perry.

They know he’s been governor for a while.

They know Texas is a big state with a lot of jobs.

They know Perry has a reputation for being brash and talking frankly.

And, after casting about for just the right Republican to take on President Obama, they know, for now, that he may be the one.

“I can’t quite explain it,” said Steve Bennett, 59, who sized up Perry the other night over a plate of roasted turkey and green beans. “He’s thick-skinned, he’s already run a big state. Whatever his beliefs are, which I don’t know yet, I think he actually believes them and has convictions. He’s the only one who can sit with Obama at the debate — when Obama’s in full campaign mode he’ll be tough to beat — and maybe beat him.”

So it is that Republican voters, at least those Iowans who took stock of Perry this week, are turning conventional wisdom on its head. . . . Read More