Right after making their big splashes as new presidential candidates, many Republican hopefuls enjoyed something of a polling bump. But ultimately their numbers came back to earth. That phenomenon also seems to apply to Texas Gov. Rick Perry — at least so far. His stock rose after his announcement. Could Perry’s big numbers be here to stay?
On this weekend’s broadcast of “Inside Washington,” syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer argued that Perry hasn’t seen his numbers decline because his messaging is just right for success in 2012.
“Look, it could be a fluke — a Trump phenomenon — but I think it is deeper than that here,” Krauthammer said. “I think [New York Times columnist David] Brooks is right in his column. He says [Perry] has a simple message, which is: ‘Smaller government, I made it work, I created jobs.’”
Krauthammer continued: “It is sort of Paul Ryan without the numbers and the nuance. And it’s a message that if he keeps it simple, I think that could be a winning message, in the primary and even in the general election.”