PERRY SPEAKS – AT 8:48 A.M. ET:  One of the big questions in the GOP today is, "Will Rick Perry run?"  Perry, the job-creating governor of Texas, is, in addition to the positive reviews of Michele Bachmann's debate performance, the buzz-man of the week.

Perry spoke in New York last night.  The speech was much anticipated, for one of the concerns about Perry is whether he can play well outside Texas, whether he's "national" rather than "local."  He's created jobs.  That's true.  But he's also rough around the edges, Texas-style, and insists on dredging up social issues that most Americans, in a time of economic stress, may wish to put aside for a time.  Next year's election will be won among independents, not movement conservatives or movement liberals.

Perry's speech in New York didn't address concerns about him.  It was a well-delivered battle cry.  From The Wall Street Journal:

Texas Gov. Rick Perry told a gathering of Republicans in New York City Tuesday night that he’s proud of driving liberals out of the Lone Star State.

“Looking around Texas, there’s a few unhappy people there – generally we refer to them as liberals – which I happen to think is a really good indicator of our success because we don’t have many of them left,” joked Mr. Perry as he delivered the keynote address at the New York Republican County Committee’s annual Lincoln Dinner.

“I’m proud to call myself a conservative,” Mr. Perry said. “Not only am I proud to be a Texan, I’m proud to be a conservative…because conservatives have won the war of ideas.”

In recent weeks, buzz has intensified about the possibility of Mr. Perry entering the race for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination. At Tuesday night’s dinner, Mr. Perry didn’t discuss the possibility of launching a presidential bid, but he had said earlier in the day that he’s giving the idea “appropriate thought.”

He told the crowd at the Lincoln Dinner that he was pleased to replace Donald Trump as the keynote speaker after the real estate mogul announced he wouldn’t pursue the White House next year.

“I find it kind of ironic tonight that I’m getting to stand here instead, if you would, of The Donald,” he said, referring to Mr. Trump. “That’s pretty cool….He’s known for saying, ‘You’re fired!’ We’re known for saying, ‘You’re hired. That’s what we do in Texas.”

And that's a good line.  We'll have to hear much more, though.  Candidates for the GOP nomination have to run to the right, but in the general election they must appeal to the middle.  The major thrust of Obama's brilliant but deceptive 2008 campaign was to portray himself as the centrist that he is not.  Perry wouldn't have to go quite that far, but he should keep in mind the plight of Rudy Giuliani, who just couldn't travel beyond New York.

June 15, 2011