Perry expresses regret over taking part in debates
(CNN) - GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry said if he had made any mistakes thus far in the campaign, it was "probably ever doing one of the" debates.
"All they’re interested in is stirring it up between the candidates instead of really talking about the issues that are important to the American people," Perry said on Fox News Tuesday.
Answering criticism over his debate performances, the Texas governor has repeatedly said Americans weren't looking for the "slickest" candidate or the smoothest debater in the race.
Perry, who rolled out his flat-tax plan Tuesday in South Carolina, again said he used the wrong word when describing people who disagreed with him on immigration as "heartless."
He first dialed back his remark in late September after facing a strong reaction from within the GOP.
Perry originally made the comment at the Fox News/Google debate in Florida after taking heat for signing off on a Texas law that allows tuition credits to certain illegal immigrants at public universities.
In the interview Tuesday, Perry also took a shot at former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who sparred with Perry during the CNN Western Republican Presidential Debate last week in Las Vegas.
Continuing his attack on Romney as a flip-flopper, Perry said: "In his own words, he says 'Listen, I need to say whatever I need to say for whatever office I'm running for'."
Also see:
Perry to meet with S.C. governor
From CNN Politics
- What happens between now and Inauguration Day
- Biden picks up small number of votes in Milwaukee County after Trump-requested recount November 28, 2020 01:46 am
- Federal appeals court slams Trump campaign efforts to turn tide in Pennsylvania ruling, saying 'claims have no merit' November 28, 2020 12:13 am
- Incoming Florida congressman tests positive for Covid-19 November 28, 2020 12:09 am
- US officials quiet on Iranian assassination amid fears of dangerous escalation November 27, 2020 10:43 pm
- Justice Department rushing to expand execution methods like firing squads for federal death row inmates November 27, 2020 09:30 pm
Bottom line folks - Rick Perry is all hat and no cattle - and, it's a tiny hat!
This guy just noticed that primary debates are internally destructive to the party? He is as dumb as he comes across.
Of course Perry regrets this...now we all know what a fool he is!! Who is he, the Wizard of Oz, hiding behind the curtain? Did he expect we would vote for him without seeing the Real Rick Perry? What a total imbecile...he not only sounds stupid, but he looks like a hayseed. America deserves better. We had a hayseed for 8 years, we don't need another one.
He is an IDIOT!!
Anybody who supports him is an IDIOT!!
Anybody who has voted for him is an IDIOT!!
From this we can conclude that to live in Texass you are an IDIOT!!
I imagine he'll get voted out as Gov'nor next cycle as well – and if the People of Texas do elect this moron as gov'nor again, – well Texas is the state with the least intelligent people, so....
His biggest mistake is his stand on illegal immigration–no fence necessary, and providing in-state tuition at colleges to illegal aliens. Frankly, I don't think any of our politicians really get just how angry Americans are about the damage the unstemmed flood of illegal aliens has done and continues to do to our country. That buried him. If he hadn't participated in the debates nobody would have any clue what he's about and they wouldn't bother to find out. He's only upset about the debates because he didn't do well–even when he was one of the biggest pot-stirrers there.
Better to stay silent and be thought a fool than to open ones mouth and prove oneself a foolish, murderous, racist.
Rick Perry- he can dish it out, but he sure can't take it!
I think he regrets that the plumber was not there in the debates.
One little advice: educate yourself, as your mom probably told you already.
If he thinks debating with THESE stiffs is tough, wait until he feels the pressure of an actual debate with someone who knows what he's talking about. What a pack of lightweight losers...
He is about as able to run this country as Bush jr was since he is a Bush clone.
Okay there's a Mormon, a black guy and a half-wit texan sitting at a bar. Texan says..... guys, this is hard.
Perry, you whiner. You're so weak, you can't even fail right. You don't even succeed as a joke.
So.....you regret taking part in the debates because "all they’re interested in is stirring it up between the candidates instead of really talking about the issues that are important to the American people"...
First off, who are the "they" you are referring to?
Second, you express regret when you were clearly trying to "stir things up" (your words) with your opponents, especially Romney...the very thing you say you wish would not occur;
Third, you have the pulpit, the audience and the attention to put your plan for jobs out there to discuss "the issues that matter the most to the American people" (again, your words). Instead, you stir the pot.
You, sir, are a hypocrite. You have demonstrated you are unqualified to lead. Unless you have a plan to put people back to work, please refrain from taking part in any further debates.
@ C.R.C....really? that's all you have? Nothing constructive? Please leave your Mom & Dad's basement, go outside, get some air....you can replace your tinfoil hat at the neighborhood store.
Jeez... and I thought his WIFE was the whiner in the family.
Answering criticism over his debate performances, the Texas governor has repeatedly said Americans weren't looking for the "slickest" candidate or the smoothest debater in the race.
lol! We're not looking for the dumbest or most ignorant either!
And his most recent mistake was making this pathetic comment.
I think he finally realized what was meant by the old saying:
"It's better to remain quiet and thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt".
Unfortunately for him, he opened his mouth, and boy did that remove all doubt that he truly is a certified moron!
"All they’re interested in is stirring it up between the candidates instead of really talking about the issues that are important to the American people," Perry said on Fox News Tuesday.
That's real mature. 'I got out of hand and interrupted the other candidates during their turns to speak, so it was the debates' fault, not mine.' Isn't responsibility the supposed tagline of the GOP? Seems like a pretty big double standard to me.
Huh? Perry is completely free during these so-called debates to "talk about the issues that are important to the American people..." So what's he griping about? GET THE COUNTRY MOVING AGAIN. VOTE OUT OBSTRUCTIONIST REPUBS AND TP'ers IN 2012.
what a joke.
This guy needs to stay in TEX-ASS where they all sounds this stupid. And where they rather kill people on death role even if the person IS innocent.
If You can't stand the heat RICKY. Get Out of the Kitchen!
One excuse after the other, never prepared, seldom if ever fully answers a question or for that matter truthfully but instead relies on bumper-sticker or smarmy frat-boy remarks. AS such appears to be unprepared, juvenile and clearly not ready for prime time.....Sorry "pard" you just ain't got the chops to swim in these waters....
This man should do him and us a favor and STHU. VOTE EM OUT!
The lead-in for this article stated "Perry expressed regret". I immediately completed the sentence in my mind before looking at the article. Here is what I thought. Perry expressed regret because he left one stone unturned.