Presidential debates will expose Perry

With Gov. Rick Perry’s announcement that he intends to run as the Republican presidential candidate, the political talkers, writers and reporters have been sinking their teeth into him like vampire bats. Those not in the know may assume this is because Perry is a bit of an eccentric, but the real reason is that Perry finally has to participate in debates, and people can’t stop talking about it.

While running for his third term as governor of Texas, Perry refused to debate. He also refused to answer questions from reporters and journalists. Perry did everything in his power to sell himself like a well-marketed household appliance, never deviating from his well-prepared and well-written speeches.

This may have stemmed from his campaign managers and statisticians who suggested that he wouldn’t have to debate in order to win his third round as governor. They were right.

All of that is in the past when contending for a Republican presidential nomination. A presidential candidate must debate. There is no dodging the question. There is no ducking the issues. Perry has no choice. He has to answer questions.

In the beginning of August, when large areas of Texas blazed with fire, Perry dropped campaign meetings and planned to be absent for a NBC debate. Perry felt the need to be in Texas during the time of crisis.

Later, during a CNN hosted Tea Party Republican candidate debate, Perry stood among Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Michele Bachmann and others.

This was when the media noticed something: The other candidates grilled Perry nonstop. Bachmann and Romney raked Perry over the coals. Perry was constantly referenced and attacked for his views on Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare, as well as the State’s undocumented immigrant issues.

On the 2006 HPV vaccine he said his decisions were a mistake. On Social Security being a joke he said he no longer felt that way. On some issues he merely did the classic politician duck and weave, as all the other candidates did.

It’s true that Perry stole the spotlight from Michele Bachmann when he announced his candidacy. Bachmann, who was the favorite of the far right, may have felt jilted, but should probably thank Perry; he caused her to look more moderate.

Debates aren’t the only medium that make Perry look bad. Critics are calling him out on his book, “Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America from Washington.” Perry didn’t pull any punches in the text, which outlined his views on state rights, gay rights, the theory of evolution, climate change and other hot topics.

His spokesperson said that the book doesn’t reflect Perry’s current views on politics, but the text hit the shelves less than a year ago. How soon can one change their political opinions and viewpoints?

When the debates occur, Perry has to own up to the HPV vaccine fiasco. Perry has to blush when his relationship to big businesses comes up. Perry has to account for the embarrassment that is Texas public education system. Good looks and charisma cannot compensate for these.

Make no mistake — Perry is charismatic out on the campaign trail, but that charisma can only be utilized when he’s not being forced to own up to his mistakes.

If Perry wants to run for president, he’s going to have a lot of explaining to do.

David Haydon is a political science senior and may be reached at [email protected].