Iowans choose their guy

And the people of Iowa have spoken. Their man? Mitt Romney. Wait, I'm sorry, what?! Shock horror! IT'S A TIE!!!

The eve of the Iowa caucus

Last time around our lad Willard (that's Mitt Romney to the uninformed) finished a rather distant second to Mike Huckabee, short by nearly 10%. The 'next-in-line' candidate went on to finish third in the overall nominee race with John 'call me Maverick' McCain taking on Obama and selling his soul down the river in the process. Needs must...

Perry "Politically Correct"

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, currently lagging behind in the run-up to the Iowa caucuses, has released a new ad entitled "politically correct." The 31-second spot features the former Aggie (Texas A&M alumni) standing in front of some trees wearing a tie-less shirt and suit jacket. Ad to tackle the issues or an ad for Brooks Brothers?

DNC retorts Romney and Perry

The Democrats have hit back at accusations, by GOP hopefuls Mitt Romney and Rick Perry, that President Barack Obama called Americans "lazy". In the web ad they show headlines from outlets, including Time magazine and ABC News, that describe the accusation as being erroneous. Rick Perry - another gaffe. Mitt Romney - another manipulation. Catchy?

I know it's a bit late but this is friggin' awesome! Photo: waywuwei (Flickr)

Perry faltering

Rick Perry dealt himself a heavy blow at the recent GOP debate in South Carolina by embarrassingly stumbling through his policy of cutting government agencies. Commerce, education and... In what is undoubtedly a PR disaster for his campaign, could this spell the end of the Texas Gov.'s dwindling bid to reach the White House? The EPA?

Is 'Slick Rick' falling off his horse on the way to Washington? Picture: DonkeyHotey (Flickr)

"Scared Mittless"

The Huntsman campaign has released a web spot detailing how presumed front-runner Mitt Romney has been avoiding the press. The 90 second video also lists numerous newspaper headlines describing Mitt's penchant to brush aside questions from both the press and voters. Tip of the cap to Politico for the headline, "Mitt Romney's Mittness Protection Program." 

Romney with a sticker adorned supporter. Photo: alicegop (Flickr)

Perry ads tailored for South Carolina & Iowa

A ‘super PAC’ has been playing a television spot in South Carolina for the last few days entitled “Leadership.” The 30 second ad gives a brief history of Rick Perry’s origins and describes him as a “solid conservative.” Except for that time he was a Democrat. Or can you be both? The return of the ‘yellow dog Democrat?’

Perry the Joker. Credit: eschipul (Flickr)

Paul ads bombard early voting states

Evergreen Republican libertarian Ron Paul has been airing two spots in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. The Representative from Texas is targeting these first-in-the-nation states with this multimillion-dollar ad buy as he tries to put himself at the top of the field. This is his last hurrah. Spend like you mean it!

Ron Paul addresses a crowd in Houston, Texas. Photo credit: everett taasevigen 

Romney and Perry exchange blows

GOP nominee hopefuls Mitt Romney and Rick Perry have locked horns once again with both releasing attack ads during the lead-up to the Nevada primary debate. These debates are really not what they are cracked up to be. (#letdown)

Camera phone image of Perry and Romney debating. (I know, we is well hi-tech innit!) Image is courtesy of Maassive via Flickr under a Creative Commons license. 

Charlie Christie to Enter the Fray?

Is New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie about to jump into the pool for the Republican nomination? Well if he did he'd certainly cause a big splash... or tsunami? Hype surrounding the possibility of Christie throwing his hat into the ring is rising from the GOP grassroots like Yellowstone geysers.

Fallen Pawlenty Backs Romney to Win

The first big-name casualty of the Republican process endorsed one-time rival and once object of personal derision, Mitt Romney, as the man to lead the GOP in the general election against incumbent President Barack Obama. First he was taking swings at you, now he’s giving you a hug… That’s true friendship right there.

Support for T-Paw at the Ames Iowa Straw Poll. Photo by Gage Skidmore.

Profile: Rick Perry

James Richard Perry is the 47th Gov. of the Lone Star state and assumed the role in December 2000 after fellow Texan G.W. Bush resigned to become President of the USA. At present he is the longest continuously serving Governor in the country and the longest serving in Texas history after winning three elections.

Perry and the Elderly

Is Rick Perry anti-old people? His book “Fed Up!” has come under fire for some less than appealing remarks concerning pillar issues for senior citizens. He described Social Security as an “illegal ponzi scheme” (hello Bernie Madoff!) and that Medicare was unconstitutional. An American Dream without a safety net for the most disadvantaged and hard-done by? Surely not…

The True Son of Texas: Bush or Perry?

One would have originally thought that one politically successful son of Texas and his camp would throw their weight fully behind another son of Texas and his camp looking to occupy what was once the former’s ultimate seat of power. What this rather questionable attempt at eloquent writing means to ask is why aren’t ‘Dubya’ and his former administration (Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rove et al) getting behind good ol’ Rick.

Now It’s a Two-Horse Race

After the latest televised GOP debate on Wednesday 7^th the Republican field seems to have found its frontrunners; former Gov. of Massachusetts Mitt Romney and Gov. of Texas Rick Perry. I’d like to analogise the race as two men grappling with each other in a swimming pool looking to drown the other one; no euphemism intended I promise.

Tim Pawlenty Withdraws

Former Gov. of Minnesota Tim Pawlenty has withdrawn from the presidential race after not receiving the kick he needed from the Ames Iowa Straw Poll. He finished in third place with 13.6% of the vote behind Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul who earned 28.6% and 27.7% of the vote respectively. Ouch... 

Rick Perry Actually Declares

After lengthy speculation, which we outlined in late July and earlier this month, Texas Gov. Rick Perry has finally made a formal declaration of his intentions to run for the presidency. I promise his lengthy bio / profile piece will come within a week. Always ballin’ and never slackin’… or so I like to think. However, if you can’t wait till then you can get briefed on him here.

Perry is Coming

The Gov. of Texas is rumoured to be making his announcement to run for President on Saturday. A couple of weeks ago we told you speculation was mounting that an announcement was coming although, at the time, we were expecting it to come in the second half of August. Means this long and detailed Perry profile is coming soon. As they say: no pain, no gain.

Who is Rick Perry?

Although the Gov. of Texas has yet to formally announce his declaration as a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination; he essentially has done. By saying his campaign will launch at the end of August he is buying time to start fundraising and fill his war chest. So, this is a little pre-profile snippet of who and what the man from Texas is. I cannot be arsed to write a full profile piece until he actually straps up and formally declares; no declaration = no profile.

Rick Perry speaking at CPAC 2011. Picture by Gage Skidmore via Flickr.

Rick Perry Eyes Campaign Launch

Texas Gov. Rick Perry seems set to enter the fray as a ‘big fish’ candidate in the next few weeks. With fellow undecided Republican politician Sarah Palin yet to make a decision and, being very quite in recent weeks, perhaps Perry will be the name to shake things up. Ice ages have moved faster than this field of chumps candidates.