Between the Ames straw poll in Iowa and Rick Perry's anticipated announcement, August 13 is shaping up to be a pretty interesting day for GOP voters.
And as speculation only continues to swarm ahead of Saturday's events, Richard S. Dunham in the Houston Chronicle today offers an interesting look at the choices and challenges facing the Texas Governor in his possible path to the White House:
The tea party primary
For Perry to become the tea party favorite [and thus the Romney alternate], he must emerge from a pack of five possible candidates registering 12 to 16 percent among tea party Republicans in the Pew survey. His top rivals: Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, Texas Rep. Ron Paul and Georgia businessman Herman Cain.
The money primary
Perry backers say [he needs] to go from zero to $10 million in a month, with a goal of at least $75 million to carry them through Super Tuesday.
Rudy-palooza
Three years ago, Perry endorsed an unlikely presidential candidate, Rudy Giuliani, and campaigned hard for the former New York mayor in Iowa. This time, Perry is counting on the moderate Yankee to reciprocate.
The Iowa caucuses
A major asset for Perry: Iowa's Republican electorate is very conservative on social issues. Meanwhile, the big field and his late start give him an opportunity to lower expectations for his performance.
The New Hampshire primary
Perry supporters will downplay his prospects in the scheduled Jan. 24 primary to minimize the political momentum generated by the expected victory of Romney.
The South Carolina primary
This very conservative, Southern state is fertile ground for Perry. Many of the state's most talented operatives have signed on with other contenders.
The sprint to Super Tuesday
Perry is counting on a political coalition including Christian conservatives and the remnants of Giuliani's 2008 campaign organization. The Texas governor hopes to sweep the Super Tuesday South [and California] to overcome any edge others might have elsewhere.
Bridges to the establishment
If Perry is standing after Super Tuesday, he'll need to make inroads with establishment Republicans to win a first-ballot majority at the Republican National Convention.
Target: Tampa
Perry would have several goals at the GOP convention in Tampa: Unifying his party, defining the stakes of the 2012 election and taking aim at key swing states, starting with host Florida.
Next stop: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
With the nomination in hand, Perry would focus like a laser beam on the economy, comparing his Texas record of job creation and balanced budgets with President Barack Obama's record of rising unemployment and deficits.
Dunham's full insight on each of the 10 steps is available to view here.
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